← Home
Orphic Hymns · 44 of 138 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Hymn VIII. THE MOON (part 2)

For as the demiurgic intellect represents about matter the significations of primary forms comprehended in its essence; temporal signatures of things eternal; divisible representatives of things in divisible, and produces as it were shadowy resemblances of true beings: after the same manner I think the science we possess, framing an intellectual action, fabricates by discourse both the resemblances of other things, and of the Gods themselves. So that it fashions by composition, that which in the Gods is void of composition; that which is simple by variety; and that which is united by multitude. And by this formation of names it demonstrates in the last place the images of divine concerns. And as the theurgic art provokes by certain signs, supernal illumination into artificial statutes, and allures the unevnying goodness of the Gods, in the same manner the science of divine concerns, signifies the occult essence of the God by the compositions and divisions of sounds. 125:5 Ver. 5.] Female and Male. This is not wonderful, since according to the fragment of Ficinus in this Dissertation, all souls and the celestial spheres are endued with a two-fold power, nostic and animating; one of which is male and the other female. And these epithets are perpetually occurring in the Orphic Initiations. 126:14 Ver. 14.] Who giv'st to Nature's works , &c. In the original it is τελεσφορος, i. e. bringing to an end. And Proclus in Theol. Plat. p. 483. informs us that Diana (who is the same with the Moon) is so called, because she finishes or perfects the essential perfection of matter.
Themes
Sacred Namestheology

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

It states that the science of divine concerns signifies occult essence through compositions and divisions of sounds or names.

All passages →
Demiurgecosmology

A secondary creator deity—often ignorant or malevolent—responsible for fashioning the material world, distinct from the supreme transcendent God.

[auto] The passage explicitly discusses the 'demiurgic intellect' representing primary forms in matter and producing shadowy resemblances of true beings.

All passages →
Divine Simplicitytheology

The doctrine that God has no parts, divisions, or composite attributes; pure undivided being.

[auto] The text contrasts divine simplicity ('void of composition') with human composite discourse and variety.

All passages →
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.

[auto] It describes 'theurgic art' provoking supernal illumination into artificial statutes through certain signs.

All passages →
Related passages · 6 parallels
christian_mysticism|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…”
Both passages explore the interplay between divine and material realms, emphasizing the role of duality (male/female, positive/negative) in the manifestation of divine essence. They also discuss the concept of divine will or intellect shaping reality through symbolic or linguistic means.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter XXVIIIa
You adduce, however, as a thing by no means to be despised, “ the artificers of efficacious images .” But I should wonder if these were admitted by any one of the theurgists who survey the true forms of the Gods. For why should any one exc…”
Both passages discuss the relationship between divine essence and human representation, exploring the limitations and nature of human attempts to capture divine truths through art and language. They share a common theme of the distinction between true divine essence and its shadowy representations.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter III
According to another order, however, he arranges the God Emeph [134] prior to, and as the leader of, the celestial Gods. And he says that this God is an intellect, itself intellectually perceiving itself, and converting intellections to its…”
Both passages discuss the relationship between divine intellect and the material world, emphasizing the role of a demiurgic intellect in shaping and perfecting the cosmos. They also highlight the dual nature of divine powers, male and female, and the significance of names and sounds in representing divine essence.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VI
Moreover, after it has conjoined the soul to the several parts of the universe, and to the total divine powers which pass through it; then it leads the soul to, and deposits it in, the whole Demiurgus, and causes it to be independent of all…”
Both passages discuss the concept of a demiurgic intellect or God that shapes and perfects the universe and the soul. They share themes of divine creation, the union of the soul with divine powers, and the completion of essential perfection, indicating a genuine conceptual parallel.
neoplatonism|Iamblichus: On the Mysteries|Chapter VIIIc
The fifth according to body, which is called corporeal-formed. And the sixth according to matter, and this is denominated material.” Olympiodorus adds, “or after another manner it may be said, that some of these are celestial, others ether…”
Both passages discuss the interplay between divine and material realms, and the role of intermediaries (like dæmons or theurgic art) in connecting these realms. They also share a focus on the structure and perfection of the universe, though from different mystical traditions.
western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|8. Realizationa
HOD VIVENS CAUSES manifest by effects, and effects are proportioned to causes. The Divine Word, the One Word, the Tetragram, is self-affirmed by tetradic creation. Human fecundity proves divine fecundity; the JOD of the Divine Name is the…”
Both passages explore the relationship between the divine and the human, and the manifestation of divine principles in the material world. They discuss the concept of divine names and the idea that human understanding of the divine is mediated through language and symbols.