Spell to Acquire a Beautiful Voice

Archaeologists have discovered many of the objects such as this in monastic contexts throughout Egypt. Artisans and scribes produced ritual protective texts and images alongside other religious objects in the late antique and medieval periods. Incantations to ward off evil as well as alchemical texts or "spells" appear on this group in both Coptic and Greek. For example, written in two different (quite sloppy) hands, a pair of charming Coptic love spells instructs on how to acquire a beautiful singing voice. Notice the Coptic letters emanating from the angel’s trumpet. Natural materials such as hematite and rock crystal, believed to have apotropaic properties, were also used to make amulets.

These bits and pieces have been described as "magical" objects. The works illuminate everyday desires, such as protection, love, and good luck. Magic is not necessarily the most precise term to describe these works, which blur the lines between multiple faith practices. Still, scholars and the public often use the word to describe texts or objects like these that do not seem to fit into traditional devotional or miraculous categories.