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Orphic Hymns · 20 of 86 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Hymn XX. THE CLOUDS

XX. TO THE CLOUDS. The FUMIGATION from MYRRH. Ærial clouds, thro' heav'n's resplendent plains Who wander, parents of prolific rains; Who nourish fruits, whose water'y frames are hurl'd, By winds impetuous, round the mighty world; All-thund'ring, lion-roaring, flashing fire, 5 In Air's wide bosom, bearing thunders dire Impell'd by ev'ry stormy, sounding gale, With rapid course, along the skies ye fail. With blowing winds your wat'ry frames I call, On mother Earth with fruitful show'rs to fall.
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Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

[auto] The text attributes human characteristics such as an 'angry voice', 'resentments dire', and the role of 'all-parent' to the divine.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

[auto] The deity is explicitly identified as 'splendid light', 'fiery-bright', and 'aerial-light', making luminosity a central attribute of the invocation.

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Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

[auto] The hymn directly addresses the deity with commands to 'Come' and 'attend', implying a responsive and active personal presence.

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Prayerpraxis

Direct address to the divine, whether petitionary, contemplative, or liturgical; speech and silence offered upward.

[auto] The passage is explicitly an invocation where the speaker directly addresses the clouds ('I call') to perform a specific action.

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Ritual Firepraxis

Fire as medium of divine presence.

[auto] Lightning is described as 'Flaming' and the accompanying rite involves fumigation with frankincense, utilizing fire/smoke as a medium.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

[auto] The text specifies 'FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE and MANNA' as part of the rites, indicating a practice of purification for divine encounter.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

The invocation relies on specific epithets and titles ('mighty, holy, splendid light') to summon the deity's power.

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Theurgypraxis

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.

The text combines ritual fumigation with verbal invocation to engage divine powers (the clouds) directly, fitting the definition of theurgical practice.

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Related passages · 6 parallels
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XXI
“I think, therefore, that all who are lovers of the contemplation of theurgic truth will acknowledge this, that the piety which pertains to divine natures ought not to be exercised towards them partially or imperfectly. Hence, since prior to…”
Shared concept: 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. (derived)
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VIII-av
“It is well observed by Ficinus, in lib. i. Eunead. ii. Plotin. “that the fire which is enkindled by us is more similar to the heavens than other terrestrial substances. Hence it participates of light, which is something incorporeal, i…”
Shared concept: Ritual Fire — Fire as medium of divine presence. (derived)
egyptian|The Egyptian Heaven and Hell|Chapter 6 (part 5)
“The Rubric had, in fact, so far back as B.C. 2600, become a traditional magical formula of a most powerful character, and it must have been composed at the time when the abode of the blessed was supposed to resemble the "great field" in wh…”
Shared concept: Sacred Names — Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice. (derived)
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 1, Section 1f
“And in all the other Divine enlightenments which the occult Tradition of our inspired teachers hath, by mystic Interpretation, accordant with the Scriptures, bestowed upon us, we also have been initiated: apprehending these things in the pr…”
Shared concept: Divine Light — The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation. (derived)
neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 67
“Section 6 6. For, as the ancient teaching was, moral-discipline and courage and every virtue, not even excepting Wisdom itself, all is purification. Hence the Mysteries with good reason adumbrate the immersion of the unpurified in filth, ev…”
Shared concept: Ritual Purity — The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine. (derived)
western_esoteric|The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite)|Page 38 (part 1)
“Click to view DEVIL FROM HEARNE'S PRINT OF THE "DESCENT INTO HELL." Engraved by Michael Burghers , c. 1676. CHAPTER I The Preparation of the Operator § 1. Concerning the Love of God THE rites of so-called Transcendental Magic are, ex hyp…”
Shared concept: Ritual Purity — The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine. (derived)