praxis
Theurgy
Iamblichean ritual practice that engages the gods directly through consecrated material symbols and actions, on the premise that divine power descends into properly prepared matter — distinct from philosophical contemplation alone.
561 passages · 14 traditions
greek_mystery104
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 3 (part 2)
“Hence, in the vision of Herus Pamphilius, in Plato, the soul of Orpheus, being destined to descend into another body, is reported to have chosen rather that of a swan than to be born again of a woman; having conceived such hatred against th…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 8)
“43 these unnatural habits." As, therefore, it is not wonderful that the greatest part of those who inhabit a pestiferous region, should languish and decline, but that a very few should preserve their natural strength; so we ought not to won…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 9)
“For we preserve as sacred to those divinities, a perpetual fire in our temples; since this element is most similar to their lucid frames.
But with respect to fumigations from herbs produced by the earth, they called the censer or pan, in w…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 10)
“For in this solemnity grass is carried about, enwrapping the kernels of olives, attended with figs, all kinds of pulse, oaken boughs or acorns, the fruit of the strawberry, wheat, and barley, a mass of dried figs, cakes composed from the me…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 11)
“As the husbandman, therefore, performs sacred rites, by presenting handfuls of pulse and fruits, so ought we to sacrifice our purest thoughts, and other goods of the soul, thanking the divinities for the sublime contemplations they afford u…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 4 (part 12)
“But to the other Gods, to the world, and to the erratic and fixed stars, composed from body and soul, and to the visible divinities, testimonials of gratitude are to be offered by sacrificing with inanimate substances.
After these there re…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 5 (part 1)
“SECT.
III.
BUT it is now time to speak of the following Hymns, of which, as we have before observed, Onomacritus is the reputed author.
And first, with regard to the dialect of these Hymns, Gesner well observes it ought to be no objectio…”
◆Orphic Hymns | Front Matter, p. 5 (part 2)
“90 modern than the above period, as it must have been so easy to detect the forgery, from the original initiations which were even extant at the time in which Suidas lived.
In the former part of this Dissertation, we asserted that we shoul…”
Show all 104 →neoplatonism99
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter II
“We shall, therefore, deliver to you the peculiar dogmas of the Assyrians; and also clearly develop to you our own opinions; collecting some things from the infinite writings of the ancients, but others from those particulars which were comp…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter VIIIb
“Hence, through these things such a corporeal-formed division as you introduce, is demonstrated to be false.
It is, indeed, especially necessary not to propose any thing of this kind; but if this should appear to you to be requisite, yet yo…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IXa
“I consider you, therefore, as asking, for it is your inquiry, “ Why, since the Gods dwell in the heavens alone, there are invocations by theurgists of terrestrial and subterranean Gods?
” For 45 what you assert in the beginning is not true…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter IXb
“For in things which are of a kindred nature, according to essence and power, or which are, in a certain respect, of the same species, or homogeneous, a certain comprehension, or conservation, may be discovered.
But in such things as are en…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIa
““ How therefore ,” you ask, “ are many things performed to them in sacred operations, as if they were passive?
” I reply, that this is asserted through an ignorance of sacerdotal mysticism.
For of the things which are perpetually effected…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XII
“You also say, “ that invocations are directed to the Gods as to beings that are passive, so that not only dæmons are passive, but likewise the Gods .” This, however, is not the case. For the illumination which takes place through invocation…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XIV
“Farther still, with respect to “ what are called the necessities of the Gods ,” the whole truth of this is, that necessities are peculiar to, and subsist in such a way as accords with the nature of, the Gods. [34] Hence they do not subsist…”
◆Iamblichus: On the Mysteries | Chapter XVa
“After this, you pass on to another division into contraries, viz.
the division of Gods with reference to dæmons.
For you say, “ that the Gods are pure intellects ;” but you propose this opinion as an hypothesis, or you narrate it as a dog…”
Show all 99 →egyptian89
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 21)
“If the name of Nut flourisheth in the temple of Shenth in Annu, the name of Pepi shall flourish, and this pyramid shall flourish, and this his work shall endure to all eternity.
If the name of Osiris flourisheth in This, the name of Pepi s…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 25)
“Vignette: The deceased being weighed against his heart in the balance in the presence of Osiris, "the great god, the prince of eternity." Chapter XXXI.
The Chapter of repulsing the crocodile which cometh to carry the magical words ### from…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 26)
“The Chapter of not going in to the divine block a second time.
Vignette: A man standing with his back to the block.[1] Chapter LI.
The Chapter of not walking upside down in the underworld.
Vignette: A man standing.
Chapter LII.* The Cha…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 28)
“The Chapter of bringing a boat in the underworld.
Vignette: A boat.
Chapter C.
The Chapter of making perfect the khu , and of making it to enter into the boat of Ra, together with his divine followers.
Vignette: A boat containing a comp…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 4 (part 30)
“It shall be recited on the ninth day of the festival.
Vignette: The deceased making offerings before a god.
Chapter CXLIV.
The Chapter of going in.
Vignette: Seven pylons.
Chapter CXLV A .
