theology

Shapeshifting Transformation

Form-mutability as a constitutional property of divine and preternatural beings — gods, heroes, spirits, and their human practitioners possessing inherent capacity to alter form across human, animal, plant, or elemental states. Loki and Odin's transformations in Norse, Math's pigs and Blodeuwedd's owl-shape and Pwyll's exchange with Arawn in the Mabinogion, the Greek Proteus, the Indian dasavatara, Vainamoinen's bird-flight in the Kalevala, Ovid's metamorphoses, the shamanic and witch's capacity for ritual form-change. Distinct from anthropomorphism (divine taking specific human form, single embodiment) in that anthropomorphism establishes a stable form whereas this concept establishes form's plurality and instability.

220 passages · 10 traditions

native_american63

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-c

“Our people have always claimed that the stone arrows which are found so generally throughout the country are the ones that the first man used in his battle with the animals. It is not recorded in our traditions, much less is it within the…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-d

“The young man and his Teacher made a birch-bark canoe, which floated upon the surface of the flood, while of the animals there were saved only a few, who had found a foothold upon the highest peaks. The youth had now passed triumphantly th…”

The Soul of the Indian | Chapter V-e

“There are some curious traditions of young men and maidens who transgressed this law unknowingly, being seduced and deceived by a magnificent buck deer, perhaps, or a graceful doe, and whose fall was punished with death. The animal totems…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3a

“KANA′TĬ AND SELU: THE ORIGIN OF GAME AND CORN When I was a boy this is what the old men told me they had heard when they were boys. Long years ago, soon after the world was made, a hunter and his wife lived at Pilot knob with their only ch…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3b

“The wind blew the down from his shoulder, and it fell in the woods, when the Wild Boy took his right shape again and went back and told his brother what he had seen. Keeping out of sight of their father, they followed him up the mountain u…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3c

““There is no meat,” said Selu, “but wait a little while and I’ll get you something.” So she took a basket and started out to the storehouse. This storehouse was built upon poles high up from the ground, to keep it out of the reach of anima…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3d

“When the Wolf chief asked him his business, he said: “I have two bad boys at home, and I want you to go in seven days from now and play ball against them.” Although Kana′tĭ spoke as though he wanted them to play a game of ball, the Wolves k…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 3e

“He rolled it to the south and to the north, and each time the wheel came back to him, and they knew their father was not there. Then he rolled it toward the Sunland, and it did not return. “Our father is there,” said the Wild Boy, “let us…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 5a

“THE DAUGHTER OF THE SUN The Sun lived on the other side of the sky vault, but her daughter lived in the middle of the sky, directly above the earth, and every day as the Sun was climbing along the sky arch to the west she used to stop at he…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 5b

“The Little Men told them they must take a box with them, and when they got to Tsûsginâ′ĭ they would find all the ghosts at a dance. They must stand outside the circle, and when the young woman passed in the dance they must strike her with…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 6a

“HOW THEY BROUGHT BACK THE TOBACCO In the beginning of the world, when people and animals were all the same, there was only one tobacco plant, to which they all came for their tobacco until the Dagûlʻkû geese stole it and carried it far away…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 8

“THE MOON AND THE THUNDERS. The Sun was a young woman and lived in the East, while her brother, the Moon, lived in the West. The girl had a lover who used to come every month in the dark of the moon to court her. He would come at night, and…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 9

“WHAT THE STARS ARE LIKE There are different opinions about the stars. Some say they are balls of light, others say they are human, but most people say they are living creatures covered with luminous fur or feathers. One night a hunting part…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 10

“ORIGIN OF THE PLEIADES AND THE PINE Long ago, when the world was new, there were seven boys who used to spend all their time down by the townhouse playing the gatayû′stĭ game, rolling a stone wheel along the ground and sliding a curved stic…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 13

“THE GREAT YELLOW-JACKET: ORIGIN OF FISH AND FROGS A long time ago the people of the old town of Kanu′gaʻlâ′yĭ (“Brier place,” or Briertown), on Nantahala river, in the present Macon county, North Carolina, were much annoyed by a great insec…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15c

