#neoplatonism

The "Pergamon table": a kind of magical instrument. In each of the triangle's corners is a depiction of a goddess, labelled above with an epithet ('Διώνη', 'Φοίβη', and 'Νυχίη') and below with a participle 'ἀμ(ε)ίβουσα'. Based on these labels, the figures' attire (χιτών and girdle,) and the accessories they carry (key, torches, whip, serpent, and sword), the goddesses have been identified with the three aspects of triple Hekate.

My hymn to Hekate is now on Kindle, for those who indulge.

This hymn celebrates the beauty and wonder of our holy mother Hekate, the mother of the gods, ensouler of the universe, bringer of light, and savior of those seeking the Transcendent Good.

Following the template set out in the Hymn to the Mother Goddess by the Emperor Juilan, this hymn traverses the spheres of religion, politics, ethics, and spirituality. It includes personal trials, misfortunes, and growing self-awareness as the goddess reveals herself to me.

Hearken, You Gods holding the helm of holy Wisdom, Who, having kindled an upward-leading fire, draw to the immortals human souls, Who leave the dark hole behind, purified by the secret initiations of the Hymns. Hearken, Great Saviors, and grant me from very divine books pure light, Scattering the mist, so that I know well an Immortal God from a man; That a daemon, doing cruel things, may not hold me forever submerged in the streams of forgetfulness, while I am far away from the Blessed Ones, That a chilling Penalty may not bind my soul with the fetters of life, which, fallen into the waves of cold becoming, does not want to wander all too long. But, O Gods, leaders towards bright-shining wisdom, Hearken and reveal to me, while hurrying to the upward leading track, the secret rites and initiations of the holy words.

HECATE OF THE THEOURGOI

Nowadays Hecate is most known for her darker aspects; She is a Chthonic Goddess of night, witchcraft, spirits and the Moon. But some scholars and philosopher-priests of Late Antiquity characterized her as an Ouranic, Celestial Goddess of Light, the source and engine of our ensoulment, as well a Salvific figure delivering the soul from the material world. I am referring, of course, to the Chaldean Hecate.

Hecate is mentioned in a myriad of neoplatonic, hermetic and even gnostic treatises, prayers and spells, most notably the Greek Magical Papyri and the Chaldean Oracles, and is even equated to Plato's World Soul, from which all souls split akin to a ray of light hitting a prism.

In this interpretation, she is understood as a mother of every idea(eidos), pregnant with forms which are then used by the Demiurge while fashioning our physical reality. She is comes forth from the transcendent fire of The One to ensoul and sustain all life.

all these elements come together neatly to confirm one another. Helios’ light is thrusted into the atmosphere and, through Leto receiving and cultivating Helios’ contribution, Apollon emerges. Helios, as an element that imposes a condition upon another, could be alchemically be described as masculine. Leto, as an element that takes another and diffuses it within herself, could be alchemically defined as feminine. together they dance, and the production of such is the glorious Apollon, who can be felt as the warmth against our skin. He surrounds us, like His mother. He illuminates and ushers life in, like His father.