[Without title.] This Chapter has no vignette…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 5 (part 3)
“When Isis heard of this she went to Byblos, and, gaining admittance to the palace through the report of the royal maidens, she was made nurse to one of the king's sons, Instead of nursing the child in the ordinary way, Isis gave him her fin…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 6 (part 5)
“nuk sah em ba-f I am a sah with his soul.[3] In the late edition of the Book of the Dead published by Lepsius the deceased is said to " look upon his body and to rest upon his sahu ,"[4] and souls are said "to enter into their sahu ";[5] an…”
◆The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) | Chapter 6 (part 6)
“Maspero explained to the Members of the Congress of Lyons the views which he held concerning this word, and which he had for the past five years been teaching in the Collège de France, and said, "le ka est une sorte de double de la personne…”
Show all 89 →finnic85
◆The Kalevala | Rune IId
“Down from heaven came the eagle, Through the air be came a-flying, That he might this thing consider; And he spake the words that follow: "Wherefore, ancient Wainamoinen, Hast thou left the slender birch-tree, Left the birch-tree only stand…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune IIIa
“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 IIId
“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 Va
“'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…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune VIa
“'S HAPLESS JOURNEY.
Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Now arranges for a journey To the village of the Northland, To the land of cruel winters, To the land of little sunshine, To the land of worthy women; Takes his light-foot, royal racer, Th…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune VIIIb
“Come, sweet maiden, to my snow-sledge, I am not despised as hero, Not the meanest of magicians; Come with me and I will make thee Wife and queen in Kalevala." Thus the Maid of Beauty answered— "Would consider thee a hero, Mighty hero, I wou…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune VIIIc
“But the stream flows like a brooklet, Rushing like a maddened torrent, Stains the herbs upon the meadows, Scarcely is a bit of verdure That the blood-stream does not cover As it flows and rushes onward From the knee of the magician, From th…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune IXb
“"Then the blacksmith, Ilmarinen, Came to earth to work the metal; He was born upon the Coal-mount, Skilled and nurtured in the coal-fields; In one hand, a copper hammer, In the other, tongs of iron; In the night was born the blacksmith, In…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune IXd
“"Surely thou wert void of greatness, Having neither strength nor beauty, When the moose was trampling on thee, When the roebuck trod upon thee, When the tracks of wolves were in thee, And the bear-paws scratched thy body.
Surely thou hadst…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune IXe
“If thou heedest not this order, I shall offer other measures, Know I well of other forces; I shall call the Hisi irons, In them I shall boil and roast thee, Thus to check thy crimson flowing, Thus to save the wounded hero.
"If these means…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune IXf
“Thus it was be tried the balsam, Thus the magic salve he tested, Touched with it the splintered sandstone, Touched the broken blocks of granite, Touched the fissures in the mountains, And the broken parts united, All the fragments grew toge…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune Xa
“FORGES THE SAMPO.
Wainamoinen, the magician, Takes his steed of copper color, Hitches quick his fleet-foot courser, Puts his racer to the snow-sledge, Straightway springs upon the cross-seat, Snaps his whip adorned with jewels.
Like the w…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune Xd
“From her dressing-room she hastens, To the hall she bastes and listens, Full of beauty, full of joyance, Ears erect and eyes bright-beaming, Ruddy cheeks and charming visage, Waiting for the hero-stranger.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, Leads…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune Xe
“On the second day, the blacksmith Downward bent and well examined, On the bottom of the furnace; From the fire, a skiff of metals, Came a boat of purple color, All the ribs were colored golden, And the oars were forged from copper; Thus the…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIIe
“Here the hero, Lemminkainen, Drove along the lowest highway, Through the streets along the border, To a court-yard in the hamlet, Asked one standing in the doorway: "Is there one within this dwelling, That can loose my stallion's breastplat…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIIf
“Now the minstrel, Lemminkainen, Changes both his form and stature, Passes through the inner door-ways, Enters he the spacious court-hall, And these words the hero utters: "Fine the singing quickly ending, Good the song that quickly ceases;…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIIIb
“In this rising generation, That can travel in these snow-shoes, That the right and left can manage." To his back he tied the quiver, Placed the bow upon his shoulder, With both hands he grasped his snow-cane, Speaking meanwhile words as fol…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIVb
“Should thy mistress not awaken At the calling of thy flute-notes, Play again, and play unceasing, Make the golden tongue re-echo." Wild and daring Lemminkainen Steadfast prays upon his journey, Calling on the gods for succor, Hastens off th…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIVc
“"Sable-bearded god of forests, In thy hat and coat of ermine, Robe thy trees in finest fibers, Deck thy groves in richest fabrics, Give the fir-trees shining silver, Deck with gold the slender balsams, Give the spruces copper belting, And t…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIVd
“Then the hunter, Kaukomieli, Stroked his captive's neck in safety, For the moose was well-imprisoned.
Thereupon gay Lemminkainen Filled with joyance spake as follows: "Pride of forests, queen of woodlands, Metsola's enchanted hostess, Love…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVd
“Lemminkainen's anxious mother Takes the magic rake and hastens To the river of Tuoni, Praying to the Sun as follows: "Thou, O Sun, by God created, Thou that shinest on thy Maker, Shine for me in heat of magic, Give me warmth, and strength,…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVe
“Then the mother, well reflecting, Spake these words in bitter weeping: "From these fragments, with my magic, I will bring to life my hero." Hearing this, the raven answered, Spake these measures to the mother: "There is not in these a hero,…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVf
“Now the mother speaks as follows: "Where may I procure the balsam, Where the drops of magic honey, To anoint my son and hero, Thus to heal my Lemminkainen, That again his month may open, May again begin his singing, Speak again in words of…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVg
“God anoints his faithful children, With the honey of his wisdom, When they feel the pangs of sorrow, When they meet the powers of evil.