“e., if the hunter has asked pardon for the life that he has taken. If the formulistic prayer has been made, all is well, because the necessary sacrifice has been atoned for; but if otherwise, the Little Deer tracks the hunter to his house…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 15e

“The underlying idea is that the fetid smell repels the disease spirit, and upon the same principle the buzzard, which is so evidently superior to carrion smells, is held to be powerful against the same diseases. The beaver ( dâ′yĭ ), by re…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35c

“Should any person in the settlement dream of eagles or eagle feathers he must arrange for an Eagle dance, with the usual vigil and fasting, at the first opportunity; otherwise some one of his family will die. Should the insect parasites wh…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35d

“The common swamp gallinule, locally known as mudhen or didapper ( Gallinula galeata ), is called diga′gwanĭ′ (lame or crippled), on account of its habit of flying only for a very short distance at a time. In the Diga′gwanĭ′ dance the perfo…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 35e

“The meat of the ruffed grouse, locally known as the pheasant ( Bonasa umbellus ), is tabued to a pregnant woman, because this bird hatches a large brood, but loses most of them before maturity. Under a stricter construction of the theory t…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 36a

“THE BALL GAME OF THE BIRDS AND ANIMALS Once the animals challenged the birds to a great ballplay, and the birds accepted. The leaders made the arrangements and fixed the day, and when the time came both parties met at the place for the bal…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 39

“HOW THE KINGFISHER GOT HIS BILL Some old men say that the Kingfisher was meant in the beginning to be a water bird, but as he had not been given either web feet or a good bill he could not make a living. The animals held a council over it a…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 44

“THE OWL GETS MARRIED A widow with one daughter was always warning the girl that she must be sure to get a good hunter for a husband when she married. The young woman listened and promised to do as her mother advised. At last a suitor came t…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 45

“THE HUHU GETS MARRIED A widow who had an only a daughter, but no son, found it very hard to make a living and was constantly urging upon the young woman that they ought to have a man in the family, who would be a good hunter and able to hel…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 47

“THE EAGLE’S REVENGE Once a hunter in the mountains heard a noise at night like a rushing wind outside the cabin, and on going out he found that an eagle had just alighted on the drying pole and was tearing at the body of a deer hanging ther…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 48

“THE HUNTER AND THE BUZZARD A hunter had been all day looking for deer in the mountains without success until he was completely tired out and sat down on a log to rest and wonder what he should do, when a buzzard—a bird which always has magi…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 49a

“THE SNAKE TRIBE The generic name for snakes is inădû′ . They are all regarded as anida′wehĭ , “supernaturals,” having an intimate connection with the rain and thunder gods, and possessing a certain influence over the other animal and plant…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 49c

“As with the blacksnake, it is believed that toothache may be prevented and sound teeth insured as long as life lasts by biting the greensnake along its body. It must be held by the head and tail, and all the teeth at once pressed down four…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 50a

“THE UKTENA AND THE ULÛÑSÛ′TĬ Long ago— hĭlahi′yu —when the Sun became angry at the people on earth and sent a sickness to destroy them, the Little Men changed a man into a monster snake, which they called Uktena, “The Keen-eyed,” and sent h…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 50c

“The Uktena was still asleep, and, putting an arrow to his bow, Âgăn-uni′tsĭ shot and sent the arrow through its heart, which was under the seventh spot from the serpent’s head. The great snake raised his head, with the diamond in front fla…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 56

“THE SNAKE BOY There was a boy who used to go bird hunting every day, and all the birds he brought home he gave to his grandmother, who was very fond of him. This made the rest of the family jealous, and they treated him in such fashion that…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 57

“THE SNAKE MAN Two hunters, both for some reason under a tabu against the meat of a squirrel or turkey, had gone into the woods together. When evening came they found a good camping place and lighted a fire to prepare their supper. One of th…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 59b

“The small scorpion lizard ( tsâne′nĭ ) is sometimes called also gigă-danegi′skĭ , “blood taker.” It is a striped lizard which frequents sandy beaches and resemble the diyâ′hălĭ, but is of a brown color. It is believed also to be sucking bl…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 61

