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[ 07-02-2005 ]
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[ Gnosticism ]
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[http://www.gnosis.org/library/hermet.htm
THE GNOSTIC SOCIETY LIBRARY
(Corpus Hermeticum)
[1] "Once, thoughts came to me of the things that Are and my thoughts soared and my bodily sense were quieted, as though heavy with sleep from too much food or labor, and a Great Being unbound in any extent appeared to me, calling my name, and said: "What is it that you desire to see or hear? What do you wish to learn, to know, or to understand?"
[2] "Who are you?" I asked.
"I am Poimandres, Mind of Sovereignty, knowing what you want, with you everywhere."
[3] I said, "I desire knowledge about That Which Is, to Understand the things that Are, to Know God. How my heart desires to Know!"
Then said that Great Being, "Very well, rememember then what it is you wish to learn, stray not, and I will teach you."
[4] Saying this, the appearance changed, in an instant, everything was opened to me, I saw an endless Vision in which all was Light--clear, joyful, divine--seeing the Vision, I came to love It. Then, after a time, darkness arose, separately, and descended--fearful, gloomy and dark-- coiling in inuous waves, serpentine in form or appearance. This darkness became watery in nature, agitated, smoking like Fire, producing an unspeakable Wail; and from the Fire came an inarticulate Cry.
[5] But from the Light came a Holy Word which rose up and an untempered Fire leapt up from the watery nature to the Height. This Fire was nimble, dancing on the watery nature, piercing and active, and the Air was light, following after Spirit, rising up away from Earth and Water, until, suspended from the Fire, only Earth and Water remained, mingled and mixed, stirred and agitated by the Word that moved them.
[6] Poimandres said to me, "Have you comprehended, understood, realized the meaning of this Seeing?"
"I shall strive to Know," was my reply. "I am the Light you beheld, Mind, Deity, who existed before the watery substance, before the darkness of the Light, the Word that comes from Mind is the true child of Divinity."
"Please continue," said I. "Here is what must be known: what sees and hears in you is that very Word of Divinity, the Son, but the Father, your own Mind, is God; they are not divided from one or the other, but united, joined, one reality." "Thank you," said I.
[7] Poimandres then looked me in the face for so long that I trembled at his appearance. But as he raised his head, I saw within my mind a Light of Powers beyond counting, a boundless Cosmos, coming thus to Be, yet limitless. The Fire, encompassed by power and subdued, held its place. These perceptions were inspired by the words of Poimandres.
[8] Seeing me frightened, amazed and beyond my ordinary mind, he spoke again.
"Through your own mind you have beheld the archetypal form, the primary preprinciple, existing before the beginning and without end," thus Poimandres spoke. I asked, "But these elements of nature, how have they come to be?"
"From the designs of Divinity," he replied, "which they imitate, having seen the Beauty of the Cosmos, and through an inherent feminine nature and an abundance of soul (psyche)."
[9] "That Divinity, also called Mind, being Androgynous and both light (phos) and life (zoe), by speaking gave birth to a second Mind, a craftsmaker (demiourgon), who as divinity of Fire and Spirit, crafted seven governors [Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn] who encompass and encircle the visible, sensory world and their governance is called Destiny or Fate."
[10] "From the elements weighing downward, the god-word leapt straight to the light elements of feminine nature, uniting with the craftmaker -mind, being of similar substance. The heavy elements of female nature, left below, without the benefit of Mind became simple materiality."
[11] "The craftmakers-mind, with word conjoined, encompassed the seven circles, spinning them with a rush, set them in motion with no beginning and no end, so that both beginning and end are the same. Revolving as Mind so desired, from the heavy elements living beings arose lacking reason (having no words within them) and the air gave birth to the winged and the sea to the swimmers. Earth and Water separated and she, Gaia, brought forth from Herself all the living beings--four-footed, crawling, wild and tame."
[12] "Mind, father of all, who is life and light, gave birth to a man (anthropos), similar to himself, loved as his own child. And the man was fair and had his father's image, and Mind, being in love with his own image, gave him all his craftworks."
[13] "And this man, observing the creations of the craftmaker (demiourgon) made with the Father's help, also wished to do craftwork, and the father agreed. Entering into the sphere of the craftsman, and being granted authority, he observed his brother's handiwork; and the governors of the [seven] sphere's loved the man and each gave him a share of their own sphere.
Learning well their essence and entering deeply into their nature, the man desired to break through the boundaries of the spheres to observe the rule of the one given power over Fire."
[14] "Having authority in the cosmos, the man thus broke through the heavenly circles, bending low to peer into the celestial frames, thus revealing to Nature, the fair form of a god. When Nature beheld him, she smiled with love for his unending beauty that held the energies of the spheres and the form of god, for in the water she divined the shape of his fairest form and on the earth, its shadow. And he, seeing the his own form in the water through Nature, loved it and wished to inhabit the form; wish and action occurred as one and he joined with this unreasoning form. And Nature grasp her beloved and held him and hugged and embraced him and joined with him, and they were united as lovers."
