Saunders Gnostic Glossary 2006
by
Tom Saunders, B.A. / B.S., Certified Linguist.
Introduction:
There is a lost Christianity that can be brought back to understanding from the
Gnostic texts of the Nag Hammadi Library, and other texts like "The Pistis
Sophia,” with many others mentioned below. Until the serious study of the Nag
Hammadi texts in the last few years, nobody has had the knowledge to assume
much about what is contained in Gnostic texts.
The following set of terms was gathered by myself and
members of a group of scholars who study the "Gospel of Thomas."
These human sources of information include, Dr. Andrew Criddle, Dr. William
Arnal, Dr. Mark Goodachre, Dr. Jack Kilmon, Dr. Lynn Bauman, Mike Grondin,
Frank McCoy, and others.
Many of the terms below come from original works by Karl Nygren http://www.kheper.net/.
Special thanks to him and other members of the various ''Gospel of Thomas''
groups I have participated with over the years. A glossary is really a work
that is never finished.... Glossary means; ''A word list; a brief dictionary
used in a field of study or in a certain literary work, with an explanation or
definition of their meanings.'' "Glossology;'' is a synonym for
''Linguistics.'' (''The Dictionary of Linguistics,'' Pei- Gaynor, Littlefield,
1969, pg. 83., 122. ) I hope that this work will serve
as a 'lexicology,' for the Secret works described below.
Aberamentho:
A name used for/by Jesus, in the Sethian text ''The Pistis Sophia,'' describing
him as merged with Thoth-Hermes because Jesus calls on God while standing upon
the water. It is a trajectory that merges the Hebrew 'abyr mym' (power of
waters) with the Greek form of the Egyptian God Thoth and is found in Book IV
of the Codex ''Askewianus.'' {Thoth is associated with Logos, the power of
Word, as Ra's scribe/translator. It is also a formula for Seth-Typhon and can
be found in the Demotic Leiden Papyrus and other magical papyri following the
Egyptian XXVI dynasty. (Source; Dr. Jack Kilmon.) See; ''Sethianische Verfluchtungstafeln aus Rom'' Wünsch,
Richard.
Abraxas: (Abrasax) The letters of this word add up to
365 in some schema of numerology. In Irenaeus' outline of the beliefs of
Basilides, the term seems to refer to the unknown Father, the 'Prime Source.'
In writings by Hippolytus, what is described seems to be a reference to the
Demiurge. In some of the surviving Gnostic texts, Abrasax is one of a number of
"light bringers." (See; ''Zostrianos,'' ''The
Gospel of the Egyptians,'' and ''The Apocalypse of Adam.'')
Achamoth: In Hebrew meaning 'wisdom,' (Sophia) possibly related to the Hebrew
word for wisdom, "chokmah". An Aeon representing
'wisdom' created by Sophia (Wisdom) in the pleroma. (See;
''First Apocalypse of James,'' Nag Hammadi Lib.) Called
'Echmoth' in the ''Gospel of Phillip,'' meaning 'little Wisdom' or "wisdom
of death."
Aeon: These are characterized as emanations from the 'first cause,' the Father
in some Gnostic schema. The word not only refers to the "worlds" of
emanation, but to the personalities as well. Sophia, Logos, Barbelo, Eleleth,
and the other high principles are aeons. ''A link or level of the great chain
of being, the sum total which is the 'All' or Pleroma...Can also mean a world
age.'' (See; Gaffney) ''According to other Gnostics, for example Valentinus,
the first principle is also called Aeon or the unfathomable, the primeval
depth, the absolute abyss, bythos, in which everything is sublimated...''
translated by Scott J. Thompson from G.W.F. Hegel's ''Vorlesungen über die
Geschichte der Philosophie ii ,'' (Theorie Werkausgabe, Bd. 19), Frankfurt
a.M., Suhrkamp Verlag, 1977, 426-430] ( See also; Pleroma.) The first ten aeons
in the Valentinian schema are, Bythios (Profound) and Mixis
(Mixture), Ageratos (Never old) and Henosis (Union), Autophyes (Essential
nature) and Hedone (Pleasure), Acinetos (Immoveable) and Syncrasis
(Commixture,) Monogenes (Only-begotten) and Macaria (Happiness).
http://www.wbenjamin.org/hegel_kabbalah.html
Agape: Refers to love. For some Gnostics it refers to the ability of the
initiate to see the divine spark in all life, in the process of becoming
Pneumatic. ''Love, Faith, Hope, and Knowledge,'' are elements of a 'tetrad,'
explained in the ''Gospel of Philip.''
Agrapha: means unwritten. Two pieces of agrapha, apperently that did get
written down, are of interest because they parallel the ''Gospel of Thomas,''
saying 22 c., which has no other Gospel parallels. ''12. Acts
of Philip, 34. For the Lord said unto me: If you make not that which is
below in you to be above, and the left hand to be right, ye shall not enter
into my kingdom. 13. Linus Martyrdom of Peter, 17. The
Lord said in a mystery: If ye make not the left hand as the right and the right
as the left, and the things that are above as the things that are below, and
the things that are before as those that are behind, ye shall not know the
Agnoia: Literally "ignorance" or not paying attention. (Nygren; http://www.kheper.net/)
Agnosia: State of not having insight or Gnosis. (Nygren; http://www.kheper.net/)
Alchemy: Early chemistry concerned with the search for the philosopher's stone,
a substance believed to turn base metals into gold. Also the
quest for eternal life, by the use of alchemical and human transmutation.
The art of alchemy can be traced back to 100-150 B.C. in
to have discovered 'true gold medicine.' (See;
Transubstantiation. See; ''The History of Magic and
the Occult,'' Seligmann, Gramercy, 1997. pg. 95.
See also; ''The Steinerbooks Dictionary of the Psychic, Mystic, and Occult,''
Rudolf Steiner, 1973. pg. 15.)
Allegory: Writings, characterized by themes or parts with intentional multiple
analogies. They relate characters and events in a manner to represent more than
one thing or meaning. Origen stated that scripture can have literal, moral, and
spiritual meanings. (See also; Exegesis.)
Allogenes: Means "alien" or of another race. The existence of
spiritual force in the material realm is "alien" to it. This includes
both aeons, such as the Logos, as well as the Gnostic him/her self. According
to Dr. Gilles, Allogenes, is also a reference to Seth,
the third son of Adam and Eve. In Jewish gnosis Seth is viewed as the
Saviour." ( Emeritus Professor Gilles Quispel who
discovered the Gospel of Thomas.) ''Allogenes'' is a 'Sethian' tractate, and is
contained in Codex XI. 3, of the Nag Hammadi Lib.
Amente:
The place or state of the abyss or hell. ''Mary answered and said: "Woe
unto the souls of sinners! Now, therefore, my Lord, is the fire in the world of
mankind fiercer, or the fire in Amente? The Saviour
answered and said unto Mary, Amēn, I say unto thee: The fire in Amente is
nine times fiercer than the fire in mankind.'' (''The Pistis Sophia.''
http://www.gnosis.org/library/psoph.htm )
Anastasis: Means resurrection. Another term related to, or used like
apokatastasis, and in some cases may be used as synonymous with the process or
Gnostic salvation. (See Apokatastasis. See also;
Origen.)
Androgyny: A state of a being with both, like Yin and Yang in the Tai Chi, or
having no sexual characteristics. Emanations from the Pleroma are considered
androginous, even though they may be referenced with male or female names.
(See; Barbelo, Pronoia, Protophanes, See also; 'Syzygos')
Angel:
(angelos) A messenger from a divine source, or God.
(See; ''The Five Gospels,'' by Funk,
Anthropos: "Man". This is the cosmic human as well as the
philosophical form of the regular human.
Anomoeans:
In church history, the 'Anomoeans' were ancient heretics who asserted that the
Son was of a different nature and in nothing like to that of the Father. (Wikipedia, See; ''The Concept of Our Great Power.'')
