Reflections on Aristotelian Philosophy and the Divine Cosmos
Explore the depth of Aristotelian philosophy, from the distinction between terrestrial and celestial motion to the concept of the Unmoved Mover as the source of all movement. Delve into the intricacies of the Tripartite Cosmos, comprising the Empyreum, Sublunary World, Earth, and Underworld, and discover the interplay between the divine and natural worlds through the lens of ancient beliefs in daimones. The rise and spread of these concepts through cultural and religious syncretism, influenced by Alexander the Great's conquests, offer insights into the spiritual landscape of the past.
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"I call upon you, inhabitants of Chaos and Erebos, of the depth, of earth, watchers of heaven, of darkness, masters of things not to be seen, guardians of secrets, leaders of those beneath the earth, administrators of things which are infinite, those who wield power over earth, servants in the chasm, shudderful fighters, fearful ministers, inhabitants of dark Erebos, coercive watchers, rulers of cliffs, grievers of the heart, adverse daimones, iron-hearted ones BITHOURARA ASOUEMARA ... OTROUR MOURROUR APHLAU MANDRAROUROU SOU MARAROU, reveal the matter which I am considering" (add the usual). PGM VII 348-68
(unspecified) god daim n (pl. daimones) divine power : nymph, ancestor, divinized hero, spirit of the dead...
agathodaimn (good daimn) daim n kakodaim n ( evil daim n) nekydaim n (death daim n)
expansion due to conquests by Alexander the Great (356- 323 BCE) sustained contact with cultures of Egypt, Near East, India cultural and religious syncretism importation of Babylonian astronomy/astrology importation of exotic daimones
Aristotelian Motion Two kinds of observable motion: (a) terrestrial and (b) celestial. Terrestrial motion (< 4 elements) is forced, linear, terminal. Celestial motion is natural, circular, ceaseless; therefore celestial bodies must be composed of a unique element (aith r): an eternal stuff in constant circular motion. Earth lies at the center of the kosmos, surrounded (ideally) by concentric spheres of Water, Air, and Fire moving upwards from most dense to most refined.
Aristotelian Physics/Theology Forced displacement terrestrial movement. Something unmoved celestial movement. Source of all movement = Unmoved Mover = God. God perfect, complete, autonomous, self-absorbed, self- sufficient. God embodies goal towards which all natural things aim: perfect self-actualization. Desire to become God all movement.
Tripartite Cosmos GOD EMPYREUM SUBLUNARY WORLD EARTH UNDERWORLD (HADES)
increasing gap between mortal and divine worlds need for mediation between mortal and divine worlds monotheistic trend proliferation of daimones sublunary world as alienated, corrupt, fallen rise in popularity of foreign cults, supernatural phenomena
increasing gap between mortal and divine worlds need for mediation between mortal and divine worlds monotheistic trend proliferation of daimones sublunary world as alienated, corrupt, fallen rise in popularity of foreign cults, supernatural phenomena
magos [Persian] expert, wise man, healer, (religious) purifier, cult priest, diviner, magician, charlatan magic, deception mageia go s go teia charmer, diviner, sorcerer, quack enchantment, deception thelxis enchantment, (sexual) seduction, enslavement thaumatourg ia wonder-working, miracle-working
AIM Healing Knowledge Love Injury Miscellaneous Success Safety Invocation Service Horoscopes and General Astrology NUMBER/PERCENT 109/21% 102/20% 98/19% 61/12% 44/8.5% 42/8.2% 22/4.3% 22/4.3% 7/1.4% 6/1.2%
causes divine visitation disorder disorder symptoms course symptoms course treatment divine appeal or magic
air (vital) breath spirit spiritual being demonic being pneuma
ztikon (vital) psykhikon (psychic) pneuma akatharton (unclean) daimonion (demonic)
AIM Healing Knowledge Love Injury Miscellaneous Success Safety Invocation Service Horoscopes and General Astrology NUMBER/PERCENT 109/21% 102/20% 98/19% 61/12% 44/8.5% 42/8.2% 22/4.3% 22/4.3% 7/1.4% 6/1.2%
Neoplatonic Emanation ONE = GOOD BEING FORMS INTELLECT GODS HEAVENS SUBLUNARY WORLD SOUL ANIMAL BODY VEGETABLE LIFE INANIMATE MATTER FOUR ELEMENTS PRIME MATTER NON-BEING = EVIL
theurgy Universe is hierarchy of serial emanations from the One. Each order of emanations is subdivided. Each subdivision mediated by gods, daimones, souls, guardian spirits, ghosts... Goal of theurgy: ascent (anag g ) to and communion/merger with the One. Means of theurgy: magic rituals to induce empsychosis use of symbola to attract daimones and higher souls +gold : cinnamon : heliotrope : rooster : Sun interrogation of emplaced souls about access to higher levels +discovery of passwords to allow for ascent through gates
