Iamblichus: On the Mysteries · 215 of 218 · tr. Thomas Taylor

Chapter VIII

De Abstinentia, “to be a lover of truth, an accurate writer, and very conversant with the Stoic philosophy.” Τοιαυτα μεν τα κατ’ Αιγυπτιους υπ’ ανδρος φιλαληθους τε και ακριβους, εντε τοις Στωϊκοις πραγματικωτατα φιλοσοφησαντος μεμαρτυρημενα.

138 .

This was the ninth king in the twenty-sixth dynasty of the Saitan kings.

139 .

This city is mentioned by Plato in the Timæus, who represents Critias as saying “that there is a certain region of Egypt, called Delta, about the summit of which the streams of the Nile are divided, and in which there is a province called Saitical.” He adds, “of this province the greatest city is Saïs, from which also King Amasis derived his origin.

The city has a presiding divinity, whose name is, in the Egyptian tongue, Neith, but in the Greek Athena, or Minerva.” It is singular that Gale, who is not deficient in philology, though but a smatterer in philosophy, should have omitted to remark in his notes this passage of Plato.

140 .

Proclus, in MS.

Comment, in Alcibiad.

cites one of the Chaldean oracles, which says, —— πορθμιον ουνομα το δ’ εν απειροις Κοσμοις ενθρωσκον.

i.

e.

“There is a transmitting name which leaps into the infinite worlds.” And in his MS.

Scholia in Cratyl.

he quotes another of these oracles, viz.

Αλλα εστιν ουνομα σεμνον ακοιμητῳ στροφαλιγγι, Κοσμοις ενθρωσκον, κραιπνην δια πατρος ενιπην.

i.

e.

“There is a venerable name with a sleepless revolution, leaping into the worlds through the rapid reproofs of the father.” 141 .

For εχεται in this place, I read περιεχεται .

142 .

Gale, in his translation of this part, has entirely mistaken the meaning of Iamblichus, which he frequently does in other places.

For the words of Iamblichus are, οταν γαρ δη τα βελτιονα των εν ημιν ενεργῃ, και προς τα κρειττονα αναγεται αυτης η ψυχη ; and the version of Gale is “quando enim pars nostri melior operari incipiat, et ad sui portionem meliorem recolligatur anima.” For τα κρειττονα is not the better part of the soul; but when the better parts of the soul energize, the soul is then intimately converted to itself, and through this conversion is elevated to superior natures.

143 .

Viz.

The science of calculating nativities.

144 .

i.

e.

Themes

◆Anthropomorphismtheology

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

The text identifies Egyptian divinities by Greek names such as Athena or Minerva.

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◆Cosmic Consciousnessanthropology

A state of awareness transcending ordinary human consciousness, often involving unity with the universe or higher dimensions.

The passage discusses the soul's conversion and elevation to superior natures through knowledge.

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◆Divine Hiddennesstheology

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

The text references a presiding divinity whose name is hidden in the Egyptian tongue.

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◆Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology

Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.

The passage emphasizes being 'a lover of truth' and conversant with philosophy as central to the practice.

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◆Infinite Cosmoscosmology

The doctrine of the universe as boundless and without center or circumference, populated by innumerable worlds — Bruno's rejection of the closed Aristotelian sphere; the divine and the cosmos as ontologically infinite.

The text quotes an oracle stating that a name leaps into 'the infinite worlds.'

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◆Kingdom Withinanthropology

The claim that the divine realm is present inside the individual, accessible without external mediation.

The passage mentions the soul's intimate conversion to itself as part of its elevation.

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◆Numerical Mysticismtheology

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

The text references specific numbers like the twenty-sixth dynasty and the ninth king.

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◆Paradox As Teachingethics

Using apparent contradiction, reversal, or riddle to destabilise ordinary understanding and induce insight.

The quote about a name leaping into infinite worlds presents an apparent contradiction.

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◆Sacred Namestheology

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

The passage quotes oracles about a 'transmitting name' and a 'venerable name' with ontological power.

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◆Self Knowledgesoteriology

The recognition of one's own true divine nature as the primary path to liberation; 'know thyself' as soteriology.

The text describes the soul's conversion to itself as a key moment of elevation.

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◆Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

The passage describes the soul being elevated through conversion and energizing better parts.

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