Antinomianism: While this word literally refers to the belief that legal
precepts are no longer applicable to a "saved" individual, it has
come to be used in regards to any libertine doctrines in common parlance. It is
in reference to heresy. Thus, the Christian groups that are experiential rather
than ascetic have been referred to as 'antinomian.' See;
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01564b.htm
Antitactae: (Antitactes) May refer to a sect, or independent or ascetic
(licentious, antinomian) Gnostics, rather than the followers of any single
master, to whom they can be traced.
Apelles: A Gnostic follower of Marcion who later disagreed with Marcionite
philosophies, especially concerning docetics and dualism. His work
"Hexaëmeron" was an attempt to refute Moses.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01593a.htm
Apocalypse: A writing which relates a revelation, usually associated with doom.
(See; ''The Apocalypse of Paul,'' NHL.)
Apocrypha: Means 'hidden things' in Greek. Usually in reference to non canonized texts or scriptures, like the "Gospel of
Thomas."
Apochryphon: "Secret Book". The notion of secrecy was important for a
wide variety of early Christians for many reasons. Thus the
development of the "secret writings" amongst the Gnostics.
(See; "Apochryphon of James" and Apochryphon of John" Nag
Hammadi Lib. NHL.)
Apokatastasis: Meaning salvation and restoration through the reception of the
Holy Spirit, Jesus. The term is used by Heracleon in reference to "fruit
of eternal life or because it (Gnosis), is itself eternal life." It was
used by Origen differently, as if he meant the term to connote a communal
Anastasis. ''Origen teaches the "apokatastasis", the final
restoration of all intelligent creatures to friendship with God.'' (New Advent. See also; Anastasis.)
Apolutrosis: "Redemption" as seen as being helped by the rite of
initiation which helps to impart gnosis. This word refers to both the rite and
what is received from it. (See; Metenoia, Etennoia,
Enlightenment.)
Aponoia: "Unreason" like the misuse of
thought. This is different than simply not having thought, as the inability to
"put things together" can be worse than not even knowing they do in
fact fit. (Nygren; http://www.kheper.net/)
Apostle: A title distinguishing the twelve disciples whom Jesus selected to be
intimately associated with himself, they are: (Mt. 10-1,5)
"And he called unto him his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over
unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of disease and all
manner of sickness. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first,
Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee,
and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas,
and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the
Cananaean, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent
forth, and charged them, saying, Go not into any way
of the Gentiles, and enter not into any city of the Samaritans." (See
also; Lk.6v13.) Clement of
Aramaic: A language spoken in
Archgenitor:
One who destroys creations. A Greek
reference to Yaldabaoth. (See; Demiurge.)
Archon:
"Ruler." Refers to the creators and governing
forces in the material world. The Demiurge and his
angels (aeons). From a form of governing known in
Arete: Means "virtue," or excellence. In Platonic ideal it is a
reference to the importance of meaning above technical skill 'techne'. It
denotes mythological value within a literate framework or craft. Later
philosophical movements refer to this notion as "High Art" vs.
"Low Art." (See; Craftsman.) See also;
"Pistis Sophia,'' regarding learning of lower and higher mysteries.
http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/GLOSSARY/ARETE.HTM see also;
http://www.theoi.com/Daimon/Arete.html
Ariouth:
A female ruler. ''The second order is called Ariouth the Æthiopian, a female
ruler, who is entirely black, ... which stand under Ariouth the Æthiopian, that
her regions are dissolved and ruined, and all the souls which are in her
chastisements are carried off and cast back into the sphere anew, because they
are ruined through her dark smoke and her wicked fire." www.webcom.com/gnosis/library/pistis-sophia/ps145.htm
Aristotle: Ancient Greek philosopher thought to have devised the "Square
of Opposition" a device whereby logic can be graphed. The device was
handed down in the philosophies of many and was generally known by Pre-Socratic
Philosophers. http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aristotl.htm
Ascetic: One who practices a renunciation, or change of worldly pursuits to
achieve spiritual attainment. (See; ''The Birth of
Christianity, Crossan, Harper,
Asclepius: Name of Tractate 8, of Codex VI of the Nag Hammadi Lib., also known
as "The Perfect Teachings." Also name of main
character of the text. The text is Hermetic, and related to the
"Discourse of the 8th and 9th." (See also; ''Kybalion,'' Three
Initiates, Inner Traditions, 2004, List of Hermetic Principles.) http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/asclep.html
Authades: Authority (heavenly/pleromic) in ''The Pistis Sophia'' (Askew Codex)
who casts emanations in the 'pleromic' realm, and has powers over archons,
aeons, and other entities including in the Heimarene. Word 'Authades' may mean
'thought.' (See; Sabaoth.)
Autogenes: "Self Generated," in reference to the first Aeon or the
guiding light. May refer to the growth of a monad into a
genus and species type form and structure. (See;
Monogene, and Allogene.)
Avatar: A term used in literalist works, meaning a messenger from a divine
source who's purpose it is to exact revenge, or punishment. An
avenger. Gnostic demons (messengers) are called forms, and reflect
darkness or four levels of agnosia, or aponoia in a person's mental state. Also a Hindu term referring to
an incarnation of a deity. Avatars are not mentioned in Sethian works,
(See; ''Seven Forms of Wrath,'' ''Gospel of Mary.'' See also; Tarturos.)
Baptism: Ritual purification. (See; Baptism A. and B. NHL.)
''Therefore baptism is called death and an end of the old life when we take
leave of the evil principalities, but it is also called life according to
Christ, of which he issole Lord. But the power of the transformation of him who
is baptised does not concern the body but the soul, for he who comes up <out
of the water> is unchanged. From the moment when he comes up from baptism he
is called a servant of God even by the unclean spirits and they now
"tremble" at him whom shortly before they obsessed.'' (Theodotus,
Criddle Collection, See also; from ''Pistis Sopia.''
http://www.webcom.com/cgi-bin/glimpse
Barbelo (BARBHLW): Synonymous with Bythos. Generally the first aeon, body or
voice in the Sethian creation myth; "the first virginal emanation,"
it may have an androgynous connotation, but represents a Gnostic version of
Yin, and Yang, and the sexual energy called 'Jing'. (See Allogenes, Tractate 3,
Codex XI, of the Nag Hammadi Lib. See also:
Bardesanes:
(155-233 A.D.) Bardesanes, or Bar-daisan (so called from the river Daisan (the
Leaper), on the banks of which he was born), was born at
Basilisk; A legendary serpent or dragon with lethal breath
and glance. (American Heritage
Dictionary.)http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/basilisk See;
''The Pistis Sophia.''
Barnabus: (?-100 c) (Barnabas) Companion to Paul and many others who founded
early Christian churches, and made various journeys. Wrote
the "Epistle of Barnabus," which was rejected for the Christian
canon. Was the Uncle of Mark. (See; "The
Lost Books of the Bible,'' Eden, LB Press. 1926-01.)
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saintS/saintb12.htm
Basilides:
(?-138) An Alexandrian Gnostic who formed sects around 120 to 138. Known to be associated with Valentinus, and Mathias, and other
early Christian leaders. May have also had knowledge of Dositheos and
others associated with Simon Magus, or Gnosticism in
Beatitudes: Sayings which confer good fortune for the designated person or a
characteristic of. Usually beatitudes are marked by the beginning,
"Blessed are," or an equivalent. Their opposites are 'warnings' which
are marked by the saying 'Woe to' or an equivalent.
www.newadvent.org/cathen/02371a.htm
Boubastis:
Another name for Aphrodite. ''Boubastis, who is called in the world
Aphroditē, cometh, and she cometh to the third æon of the sphere which is
called the Twins, then the veils which are between those of the Left and those
of the Right, draw themselves aside...''The Pistis Sophia.''
www.newadvent.org/cathen/03025b.htm
Boule: Refers to the "will" of God which in turn leads to the word
(Logos) of God in some Gnostic contexts. Not a common term in Sethian texts.