Dip thy winglets in this honey, Steep thy plumage in His sweetness, Hither bring the all-sufficient Bal…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVh
“Then the mother spake as follows: "I have found the long-sought balsam, Found the remedy of Ukko, Where-with God anoints his people, Gives them life, and faith, and wisdom, Heals their wounds and stills their anguish, Makes them strong agai…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIb
“Soon he fells the tree majestic, Fells the mighty forest-monarch, With his magic axe and power.
From the stems he lops the branches, Splits the trunk in many pieces, Fashions lumber for the bottom, Countless boards, and ribs, and braces, F…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIa
“FINDS THE LOST-WORD.
Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Did not learn the words of magic In Tuoni's gloomy regions, In the kingdom of Manala.
Thereupon he long debated, Well considered, long reflected, Where to find the magic sayings; When a…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIb
“Wise Wipunen, full of song-charms, Opens wide his mouth and swallows Wainamoinen and his magic, Shoes, and staff, and iron armor.
Then outspeaks the wise Wipunen: "Many things before I've eaten, Dined on goat, and sheep, and reindeer, Bear…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIc
“"Thence arose the violation, Thence arose the first destruction, Thence came all the evil-doings: From the neighborhood of wizards, From the homes of the magicians, From the eaves of vicious spirits, From the haunts of fortune-tellers, From…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIe
“"Shouldst thou find no means of living, I will banish thee still farther, To the cataract of Rutya, To the fire-emitting whirlpool, Where the firs are ever falling, To the windfalls of the forest; Swim hereafter in the waters Of the fire-em…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIf
“"I shall set my forge and bellows Deeper, deeper in thy vitals; I shall swing my heavy hammer, Swing it with a greater power On thy heart, and lungs, and liver; I shall never, never leave thee Till I learn thine incantations, Learn thy many…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIg
“Spake the hero, Wainamoinen: "O, thou Antero Wipunen, Open wide thy mouth and fauces, I have found the magic lost-words, I will leave thee now forever, Leave thee and thy wondrous singing, Will return to Kalevala, To Wainola's fields and fi…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIIc
“These the words of Wainamoinen: "Come, O maiden, to my vessel, In my magic ship be seated, Then I'll give thee truthful answer." Thus Annikki, silver-tinselled, Answers ancient Wainamoinen: "With the winds I'll fill thy vessel, To thy bark…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIId
“Wainamoinen now is sailing On the blue back of the waters, Sitting at his helm of copper; On the prow are golden carvings, Beautiful his boat of magic, Sailing fleetly o'er the billows, To the never-pleasant Northland, To the dismal Sariola…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XVIIIe
“These the words of Ilmarinen: "Fair Annikki, lovely sister, Bring me now my silken raiment, Bring my best and richest vesture, Bring me now my softest linen, That my wooing prove successful." Straightway did the helpful sister Bring the fin…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIXa
“'S WOOING.
Ilmarinen, hero-blacksmith, The eternal metal-worker, Hastens forward to the court-room Of the hostess of Pohyola, Of the master of the Northland, Hastens through the open portals Into Louhi's home and presence.
Servants come w…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XIXb
“In the field were countless vipers, Serpents there of every species, Crawling, writhing, hissing, stinging, Harmless all against the hero, Thus he stills the snakes of Lempo: "Vipers, ye by God created, Neither best nor worst of creatures,…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXc
“"Thus did Osmotar of Kalew Brew together hops and barley, Could not generate the ferment.
Thinking long and long debating, Thus she spake in troubled accents: 'What will bring the effervescence, Who will add the needed factor, That the bee…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXd
“Kapo, by the aid of magic, Rubbed her hands and knees together, And produced a magic marten, And the marten, golden-breasted; Thus instructed she her creature, Gave the marten these directions.
