Passages similar to: Stromata (Miscellanies) — Chapter VI: The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
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Christian Mysticism
Stromata (Miscellanies)
Chapter VI: The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture. (11)
North of the altar of incense was placed a table, on which there was "the exhibition of the loaves;" for the most nourishing of the winds are those of the north. And thus are signified certain seats of churches conspiring so as to form one body and one assemblage.
In the center of the room, almost against the partition leading into the Holy of Holies, stood the Altar of Burnt Incense, made of wood overlaid with...
(29) In the center of the room, almost against the partition leading into the Holy of Holies, stood the Altar of Burnt Incense, made of wood overlaid with golden plates. Its width and length were each a cubit and its height was two cubits. This altar was symbolic of the human larynx, from which the words of man's mouth ascend as an acceptable offering unto the Lord, for the larynx occupies the position in the constitution of man between the Holy Place, which is the trunk of his body, and the Holy of Holies, which is the head with its contents.
Here then, too, O excellent son, after the images, I come in due order and reverence to the Godlike reality of the archetypes, saying here to those...
(1) Here then, too, O excellent son, after the images, I come in due order and reverence to the Godlike reality of the archetypes, saying here to those yet being initiated, for the harmonious guidance of their souls, that the varied and sacred composition of the symbols is not without spiritual contemplation for them, as merely presented superficially. For the most sacred chants and readings of the Oracles teach them a discipline of a virtuous life, and previous to this, the, complete purification from destructive evil; and the most Divine, and common, and peaceful distribution of one and the same, both Bread and Cup, enjoins upon them a godly fellowship in character, as having a fellowship in food, and recalls to their memory the most Divine Supper, and arch-symbol of the rites performed, agreeably with which the Founder of the symbols Himself excludes, most justly, him who had supped with Him on the holy things, not piously and in a manner suitable to his character; teaching at once, clearly and Divinely, that the approach to Divine mysteries with a sincere mind confers, on those who draw nigh, the participation in a gift according to their own character.
Means Whereby The Deceased King Reaches Heaven, Utterances 263-271 (265)
351 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for R` that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 351 The two reed-floats of...
(265) 351 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for R` that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 351 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Harachte that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon to R`. 351 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N. himself 351 that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to R`, to Harachte. 352 The mn`-canal is open; the Winding Watercourse is inundated; 352 the Marshes of Reeds are filled (with water). 353 N. will certainly ferry over to the eastern side of heaven, 353 to the place where the gods will be born, 353 where N. will certainly be born with them, like Horus, like him of the horizon. 354 N. is justified. 354 Praise be to N.; praise be to the ka of N.! 355 Let them be called to N.; 355 let them be brought to N., those four traffic-guards, the wearers of side-locks, 355 who stand on their d`m-sceptres, on the eastern side of the sky, 356 that they may speak the name of N., the good, to R`, 356 (and) that they may proclaim the name of N., the good, to Nbk.w. 356 N. is justified. 356 Praise be to N.; praise be to the ka of N.! 357 The sister of N. is Sothis; the mother of N. is the morning star. 357 N. is that (star) which is with R` on the under (side) of the body of the sky. 357 N. is justified. 357 Praise be to N.; praise be to the ka of N.!
Chapter 14: How Lucifer, who was the most beautiful Angel in Heaven, is become the most horrible Devil. The House of the murderous Den. (79)
IV. They knew likewise very well that they were not the whole room or place, but were therein to increase the joy and wonderful proportion, variety...
(79) IV. They knew likewise very well that they were not the whole room or place, but were therein to increase the joy and wonderful proportion, variety and harmony of that same place, and were to accord, qualify and act friendly with that room or place of the Deity, and in a friendly manner affect the qualities that are without, distinct from their bodies.
Means Whereby The Deceased King Reaches Heaven, Utterances 263-271 (263)
337 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for R`, that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon. 337 The two reed-floats of heaven are...