(Nygren)
Bythos: Synonymous with Barbelo. The ''Depth' or
"Void". Its the "primal
ground" and the pre-beginning forefather. May denote the void between
dualities, like Yin and Yang, Pronoia, and Protophanes, Pleroma, and Kenoma,
but the term is not generally found in Sethian works. "According to other
Gnostics, for example Valentinus, the first principle is also called Aeon or
the unfathomable, the primeval depth, the absolute abyss, bythos, in which
everything is sublimated (aufgehoben) before the beginning (proárche) or before
the Father (propátor). Aeon is the activator." ([An excerptfrom Hegel's
''Lectures on the History of Philosophy,'' translated by Scott Thompson, from
G.W.F. Hegel's ''Vorlesungen über die Geschichte der Philosophie'ii ,''
(Theorie Werkausgabe, Bd. 19), Frankfurt a.M., Suhrkamp Verlag, 1977, 426-430]
Cassianus, Julius: A Christian teacher in Egypt, around 170. In ''Stromateis
(III.13.91-92), is Clement's citation it is also to be noted that Julius
Cassianus quotes from the apocryphal gospel so-called "According to the
Egyptians" to support his understanding that intercourse is not from
God--a position which he understood, though dubiously, was taught by the Saviour
(apud Grant 1946: 52-53; cf. Aland 1978: 336): <Jesus said to Salome>
"When you conceal the garment of shame, and when the two become one, and
the male with the female is neither male nor female." He is said to have
been associated withencratites, and doceticism. http://www.dacb.org/stories/egypt/julius_cassianus.html
Catechise: Refers to spiritual or religious instruction given to an initiate. (See; Pantaenus, Clement of
Cathars: (Also known as Albigensians) A Christian sect destroyed by the Catholic
Crusaders during the Albigensian Crusade. They derived their teaching from the
Bogomils an Eastern European group arising about 900 AD. The Cathars were a
dualistic and gnostic sect in northern
Carpocrates: (100?-150 CE); Formed a sect in
Cebes: (circa 350?-400? B.C.) Greek philosopher,
thought to be a student of Socrates noted for his beliefs that the soul is worn
like a garment. Also argued against Socrates immortality of
the soul. www.sparknotes.com/philosophy/phaedo/terms/char_3.html
Celsus: A pagan writer who wrote against Christianity in, "True
Discourse" (or, True Reason). This polemic against the Christians was
composed in approximately 178 CE. Celsus criticized the Christians for
believing in blind faith rather than reason. www.newadvent.org/cathen/03490a.htm
Cerinthus: A first century leader of the Ebionites, who were a Jewish sect
somewhat like early Christian Gnostics who argued various aspects of Christian
theology. Cerinthus is noted in the early history of the Christian church as
being a "heresiarch" or leader of a heretical sect. None of his
writings survives. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03539a.htm
Chaldeans:
The Chaldeans were a Semitic people of Arabian origin, who spoke Aramaic, who
settled in southern
Charaxio:
The name of the Mountain where Seth (Sethius) placed his writings, a place
where the sun does not rise. Place where Michar, Mnesinous, and Micheus,
preside over the Spring of Life, for baptism.
Chastisements:
Judgements or punishments for sinners. "Say unto them: Renounce the whole
world and the whole matter therein and all its care and all its sins, in a word
all its associations which are in it, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of
the Light and be saved from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.''
Chastisements result from litigiousness, evil conversation, and doctrines of
error."Say unto those who teach the doctrines of error and to every one
who is instructed by them: Woe unto you, for, if ye do not repent and abandon
your error, ye will go into the chastisements of the great dragon and of the
outer darkness, which is exceedingly evil, and never will ye be cast [up] into
the world, but will be non-existent until the end.'' (''The Pistis Sophia'')
Cherubim: A winged celestial being. b. cherubim Christianity The second of the nine orders
of angels in medieval angelology. cherubic (ch-rbk) ,
cherubically, pl. cherubim (chr-bm, -y-bm) (See; Seraphim)
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/cherub
Choic: (choikus) "Earthly" similar to "hylic." (Nygren)
Chrestois: Those considered good, (protected in the kingdom) according to
Clement of Alexandria, (See; Bk. 2 "Stromata.")
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02102.htm
Chrism: The annointment with oil. (See; ''On the Anointing.'' NHL) ''The chrism is superior to baptism, for it is from the word
"Chrism" that we have been called "Christians," certainly
not because of the word "baptism". And it is because of the
chrism that "the Christ" has his name. For the
Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles
anointed us.'' (''Gospel of Philip.'')
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/gop.html
Christology: The study of Christ, and various aspects of Jesus' existence.
www.newadvent.org/cathen/14597a.htm
Clement of
Clement's ''Instructor,'' which is more of an Orthodox work, compared to
''Stromata.'') http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/clement.html
http://www.ntcanon.org/Clement.shtml
Clement of Rome: (30-100 A.D.) According to Tertullian and Jerome, Clement of
Rome was ordained by Peter and became the fourth Pope of Rome. He was the
author of an "Epistle to the Corinthians," the only known manuscript
of which is appended to the Alexandrian Codex, now in the
''Instructor.'') www.newadvent.org/cathen/04012c.htm
Codex: Refers to a book like form of a writing collection, as opposed to a
scroll. (Askew Codex, Bruce Codex,
Colorbasus
(Colarbasus): A second century Gnostic and student of Valentinus.
Colarbasus, along with Marcus, another disciple of Valentinius, maintained the
whole plenitude, and perfection of truth and religion, to be contained in the Greek
alphabet; and that it was for this reason that Jesus was called the Alpha
and Omega. ''Certain, adhering partly to these, as if having propounded
great conclusions, and supposed things worthy of reason, have framed enormous
and endless heresies; and one of these is Colarbasus, who attempts to explain
religion by measures and numbers. And others there are (who act) in like
manner, whose tenets we shall explain when we commence to speak of what
concerns those who give heed to Pythagorean calculation as possible; and
uttering vain prophecies, hastily assume as secure the philosophy by numbers
and elements.'' (Hippolytus) ''Those of them, however, who are deemed more
skilful than the persons who have just been mentioned, say that the first
Ogdoad was not produced gradually, so that one AEon was sent forth by another,
but that all(7) the AEons were brought into existence at once by Propator and
his Ennoea. He (Colorbasus) affirms this as confidently as if he had assisted
at their birth. Accordingly, he and his followers maintain that Anthropos and
Ecclesia were not produced,(8) as others hold, from
Logos and Zoe; but, on the contrary, Logos and Zoe from Anthropos and
Ecclesia.'' (Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies,'' Bk. 1.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colarbasians
Corporeal: Composed of flesh or being of matter in the animate, earthly or
material way. There are various different beliefs in Christianity and
Gnosticism of the non-corporeal, or docetic state.
Cosmogony: Study of the cosmos and cosmic order, or in
Gnostic terms the Pleroma, in contrast with the earthly state.
Cosmology: Study of the physical universe and its governing laws.
Cosmotractor:
Designer of the cosmos, or another term for God or Demiurge. (''The
Second Treatise of the Great Seth.'') http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Cosmocrator
Craftsman: A term used to connote Gnostic attainment. The term is also used in
regard to creation. "All things were made through Him," means that it
was the Word who caused the Craftsman (Demiurge) to make the world, that is it
was not the Word "from whom" or "by whom," but the one
"through whom (all things were made).". . The term also refers to
men, ''The official was the Craftsman, for he himself
ruled like a king over those under him.'' (Heracleon) "
Clement of
persuaded by demonstration." (Clement.
"Stromata" Bk. 7.) http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02107.htm
Countenance:
Appearance, especially the _expression of the face, or a look or _expression
indicative of encouragement or of moral support. ''Then from the harmony, in a
joyous willingness which had come into being, they brought forth the fruit,
which was a begetting from the harmony, a unity, a possession of the
Totalities, revealing the countenance of the Father, of whom the aeons thought
as they gave glory and prayed for help for their brother with a wish in which
the Father counted himself with them.'' (''Tripartite
Tractate.'')