“THE BULLFROG LOVER A young man courted a girl, who liked him well enough, but her mother was so much opposed to him that she would not let him come near the house. At last he made a trumpet from the handle of a gourd and hid himself after n…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62a

“THE KATYDID’S WARNING Two hunters camping in the woods were preparing supper one night when a Katydid began singing near them. One of them said sneeringly, “ Kû! It sings and don’t know that it will die before the season ends.” The Katydi…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 62d

““Then he must have passed in the night,” said the old woman, “for I have been here all day.” They were about to take another road when the Beetle, which had been circling about in the air above the old woman, made a dart at her and struck h…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65b

“Spear-finger had such powers over stone that she could easily lift and carry immense rocks, and could cement them together by merely striking one against another. To get over the rough country more easily she undertook to build a great roc…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65c

“Then they kindled a large fire of brush near the trail and hid themselves in the laurels, because they knew she would come as soon as she saw the smoke. Sure enough they soon saw an old woman coming along the trail. She looked like an old…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 65d

“At last he pointed it in the direction of the hunting camp on the other side of the mountain, and this time when he drew back the staff he sniffed it several times as if it smelled very good, and then started along the ridge straight for th…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 72

“THE HUNTER AND SELU A hunter had been tramping over the mountains all day long without finding any game and when the sun went down, he built a fire in a hollow stump, swallowed a few mouthfuls of corn gruel and lay down to sleep, tired out…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 73

“THE UNDERGROUND PANTHERS A hunter was in the woods one day in winter when suddenly he saw a panther coming toward him and at once prepared to defend himself. The panther continued to approach, and the hunter was just about to shoot when the…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 75a

“ORIGIN OF THE BEAR: THE BEAR SONGS Long ago there was a Cherokee clan called the Ani′-Tsâ′gûhĭ, and in one family of this clan was a boy who used to leave home and be gone all day in the mountains. After a while he went oftener and stayed…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 76b

“The hunter lived in the cave with the bear all winter, until long hair like that of a bear began to grow all over his body and he began to act like a bear; but he still walked like a man. One day in early spring the bear said to him, “Your…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78a

“THE NÛÑNĔ′HĬ AND OTHER SPIRIT FOLK The Nûñnĕ′hĭ or immortals, the “people who live anywhere,” were a race of spirit people who lived in the highlands of the old Cherokee country and had a great many townhouses, especially in the bald mounta…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 78b

“They went down a path that had a cornfield on one side and a peach orchard fenced in on the other, until they came to another trail, and the man said, “Go along this trail across that ridge and you will come to the river road that will brin…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 79

“THE REMOVED TOWNHOUSES Long ago, long before the Cherokee were driven from their homes in 1838, the people on Valley river and Hiwassee heard voices of invisible spirits in the air calling and warning them of wars and misfortunes which the…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 80a

“THE SPIRIT DEFENDERS OF NĬKWĂSĬ′ Long ago a powerful unknown tribe invaded the country from the southeast, killing people and destroying settlements wherever they went. No leader could stand against them, and in a little while they had was…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 80b

“There is another story, that once while all the warriors of a certain town were off on a hunt, or at a dance in another settlement, one old man was chopping wood on the side of the ridge when suddenly a party of the enemy came upon him—Shaw…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81b

“Tsulʻkălû′ was terribly angry. He untwisted himself and came out of the âsĭ, and said good-bye to the girl, telling her that he would never let her mother see him again, but would go back to his own country. Then he went off in the direct…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81c

“She was very glad to meet her brother and talked with him a long time, but did not ask him to come inside, and at last he went away without having seen her husband. Several other times her brother came to the mountain, but always his siste…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 81d

“He asked why Tsulʻkâlû′ had not brought the new dresses, as he had promised, and the voice from the air said, “I came with them, but you did not obey my word, but broke the fast and raised the war cry.” The young man answered, “It was not d…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 83b

“The other waited for him, doing a little hunting near the camp, and two nights afterwards Tsuwe′năhĭ was back again. He seemed to be alone, but was talking as he came, and the other hunter heard girls’ voices, although he could see no one.…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 84a

