Word Etymology - Invoke

If you have ever been to a "High" Church assembly where there is a lot of ritual and tradition involved with the "time of worship" then you probably are familiar with the word "Invocation." However the first time I ever thought about the word was when I studied Homer's Odyssey and was taught about what my teacher called "the invocation of the Muse." It fascinated me and I soon realized as I read more literary works (Dante, Canto 2, Inferno) that "the invocation of the Muse" is not something uncommon. I knew who the Muses were from mythology but what of the word invocation/invoke?

Invoke comes from the Latin word "invocare" which breaks down into two words: "in" meaning 'on' and "vocare" meaning 'to call.' It should also be noted that the word "vocare" in Latin is related is related to the word "vox" meaning voice. So the meaning that is understood in the Latin word "invocare" is 'to call on with the voice.' This word has been closely associated with religious ceremonies of every type and has a somewhat submissive quality to it as it is used most commonly to call on higher powers for help. With "the invocation of the Muse" it was used to call upon the aid of a the Muse or the Muses to aid, inspire, and protect the creative process.

 What it means to storytelling: An invocation is a calling upon or a summoning. As storytellers we may invoke our audience to all manner of emotions and reactions, but also we may if we have the desire and the proper setting use a structured "invocation" whereby we set the mood, tone, and scene of a story. Depending on the perspective of the teller and what character he or she portrays this maybe a fun, creative, and even moving addition to certain pieces.

"Oh Muse, still may tongue that thou may speak through thy servant more clearly. Purify mine lips and silence me that thine words only may be heard."   -----   John Wade, sample invocation of the Muse