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/countenance
Daimon:
Greek Mythology 1. An inferior deity, such as a
deified hero. ''Trismegistus, who are these (daimons)?
Asclepius, they are the ones who are called 'stranglers', and those who roll
souls down on the dirt, and those who scourge them, and those who cast into the
water, and those who cast into the fire, and those who bring about the pains
and calamities of men.'' (See; ''Asclepius'')http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/daimon;_ylt=AlhfeDXJ.ud0vdAbvf.MOh.sgMMF
Decalogue:
A set or unit of ten related things. A term used by Clement of
Alexandria..."And the Decalogue, viewed as an image of heaven, embraces
sun and moon, stars, clouds, light, wind, water, air, darkness, fire. This is
the physical Decalogue of the heaven. And the representation of the earth
contains men, cattle, reptiles, wild beasts; and of the inhabitants of the
water, fishes and whales; and again, of the winged tribes, those that are
carnivorous, and those that rise mild food; and of plantslikewise, both
fruit-bearing and barren. This is the physical Decalogue of the earth. And
there is a ten in man himself: the five senses, and
the power of speech, and that of reproduction; and the eighth is the spiritual
principle communicated at his creation; and the ninth the ruling faculty of the
soul; and tenth, there is the distinctive characteristic of the Holy Spirit,
which comes to him through faith. " See also
Decalogue by Philo; http://thriceholy.net/Texts/Decalogue.html
Deep: (Bythos)
The term 'deep,' refers to the concept of parent or parents. The term is
used in the ''Untitled Text of the Bruce Codex.'' This is from Irenaeus, ''Adversus
Heraeses 1.8.5.'' '' Ptolemy interpreted the prologue of John's gospel
(Jn 1:1-14) "Parent" is usually called "Father" or
"the Deep." "Loveliness" is usually called
"Silence." Tertullian, uses the term
'depth.'
Demiurge:
Meaning 'Creator' in Greek. Thought to be the
"Craftsman" or creator of the material world. (Heracleon) In
Orthodox thought this is a supernatural entity or force, such as the appearance
of God to Moses. In the Gnostic schema the Word refers to an order, and it may
be a natural sort of intelligent design, related to wisdom, the earthly or
kenomic state of the higher wisdom, or form from the Pleroma. The material
state is considered less than the Pleromic, and highly flawed. Archons seem to
be emanations from the Demiurge process, much like other emanations from the
Pleroma. (See; Pleroma, Kenoma, Archon.)
Demons:
Gnostic demons are elements of the psyche. "And the origin of the demons which
are in the whole body is determined to be four: heat, cold, wetness, and
dryness. And the mother of all of them is matter. And he who reigns over the
heat (is) Phloxopha; and he who reigns over the cold is Oroorrothos; and he who
reigns over what is dry (is) Erimacho; and he who reigns over the wetness (is)
Athuro. And the mother of all of these, Onorthochrasaei, stands in their midst,
since she is illimitable, and she mixes with all of them. And she is truly
matter, for they are nourished by her.
"The
four chief demons are: Ephememphi, who belongs to pleasure, Yoko, who belongs
to desire, Nenentophni, who belongs to grief, Blaomen, who belongs to fear. And
the mother of them all is Aesthesis-Ouch-Epi-Ptoe. And from the four demons
passions came forth. And from grief (came) envy, jealousy, distress, trouble,
pain, callousness, anxiety, mourning, etc. And from pleasure much wickedness
arises, and empty pride, and similar things. And from desire (comes) anger,
wrath, and bitterness, and bitter passion, and unsatedness, and similar things.
And from fear (comes) dread, fawning, agony, and shame. All of these are like
useful things as well as evil things. But the insight into their true
(character) is Anaro, who is the head of the material soul, for it belongs with
the seven senses, Ouch-Epi-Ptoe.''
Derdekeas: Male personage and son of the light, in the
''Paraphrase of Shem,'' ''I am Derdekeas, the son of the incorruptible,
infinite Light."
Deucalion:
Greek Mythology A son of Prometheus who with his wife, Pyrrha, built an
ark and floated in it to survive the deluge sent by Zeus. The couple became the
ancestors of the renewed human race. (American Heritage Dictionary) ''And God
will say to Noah - whom the generations will call 'Deucalion.' (''The Apocalypse of Adam.'')
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/adam.html
Diatessaron: A harmony Gospel composed around 170, by Tatian.
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/diatessaron.html
Didache: Means literaly "The Teaching." The Didache, which originated
about 110 CE, documents the emerging authority of the one great Gospel. the Didache gives instruction on how a Christian community
should treat itinerant Christian prophets. (See; Early
Christian Writings, Stanforth translation, Penquin, 1987.)
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html
Didascalia: "Catholic Teaching of the Twelve Apostles and Holy Disciples
of Our Savior," is a Church Order, composed, according to recent
investigations, in the first part, perhaps even the first decades, of the third
century, for a community of Christian converts from Paganism in the northern
part of
Didrachmae: In reference to money or the process of using money. (See; ''Apochryphon of James.'')
Docetism: Meaning "image." Docetic refers to being non-corporeal, or
not being composed of matter. (See; Julius Cassianus.)
Dositheos: Believed to be the founder of Samaritan Gnosticism in the first
century, and associate of Simon Magus. Dositheans were a Gnostic sect which
called "God" only 'Elohim' not 'Yehouah or Lord.' He is stated as the
author of the "Three Steles of Seth." See; (NHL p. 396.)
http://essenes.net/Dosithean.html
Doxomedon:
Glorias aeon of the Word, or All where Christ
rests. Doxo is a prefix denoting glory. Doxogenia= glorias begetter, Doxopania=
glorias revealer, or revelation, Doxokaitia, or Doxokrator, means glorias
ruler.
Ebionites: A name used by early Jewish sects who were considered Christians.
Tertullian believed the sect was started by Ebion in
into Christianity are referred to as "Judaizers." The name is
associated by some authorities with James the Just, and the blood relatives of
Jesus who became early Christians. The term is also associated with Nazerenes.
http://www.religiousstudies.uncc.edu/jdtabor/ebionites.html
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05242c.htm
http://www.geocities.com/faithofyeshua/who_are_ebionites_and_importance_for_christianity.htm
Echmoth: (Echamoth) Meaning a form of wisdom; "Echamoth is one thing and
Echmoth, another. Echamoth is Wisdom simply, but (e) Echmoth is the Wisdom of
death, which is the one who knows death, which is called "the little
Wisdom". ("Gospel of Phillip, NHL.)
Ekousiai:
Name of a Sethian authority in the Spirit World.
Elchasai: The Elcesaites, Elkasites, or Helkesaites were a sect of followers of
Jesus in the third century, whose religion was a syncretism of Gnosticism and
Jewish Christianity. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elkasite http://biblestudy.churches.net/CCEL/FATHERS2/ANF05/ANF0513.HTM#P2237_708984
Enlightenment:
Refers to a state of being; described in Chinese/Oriental classics that
reflects the same kinds of mental changes, 'awareness,' or 'Satroi' as in
Gnosis. ''The Enlightenment refers to a movement in philosophy that advocated
the untrammeled use of reason to establish truth. The movement challenged
traditional authority, doctrine, and values. Emphasis was placed on the
empirical method employed by the sciences.'' (''The Five Gospels,'' by Funk,
Ennead: Meaning nine in reference
to the Sethian Monadology. The term is also used in ancient Egyptian. ''It is
said that the Ennead, which was the 'seed and hand of Atum', becomes the 'teeth
and lips of Ptah' and gives a name to each thing bringing it into existence.
