Le pouvoir de l’écriture dans la magie

The magical papyri and other writings from imperial and late Antiquity attest a performative and ritual use of words and letters, arranged into triangles, rectangles, or circles. Because of the geometrical or mathematical nature of all things, these triangles or rectangles are supposed to be efficient for healing, protecting or casting a spell on someone. By removing or adding letters (in the case of the triangle), or by multiplying them (in the case of the rectangle), or by arranging them in a palindromic circular order, the magical power comes to effect.