“THE MAN WHO MARRIED THE THUNDER’S SISTER In the old times the people used to dance often and all night. Once there was a dance at the old town of Sâkwi′yĭ, on the head of Chattahoochee, and after it was well started two young women with be…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 84b

“Then there was a louder roll of thunder and the woman said, “Now our brother is nearly home.” While they urged and he still refused to come nearer or sit down, suddenly there was a great thunder clap just behind him, and turning quickly he…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 86a

“YAHULA Yahoola creek, which flows by Dahlonega, in Lumpkin county, Georgia, is called Yahulâ′ĭ (Yahula place) by the Cherokees, and this is the story of the name: Years ago, long before the Revolution, Yahula was a prosperous stock trader a…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 87a

“THE WATER CANNIBALS Besides the friendly Nûñnĕ′hĭ of the streams and mountains there is a race of cannibal spirits, who stay at the bottom of the deep rivers and live upon human flesh, especially that of little children. They come out just…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 93b

“Go on until you come to the place where you made a bark shelter a long time ago, and under the bark you will find something to help you.” Ganogwioeoñ crawled out of the log, but they were gone. His feet were better now and he could walk co…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 94b

“It was the custom among the Cherokee to let two women say what should be done with captives. They decided that he should be tortured with fire, so he was tied to a tree, and the wood was piled around him. Hatcinoñdoñ gave himself up for l…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 101

“THE LAST SHAWANO INVASION Perhaps a year after the raid upon Tĭkwăli′tsĭ, the Shawano again, under the same leader, came down upon the exposed settlement of Kanuga, on Pigeon river, and carried off a woman and two children whom they found g…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 109

“THE WAR MEDICINE Some warriors had medicine to change their shape as they pleased, so that they could escape from their enemies. Once one of these medicine warriors who had been away from home came back and found a strong party of the enemy…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 117

“THE MOTHER BEAR’S SONG A hunter in the woods one day heard singing in a cave. He came near and peeped in, and it was a mother bear singing to her cubs and telling them what to do when the hunters came after them. Said the mother bear to the…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 120a

“THE RAVEN MOCKER Of all the Cherokee wizards or witches the most dreaded is the Raven Mocker ( Kâ′lanû Ahyeli′skĭ ), the one that robs the dying man of life. They are of either sex and there is no sure way to know one, though they usually…”

Myths of the Cherokee | Myth 120b

“Soon there was another raven cry outside, and the old man said to himself, “Now my wife is coming,” and sure enough in a little while the old woman came in and sat down by her husband. Then the young man knew they were Raven Mockers and he…”

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finnic55

The Kalevala | Rune II-b

“Wainamoinen, old and trusty, Thought awhile, and well considered, How to kill the mighty oak-tree, First created for his pleasure, How to fell the tree majestic, How to lop its hundred branches. Sad the lives of man and hero, Sad the homes…”

The Kalevala | Rune III-a

“AND YOUKAHAINEN. Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Passed his years in full contentment, On the meadows of Wainola, On the plains of Kalevala, Singing ever wondrous legends, Songs of ancient wit and wisdom, Chanting one day, then a second, Si…”

The Kalevala | Rune III-d

“Thou wert never seen or heard of When the earth was first created, When were made the ether-spaces, When the air was crystal-pillared, When the Moon was placed in orbit, When the silver Sun was planted, When the Bear was firmly stationed, W…”

The Kalevala | Rune III-e

“Now it was that Youkahainen Comprehended but too clearly What his folly, what the end was, Of the journey he had ventured, Vainly he had undertaken For the glory of a contest With the grand, old Wainamoinen. When at last young Youkahainen,…”

The Kalevala | Rune IV-d

“Thus the tearful maiden answered: Therefore do I weep and sorrow, Wretched maiden all my life long, Since poor Aino, thou hast given, Since thy daughter thou hast promised To the aged Wainamoinen, Comfort to his years declining Prop to stay…”

The Kalevala | Rune IV-e

“Weeping Aino, now disrobing, Lays aside with care her garments, Hangs her silk robes on the alders, Drops her gold-cross on the sea-shore, On the aspen hangs her ribbons, On the rocks her silken stockings, On the grass her shoes of deer-ski…”