'Thou, my golden-breasted marten, Thou my son…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXe
“"Osmotar, the beer-preparer, Thought again, and long debated: 'Who or what will bring the ferment, Th at my beer may not be lifeless?' "Kalevatar, magic maiden, Grace and beauty in her fingers, Softly moving, lightly stepping, In her trimly…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXf
“"Osmotar, the beer-preparer, Kapo, brewer of the barley, Spake these words in saddened accents: 'Woe is me, my life hard-fated, Badly have I brewed the liquor, Have not brewed the beer in wisdom, Will not live within its vessels, Overflows…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXIc
“"Come, ye maidens that should serve me, Come, ye fellows from the village, Bring me fire upon the birch-bark, Light the fagots of the fir-tree, That I may behold the bridegroom, Chosen suitor of my daughter, Fairy Maiden of the Rainbow, See…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXIe
“Spake again wise Wainamoinen, When his wonder-tales had ended: "l have little worth or power, Am a bard of little value, Little consequence my singing, Mine abilities as nothing, If but Ukko, my Creator, Should intone his wisdom-sayings, Si…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXIIIh
“From his couch I leaped impulsive, In the coldest night of winter, But the husband fleetly followed, Caught me at the outer portals, Grasped me by my streaming tresses, Tore my ringlets from my forehead, Cast in curls upon the night-winds T…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVg
“Never was there in Wainola, Never will there be in Northland, Such a company assembled; All the children speak in joyance, All the aged move sedately; Dressed in white are all the maidens, Like the hoar-frost of the morning, Like the welcom…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIb
“These the words of Kaukomieli: "Where the wicked are invited, There the good are always welcome, Herein lies my invitation; I am constantly reminded By this sword of sharpened edges, By this magic blade and scabbard, That Pohyola needs my p…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIc
“Ancient mother of my being, Name the last of the destructions, Name the third of the destroyers." Lemminkainen's mother answered: "This the third of fatal dangers: Hast thou gone a greater distance, Hast thou travelled one day longer, To th…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVId
“Never will thy hero stumble On the serpents of the Northland; With my heel I'll crush the monsters, Stamp the horrid things to atoms; I will banish them from Pohya, Drive them to Manala's kingdom, Step within Pohyola's mansion, Walk the hal…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIf
“Then the stout-heart, Lemminkainen, Handsome hero, Kaukomieli, Rose upon his seat in wonder, Craned his neck and looked about him Found it as his mother told him, Found a stream of fire opposing; Ran the fire-stream like a river, Ran across…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIg
“Little heeding, Lemminkainen Cries aloud in prayer to Ukko: "Ukko, thou O God above me, Dear Creator, omnipresent, From the north-west send a storm-cloud, From the east, dispatch a second, From the south send forth a third one; Let them gat…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIIb
“O thou hostess of Pohyola, Toothless dame of dismal Northland, Badly managed is thy wedding, And thy feast is ill-conducted, Like the dogs hast thou invited; Thou hast baked the honey-biscuit, Wheaten loaves of greatest virtue, Brewed thy b…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXVIIc
“Now he drinks the beer remaining, When the wizard speaks as follows: "As a guest am I unwelcome, Since no beer to me is given That is worthy of a hero; Neither has a ram been butchered, Nor a fattened calf been slaughtered, Worthy food for…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXIXd
“Finally at close of evening, He resolved to leave the island, He resolved to waken early, Long before the dawn of morning; Long before the time appointed, He arose that he might wander Through the hamlets of the island, Bid adieu to all the…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXc
“Thou hast other things to feed on, Many other beads to stiffen; Leave in peace the flesh of heroes, Let this minstrel pass in safety, Freeze the swamps, and lakes, and rivers, Fens and forests, bills and valleys; Let the cold stones grow st…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXd
“"If thou shouldst not heed this order, Shouldst not leave me to my freedom, Know I still another kingdom, Know another spot of resting; I shall drive thee to the summer, Lead thy tongue to warmer climates, There a prisoner to suffer, Never…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXIc
“That the boy may sink and perish?" Then they hung him to an oak-tree, Crucified him in the branches, That the wizard there might perish.
When three days and nights had ended, Untamoinen spake as follows: "It is time to send my heralds To i…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXIId
“"Thou, O Otso, forest-apple, Woodland bear, with honeyed fingers, Let us make a lasting treaty, Make a vow for future ages, That thou wilt not kill my cattle, Wilt not eat my milk-providers; That I will not send my hunters To destroy thee a…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXIIe
“Therefore shouldst thou break this treaty, Shouldst thou come where golden cattle Roam these woodland hills and valleys, We will slay thee with our cross-bows; Should our arrow-men be absent, We have here some archer-women, And among them i…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXIIIb
“How shall I repay this insult, How avenge this woman's malice, What the wages for deception?" From a tree the raven answered: "O thou little silver buckle, Only son of old Kalervo, Why art thou in evil humor, Wherefore sad in thy demeanor?…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXVb
“Came a golden maid to meet him, On her snow-shoes came a virgin, O'er the hills of Wainamoinen, O'er his cultivated lowlands.
Quick the wizard-son, Kullervo, Checked the motion of his racer, Thus addressed the charming maiden "Come, sweet…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXVIIa
“'S BRIDE OF GOLD.
Ilmarinen, metal-worker, Wept one day, and then a second, Wept the third from morn till evening, O'er the death of his companion, Once the Maiden of the Rainbow; Did not swing his heavy hammer, Did not touch its copper ha…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXVIIb
“All rejoice but Ilmarinen At the wonderful creation; This the language of the blacksmith; "Let the bears admire thy graces; I desire a bride of beauty Born of many magic metals." Thereupon the wonder-forger Drives the colt back to the furna…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XXXIXc
“a worthy vessel, Many months have lain at anchor, I, a war-ship well constructed, Am decaying in the harbor, Never having sailed to conquest; Worms are gnawing at my vitals, In my hull their dwelling-places, And ill-omened birds of heaven B…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLb
“Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Thus addresses his companion: "O thou hero, Lemminkainen, Stoop and look beneath this war-ship, See on what this boat is anchored, See on what our craft is banging, In this broad expanse of water, In the broad…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLc
“Feasted all the old magicians, Feasted all the younger heroes, Feasted all the men and maidens; On the rocks were left the fish-bones, Only relics of their feasting.
Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Looked upon the pile of fragments, On the…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIIb
“Ilmarinen, magic blacksmith, Well anointed all the hinges, All the bars and locks anointed, And the bolts flew back by magic, All the gates unlocked in silence, Opened for the great magician.
Spake the minstrel Wainamoinen: "O thou daring…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIIf
“Winds and storms have I encountered, Wretched days of toil and trouble, I have witnessed in the Northland; Never have I met such dangers On the land, nor on the ocean, Never in my hero life-time!" Then the ancient Wainamoinen Spake and thes…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIIIa
“SAMPO LOST IN THE SEA.