(263) 337 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for R`, that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon. 337 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Harachte that Harachte may ferry over therewith to R`. 337 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N. that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to R`. 337 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N. that he may ferry over therewith to Harachte, to R`. 338 It is good for N. (to be) with his ka; N. lives with his ka. 338 His b-loin-cloth is on him; his Horus-weapon is on his arm; his sceptre is in his hands. 339 He makes himself serviceable to those who have passed on. 339 They bring to him those four spirits, the eldest, the first of the wearers of side-locks, 339 who stand on the eastern side of the sky and lean upon their d`m-sceptres, 340 that they may speak the good name of N. to R` 340 and proclaim N. to Nb-k.w, 340 so that the entrance of N. may be greeted (or protected). The Marshes of Reeds were filled (with water), 340 so that N. might ferry over the Winding Watercourse. 341 N. will certainly ferry over to the eastern side of the horizon; 341 N. will certainly ferry over to the eastern side of heaven. 341 His sister is Sothis; his mother is the Dw.t (morning star).
Against the wall on the southern side of the Holy Place stood the great Candlestick, or lampstand, of cast gold, which was believed to weigh about a...
(28) Against the wall on the southern side of the Holy Place stood the great Candlestick, or lampstand, of cast gold, which was believed to weigh about a hundred pounds. From its central shaft branched out six arms, each ending in a cup-shaped depression in which stood an oil lamp. There were seven lamps, three on the arms at each side and one on the central stem. The Candlestick was ornamented with seventy-two almonds, knops, and flowers. Josephus says seventy, but wherever this round number is used by the Hebrews it really means seventy-two. Opposite the Candlestick, against the northern wall, was a table bearing twelve loaves of Shewbread in two stacks of six loaves each. (Calmet is of the opinion that the bread was not stacked up but spread out on the table in two rows, each containing six loaves.) On this table also stood two lighted incensories, which were placed upon the tops of the stacks of Shewbread so that the smoke of the incense might be an acceptable aroma to the Lord, bearing with it in its ascent the soul of the Shewbread.
Now when they came forth from the holy place, they turned their faces towards the south when they began their prayers to God. For when the sun is...
(1) Now when they came forth from the holy place, they turned their faces towards the south when they began their prayers to God. For when the sun is setting, should anyone desire to pray to God, he ought to turn him thitherwards ; so also at the rising of the same, unto that spot which lies beneath the sun. As they were just beginning to recite the prayer, Asclepius did whisper:
[Asclepius] Let us suggest to father, Tat,—what he did bid us do, —that we should say our prayer to God with added incense and with unguents. Whom when Thrice-greatest heard, he grew distressed and said:
I have erewhile seen horsemen moving camp, Begin the storming, and their muster make, And sometimes starting off for their escape; Vaunt-couriers...
(1) I have erewhile seen horsemen moving camp, Begin the storming, and their muster make, And sometimes starting off for their escape; Vaunt-couriers have I seen upon your land, O Aretines, and foragers go forth, Tournaments stricken, and the joustings run, Sometimes with trumpets and sometimes with bells, With kettle-drums, and signals of the castles, And with our own, and with outlandish things, But never yet with bagpipe so uncouth Did I see horsemen move, nor infantry, Nor ship by any sign of land or star. We went upon our way with the ten demons; Ah, savage company! but in the church With saints, and in the tavern with the gluttons! Ever upon the pitch was my intent, To see the whole condition of that Bolgia, And of the people who therein were burned. Even as the dolphins, when they make a sign To mariners by arching of the back, That they should counsel take to save their vessel, Thus sometimes, to alleviate his pain, One of the sinners would display his back, And in less time conceal it than it lightens.
"In the splendor of mental and spiritual illumination, the High Priest stood between the pillars as a mute witness to the perfect virtue of equilibriu...
(22) [paragraph continues] My House be established. "In the splendor of mental and spiritual illumination, the High Priest stood between the pillars as a mute witness to the perfect virtue of equilibrium--that hypothetical point equidistant from all extremes. He thus personified the divine nature of man in the midst of his compound constitution--the mysterious Pythagorean Monad in the presence of the Duad. On one side towered the stupendous column of the intellect; on the other, the brazen pillar of the flesh. Midway between these two stands the glorified wise man, but he cannot reach this high estate without first suffering upon the cross made by joining these pillars together. The early Jews occasionally represented the two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, as the legs of Jehovah, thereby signifying to the modern philosopher that Wisdom and Love, in their most exalted sense, support the whole order of creation--both mundane and supermundane.