[15] "Because of this, humanity is twofold--a mortal body but immortal in essentiality. Yet, even though immortal in essentiality, and having authority throughout the spheres, it is still mortal and affected by Destiny or Fate; thus, though more than the celestial frames, it becomes enslaved from within. Androgynous, from the Androgynous Mind, from the One that never sleeps, nevertheless, passion and oblivion have still mastered humanity."
POIMANDRES
(Corpus Hermetica I:16-23)
[16] Poimandres said: "This is a mystery kept hidden until this very day: when feminine Nature united with Anthropos, she gave birth to marvelous marvel. He had in him the seven frames of heaven, made of Fire and Spirit (pneumatos), as I told you, and Nature immediately bore seven males, androgynous and erect with natures like those of the seven governors."
"O Poimandres, now I long greatly to hear, do not digress!"
And Poimandres replied, "Silence! I have yet to unfold the first of my discourses."
Ironically, said I, "As you see, I am silent."
[17] "Very well, the birth of the seven was as follows: Earth was female, Water gave fertility, and Fire the vitality of maturation. Female Nature took Spirit from the aether and brought forth bodies in the form of Anthropos. Form Zoe (life) and Phos (light) came Psyche (soul) and Nous (mind), from Psyche, Zoe, from Phos, Nous. Within the cosmos of perception, all things remained thus for one complete cycle; then, various beings began to manifest."
[18] "Hear then, the rest, the words you long for. When the first cycle was complete, that which bound each thing together was split by the intent of Divinity.All living beings, androgynous, the Anthropoi among them, were separated into male and also into female. And Theos, Divinity, spoke holy words, "Increase your increasing and multiply your multitudes, all creatures and craftworks, and let the mindful recognize their immortality, knowing desire as the cause of death, let each recognize the All that Is."
[19] "With these words spoken, through Providence, Fate and the celestial frames, sexual unions occured, and acts of birth resulted and each multiplied according to its kind. Those who truly recognized their Self attained the chosen Good, but those who loved only the body, led astray by desire, continued on in darkness, reaching eventually, suffering and death."
[20] "Those who lacked knowledge, what great wrong had they done," asked I, "to be denied immortality"
"You behave like one not giving thought to that which they have heard. You must think!"
"I am thinking, I remember! And I am greatful as well."
"Then tell me, why do they deserve death who are in death?"
"Because that which gives rise to the body is darkness, materiality, born from the watery nature of which the body is composed in the visible cosmos, from which death drinks."
[21] "Yes, you have understood. But why is it that "those who understand advance toward god" as Divinity has said?
"Because," said I, "the father of All was constituted from Light and Life, and from this Anthropos came to be."
"Your speech is well said. Life and Light are both divinity and father, from whom Anthropos, humanity, came to be. So if you learn that you come from Light and Life, coming from them, you shall advance toward them yet again."
"But tell me, O mind, great Nous," I exclaimed, "how shall I advance to Life, for Divinity has said, "Let those who are Mindful, recognize the Self" for all persons have mind, do they not?"
"Hold your tongue, neophyte! Enough talk! I myself, Mind, the Great Nous, am present to the blessed, the pure, the good and the merciful, to the reverent, my Presence is a help--they quickly recognize everything, they propitiate the father [or mother] lovingly, giving thanks, praising, singing joyfully, with affection and love, in a manner most appropriate. Before giving up the body to its proper death, they reject the senses and see their [limited] effects. Or rather, I, Nous, do not permit those effects of body to strike or work their results. I, the Gatekeeper, refuse entry of what is evil or shameful effects, cutting off the anxiety that comes from them."
[23] "From all these I remain distant--the thoughtless, evil, wicked, greedy, envious, slothful, violent and irreverent--and this looses the avenging Daemon, who sensibly assails them with passion and fire, arming them all the better for lawless deeds which call only greater vengence and rebuke. Such a person never ceases to long, driven by unsatisfied appetites, struggling in darkness, unsatisfied, tormented by an ever-increasing fire."
[24] Spoke I, "You taught me all things well, O Nous, just as I desire. But now tell me again the way up, tell me how it occurs."
Thus Poimandres responded, "First, in releasing the physical form, you must give the body over to transformation, so that the old form is seen no more. To theDaemon, you give your temperament, allowing it to subside. The bodily senses flow back into their own sources, becoming distinct and uniting again with the primal energies, while feelings and desires are reunited with female Nature."
