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Symbols


Information received by the spirit world that makes a connection to the natural world in order to communicate between both the spirit and natural world. According to Julius


Firmicus Maternus, symbols were linked to magical objects as a source of communication thergists used. “And yet to get to the divine work started here on earth the theurgist will use physical objects like the plants, stones and spices of that text. Iamblichus classifies such natural objects, which are also magical objects, as the signs, symbols and tokens that connect the thergist with the gods by starting an ascent to the super celestials” (Copenhaver, 2015, 160). 



In the Holy Books of Hermes, symbols were letters used to describe the first man Thoth. “And they have called him that from the language of the angels- not just that language, but also in symbols taken from the four elements of the whole sphere they speak of him as of a body: his letter alpha signifies the east, the air; his letter delta signifies the west, the earth plunging down because of its weight”. Each letter of Thoth's name was associated with the four different elements.


In the section Demons and Heroes, Iamblichus describes that what delivers in the theurgic union is the concept of continuing to do good deeds beyond description. He summarizes that symbols have a power that cannot be spoken by and symbols can only be understood by the gods. This has shown that symbols can be used in an alternate world. (Copenhaver 2015, 209-210)


The Proclus gives a detailed on concrete examples of magical objects.
 can be animals but can also be tied to demonic powers. In order to be able to tell someone that, you look at how close they are in substance to the corporeal energy. Then they intend to leave nature and natural energies below, they dealt with in the natural world in order for the symbols to work in the spiritual world.


Lactantius speaks about how pagans make offerings to their gods the rituals they perform aren't good. Lactantius also believes that Christian priests can use Christian symbols like the cross and the name of Jesus can be used to expel demons because pagan priests cant expel the demons as well because they don't have the symbols like Christan priests do. 




In the section Art of magic that Astonish us, Pagans believed that symbols were an extravagant solution and mechanical procedure linking arts of memory and invention with theology to answer all questions. There are many symbols that Pagans uphold and continue to use them today.



Key words: corporeal energy, theurigist, four elements







References

 “The primal Mage and sorcerer: Late antiquity" 5- In The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Translated by Brian Copenhaver. Penguin Classics, 160.'

"The Rites Are No Good: Lactantius, Divine Institutes", 4.27- In The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Translated by Brian Copenhaver. Penguin Classics, 228.'

"The Holy Books of Hermes: Zosimos, On the Letter"-In The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Translated by Brian Copenhaver. Penguin Classics, 182.'

"Demons and Heroes: Iamblichus, On the Mysteries of Egypt", 2.2-II-In The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Translated by Brian Copenhaver. Penguin Classics, 192.'

"Arts of Magic That Astonish Us: The Middle Ages"- In The Book of Magic: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Translated by Brian Copenhaver. Penguin Classics, 265.'




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