Iamblichus: On the Mysteries · 64 of 218 · tr. Thomas Taylor
Chapter XVIIb
For, as he sometimes makes some stupid man to speak wisely, through which it becomes manifest to every one, that this is not a certain human but a divine work; thus, also, he reveals through things which are deprived of knowledge, conceptions which precede all knowledge.
And, at the same time, he declares to men that the signs which are exhibited are worthy of belief, and that they are superior to nature, from which he is exempt.
Thus he makes things to be known which are naturally unknown, and things which are without knowledge gnostic.
Through them, also, he inserts in us wisdom, and through every thing which is in the world excites our intellect to the truth of real beings, of things which are in generation, and of future events.
From these things, therefore, I think it is manifest, that the mode of divination is perfectly contrary to what you suspected it to be.
For it is of a ruling and primordial nature, of an unrestrained power, and transcendent nature, comprehending in itself all things, but not being comprehended by any thing, nor enclosed by its participants.
For it ascends into, and rules over, all things simultaneously, and without circumscription, and collectively signifies future events.
Hence, from what has 163 been said, you may easily dissolve these vulgar doubts, which disturb most men, and may in a becoming manner elevate yourself to the intellectual, divine, and irreprehensible presignification of the Gods from all things.
Through this, therefore, we have evinced, that divinity is not drawn down to the signs employed by divination.
Themes
◆Apophatic Theologytheology
Describing the divine only by negation—God transcends all positive categories and concepts; the via negativa.
The text describes the divine nature as not being comprehended by any thing nor enclosed by its participants.
All passages →◆Cosmic Sympathycosmology
The Stoic and Plotinian doctrine that all parts of the cosmos are bound by hidden affinities, so that a movement in one part resonates through the whole; the metaphysical basis for astrology, magic, and divination.
It states that the mode of divination ascends into and rules over all things simultaneously.
All passages →◆Divine Hiddennesstheology
The supreme God's radical concealment beyond ordinary knowledge or perception; the Hidden Father.
The passage emphasizes that divine conceptions precede knowledge and are superior to nature.
All passages →◆Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology
Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.
The text explicitly states that wisdom is inserted into us through signs deprived of knowledge and that things without knowledge become gnostic.
All passages →◆Hidden Sayingssoteriology
Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.
The passage describes revealing conceptions which precede all knowledge through signs deprived of knowledge.
All passages →◆Living Godtheology
The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.
The divine presignification is described as active and ruling over all things simultaneously.
All passages →◆Paradox As Teachingethics
Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.
It presents the paradox that things deprived of knowledge become gnostic.
All passages →◆Return To Sourcesoteriology
The soul's journey back to its divine origin, reversing the fall into matter through stages of purification or illumination.
The goal is to elevate oneself to the divine presignification from all things.
All passages →◆Spiritual Ascentpraxis
A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.
The passage calls for elevating oneself to the intellectual and divine presignification of the Gods.
All passages →Related passages · 7 parallels · 5 contrasts
◆buddhism|Vajrakkhedika (Diamond Cutter)|Section 1r
“This probably refers to the auspicious signs discovered in S âkyamuni at his birth, which left it open whether he should become a king or a Buddha.] A Buddha is to be seen (known) from the Law; for the Lords (Buddhas) have the Law-body; And…”
Both passages discuss the transcendence of ultimate reality (Buddha-nature/Dharma in Passage A, divine nature in Passage B) beyond conventional signs and human understanding. They emphasize the ineffable and non-dual nature of ultimate reality, though within different religious frameworks.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 1 (part 7)
“It is well known that the light of the sun does .not shine upon the earth because we desire it to shine, neither can we attract the sunlight to us.
All we do is to step out of the darkness, or climb to the top of.
the mountain which rises…”
Both passages discuss the nature of divine revelation and the limitations of human understanding. They emphasize that divine wisdom is not something that can be controlled or fully comprehended by human will, but rather something that manifests through certain conditions or states of being.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 1 (part 10)
“It is itself the most secret thing, which can be known by no one except by him who has experienced it; neither do those that live entirely within the realm of animality, or within that of the speculating intellect, believe that such a state…”
Both passages discuss the idea of divine inspiration and the limitation of human intellect in understanding higher truths. They emphasize that true knowledge comes from a divine source rather than human effort or education.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 1 (part 13)
“A man knowing nothing of God, and having no faith in the power of anything divine, which may become revealed in him, cannot be in possession of divine self-knowledge; but if man, by being obedient to the law, enters into a state of harmony…”
Both passages discuss the idea of divine knowledge being revealed to humans, emphasizing that true understanding comes from a divine source rather than human intellect or external authorities. They share the concept of divine spirit or power transcending human limitations and providing insight.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 4 (part 1)
“p.
