Agrippa: The Philosophy of Natural Magic, Chapter V — Of the Wonderful Natures of Fire and Earth · 2 of 2 · tr. Henry Morley; L. W. de Laurence ed.
Chapter V, Section 1b
Hence it was that the first and most wise institutors of religions and ceremonies ordained that prayers, singings and all manner of divine worships whatsoever should not be performed without lighted candles or torches (hence, also, was that significant saying of Pythagoras, "Do not speak of God without a Light"), and they commanded that for the driving away of wicked spirits, Lights and Fires should be kindled by the corpses of the dead, and that they should not be removed until the expiations were after a holy manner performed and they buried.
And the great Jehovah himself in the old law commanded that all his sacrifices should be offered with Fire, and that Fire should always be burning upon the altar, which custom the priests of the altar did always observe and keep amongst the Romans.
Now the basis and foundation of all the Elements is the Earth, for that is the object, subject, and receptacle of all Celestial rays and influences; in it are contained the seeds and seminal virtues of all things; and therefore it is said to be Animal, Vegetable and Mineral.
It being made fruitful by the other Elements and the Heavens, it brings forth all things of itself.
It receives the abundance of all things and is, as it were, the first fountain from whence all things spring.
It is the center, foundation and mother of all things.
Take as much of it as you please, separated, washed, depurated, subtilized, if you let it lie in the open air a little while, it will, being full and abounding with heavenly virtues, of itself bring forth plants, worms and other living things, also stones, and bright sparks of metals.
In it are great secrets, if at any time it shall be purified by the help of Fire, and reduced unto its simplicity by a convenient washing.
It is the first matter of our creation, and the truest medicine that can restore and preserve us.
§ Ask Guru about this passage →Themes
Alchemical Workpraxis
The transformation of base substance — outer matter or the inner soul — into a purified, perfected, or 'gold' state; the magnum opus as both laboratory practice and spiritual allegory.
The passage describes purifying Earth by Fire to reduce it to simplicity and bring forth plants and metals.
All passages →Ritual Firepraxis
Fire as medium of divine presence.
Fire is central to the text as a medium for worship, expiation, and purification of Earth.
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.
The passage describes engaging the divine through consecrated actions like lighting candles and kindling fires for expiation.
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