Syos

Likely derived from the old Greek word theos, meaning “to shine” with divine light, Syos was used by magicians in the 12th and 13th centuries to establish to cardinal directions. “Having reached the potter’s earth, he plants his heel upon it and turning successively to the East, South, and North, repeats the magic word ‘Syos’ to each of those cardinal points.” [Lynn Thorndike, History of Magic and Experimental Science, 8 vol., 1923–58].