raum215 wrote:Here are just a few possible meanings of the term if it is meant to be translated, from Ah-keph-eh-lawn:
Headless
Family-less (or Bornless, if you will)
Directionless
Beheaded
Disowned
Lost
Basically, it does not say if this is an original state or if it is something that was one there and is now missing.
Born without a head, or decapitated?
Has never had a figurehead, or was it lost?
But none of that matters unless it is magically viable. I do not need to translate it for it to be magically viable.
What I meant is simple, it is assumed, not explicit in the text, that this is meant to be translated. This text is full of barbarous words, some which seem to be able to translate and some which do not. I do not make assumptions that this name is any different.
In general, a proper noun has value in assignment, not translation. What Akephalon does is more important than why this term is used to describe what Akephalon is.
Enter a passage like this in your conjuration,..
"Called Bornless by those aspiring to knowledge and Conversation by the formula of To Mega Therion -
AKEPHALON
Called Headless by those who seek the mystery of his name in the echos of The Golden Language of Greece- AKEPHALON"
When you are calling Akephalon (which I pronounce differently than what it would be as "Headless", "Bornless", or any other variant), you are not just calling on what one writer assumes.
Epithets are not always literal, and Greek is FULL of them. In my experience, all languages are. Worse off is Akephalon could by Greek creation of epithet be one who *leaves others headless* instead of being headless itself. Look for example at the debatable etymology of Achilles.
And which head, dual meaning of Greek words, especiall from Golden Age lingusitics is a must, but a lot of words have many more meanings.
At least one use of this word cognates to water with an unknown source. Another refers to castration. Another refers to one who rejects authority.
Words simply did not have concrete meanings. But what is clear is this word was a TITLE, a proper noun.
Translation of proper nouns is not required, and often not even useful, in Magick. In fact, it can be downright detrimental.
Absolutely wonderful! It is now even worse than I ever dreamed. A sh+tfit of possibility and perhaps wrapped up in "maybe". Monkey read monkey do is not wise magic. I would never touch this madness until there is a definitive explanation as to what it does and means and exactly how it would fit into my work!
It may be an idea for others to reconsider their stance and for newbies to leave this alone unless they have expert teachers.