The Kalevala | Rune IV-g

“As the tear-drops fall and mingle, Form they streamlets three in number, And their source, the mother's eyelids, Streamlets formed from pearly tear-drops, Flowing on like little rivers, And each streamlet larger growing, Soon becomes a rush…”

The Kalevala | Rune V-a

“'S LAMENTATION. Far and wide the tidings travelled, Far away men heard the story Of the flight and death of Aino, Sister dear of Youkahainen, Fairest daughter of creation. Wainamoinen, brave and truthful, Straightway fell to bitter weepin…”

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celtic47

The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-l

““My lord Arthur,” said Gwalchmai, “here is Owain, who has vanquished me, and will not take my arms.” “My lord,” said Owain, “it is he that has vanquished me, and he will not take my sword.” “Give me your swords,” said Arthur, “and then neit…”

The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAIN-q

“And we were thrown into a state of stupor, and while we were thus, the demon who owns this Castle slew all our husbands, and took from us our horses, and our raiment, and our gold, and our silver; and the corpses of our husbands are still i…”

The Mabinogion | Tale PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC-s

“Thou seest the many lovely maidens that there are in this Court; thou shalt have her whom thou best likest for the lady of thy love.” “Lady, I came not hither from my country to woo; but match yourselves as it liketh you with the comely you…”

The Mabinogion | Tale PEREDUR THE SON OF EVRAWC-ac

“And he destroys the branches of the best trees in the forest, and he kills every animal that he meets with therein; and those that he doth not slay perish of hunger. And what is worse than that, he comes every night, and drinks up the fish…”

The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-b

“Then said she unto him, “I declare to thee, that it is thy destiny not to be suited with a wife until thou obtain Olwen, the daughter of Yspaddaden Penkawr.” And the youth blushed, and the love of the maiden diffused itself through all his…”

The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-h

“Garanwyn the son of Kai, and Amren the son of Bedwyr, and Ely Amyr, and Rheu Rhwyd Dyrys, and Rhun Rhudwern, and Eli, and Trachmyr (Arthur’s chief huntsmen). And Llwyddeu the son of Kelcoed, and Hunabwy the son of Gwryon, and Gwynn Godyvro…”

The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-i

“Uchtryd Varyf Draws (who spread his red untrimmed beard over the eight-and-forty rafters which were in Arthur’s Hall). Elidyr Gyvarwydd. Yskyrdav and Yscudydd (two attendants of Gwenhwyvar were they. Their feet were swift as their though…”

The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWEN-j

“Gwenllian Deg the majestic maiden. Creiddylad the daughter of Lludd Llaw Ereint. (She was the most splendid maiden in the three Islands of the mighty, and in the three Islands adjacent, and for her Gwythyr the son of Greidawl and Gwynn th…”

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western_esoteric27

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 53

“§ 2. Concerning the Forms of Infernal Spirits in their Manifestations Having regard to the nature and antecedents of the Intelligences with which Black Magic professes to be concerned, it must be highly important that the operator should kn…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 55

“Click to view THE SEAL OF BAAL I. BAAL, a king ruling in the East, who imparts invisibility and wisdom. He appears with a human head, or with that of a toad or cat, but sometimes with all at once. He speaks with a hoarse voice. Click to vie…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 56

“Click to view THE SEAL OF BUER Click to view THE SEAL OF GUSION X. BUER, a great president, who appears when the sun is in Sagittarius and teaches philosophy, logic, the virtues of herbs, &c. He heals all diseases and gives good familiars.…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 58

“Click to view THE SEAL OF FORAS XXXI. FORAS, a great president, who appears in the form of a strong man and teaches the virtues of all herbs and precious stones, as well as logic and ethics; he makes men invisible, imparts wit, wisdom and e…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 59 (part 1)

“Click to view THE SEAL OF MALPAS XXXIX. MALPAS, a powerful president, appears at first like a crow, but afterwards, when so commanded, assumes a human form, speaking with a hoarse voice. He brings artificers swiftly from all parts of the…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 59 (part 2)

