I used to run around as a little girl shouting this word and expecting invisible doorways in my bedroom to suddenly show themselves and wishing it would turn my brother into a toad. It did neither unfortunately.
But it’s a cool word nonetheless. And I’m betting this is the one magick word everyone knows thanks to it’s copious use by stage magicians and pantomime actors.
But what’s it all about? Is it just a strange collection of letters which doesn’t turn siblings into toads when yelled repeatedly? Or could there be more? <cue Twilight Zone music>
The first mention of Abracadabra was over 1,800 years ago in a poem by Serenus Sammonicus who worked as a physician to the Roman Emperor, Caracalla. It was worn as an amulet by malaria suffers. It had to be written in the following way though:
A – B – R – A – C – A – D – A – B – R – A
A – B – R – A – C – A – D – A – B – R
A – B – R – A – C – A – D – A – B
A – B – R – A – C – A – D – A
A – B – R – A – C – A – D
A – B – R – A – C – A
A – B – R – A – C
A – B – R – A
A – B – R
A – B
A
The reason for the triangular pattern is the disease disappears along with the decrease in letters. Kind of like a funnel.
Don’t have malaria? Not a problem. You can still have fun with Abracadabra and if, by chance, you do change a person into a toad let me know what I was doing wrong 
There are many more ABC Wednesdays for you to enjoy!
I think abracadabra was just a punctuation to the toad turning spell. You probably needed a chant like- brother needs to take a nicer road, or he shall turn into a toad!
or brother is acting like a feral dog, I demand he change into a frog!
maybe add some algea and a nice swamp green candle to the spell.
I've seen that abracadabra somewhere else- it might have been the book The Jesus Mysteries- http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Mysteries-Was-Origina…
I love your post. I am so glad I found you through ABC Wednesday.
But what should I do if I turn MYSELF into a toad?
Love that Triangle pattern.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Interesting post!
I never knew that about people who have illness' wearing that…I always knew it had something more than the simple "Aladdin" chant. Also I think it's tied in with the Seal of Solomon? maybe…Ty for the great info. Lyn : )
Great stuff that I did not know…. my husband is a toad, Oh I meant a Prince….bkm