Louhi, hostess of Pohyola, Called her many tribes together, Gave the archers bows and arrows, Gave her brave men spears and broadswords; Fitted out her mightiest war-ship, In the vessel placed her army, With their sw…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIVa
“OF THE SECOND HARP.
Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Long reflecting, sang these measures: "It is now the time befitting To awaken joy and gladness, Time for me to touch the harp-strings, Time to sing the songs primeval, In these spacious ha…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIVb
“I am weeping for my smallness, Am lamenting for my weakness, Have no sympathy, no pity, Stand here motionless for ages, Stand alone in fen and forest, In these woodlands vast and joyless.
Others hope for coming summers, For the beauties of…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIVc
“"Give me, maiden, of thy tresses, Give to me thy golden ringlets; I will weave them into harp-strings, To the joy of Wainamoinen, To the pleasure of his people." Thereupon the forest-maiden Gave the singer of her tresses, Gave him of her go…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVb
“Take thy golden-colored sceptre, Charm away opposing forces, Strike the pillars of the stronghold, Open all resisting portals, That the great and small may wander From their ancient hiding-places, Through the courts and halls of freedom." F…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVc
“"Omnipresent God of mercy, Thou who livest in the heavens, Hasten hither, thou art needed, Hasten to thine ailing children, To observe their cruel tortures, To dispel these fell diseases, Drive destruction from our borders.
Bring with thee…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIb
“Rest in peace, thou much-loved Otso, Turn about within thy thickets, Like the partridge at her brooding, In the spring-time like the wild-goose." When the ancient Wainamoinen Heard his dog bark in the forest, Heard his hunter's call and ech…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIc
“Does the hostess of the woodlands, Give to thee the lynx and adder, Since thou comest home rejoicing, Playing, singing, on thy snow-shoes?" Wainamoinen, ancient minstrel, Gave this answer to his people: "For his songs I caught the adder, Ca…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVId
“Have no care, thou much-loved Otso, Let not anger swell thy bosom As thy coat we view with pleasure; We thy fur shall never injure, Shall not make it into garments To protect unworthy people." Thereupon wise Wainamoinen Pulled the sacred ro…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIId
“"Time had gone but little distance, When the gray-pike grew affrighted, Fear befel the lake-trout-eater; Burning pain and writhing torment Seized the reckless trout-devourer; Swam the pike in all directions, Called, and moaned, and swam, an…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIIIa
“OF THE FIRE-FISH.
Wainamoinen, the enchanter, The eternal wisdom-singer, Long reflected, well considered, How to weave the net of flax-yarn, Weave the fish-net of the fathers.
Spake the minstrel of Wainola: "Who will plow the field and fa…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIIIb
“Then the master, Wainamoinen, Made additions to its borders, Made it many fathoms wider, And a hundred fathoms longer, Then these words the hero uttered "Famous blacksmith, Ilmarinen, Let us go again a-fishing, Row again the magic fish-net,…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIIIc
“Spake the ancient Wainamoinen: "May I touch thee with my fingers, Using not my gloves of iron, Using not my blue-stone mittens?
This the Sun-child hears and answers: "I should like to carve the Fire-fish, I should like this pike to handle,…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLVIIId
“Come, thou daughter from Pohyola, Come, white virgin of the hoar-frost, Come on shoes of ice from Lapland, Icicles upon thy garments, In one band a cup of white-frost, In the other hand an ice-spoon; Sprinkle snow upon my members, Where the…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIXa
“OF THE SUN AND MOON.
Thus has Fire returned to Northland But the gold Moon is not shining, Neither gleams the silver sunlight In the chambers of Wainola, On the plains of Kalevala.
On the crops the white-frost settled, And the cattle died…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIXc
“Thus they asked the hero-stranger.
"Magic swimmer of the Northland, Son of evil, what the message That thou bringest from thy people, What thy mission to Pohyola?" Wainamoinen, old and truthful, Thus addressed the hosts of Louhi: "For the…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune XLIXd
“Thereupon the ancient minstrel Quick returning, heavy-hearted, To his native halls and hamlets, Thus addressed his brother-heroes: "Woman, he without his weapons, With no implements, a weakling!
Sun and Moon have I discovered, But I could…”
◆The Kalevala | Rune Lb
“Saw it smiling near the meadow, Like a cranberry in feature, Like a strawberry in flavor; But be Virgin, Mariatta, Could not pluck the woodland-stranger, Thereupon she cut a charm-stick, Downward pressed upon the berry, When it rose as if b…”
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◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Bembine Table of Isisb
“Laurentius Pignorius reproduced the Tablet in connection with a descriptive essay in 1605, but his timidly advanced explanations demonstrated his ignorance concerning the actual interpretation of the figures.
THE BEMBINE TABLE OF ISIS.
Co…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | The Bembine Table of Isisc
“For as in the Supreme Mind everything is simultaneous and spaceless, the future is therefore present in that Mind; and they thought that while the human mind was absorbed in the Supreme by contemplation, by that union they were enabled to k…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Wonders of Antiquityf
“She bathed in the Castalian well, abstained from all food, drank only from the fountain of Cassotis, which was brought into the temple through concealed pipes, and just before mounting the tripod, she chewed a few leaves of the sacred bay t…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Stones, Metals and Gemsi
“The same multiplied by 20 gives 432,000, the fourth age, Kali-Yuga ." (It will be noted that these multipliers decrease in inverse ratio to the Pythagorean tetractys: 1, 2, 3, and 4.) H.