“HAGENTI, a great president, appears in the shape of a gigantic bull with the wings of a griffin, but will duly put on human form. He gives wisdom, transmutes all metals into gold and turns wine into water. Click to view THE SEAL OF PROCEL…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 60

“Click to view THE SEAL OF ALLOCEN Click to view THE SEAL OF CAIM LII. ALLOCEN, a strong duke, appears in the form of a soldier, mounted on a great horse, his face like that of a lion, exceedingly red, his eyes flaming fire, his speech hoars…”

The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite) | Page 61 (part 1)

“Click to view THE SEAL OF VAPULA LX. VAPULA, a strong duke, comes in the form of a lion with griffin's wings. He gives skill not only in manual professions but also in philosophy and the sciences contained in books--I suppose, as distingu…”

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gnosticism8

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Savior Appears

“Immediately, [as I was musing on these matters], lo, the [heavens were opened, and] the [entire] creation underneath heaven glowed, and [the world] was shaken. [II, 2] [I grew fearful, and lo, I] saw inside the [light a child standing] near…”

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | Yaltabaoth-b

“The first <is> Athoth – he has the face of a sheep; the second is Eloaiou – he has the face of a donkey; the third is Astaphaios – he has the face of a [hyena]; the fourth is Yao – he has the face of a seven-headed [dragon]; the fifth is Sa…”

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Chief Archon Pollutes Eve

“I appeared in the shape of an eagle on the tree of knowledge, which is Reflection of Providence of Pure Light, so that I could instruct them and rouse them out of their deep sleep, because both of them were in a fallen condition, and they w…”

The Secret Writing According to John (Apocryphon of John), Codex II, 1 | The Vile Spirit

“I, however, asked: “Lord, where did the vile spirit originate?” He then said to me: “The Mother- Father, who is abundant in mercy, the holy Spirit in every mode, the one who is merciful and [II, 28] who shows compassion for all of you – th…”

Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST-e

“And having come, coming unto the World I came unto the midst of the Rulers of the Sphere, I was the likeness of Gabriel the angel of the Aeons, and knew me not the Rulers of the Aeons. But they were thinking that I am Gabriel the angel. I…”

Pistis Sophia | Document SECOND-e

“And the Self-willed dispatched out of the Height in the thirteenth Aeon, he dispatched another great power of light, it came down unto the Chaos as an [125 ] arrow flying, that he should help his emanations, and take away the lights of the…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-ac

“And the tenth chamber there are many Rulers in it seven heads of dragon to each of them in their original face, and he who is over them all they are wont to call his name in their Place, Xarmarokh. And eleventh chamber, there are many Rule…”

Pistis Sophia | Document THIRD-am

“These (commands) are those which are wont the Rulers of the great Destiny of the Aeons they are wont to deliver them (him, MS ) to the counterfeit spirit: and are wont the Rulers, they are wont to call the Ministers of the Aeons amounting t…”

norse6

The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1b

“Hail to the giver! | a guest has come; Where shall the stranger sit? Swift shall he be who, | with swords shall try The proof of his might to make. [1. This stanza is quoted by Snorri, the second line being omitted in most of the Prose…”

The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1h

The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1i

“50 Foul scorn was my meed | from the crafty maid, And nought from the woman I won. * * * 103. Though glad at home, | and merry with guests, A man shall be wary and wise; The sage and shrewd, | wide wisdom seeking, Must see that his speech…”

The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1o

“A sixth I know, | if harm one seeks With a sapling's roots to send me; The hero himself | who wreaks his hate Shall taste the ill ere I. 153. A seventh I know, | if I see in flames The hall o'er my comrades' heads; It burns not so wide |…”

The Poetic Edda: Voluspo | Section 1f

“Lothur : apparently an older name for Loki, the treacherous but ingenious son of Laufey, whose divinity Snorri regards as somewhat doubtful. He was adopted by Othin, who subsequently had good reason to regret it. Loki probably represents…”

The Poetic Edda: Voluspo | Section 1i

theosophy6

The Secret Doctrine | Page 7 (part 6)