Divcine principles and qualities (the Ennead) can now ' enter into all the
species of things - mineral, plant or animal - and become manifest through
them.'' (
Ennoia:
Means "thought" Sophia in her high form as Pleromic, is the first
thought (so she is the first Aeon, or Pleroma, and the last one as well). Creation
happens in the triad of thought, word, and action. (See;
'Tripartite Tractate.') http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/tripart.htm
Epiphanes: Son of Carpacrotes of Alexandria. Died at age 17.
Clement stated that Epiphanes had been taught the way of the ''Monad.''
"But the followers of Carpocrates, and Epiphanes think wives should be
common property.'' (See; Bk 3, of ''Stromata.'') His
work ''Concerning Justice,'' can be read at;
http://www.vinesbranch.com/view/?pageID=181476
http://www.gnosis.org/library/ephip.htm
Epiphanius: (310-403) ''In 367 his reputation for asceticism and learning
brought about his nomination as Bishop of Constantia (Salamis) the metropolis
of the Island of Cyprus. He wrote against Origen and Gnostics. He identified
the existence of the Gospel of Judas Iscariot,'' and ''Birth of Mary,''
{''Gospel of Mary''} which he says describes horrible and deadly things. (He
admits to not having seen the Gnostic texts, but claims to know about them. ) He wrote in regard to an unidentified Gnostic Gospel....
''Another Gospel (?) of similar tendancy was that which was used by the
nameless "Adversary of the Law, and the Prophets' {Gnostics} whom
Augustine refutes, and from which the following is quoted. '' The Apostles
having asked the Lord what they were to think about the Jewish prophets, who
were thought in the past to have fortold his coming, he was troubled that they
even yet had such thoughts, and answered: Ye have given up (let go) the living
on who is before your eyes and talk idly of the dead." Epiphanius, also
identifies the ''Apocalypse of Paul,'' as being a book writtenby Canites, or
Cananites, (Canaanites) and used by Gnostics. Paul is quoted in the text to
have been taken up to the level of the ''Third Heaven,'' which corresponds to
the Nag Hammadi text. It does not correspond to the other ''Apocalypse of
Paul,'' which fragments exist in Greek, Latin, and Coptic. The Canaanites were
an ancient tribe that lived in the basic area that is
www.mustardseed.net/html/pecanaanites.html
Epinoia: Means "insight" as it comes from the higher connections of
spirit, portrayed as a Pleromic emination . It can be translated as
"wisdom" in the modern sense of the word. Without it one cannot gain
Gnosis. This 'insight' refers to, metanoia, (change of mind), and
self-knowledge of the soul, which is merged with the 'light' or Sophia, in the
act of Gnosis. (See; the "Apocryphon of John," See
also; Metenoia.)
Eros: The love that comes from the desire to reunite. It is a passion contrast
with agape which is compassion). Eros originates when the Demiurge sees
"light Adam" or the primal man (See; Anthropos, Agape.)
Esaldaios: Name that the Naassenes used for the Demiurge.
Essenes: Jewish communal sect known as free thinkers at the time of Jesus. They
were said by Josephus to have combined Pythagoran, and Stoic theory, with
ascetic virtues, and spiritual knowledge with divine law. In
Eucharist:
See Eucharist A., and B., in the Nag Hammadi Library. ", ''Pistis Sophia
by Mead...."And Jesus said unto them: "Bring me fire and vine
branches." They brought them unto him. He laid out the offering, and set
down two wine-vessels, one on the right and the other on the left of the
offering. He disposed the offering before them, and set a cup of water before
the wine-vessel on the right and set a cup of wine before the wine-vessel on
the left, and laid loaves according to the number of the disciples in the
middle between the cups and set a cup of water behind the loaves."
Jesus
explaineth the vision of fire and water, and wine and blood. Jesus,--that is
Aberamenthō,--said unto his disciples: "Amēn, I say unto you: I
have brought nothing into the world when I came, save this fire, this water,
this wine and this blood. I have brought the water and the fire out of the
region of the Light of the lights of the Treasury of the Light; and I have
brought the wine and the blood out of the region of Barbēlō. And
after a little while my father sent me the holy spirit
in the type of a dove. "And the fire, the water and the wine are for the purification of all the sins of the world. The
blood on the other hand was for a sign unto me because of the human body which
I received in the region of Barbēlō, the great power of the invisible
god. The breath on the other hand advanceth towards all souls and leadeth them
unto the region of the Light.. And for this cause I
took also a cup of wine, blessed it and give it unto you and
said: 'This is the blood of the covenant which will be poured out for you for
the forgiveness of your sins." (P.S. Bk. 5.)
Eugnosis:
Freely developing (gnosis.)
Eusebius: ( 260-341 A. D.) Eusebius
Pamphili, Bishop of Cæsarea in
Exegesis: An explanation of a passage, or word. It is related to allegory and
translation of scripture.
Exousiai: Name for the powers of the entities in the Pleroma. (See "Pistis
Sophia.") Referred to as rulers and wicked powers in the
"1st Book of Jeu."
Fasting: ''Fasting according to the signification of the word, is abstinence
from food. Now food makes us neither more righteous nor less. But mystically it
shows that, as life is maintained in individuals by sustenance, and want of
sustenance is the token of death; so also ought we to fast from worldly things,
that we may die to the world, and after that, by partaking of divine
sustenance, live to God. Especially does fasting empty the soul of matter, and
make it, along with the body, pure and light for the divine words. Worldly food
is, then, the former life and sins; but the divine food is faith, hope, love,
patience, knowledge, peace, temperance. For "blessed are they that hunger
and thirst after" God's "righteousness; for they shall be
filled." The soul, but not the body, it is which is susceptible of this
craving.'' (Theodotus/Kirby Collection.)
Firmament:
The vault or expanse of the heavens; the sky. (See;
''Eugnostos, the Blessed.'')
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/firmament
Garment:
Meaning clothing, but in Gnostic terms can mean the flesh covering the body.
Sometimes used in various references to wearing the soul or the idea of social
position as a philosophical covering. From the Un-named text in the Bruce
Codex: "This is Man, begotten of mind (nous) ', to whom
thought gave form. It is thou who hast given all things to Man.
And he has worn them like garment."
''Chelkeach, who is my garment, who has
come from the Astonishment, who was in the cloud of the Hymen which appeared,
as a trimorphic cloud. Ane Chelkea is my garment which has two
forms, he who was in the cloud of Silence. And Chelke is my garment which was
given hem from every region; it was given him in a single form from the
greatness, he who was in the cloud of the middle region and the star of the
Light which surpassed the thought and teh tetimony of those who bear witness.''
(''The Paraphrase of Shem.'')
Gehenna:
Meaning hell, hades, sheol, in Gnostic terms hell is,
the darkness, desire, and ignorance of Agnosia. In the ''Gospel of Judas,''
Satan is Saklas, meaning foolishness. (See Tartaros, See also
the ''Gospel of Mary'' for the 'forms of wrath;' See also; ''The Five
Gospels,'' p. 544.)
Gematria: The study or science and art of number and letter manipulation. This
would include geometric forms such as the Tetraktys of the Decad. ''I {Jesus}
have turned their (periods of) influence and their quadrangles and their
triangles and their figures of eight , since their
(periods of) influence remained turned to the left from the beginning, together
with their quadrangles and their triangles and their figures of eight.''
(''Pistis Sophia,'' See also; Tetraktys of the Decad.'' See also; ''Marsenes.'' )
Geradama:
A masculine reference to an emanation in the ''Three Steles of Seth,'' and a
female emanation in ''Zostrianos.'' ''I bless thee, Father Geradama(s), I, as thine
(own) Son, Emmacha Seth, whom thou didst beget without begetting, as a blessing
of our God; for I am thine (own) Son.... Thou art Mirotheas (glorias
mother); thou art my Mirotheos.'' (''Three Steles of Seth.,"
''Zostrianos.'')