[25] "Thus the Anthropos [as reborn person], ascends with a rush through the cosmic spheres, the celestial frames, at the first zone [Moon] surrendering the energy of expansion and contraction; at the second zone [Mercury], destructivce or harmful intents; at the third zone [Venus], s/he gives up illusional desires, now inactive; at the fourth zone [Sun], the arrogance of rule or dominion, now free of excess; at the fifth zone [Mars], unholy audacity, presumption, and reckless daring; at the sixth zone [Jupiter], the acquisitive greed of wealth and surplus; and at the seventh zone [Saturn], s/he renounce lies, deceit and misdirection, that which lies in wait and causes harm."
[26] "Thus stripped of the effects of the celestial spheres, the cosmic frames, this reborn humanity enters the region of the eighth sphere, the Ogdoad ["eight"] in the pure possession of spiritual power and there chants praises to the father. There are many who rejoice in this new arrival and together, they all are as companions; and s/he hears that which lies beyond the Ogdoad, and their hymns form sweetest melody. And they rise up, one after the other, to the father, surrendering themselves to holy Powers, and, having become those Powers, they fuse with Divinity. This is the highest Good, the true receiving of Gnosis, to become One with God. Why do you delay? Having learned this, should you not be a guide to the Worthy, so that through you, humanity might be transformed into Divinity?"
[27] Having said this, Poimandres joined with the Powers, and sent me forth, empowered and instructed on the supreme visionary height and the depths of the All, after which I gave thanks to the father and praised him. And I began to proclaim the beauty of reverence and Gnosis, to all humanity saying, "People, earthborn beings, do not surreneder yourselves to drunkeness and sleep and the denial of God; makes yourselves sober, awaken, and overcome your sickness and dis-ease for you are entranced by an unreasoning sleep."
[28] When they heard these words they gathered around me, with one accord, and I said, "Why surrender yourselves to Death? You Earthborn Beings have a share in immortality, even you who have journeyed in error, who have made a partner of denial, please, think again! Escape the shadowy light and leave materiality behind, take your share of the Immortal."
[29] But some of them, surrendered to the ways of death and denial resumned their mocking, and withdrew while those desiring to learn, sat about my feet. And making them rise, I became a guide, teaching them the sacred words--how to be redeemed and and in what manner--and I sowed words and wisdom among them, they were nourished with ambrosial waters. When evening came, with the sun's light fading, beginning to disapppear, I directed them to give thanks to Divinity, and after each completed their praises, they each returned to their own beds.
[30] Within myself, I recalled the kindness of Poimandres, profoundly happy that I was filled with what I desired most, for my sleep had become utter sobriety, clear wakefulness of soul [psyche] and closing my eyes induced visions and the silence was impregnant with Good and the birth of words became a wealth of goodness. This happened because of a receptivity of mind--by Poimandres, that is, the words of Soveriegnty. I had attained by the inspired and holy breath of Spirit, Truth. Thus I prayed to Divinity, the father, from the depths of my soul, with all my strength:
[31]"Holy is all Divinity, Father of the All Holy is Divinity, whose guidance is born Of inner powers, Holy is Divinity who Wishes to be Known, and Is Known, by Those he calls his Own. Holy art Thou Who through the Word has constructed All; Holy art Thou, from whom Nature is born As Thy Image; Holy art Thou, whom Nature Has not made as mere Figure or Form; Holy art Thou, who is stronger than All and Every Power, Holy art Thou, who surpasses all Excellence, Oh Holy Art Thou who is beyond all Praising!"
"You whom we address in Silence, the Unspeakable, the Unsayable, accept pure speech as offerings from the heart-soul that reaches longingly to Thee."
[32] "Grant my request, not to fail in seeking the true Gnosis that benits our Essence; give us power, and with this gift, let us enlighten those who are caught in darkenss, brother and sisters of my race, but Your sons and daughters. Thus I believe and bear witness. Advance toward Life and Light! Blessed is Divinity! He who is your creation wishes to join, unite with Thee, in the work of holiness since you have given him the power!"
This completes the first text of the Corpus Hermeticum.
The TAT series is the first of the texts in the Corpus Hermetica and the version you have been reading is my own paraphrastic translation based on Brian Copenhaver's recent publication (*Hermetica* Cambridge University Press, 1992) and Walter Scott four volume opus (*Hermetica* Shambala Press, 1982). Scott's work contains original Greek (and Latin) texts, and so i have referred to the Greek whenever I found a problem in the translation, reading as i do, Greek badly. I say "paraphrastic" meaning it is not a literal translation but an *interpretation* of the original text that is very close to but not identical with the most accurate translation.
This is because my interest in the text is only secondarily scholarly, but more primarily as a basis for engendering further discussion on matters Hermetic. Nevertheless, it follows the original closely enough to give you, i hope, a real sense of the first work in the collection of texts called Corpus Hermetica...over the moths to come i will most likely paraphrase the entire basic Corpus.
These texts date from approximately the 2-3rd centuries CE ("common era" = AD), c. 200 CE. In them we see both the basis for later western cosmology and alchemy as well as a continuation of the roots of Gnostic spirituality. - Zos - (irwinl@cofc.edu) ]
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