P.
Blavatsky declares that Orpheus taught his follo…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Ceremonial Magic and Sorcerya
“CEREMONIAL magic is the ancient art of invoking and controlling spirits by a scientific application of certain formulæ.
A magician, enveloped in sanctified vestments and carrying a wand inscribed with hieroglyphic figures, could by the pow…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Ceremonial Magic and Sorceryc
“It is identical with Baphomet the mystic pantheos of those disciples of ceremonial magic, the Templars, who probably obtained it from the Arabians.
*** A well-known magician of the Middle Ages was Dr.
Johannes Faustus, more commonly known…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Ceremonial Magic and Sorceryd
“For the third time I asked my question and he answered, 'I am as swift as human thought.' 'You shall serve me,' I replied.
This spirit was faithful for a long time, but to tell you how he served me is not possible in a document of this len…”
◆The Secret Teachings of All Ages (Manly P. Hall) | Ceremonial Magic and Sorcerye
“On the place where you intend to make the circle, you must first draw a great cross with a large sword with which no one ever has been hurt.
Then you must make three concentric circles.
The innermost circle is made of a long narrow strip…”
Show all 82 →gnosticism30
◆Gospel of Philip | Section 1c
“And Jesus said, “Whoever will not eat my flesh and drink my blood has no life within him.” What does he mean?
His flesh is the word and blood the holy spirit.
Who has received these has food and drink and clothing.
I condemn those who sa…”
◆Gospel of Philip | Section 1i
“His seed was Jesus, and the plant was the cross.” The tree of life in the middle of that garden of paradise is an olive tree, and from the olive tree comes chrism, and from that oil comes the resurrection.
THE WORLD EATS BODIES The world e…”
◆Gospel of Philip | Section 1j
“In the world these are the true people.
They are the attendants of the bridal chamber.
POWER AND WEAKNESS In this world, power and weakness mingle when man and woman have sex.
Joining is different in the eternal realm, though we use the…”
◆Gospel of Philip | Section 1m
“If we know the truth, we shall find the fruits of the truth within us.
If we join it, it will fulfill us.
THE STRONG AND WEAK, THE MANIFEST AND HIDDEN Now we have the manifest things of creation.
We say, “The strong are they who are held…”
◆Pistis Sophia | Document FIRSTo
“It happened therefore while the Rulers of the Aeons, with those of the Destiny, with those of the Sphere are abiding, doing this kind (of thing) [36 ] turning them round, eating the purgation of their matter, having not been allowed to make…”
◆Pistis Sophia | Document FIRSTt
“And I trusted unto thee: now therefore, O Light of the Lights, I am afflicted in the darkness of the Chaos: if thou wishest therefore to come to deliver me, great is thy mercy; hear me in truth and deliver me: deliver me out of the matter o…”
◆Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST~
“And also let them trust unto him, if they should come unto the Place of the Height: because it (is) he who will see and redeem us, 38 and there is a great mystery [69 ] of deliverance in him: and he is he who will deliver all the powers out…”
◆Pistis Sophia | Document FIRST
“[71 ] Because of this word therefore thy power of light prophesied once by David, saying in the four-twentieth with one psalm, God will sit in the assembly of the gods and (will) give judgment unto the gods.
Said he to her Jesus, Well (don…”
Show all 30 →celtic21
◆The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAINd
“Under this tree is a fountain, and by the side of the fountain a marble slab, and on the marble slab a silver bowl, attached by a chain of silver, so that it may not be carried away.
Take the bowl and throw a bowlful of water upon the slab…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAINf
“And Owain made it known to him, and said, “I am in quest of the Knight who guards the fountain.” Upon this the yellow man smiled, and said that he was as loth to point out that adventure to Owain as he had been to Kynon.
However, he descri…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAINk
““My lord,” said he, “I know the meaning of all this, and my request is, that thou wilt permit me to throw the water on the slab, and to receive the first adventure that may befall.” And Arthur gave him leave.
Then Kai threw a bowlful of wa…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale THE LADY OF THE FOUNTAINm
““Go with this,” said she, “and take with thee yonder horse and clothing, and place them near the man we saw just now.
And anoint him with this balsam, near his heart; and if there is life in him, he will arise through the efficacy of this…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale KILHWCH AND OLWENk
“And the second and the third day they journeyed, and even then scarcely could they reach so far.
And when they came before the castle, they beheld a vast flock of sheep, which was boundless and without an end.
And upon the top of a mound…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale MANAWYDDAN THE SON OF LLYRi
“And the third night came unto me my wife and the ladies of the Court, and besought me to transform them.
And I transformed them.
Now she is pregnant.
And had she not been pregnant thou wouldst not have been able to overtake her; but sinc…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale MATH THE SON OF MATHONWYb
“Swine are they now called.” “Who owneth them?” “Pryderi the son of Pwyll; they were sent him from Annwvyn, by Arawn the king of Annwvyn, and still they keep that name, half hog, half pig.” “Verily,” asked he, “and by what means may they be…”
◆The Mabinogion | Tale MATH THE SON OF MATHONWYe
“But first I will cause thee to have compensation, and then will I have amends made unto myself.
