Orphic Hymns · 31 of 138 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Front Matter, p. 5 (part 7)

And in that to Death οἴ πάντων ϑητῶν οἴηκα κρατύνωεις.

100:a Lib.

iv.

p, 128.

101:b The reader may observe that this two-fold power is divided into male and female; the reason of which distribution we have already assigned from Proclus.

104:c I have omitted a comparison between the eighth sphere and Pericionius from necessity, because there is no hymn among the following to that p.

105 orb.

And I have not contrasted Licnitan Bacchus with the lunar Sphere, because the resemblance is not apparent; though doubtless there is a concealed similitude.

105:d This is evident from the following epistle of Lucas Holstenius to P.

Lambecius, preserved by Fabricius in that excellent work, his Bibliotheca Græca, tom, i.

p.

117 .

Habeo et Orphei exemplar p.

106 non contemnendum, ex quo Argonautica plurimis locis emendavi.

Auctor ille huc usque a Criticorum et Correctorum vulgo derelictus tuam exposcere videtur operam.

Hymni autem reconditæ antiquitatis plenissimi justum commentarium me entur, quem vel unius, Procli scripta ἀνέκδοτα tibi instruent, ut ex notis meis as Sallustium Philosophum prospicies: ne quid de cæteris, quos apud me habeo, Platonicis nunc dicam, in quibus τῆσ μυθικης ϑεολογίας thesaurus latet.

Themes

◆Correspondencecosmology

The Hermetic axiom that the structure of the cosmos is reflected at every scale — 'as above, so below; as within, so without' — making each level a legible map of the others.

The author notes a 'concealed similitude' between Licnitan Bacchus and the lunar Sphere, implying a structural reflection between deity and cosmic realm.

All passages →

◆Divine Hiddennesstheology

The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.

The text states that the 'treasure of mythical theology lies hidden' within the writings, indicating concealed divine knowledge.

All passages →

◆Divine Marriagesoteriology

The reunification of complementary divine principles (male-female, spirit-matter) as a symbol of wholeness and salvation.

The passage explicitly discusses the division of divine power into male and female principles based on Proclus, reflecting the syzygic structure central to this concept.

All passages →

◇Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

[auto] References are made to secret discourses, mysteries, and recondite antiquity reserved for initiates.

All passages →

◇Monadcosmology

The absolutely simple, undivided first principle from which all multiplicity and existence flows.

[auto] The text explicitly discusses the Monad or unity and lists various gods ascribed to this first number.

All passages →

◇Numerical Mysticismtheology

Numbers, proportions, and mathematical relationships as the underlying structure of divine reality.

[auto] The passage extensively correlates divine epithets and attributes with the numbers one through ten (Monad to Decad) as a structural element of theology.

All passages →

◇Sacred Namestheology

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

[auto] The text analyzes specific invocations and epithets within the hymns as carrying theological significance and power for initiates.

All passages →