This Chapter is so short in the old recension (Paris, III, 93) that it could hardly be understood without the rubric of the Turin text. The four...
(8) This Chapter is so short in the old recension (Paris, III, 93) that it could hardly be understood without the rubric of the Turin text. The four Thoths, each of whom opens a door, are the four winds, coming from the four cardinal points ( Zeitschr. für Aeg. Sprache , 1877, p. 28
A Group Of Prayers And Charms, Utterances 204-212 (210)
126 To say: The judge is awake; Thot is up; 126 the sleepers are awake; they that are in Kns.t bestir themselves 126 before the great bittern, which...
(210) 126 To say: The judge is awake; Thot is up; 126 the sleepers are awake; they that are in Kns.t bestir themselves 126 before the great bittern, which comes forth from the marsh and Wepwawet who comes forth from the tamarisk-bush. 127 The mouth of N. is pure; the Two Enneads purify N.; 127 pure is this tongue which is in his mouth. 127 The abomination of N. is dung; N. rejects urine. 127 N. loathes his abomination. 128 The abomination of N., it is dung; he eateth not that abomination, 128 just as at the same time Set shrinks from these two companions who voyage over the sky. 128 R` and Thot, take N. with you, 129 that he may eat of that which ye eat, that he may drink of that which ye drink, 129 that he may live on that which ye live, that he may sit on that which ye sit, 129 that he may be mighty by that whereby ye are mighty, that he may voyage in that wherein ye voyage. 130 The booth of N. is an arbour among the reeds; 130 the abundance of N. is in the Marsh of Offerings; 130 his food is among you, ye gods; the water of N. consists of wine like that of R`, 130 N. compasses the sky like R`; N. traverses the sky like Thot.
There is no doubt that the Tabernacle, its furnishings and ceremonials, when considered esoterically, are analogous to the structure, organs, and...
(24) There is no doubt that the Tabernacle, its furnishings and ceremonials, when considered esoterically, are analogous to the structure, organs, and functions of the human body. At the entrance to the outer court of the Tabernacle stood the Altar of Burnt Offerings, five cubits long and five cubits wide but only three cubits high. Its upper surface was a brazen grill upon which the sacrifice was placed, while beneath was a space for the fire. This altar signified
O thou raised one, thou makest offerings on the altar, and thou washest thy feet upon the stone of ..., the banks of the divine lake; thou comest...
(18) O thou raised one, thou makest offerings on the altar, and thou washest thy feet upon the stone of ..., the banks of the divine lake; thou comest forth and thou seest Rā upon the four pillars which are the arms of the sky; on the head of Anmutef, and on the arms of Apuat who opens for thee the path; thou seest the horizon where are all the sacred things which thou desirest
In this hour the mass was drawn together; for when the Heart of God did hide itself in the Salitter, then it cast a glance again on the whole space...
(110) In this hour the mass was drawn together; for when the Heart of God did hide itself in the Salitter, then it cast a glance again on the whole space or body, and thought how it might be remedied again, whereby another angelical kingdom might be in the deep of this world.
The symbols of each one were there where they had been placed on the top of the mountain. But they [the priests] did not live in their houses by day,...
(6) The symbols of each one were there where they had been placed on the top of the mountain. But they [the priests] did not live in their houses by day, but walked over the mountains, and ate only the young horseflies, and the wasps, and the bees which they hunted; they had neither good food nor good drink. And neither were the roads from their homes known, nor did they know where their wives had remained.
Whereat I moved mine eyes, and I beheld In rear of Mary, and upon that side Where he was standing who conducted me, Another story on the rock...