As for thee, I will take thee to be my wife, and the possession of my dominions will I give unto thy hands.” And Gwydion and Gilvaethwy came no…”
Show all 21 →renaissance_hermeticism20
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter II — What Magic Is, What Are the Parts Thereof, and How the Professors Thereof Must Be Qualified | Chapter II, Section 1a
“CHAPTER II.
What Magic Is, What Are the Parts Thereof, and How the Professors Thereof Must Be Qualified .
Magic is a faculty of wonderful virtue, full of most high mysteries, containing the most profound contemplation of most secret thing…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter II — What Magic Is, What Are the Parts Thereof, and How the Professors Thereof Must Be Qualified | Chapter II, Section 1b
“It instructs us also concerning Faith, Miracles, the virtues of Words and Figures , the secret operations and mysteries of Seals; and, as Apuleius saith, it teacheth us rightly to understand and to be skilled in the Ceremonial Laws, the equ…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter V — Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth | Chapter V, Section 1a
“CHAPTER V.
Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth .
There are two things, saith Hermes, viz., Fire and Earth, which are sufficient for the operation of all wonderful things: the former is active, the latter passive.
Fire, as saith Di…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter V — Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth | Chapter V, Section 1b
“Hence it was that the first and most wise institutors of religions and ceremonies ordained that prayers, singings and all manner of divine worships whatsoever should not be performed without lighted candles or torches (hence, also, was that…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter VI — Of the Wonderful Natures of Water, Air and Winds | Chapter VI, Section 1b
“Josephus also makes relation of the wonderful nature of a certain river betwixt Arcea and Raphanea, cities of Syria, which runs with a full channel all the Sabbath day and then on a sudden ceaseth, as if the springs were stopped, and all th…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XI — How Occult Virtues are Infused into the Several Kinds of Things by Ideas Through the Help of the Soul of the World, And Rays of the Stars; and what Things Abound Most with this Virtue | Chapter XI, Section 1
“CHAPTER XI. How Occult Virtues are Infused into the Several Kinds of Things by Ideas Through the Help of the Soul of the World, And Rays of the Stars; and what Things Abound Most with this Virtue . Platonists say that all inferior bodies ar…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXVIII — How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above | Chapter XXXVIII, Section 1a
“CHAPTER XXXVIII.
How We May Draw Not Only Celestial and Vital, but Also Certain Intellectual and Divine Gifts From Above .
Magicians teach that celestial gifts may, through inferiors being conformable to superiors, be drawn down by opport…”
◆Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter XXXIX — That We May, By Some Certain Matters of the World, Stir Up the Gods of the World and Their Ministering Spirits | Chapter XXXIX, Section 1
“CHAPTER XXXIX. That We May, By Some Certain Matters of the World, Stir Up the Gods of the World and Their Ministering Spirits . No man is ignorant that evil spirits, by evil and profane arts, may be raised up as Psellus saith sorcerers are…”
Show all 20 →jewish_mysticism11
◆The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1a
“CHAPTER V.
1.
(It is written) Isa.
i.
4: "Woe unto the sinful nation, unto the people heavy with iniquity, unto the seed of evildoers, &c." (Here the author of the "Siphra Dtzenioutha" reasoneth concerning the small word HVI, "woe," whi…”
◆The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1c
“And to it also pertain the following names, namely, the name) IH, Yah (whensoever it is written in full with A in this manner:) IVD HA, Yod Ha (and containeth the number of the numeral powers of the letters of the Tetragrammaton, namely, 26…”
◆The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1g
“The four wheels are their correlatives under the second Sephira, on their four sides--namely, the four elements of the air, fire, water, and earth, which are the abodes of the spirits of the elements, the sylphs, salamanders, undines, and g…”
◆The Book of Concealed Mystery (Siphra Dtzenioutha) | 1i
“And IVBL, Yobel , "jubilee," is H, He (the first He of the Tetragrammaton); and He is the spirit rushing forth over all (because the mother is the world to come, when in the resurrection all things will receive the spirit); and all things s…”
◆The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation) | Chapter VIII
“CHAPTER VIII. 1. And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals 〈 of the earth 〉 and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the…”
◆The Greater Holy Assembly (Idra Rabba Qadisha) | Idra Rabba, Chapter 1 (part 1)
“p.
109 HADRA RBA QDIShA (HA IDRA RABBA QADISHA); OR, THE GREATER HOLY ASSEMBLY.
CHAPTER I.
THE INGRESS AND THE PREFACE.
1.
TRADITION.--Rabbi Schimeon spake unto his companions, and said: "How long shall we abide in the condition of one…”
◆The Kabbalah Unveiled | Introduction, Section 1h
“"And the Elohim said, let there be light, and there was light." (The sense may be sought from that Psalm xxxiii.
9) where it a written, "Since He Himself spake, and it was done." (First, therefore, is commemorated) the Path HVA, Hoa , (tha…”
◆The Lesser Holy Assembly (Idra Zuta Qadisha) | Idra Zuta, Chapter 1 (part 1)
“CHAPTER VIII.
CONCERNING THE FOREHEAD OF MACROPROSOPUS.
87.
THE forehead of His skull is the acceptation of acceptations, whereunto is opposed the acceptation of Microprosopus, like as it is written, Exod.
xxviii.
