Origin / Inspiration for the Ward Cubes

[bombasticus]

Apologies if this has been asked but a search of the site didn't turn anything up.

Years after first reading the books I'm curious whether KK had a specific inspiration for the magic of the wards -- something cabbalistic or hermetic or Scholastic -- and am simply hoping anyone knows. Did she make them up from whole cloth, or was there a real-life historical influence in the background? Best regards,

[DesertRose]

In Deryni Magic, she sort of indicates that she more or less made them up, because she says she later found out that there is a real-world magical equivalent, using blessed blue and white candles rather than charged black and white cubes.

I don't have my copy readily to hand, so I can't give you a page number for reference, but it's under the Wards and Warding section, I'm sure.

[Aerlys]

Welcome to the boards, bombasticus. Love the name! Great question, too.