Glaucius: Glaucius and Mark, if by only legend where employed in recording the
records of Peter, in
Gnosis: While the literal translation for this word is "knowledge",
it's meaning is closer to "insight" or, to use another concept,
"enlightenment." It may imply more in some cases than a purely
intellectual understanding. It may imply complete comprehension that comes from
both rational and intuited means. Gnosis is bonding the soul (nous) with
wisdom, in both Sethian,Valentinian, and other Gnostic
schema, which link this act through Jesus. The process of Gnosis may have
different schema, or criteria as to secular practices. The process of Gnosis
seems to be transitional or a transcendence in a learned process.
Gnostic: A person regarded as a student of Gnosis. Can refer to specific sects
mentioned by historians, and heresiologists, The term
can be used as a category for a number of sects and individuals that believed
"Gnosis" had a salvational purpose. Gnostic sects are known to have
existed in pre-Christian Jewish communities and later in Christian movements,
according to information in the "Nag Hammadi" text by Robinson.
Gnostic views differ, as do secular characters of the Pleroma in the creation
myths. The term or versions of it, are used very early
in regard to Christian learning, this quote from Book 3 of Clement of
Alexandria's "Stromata." "Joannis autem vitae
institutum gnosticum quis imitabitur?"
Gnosticism: The word was adapted by modern scholars to refer to the sects of
the 'Late Antiquities' that shared a similar cosmology and soteriology. More
recently the definition has been widened in some circles to mean any form of
mysticism or esotericism. Gnostic scenarios both differ, and are alike in the
cosmic reasoning for the creation, making them 'creation myths.' Gnostic texts
use different names for the characters of the creation stories for characters
from the
Gospel: Means 'good news.' Gospels were used to relate evangelistic teachings.
Gnostic writings appear to have been based upon all existing Gospels attributed
to Apostles. Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, as well as Pauline
letters are mentioned in some Gnostic texts. The ''Gospel of Thomas'' appears
to be a main source of Bible Gospel, and Jesus reference in the Nag Hammadi
collection, as well as other Gnostic works. The ''Gospel of Mary,''
and the ''Gospel of Phillip'' are in the Nag Hammadi Lib. The ''Gospel of
Phillip''contains some New Testament references. , Jn 6:53, 8-32, 8-34, Mt.
3-10, 3-15,15-13, 16-17, Paul, 1 Co 8-1, 1 P 4-8. See also ''The Gospel of
Judas,'' and ''The Gospel of Truth, and Gospel of the Egyptians.''
Hamarcia: (hamartolos) Meaning to have a fatal flaw, or to be a sinner.
Haptomai: (hapto) Meaning to attach to or set on fire.
Hebdomas: The kingdom of the "Seven", referring to the spheres of the
planets and thus the Archons in the creation myths. Refers to
seven 'types' in texts like the ''Gospel of Mary.'' Considered below the
Ogdoad, but is in succession with the sequence of the monad to decad, and is a
'7th form' in the Sethian Monadology. (See also the "Book of Jue," and Un-named text in the Bruce Codex, Sethian
Monadology. See also; ''The Gospel of Mary,'' Ch. 8., ''The Seven Powers of
Wrath.'' See also; Sabaoth.)
Hegesippus: (110- 180 C.E.) Considered a Palestinian Jew, who
later converted to Christianity, but was anti-Gnostic. Under Pope
Anicetus (155-166) he undertook a journey to compare Christian teachings in the
Heimarene: Original Greek means 'choice.' Literally
"destiny." Some Gnostics believed hylics are controlled by the
spheres of the stars, which represent different base drives. Destiny in this
sense does not apply to the Gnostic, who has broken past such connections, in
becoming Pleromic through the living resurrection.
Heracleon: A Valentinean Gnostic Sage, possibly from
Heresy:
Used to describe Gnosticism and other secular Christians by the Catholic church. The original Greek meaning is 'choice.' Usually
established by declaration, but anything not approved by the 'church' could be
considered heresy. Simon Magus is most often held out as a heretic. Tertullian, accuses him of using 'Helen,' as a ruse, in his
work ''The Treatise of The Soul.'' Clement of
Hermeneutics: The science of interpretation, or interpretation theory.
Hermes Trimegistos: Character in ''Asclepius,'' and ''Discourse of the 8th and
9th.'' (NHL)Regarded as related to the ancient God Hermes.
Hermes Trimegistos, is mentioned in several Jewish works as knowing Abraham,
and mentioned by Solomon. (See also; ''The Kybalion,'' Three Initiates, Inner
Traditions, 2004.) See; http://www.gnosis.org/library/hermes2.html in regard to
the Hermetic text ''Asclepius,'' and compare to the ''Asclepius'' text in the
Nag Hammadi Library. Hermas: Reference to the ''Shepherd of Hermas.'' (Hermes).
http://www.gnosis.org/library/hermas.htm
Hippolytus: (180-230) 3rd Century Roman Christian leader who wrote
"Philosophoumena," and other refutations against heresy much directed
against Gnosticism. Known to have been associated with
Tertullian in standing against some Gnostic beliefs. Hippolytus wrote
''The Refutation of All Heresies,'' where in Book 5, he discloses the Sethians,
and Naassenes (See ; Iranaeus, See also; ''Gnostic
Secrets of the Naassenes,'' by Gaffney, Inner Traditions, 2004.)
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/hippolytus.html
Hylic: "Of matter." Can be thought of as a level of
thinking, dealing with the lowest portion of human nature. It is
considered living by instinctual drives with no sublimation. Hylics, choikus,
sarkics, etc. are said to be below 'Psychics' which are below 'Gnostokoi,' the
highest order of transcendence according to Valentinian and other Gnostic
teaching. The world of the psychic, is still in the
realm of the hylics in most Gnostic scenarios because existence in the earthly
state separates one from the pleroma. (See; Psychic, Kenoma.
Pleroma.)
Hypishrone: Name (fem.) meaning "high minded one." Title
of Tractate 4, Codex XI, of the Nag Hammadi Lib.
Hypostasis: Means 'reality' as in "Hypostasis of the Archons,"
Reality of the Rulers." (See; II.4 of the Nag Hammadi
Lib.)
Ichthus:
A reference to Jesus Christ, which connotes him as the fish,
or one who feeds the hungry. See; ''The Gospel of the
Egyptians,'' and ''The Teachings of Silvanus.''
Ignatius: (50-100 A. D.) Also called Theophorus, born in
Ineffable: Means, 1. Incapable of being expressed; indescribable or
unutterable. See Synonyms; unspeakable. 2. Not to be uttered; taboo: "the
ineffable name of God." (American Heritage Dictionary)....''Moreover it is
these who have known him who is, the Father, that is, the Root of the All, the
Ineffable One who dwells in the Monad. He dwells alone in silence, and silence
is tranquillity
since, after all, he was a Monad and no one was before him.'' (''A Valentinian Exposition.'')
Irenaeus: (130-202) Author of "Against Heresies" and other works. He
was a main proponent against Gnosticism and is responsible for the early
formation of Orthodox Christianity. He became Pope, (Bishop of Rome) after
winning the position over Valentinus. He claimed Apostolic
succession from having studied from Polycarp. (See; ''The
Early Church,'' Chadwick, Penquin, 1993. See also; New Advent,
Online.) http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08130b.htm
Isidore: Son of Basilides, who according to Hippolytus received special
teaching from Mathias. He wrote trying to show that Greek philosophers borrowed
from the Prophets. He also held that passions emanated from a part of the soul.
http://www.dacb.org/stories/egypt/isidore.html
Josephus: (38-107) A Jewish historian, and author of the "Jewish War"
and "The Jewish Antiquities." Josephus recorded the existence of
Jesus and early Christianity, his work is significant as a non-biblical record.
http://members.aol.com/fljosephus/home.htm
Jerome: (340-420) Prolific author. In his letter to Pammachius and Oceanus, he
becomes a critic of Gnostics and Origen, although he is known to have studied
the works of Valentinus, Marcion, Menander, and others. "On the ground
taken by these persons we have no right to condemn Valentine, Marcion, or the
Cataphrygians, or Manichaeus, none of whom are named by the council of Nicea,
and yet there is no doubt that in time they were prior to it.''