89 CHAPTER IV.
CREATION.
Everything we see in nature is manifested truth; only we are not able to recognise it as such, unless the truth is manifest within ourselves.
God is the supreme, fundamental, universal, self-existent eternal…”
Both passages discuss the nature of divinity and its interaction with the world, emphasizing the transcendence and primacy of the divine. They both explore how the divine manifests through various means, though from different mystical traditions.
◆platonism|Plato: Timaeus|Section 1
“And the converse happens when some gentle inspiration of the understanding pictures images of an opposite character, and allays the bile and bitterness by refusing to stir or touch the nature opposed to itself, but by making use of the natu…”
Both passages discuss the nature of divination and the role of divine inspiration. They explore how divinity manifests through seemingly unrelated or unknowing entities, and how this process transcends human understanding and natural laws.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic I: The Doctrine (Éliphas Lévi)|21. Divinationa
“DENTES FURCA AMENS THE AUTHOR of this book has dared many things in his life, and never has fear retained his thought a prisoner.
It is not at the same time without legitimate dread that he approaches the end of the magical doctrine.
It i…”
Both passages discuss the concept of divination as a divine act, emphasizing the sublimity and ineffability of true divination. They both highlight the idea that divination is an exercise of divinity and involves understanding and acting upon universal principles.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|4. The Conjuration Of The FourfCONTRASTS
“But we live in a century when no one has the courage to confess the wonders that he has witnessed, and did anyone say: “I have myself beheld or performed the things which I am describing,” he would be answered: “You are diverting yourself a…”
Both passages discuss the nature and practice of divination, emphasizing its supernatural and transcendent aspects. They share the concept of divination as a means to access higher knowledge or truth, though expressed in different terms and contexts.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|5. The Blazing PentagrambCONTRASTS
“In the case of a spirit of darkness, the opposite course is pursued, but then the operator must be careful to set the end of the rod or the point of the sword upon the head of the Pentagram.
We have said that signs are the active voice of…”
Both passages discuss the power of symbols and signs in magical and divine contexts, emphasizing their role in conveying divine will and knowledge. They share the concept of the divine using signs to communicate and influence the world, though they come from different traditions.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|5. The Blazing PentagramcCONTRASTS
“Need anyone be surprised therefore that every Magus believes in the real influence exercised by this sign over spirits of all hierarchies?
Those who set at naught the Sign of the Cross tremble before the Star of the Microcosm.
On the cont…”
Both passages discuss the power of symbols and their influence over spiritual hierarchies and the divine. They share the concept of intellectual or divine omnipotence gained through the proper understanding and use of symbolic tools, though they come from different traditions and use different vocabulary.
2 more
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|14. TransmutationscCONTRASTS
“It should bear on the inner side the occult characters of the planets and on the outer their known signs, duplicated and in kabalistic opposition to each other; that is, five on the right and five on the left; the signs of the sun and moon…”
Both passages discuss the power of the mind or divine will to alter perception and reality. Passage A focuses on the magical power of the will to make oneself invisible and transform reality through the use of specific words and symbols, while Passage B discusses the divine nature of signs and the power of divination to reveal truths and future events. Both emphasize the transcendent power of certain words or actions to effect change.
◆western_esoteric|Transcendental Magic II: The Ritual (Éliphas Lévi)|16. Witchcraft And SpellseCONTRASTS
“Thomas, that daring innovator who first substituted the absolute law of reason for arbitrary divinity, by formulating an axiom which we cannot repeat too often, since it comes from such a master: “A thing is not just because God wills it, b…”
Both passages discuss the concept of divine or supernatural influence acting through intermediaries. Passage A describes the projection of the will of the Magus into another body, while Passage B discusses divine influence revealing knowledge through things deprived of knowledge, both illustrating the idea of higher powers manifesting through lesser entities.