An incantation is the use of words, spoken, sung, or chanted usually as a formula, for the purpose of obtaining a result by their supposed magic power. The word is derived from the Latin incantare, to chang a magical formula. Funk & Wagnalls New Encyclopedia. vol. 15 shows that the spells, verses or formulas chanted contain the names of supernatural beings or the person whom the practitioner is attempting to help or harm (. According to J.B. Russel in Witchcraft in the Middle Ages, magic has always been a powerful tactic in both high and low magic due to the belief that power over a supernatural being’s or person’s name granted one power over them.
The early magi of Assyria and Babylonia were adepts at this art. In the book Life in Ancient Egypt, A. Erman says that magic formulas used by ancient Egyptians consisted of the magician repeating the words used by a god during some incident in the history of gods which brought good luck to that god; by reciting the words spoken by the god the magician was able to wield the power of that god. One of the most common, widespread and persistent uses of incantation was in healing wounds.