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/08341a.htm
Jesus: (?-33 CE) The Son of Joseph and Mary, and brother of James the Just,
regarded as the founder or person for whom Christianity was formed Also called
Saviour.
Jeu: (Yew) (IEOU) Character in "The Pistis Sophia" designated as
the "Overseer of the Light" and angel of the 'Lord.' (See also Bruce
Codex: "Books of Jeu.") Jeu is the name used for God in "Jue,
Book One.'' Ioia= God with us. Iouel= God forever. The book is a
description to a meditation schema, apparently for the process or training for
Gnosis. See also; ''The Pistis Sophia.''
John
the Baptist: (5 B.C. 33 A.D.) Jewish prophet who in the New
Testament baptized and prepared the way for Jesus. He was executed by
Herod Antipas at the behest of Herod's daughter Salome. According to Heracleon
John was a Levite. His father was Zacharius who officiated as a Priest in the
Jewish Temple. His mother was Elizabeth, sister of Mary mother to Jesus. Among
his followers were Dositheos, Matthias, Simon Magus, and many other disciples
and witnesses to Jesus. See; ''The Cave of John the
Baptist,'' by Simon Gibson, Doubleday, 2004. Mandaeans believe John the
Baptist, called Yahya in the Sidra d-Yahia (Book of John), was
the last and greatest of the prophets. While Mandaeans agree that he baptized
Jesus (Yeshu), they reject the latter as either a saviour or prophet. And they
viewed John as the only true Messiah. http://www.answers.com/topic/john-the-baptist
Justin
Martyr: (100-165 C.E.) From
Kabbalah: A Jewish method of study based upon the ''Tree of Life,'' described
as a 'map of human consciousness.' ''The literal Kabbalah, is that section
concerned with the information contained in Kabbahlistic teachings,
particularly those found in the Bible. It includes Gematria- the science and
art of number and letter manipulation, and all forms of evocative reading of
''holy'' books using appropriate Kabbalistic codes and interpretations."
(''The Complete Guide to The Kabbalah, '' Parfait,
Rider, 2001. pg. 7.) "When a student delves into the study of the
Kabbalah, he begins with the sefirot. From Malkhut to Ayin, they constitute a
ladder of ascent "back to the One." Each seeker gains insights on the
sefirot, one by one, and as they go up the divine body, they get closer and
closer to knowing God."
(http://www.allsands.com/religious/jewish/kabbalahjewish_rau_gn.htm http://en.wi\
kipedia.org/wiki/Kabbalah
Kalyptos: Hidden one. An aeon of the image. A state of being from the Aeon of the Barbelo, (The Deep) which has
the ability of physical form in Sethian lore. May be written as an
entity, but is more likely a description of a state of being in becoming
mortal. ''He can [see] with his perfect soul those who belong to Autogenes;
with his mind , those who belong to the Triple Male, and with his holy spirit,
those who belong to Protophanes. He can learn of Kalyptos through the powers of
the spirit from whom they have come forth in a far better revelation of the
Invisible Spirit.'' (See Sethian, and Barbelo, See also the text,
''Zostrianos.'')
Kenoma:
The earthly or hylic state of the being. In the Gnostic schema(s) the kenoma is
the imperfect and the antithesis of pleroma (plhrwma), where all are in a state
of privation and unreality. The term is not used directly in Sethian texts. (See Iren. Haer. I.4.I (M.7.480A); ib 1.4.2 (484A); Clem.exc.Thdot.31 (p117.11; M.9.676A);
Thdt.haer.I.7 (4.298).
Kerygma: Refers to preaching or declaring proclamations. May also be a
reference to 'charismata' a term used for socio-types with the personal quality
of charisma.
Kenosis:
A Greek term meaning emptiness, or to make empty. As in Philippians 2:7,
"Jesus made himself nothing...'' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenosis In
Christian theology, Kenosis is the concept of the 'self-emptying' of
one's own will and becoming entirely receptive to God and his perfect will. It
is used both as an explanation of the incarnation, and an indication of the
nature of God's activity and condescension.
Kronos:
In Greek religion and mythology, the youngest Titan, son of Uranus and Gaea.
With the help of his mother, he led the Titans in the revolt against Uranus and
ruled the world. He married his sister Rhea and fathered the great gods–Zeus,
Poseidon, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Hestia. Because he was fated to be
overthrown by one of his children, he swallowed them all as infants until Rhea
hid Zeus and presented Kronos with a stone wrapped in a blanket, which he ate.
Later Zeus tricked him into disgorging his children. Zeus then led the Olympian
gods in overthrowing Kronos in the battle called the Titanomachy, described by
Hesiod. Kronos and all the defeated Titans, except Atlas, were exiled. Kronos
is equated with the Roman Saturn and was probably a god of a pre-Hellenic
people. (see; ''The Pistis Sophia.'')
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry?id=26577
Kyclos: "Circles". Something like the
circulation of energy of the Chakras of Kundalini, or the Ouroboros, the serpent
like creature biting its own tail. A system of circulating or
cycles of worlds, like the sun and moon, that effectboth heaven and earth.
See also the diagrams of the Ophites, circles which
represent Father and Son.
Leviathan: The world serpent. This is kind of like the Ouroboros in the
negative worldly aspect. Just as the Ouroborus refers to infinity and the
cycle, Leviathan is inside the cycle. Some systems has
them of basically the same thing with one referring to the inside, and the
other the outside. (See; Kyklos) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan
Levite:
In the Jewish tradition, a Levite is a member of the Hebrew tribe of Levi. The
Levites were the only one of the Israelite tribes who received cities but no
tribal land when Joshua led the Israelites into the
Light:
(Light Bringers, Sons of Light) The aeons of the
Protennoia, or Mother of Light, or Word in the Voice. The first aeon,
Armedonfiltered=Nousanios=Arzomel. 2nd aeon, Phrinonios=Ainios= Oroial. 3rd
aeon Mellephanes=Loios= Daveithai (David/Daveithe). 4th aeon, Maousanios=Amethes=Eleleth.
(See; ''Trimorphic Protennoia,'' ''Gospel of the Egyptians,''
''Allogenes,'' others.)
Lithargoel:
Name used by the entity in ''The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles,'' who
reveals himself as Jesus in the city of
Logos: Often translated as "Word," it's true
meaning is much more multifunctional (a better translation would be
"reason"). Logos was an ancient Greek term referring to
"reasoned speech," later adapted by the ''Gospel of John'' to signify
Christ. Logos, Word, and Tao, are synonymous. (See; Pleroma,
Cosmology, and Cosmogony.)
Mandaeanism: Pre-Christian, or first century Persian Gnostic (dualism) religion
of the middle east that has survived into modern times. 'Manda' is from the
Aramaic language which translates to 'gnosis' in Greek. They professed a
kinshipto the teachings of "John the Baptist,'' and are said to exist
today in
Mani: (216- 276 CE) founder of the religion of Manicheanism. Believed
to have written or had part in the "Manichean Psalms of Thomas."
See also; Manichaeaens http://essenes.net/bnei3.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_(prophet)
Manichoi: Meaning one who has become a solitary one, or unified. (Hoeller p. 151.)
Marcellina: (330-398 A.D.) The only sister of St. Ambrose of
Marcion: (85-160 CE) Marcion was son of the Bishop of Sinope in
Marcionites: Followers of Marcion who formed a sect around 144 A.D. They
rejected the idea of the Jewish God, and declared that Jesus was not the son of
the Jewish creator. Considered by some to be Gnostic like in
their understanding of dualism. http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09645c.htm
Marcus:
A student of Valentinus, and contemporary of Colorbasus, who devoted their
attention to magical arts and the Pythagorean numbers. See ''Refutation of All
Heresies,'' Book VI. by Hippolytus.
http://www.gnosis.org/library/hyp_refut6.htm
Marsenes: Name of Tractate 1, Codex X, Nag Hammadi Lib. A Sethian writing also
found in the Bruce Codex, also name of main character of the work, a Gnostic
Prophet. http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/marsanes.html
Matthias: According to Clement of Alexandria, teachings of Matthias were used
by Basilideans and perhaps other Gnostic groups. According to Hippolytus,
Basilides and his son Isidore claimed to have learned from Matthias 'secret
words,' which he had received in private teaching from the Saviour. A disciple
called Mathias replaced Judas Iscariot in apostolic succession after the
crucifixion of Jesus.
