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Orphic Hymns · 127 of 138 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Hymn LXXVIII. THEMIS

LXXVIII. TO THEMIS. The FUMIGATION from FRANKINCENSE. ILLUSTRIOUS Themis, of celestial birth, Thee I invoke, young blossom of the earth; 2 Beauteous-eyed virgin; first from thee alone, Prophetic oracles to men were known, Giv'n from the deep recesses of the fane 5 In sacred Pytho, where renown'd you reign; From thee, Apollo's oracles arose, And from thy pow'r his inspiration flows. Honour'd by all, of form divinely bright, Majestic virgin, wand'ring in the night: 10 Mankind from thee first learnt initial rites, And Bacchus' nightly choirs thy soul delights; For holy honours to disclose is thine, With all the culture of the pow'rs divine. Be present, Goddess, to my pray'r inclin'd, And bless the mystic rites with fav'ring mind. Footnotes 217:2 Ver. 2.] Young blossom of the earth . See the note to Hymn xi, to Hercules.
Themes
Sacred Namestheology

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

The hymn invokes the deity by specific names and titles such as 'Aurora' and 'Angel of Titan'.

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Anthropomorphismtheology

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

[auto] The dawn is personified as 'Blushing Aurora' with human-like qualities and agency.

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Divine Lighttheology

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

[auto] The passage is centrally focused on Aurora's light, rays, splendour, and radiance as the primary divine attribute.

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Living Godtheology

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

[auto] Aurora is addressed as an active, dynamic deity who leads labour and wakes all creatures.

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Prayerpraxis

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

[auto] The passage is structured as a direct address and petition to the divine ('Thee I invoke', 'Be present... to my pray'r inclin'd').

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Ritual Firepraxis

Fire as medium of divine presence.

[auto] The text explicitly mentions 'FUMIGATION', implying the use of fire and smoke in ritual practice.

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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.

[auto] The text is an Orphic Hymn designed to engage the goddess directly through consecrated material symbols (frankincense) and ritual invocation.

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Related passages · 1 parallel
neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 671
Section 32 32. Where, then? where exists the author of this beauty and life, the begetter of the veritable? You see the splendour over the things of the universe with all the variety begotten of the Ideas; well might we linger here: but ami…”
Both passages emphasize the transformative power of divine light and its effect on the soul or mind. The Orphic Hymn focuses on the goddess Aurora's radiance bringing life and joy, while Plotinus discusses the soul's awakening and ascent towards The Good, driven by divine light.