“"In the beginning, before Mother became Father-Mother, the fiery Dragon moved in the infinitudes alone" ( Book of Sarparajni. ) The Aitareya Brahmana calls the Earth Sarparajni, "the Serpent Queen," and "the Mother of all that moves." Befo…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 10 (part 3)

“Crookes, F.R.S ., to admit that Science is yet a thousand leagues from the knowledge of the compound nature of the simplest molecule. From him we learn that such a thing as a really simple [[Footnote continued on next page]] [[Vol. 1, Pag…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 12 (part 6)

“" The Dhyanis ( Pitris ) are those who have evolved their BHUTA ( doubles ) from themselves , which RUPA ( form ) has become the vehicle of monads ( seventh and sixth principles ) that had completed their cycle of transmigration in the thre…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 14 (part 4)

“I am merged in Sekten." This last sentence gives the corroboration of, and repeats the doctrine of, esoteric Buddhism, for it alludes directly to the fifth principle (Manas), or the most spiritual part of its essence rather, which merges in…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 31 (part 1)

“The Secret Doctrine by H. P. Blavatsky -- Vol. 1 [[Vol. 1, Page]] 470 [[This page continued from previous section ]] § XV. ON KWAN-SHI-YIN AND KWAN-YIN. L IKE Avalokiteshwara, Kwan-shi-yin has passed through several transformations, b…”

The Secret Doctrine | Page 97 (part 8)

“The Laplanders call their corpses to this day manee, ( Voyage de Renard en Laponie I., 184). Mannus is the ancestor of the German race; the Hindu Manu, the thinking being, from man; the Egyptian Menes ; and Minos, the King of Crete, judge…”

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Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXIX — What Things Are Under the Power of Mercury, and Are Called Mercurial | Chapter XXIX, Section 1

“CHAPTER XXIX. What Things Are Under the Power of Mercury, and Are Called Mercurial . Things under Mercury are these: Amongst Elements, water, though it moves all things indistinctly. Amongst humors, those especially which are mixed, as also…”

Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXVI — Of the Union of Mixed Things, and the Introduction of a More Noble Form and the Senses of Life | Chapter XXXVI, Section 1

“CHAPTER XXXVI. Of the Union of Mixed Things, and the Introduction of a More Noble Form and the Senses of Life . Moreover , we must know, that by how much the more noble the form of anything is, by so much the more prone and apt it is to rec…”

Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XLI — XLI. Of Sorceries, and Their Power | Chapter XLI, Section 1

“CHAPTER XLI. Of Sorceries, and Their Power . The force of sorceries is reported to be so great that they are believed to be able to subvert, consume and change all inferior things, according to Virgil's muse: Mœris for me these herbs in Pon…”

Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XLV — Of Collyries, Unctions, Love-Medicines, and Their Virtues | Chapter XLV, Section 1b

“Also by divers rites, observations, ceremonies, religions and superstitions; all which shall be handled in their places. And not only by these kind of arts are passions, apparitions and images induced, but also things themselves, which are…”

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The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XI, Section 1a

“CHAPTER XI. Ar g una said: In consequence of the excellent and mysterious words concerning the relation of the supreme and individual soul,, which you have spoken for my welfare, this delusion of mine is gone away. O you whose eyes are li…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XI, Section 1b

“Some being afraid are praying with joined hands, and the groups of great sages and Siddhas are saying 'Welfare !' and praising you with abundant (hymns) of praise. The Rudras, and Âdityas, the Vasus, the Sâdhyas, the Vi s vas, the two A s…”

The Bhagavad Gita | Chapter XI, Section 1c

“O infinite lord of gods! O you pervading the universe! you are the indestructible, that which is, that which is not, and what is beyond them . You are the primal god, the ancient being, you are the highest support of this universe . You…”

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Epic of Gilgamesh: Tablet VI — Ishtar and the Bull of Heaven | Tablet VI, Section 1b

“(Sooth), thou shalt vouch (?) for the truth (?) of (this) list—Thy maidenhood's consort, Tammuz, each year dost make him the cause of Wailing , (then cometh Next) the bird Roller gay-feather’d thou lovedst, and (yet) thou didst smite him 50…”