38: "And it shall be…”
Show all 11 →hermeticism7
◆Corpus Hermeticum 13: The Discourse of Hermes to Tat | Section 1a
“The Secret Sermon on the Mountain <This dialogue is in many ways the culmination of the whole Corpus, summing up the theory of the Hermetic system at the same time as it provides an intriguing glimpse at the practice.
The focus of the dial…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 13: The Discourse of Hermes to Tat | Section 1c
“Gnosis of God hath come to us, and when this comes, my son, Not-knowing is cast out.
Gnosis of Joy hath come to us, and on its coming, son, Sorrow will flee away to them who give it room.
The Power that follows Joy do I invoke, thy Self-c…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 13: The Discourse of Hermes to Tat | Section 1d
“<lacuna in text>, though this Sermon (Logos) on Rebirth, on which I did not comment - in order that we may not be calumniators of the All unto the multitude, to whom indeed God Himself doth will we should not.
14.
Tat: Tell me, O father:…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 13: The Discourse of Hermes to Tat | Section 1e
“Sing praise, my Self-control; sing thou through me, my Righteousness, the praises of the Righteous; sing thou, my Sharing-all, the praises of the All; through me sing, Truth, Truth's praises!
Sing thou, O Good, the Good!
O Life and Light,…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 15: The Hymn of Hermes | Section 1a
“p.
266 CORPUS HERMETICUM (XVI.) THE DEFINITIONS OF ASCLEPIUS UNTO KING AMMON THE PERFECT SERMON OF ASCLEPIUS UNTO THE KING (Text: R.
348-354; Pat.
at end.
1 ) 1.
Great is the sermon ( logos ) which I send to thee, O King—the summing up…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 15: The Hymn of Hermes | Section 1e
“bringing or drawing down; κατάγειν = deducere, elicere —used frequently of magic arts.
269:8 νοητὴ οὐσία = intelligibilis essentia.
269:9 ὄγκος = moles, mass, bulk, volume; in later philosophy it means “atom,” and may mean so here, of cou…”
◆Corpus Hermeticum 15: The Hymn of Hermes | Section 1f
“(xiv.) 7.
274:4 The two irrational parts, “passion” and “desire” (θυμὸς and ἐπιθυμία).
274:5 The soul.
275:1 This Erōs is the lower love ( cf.
C.
H.
, i.
18: “love, the cause of death”), not the Divine Love who inspires Hermes in “Th…”
christian_mysticism5
◆The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 2 (part 5)
“The will beholding itself in the mirror of wisdom causes its own image to appear within the groundlessness, and thus it creates a foundation in its own imagination." ( Menschwerdung , ii.
1.) "Wisdom, the eternal virgin, the playmate of Go…”
◆The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 8 (part 9)
“Little would it benefit the blind to know of the light merely from hearsay.
Little would it profit the "Christian" if he knew of a historical Christ, and could not perceive the glory and majesty of the Atma Buddhi within his own soul.
Boe…”
◆The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 7)
“It is not shown that Esau became subject to Jacob, but the story represents to us a spiritual symbol, showing how the kingdom of nature in man was to become subjected and to be made to submit in humility to the kingdom p.
214 of grace; how…”
◆The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 10 (part 8)
“9.) "In those heathen that were highly intellectual in the light of nature the interior holy realm was mirrored, and although the true divine intelligence was closed to them, and although they beheld merely an external reflection, neverthel…”
◆The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme | Chapter 14 (part 8)
“, in the heavenly essentiality (Devachan)—cannot be disturbed by anybody, unless they should wish it themselves, in case that they were very favourably inclined towards some particular soul in harmony with their own.
They do not trouble th…”
mesopotamian3
◆The Descent of the Goddess Ishtar into the Lower World | Section 1c
“Sprinkle Ishtar with the waters of life and take her out of my presence.
Namtar went, knocked at the strong palace, Tapped on the threshold of precious stones.
He brought out the Anunnaki and placed them on golden thrones, He sprinkled Is…”
◆Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1h
“She recited an incantation, she pronounced her spell, And the gods of the battle cried out for their weapons.
Then advanced Tiamat and Marduk, the counselor of the gods; To the fight they came on, to the battle they drew nigh.
The lord sp…”
◆Enuma Elish: The Epic of Creation | 1j
“Tutu [Marduk] is "He who created them anew"; Should their wants be pure, then are they satisfied; Should he make an incantation, then are the gods appeased; Should they attack him in anger, he withstandeth their onslaught!
Let him therefor…”
norse3
◆The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1m
“I ween that I hung | on the windy tree, Hung there for nights full nine; With the spear I was wounded, | and offered I was To Othin, myself to myself, On the tree that none | may ever know What root beneath it runs.
[138.
In the manuscrip…”
◆The Poetic Edda: Hovamol | Section 1n
“Knowest how one shall write, | knowest how one shall rede?
Knowest how one shall tint, | knowest how one makes trial?
Knowest how one shall ask, | knowest how one shall offer?
Knowest how one shall send, | knowest how one shall sacrifice…”
◆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 |…”
platonism2
◆Plato: Symposium | Section 1l
“The course of the seasons is also full of both these principles; and when, as I was saying, the elements of hot and cold, moist and dry, attain the harmonious love of one another and blend in temperance and harmony, they bring to men, anima…”
◆Plato: Symposium | Section 1v
“"And you mean by the happy, those who are the possessors of things good or fair?" "Yes." "And you admitted that Love, because he was in want, desires those good and fair things of which he is in want?" "Yes, I did." "But how can he be a god…”