(3) Whereat I moved mine eyes, and I beheld In rear of Mary, and upon that side Where he was standing who conducted me, Another story on the rock imposed; Wherefore I passed Virgilius and drew near, So that before mine eyes it might be set. There sculptured in the self-same marble were The cart and oxen, drawing the holy ark, Wherefore one dreads an office not appointed. People appeared in front, and all of them In seven choirs divided, of two senses Made one say "No," the other, "Yes, they sing." Likewise unto the smoke of the frankincense, Which there was imaged forth, the eyes and nose Were in the yes and no discordant made. Preceded there the vessel benedight, Dancing with girded loins, the humble Psalmist, And more and less than King was he in this. Opposite, represented at the window Of a great palace, Michal looked upon him, Even as a woman scornful and afflicted. I moved my feet from where I had been standing, To examine near at hand another story, Which after Michal glimmered white upon me.
Rejoicing in their flamelets seemed the heaven. O thou septentrional and widowed site, Because thou art deprived of seeing these! When from regarding...
(2) Rejoicing in their flamelets seemed the heaven. O thou septentrional and widowed site, Because thou art deprived of seeing these! When from regarding them I had withdrawn, Turning a little to the other pole, There where the Wain had disappeared already, I saw beside me an old man alone, Worthy of so much reverence in his look, That more owes not to father any son. A long beard and with white hair intermingled He wore, in semblance like unto the tresses, Of which a double list fell on his breast. The rays of the four consecrated stars Did so adorn his countenance with light, That him I saw as were the sun before him. "Who are you? ye who, counter the blind river, Have fled away from the eternal prison?" Moving those venerable plumes, he said: "Who guided you? or who has been your lamp In issuing forth out of the night profound, That ever black makes the infernal valley? The laws of the abyss, are they thus broken? Or is there changed in heaven some council new, That being damned ye come unto my crags?"
Means Whereby The Deceased King Reaches Heaven, Utterances 263-271 (264)
342 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Horus that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 342 The two reed-floats...
(264) 342 To say: The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Horus that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 342 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N. that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 342 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for Ssm.ti that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 342 The two reed-floats of heaven are placed for N. that he may ferry over therewith to the horizon, to Harachte. 343 The mn`-canal is open; the Winding Watercourse is inundated; 343 the Marshes of Reeds are filled (with water). 344 N. will certainly ferry over to yonder eastern side of heaven, 344 to the place where the gods will give him birth, where he will certainly be born, new and young, 345 when this hour of the morrow comes--the hour of the fifth -day, 345 the hour of the sixth day, the hour of the seventh day, the hour of the eighth day. 346 N. will be summoned by R`, he will be given something (to eat) by Nb-k.w, 346 like Horus, like him of the horizon, 346 when this hour of the morrow comes, the hour of the third day, the hour of the fourth day. 347 When N. stands there like this star which is on the under (side) of the body of the sky; 347 he judges as a god after he has listened like a prince. 348 N. calls to them and they bring to him those four gods, 348 who stand on the d`m-sceptres of heaven, 348 that they may speak the name of N. to R` and announce his name to Horus who inhabits the horizon. 349 He has come to thee; he has come to thee, 349 that he may be loosed from the bands and unbound from the fastenings. 350 He (R`) has freed N. from Hrti; he has not given him to Osiris. 350 N. has not died the death; 350 he has become an w (or, 3) in the horizon; he has become everlasting in the Ddw.t.
And he placed all their offerings mingled with oil upon it, and afterwards he sprinkled wine on the fire which he had previously made on the altar, an...
(7) And he placed all their offerings mingled with oil upon it, and afterwards he sprinkled wine on the fire which he had previously made on the altar, and he placed incense on the altar and caused a sweet savour to ascend acceptable before the Lord his God.
The bull, being symbolic of earthiness, represented his own gross constitution which must be burned up by the fire of his Divinity. (The sacrificing o...
(26) that a candidate, when first entering the precincts of sanctuary, must offer upon the brazen altar not a poor unoffending bull or ram but its correspondence within his own nature. The bull, being symbolic of earthiness, represented his own gross constitution which must be burned up by the fire of his Divinity. (The sacrificing of beasts, and in some cases human beings, upon the altars of the pagans was the result of their ignorance concerning the fundamental principle underlying sacrifice. They did not realize that their offerings must come from within their own natures in order to be acceptable.)