(May be the author who wrote the text, "The Book of Thomas the
Contender.'') http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10066a.htm
Meditation: The act of concentrating the mind for a specific purpose, or
response. The act is different than contemplation in some contexts, in others
it may mean the same. Sethian Gnostics rejected prayer as to an eminent power.
They did use ''contemplation,'' or what we might call self-hypnosis today,
which was aided by the use knowledge of the monad. (See Sethian Monadology)
Melchizedek: Name of Nag Hammadi text, Tractate 1, Codex IX., also name of the
main character of the text, who names the "God most High,"
encountered by Abraham. Melchizedek, is called "the great Paralemptor of
Light" (purifier) in "Pistis Sophia," (Askew Codex). Genisis 14.-18. ''And Melchizedek king of
Menander: Follower of Simon Magus, associated with Saturnis, who taught in
and
Merovingean: A pre 11th century Frankish Dynasty, the ''Priors of Zion,'' claim
the Merovingean Dynasty is of the bloodline of Jesus Christ. This is the basis
for the ''Da Vinci Code, by Dan Brown, and is largely fiction.
Metenoia: This is the "change of mind" or perspective that happens to
the initiate in the process of Gnosis, or spiritual transcendence. ''It is
turning the mind to the perception of the divine.'' ("Hara'' {Balance} by
Durkheim, Inner Traditions, 2004, p. 131.)
Mirotheas:
(Mirotheos, masc.) "the great light, the living
power, the mother of the holy, incorruptible ones, the great power,
Mirothoe." (See; ''Zostrianos,'' ''The Three Steles of Seth,''
''Trimorphic Protennoia,'' and the ''Gospel of the Egyptians.''
http://www.kheper.net/topics/Gnosticism/archetypal_man.html
Monad: From the Greek word, meaning "one", "single" or
"unique." It has ample descriptions according to different contexts:
According to Pythagoras it was the first thing in existence. ''A Valentinian
Exposition'' declares Father the 'Monad.' (See Sethian
Monadology.) mo·nad; (mnd) n. 1. Philosophy; An
indivisible, impenetrable unit of substance viewed as the basic constituent
element of physical reality in the metaphysics of Leibnitz. 2. Biology; A
single-celled microorganism, especially a flagellate protozoan of the genus
''Monas.'' 3. Chemistry ; An atom or a radical with
valence 1. (Online Webster's Dic. See also;
Wikipedia.) The Monadic sequence to the Triad is expressed is by the ''Oracles
of Zoroaster,'' which illuminates the sequence.....
http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/coz/index.htm
25.
The Monad first existed, and the Paternal Monad still subsists.
26. When the Monad is extended, the Dyad is generated.
27. And beside Him is seated the Dyad which glitters with intellectual sections,
to govern all things and to order everything not ordered.
28. The Mind of the Father said that all things should be cut into Three, whose
Will assented, and immediately all things were so divided.
29. The Mind of the Eternal Father said into Three,
governing all things by Mind.
30. The Father mingled every Spirit from this Triad.
31. All things are supplied from the bosom of this Triad.
32. All things are governed and subsist in this Triad
33. For thou must know that all things bow before the Three
Supernals.
34. From thence floweth forth the Form of the Triad,
being preexistent; not the
first Essence, but that whereby all things are measured.
35. And there appeared in it Virtue and Wisdom, and multiscient Truth.
36. For in each World shineth the Triad, over which the Monad ruleth.''
The "Three Supernals'' is perhaps a reference to the Kabbalah, but
probably
refers to the state of Tripartite.
Monogenes: The "Only begotten." Probably means one thing, (one gene)
that can grow into more complex things in the context of the Monadology, like
the term Word, in the Sacred Tetrad. (See; Autogenes and
Logos. See also; "A Valetinian Expostition.'') May
also resemble the idea of meme. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme
Monoimus: (150-210) Student of Tatain. He is known for coining the usage of the
word 'Monad' for use in the Christian Gnostic context. However the study of the
Monad, certainly preceded him, as the Zoroastrians,
Pythagoreans, and Hermetics used the technology of the monad prior to
Christianity, and was used by Sethians prior to Monoimus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monoimus
Montanus: Second Century founder of the Montanists, who held that the Holy
Spirit was giving new revelations to the (his) Church. They made declarations
against certain social practices, and practiced fasting, declared the sanctity
of a single marriage. They were declared heretics by the 'Church' and rejected.
It is doubtful that this sect could be considered Gnostic in terms of heresy
that they were accused of by the Bishop of Rome. They were probably
anti-Gnostic in spite of claims to the Holy Spirit. Tertullian is said to have
joined this group in his later years. (See; Tertullian.)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10521a.htm
Mythology:
1a. A body or collection of myths belonging to a people and
addressing their origin, history, deities, ancestors, and heroes. b. A
body of myths associated with an event, individual, or institution: "A
new mythology, essential to the . . .
American funeral rite, has grown up" (Jessica Mitford). mythologist, pl. mythologies
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/mythology There are
several mythological characters named in the various Sethian texts, not
included in this work. They include Greek, Pagan, Roman, Egyptian, and other
sources. Barpharanges, Seldao, Zogenethlos, Iolaos, from ''Zostrianos,'' and
several others in works like ''The Apocryphon of John,'' are among the obscure
references that at this time cannot be interpreted as to the concepts of the texts
in which they appear.
Nag
Hammadi: (Naj Hammadi) Name of the Egyptian town where the Gnostic texts and
scriptures were unearthed in 1947. Also refers to the Nag Hammadi Library.
(NHL) See; Alphabetical index. http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhlalpha.html
Norea:
Fourth child of Adam and Eve. Again Eve became pregnant, and she bore Norea.
And she said, "He has begotten on me a her,
"Your mother Eve came to us." But Norea turned to them and said to
them, also your mother Eve; for I have been given [...]." But Norea
turned, with the might Norea said, "Who are you?" The rulers of
unrighteousness had withdrawn from her.'' ''The Hypostasis of
the Archons,'' See aslo; ''The Thought of Norea,'' NHL.
Nous:
(Nus) "Mind", Sometimes nous is regarded as soul. Not the
same as 'pneuma' or spirit. It is the part of the anima that gives us
consciousness. The anima as a whole gives life (or literally movement.. "animates") to our
bodies. Tatian declares the soul as a special kind of spirit. (See; Tatian's
"Letter to the Greeks')
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tatian-address.html
Numerology: The study of numbers, and their use in divination, revelation, or
prediction. The I Ching is based upon the trigrams, or Ba Gua, as divinations
based upon astrology and numerology. Trigrams that represent ''variations,''
instead of divinations can make the Tai Chi, and the Sethian Monadology a
measurement instrument of enlightenment. (See; ''The History
of Chinese Philosophy,'' Vol. 2., by Fun Yu-Lan, Princeton, 1953.)
Odes:
(Odes of Solomon) is a book of the Bible found in the Septuagint manuscript.
http://www.webcom.com/~gnosis/library/odes.htm
Ogdoad: Regarded in some texts as the "eighth kingdom above the
hebdomas." It is the realm of the Demiurgos (or sometimes that is the 7th,
with the eighth being that of Sabaoth), as well as usually being the realm of
the zodiac (dodecon). Sometimes it is also seen as the beginning of freedom
from the Archons, and the beginning of connection to the Aeons. Pythagoris
says... "The ogdoad--8--was sacred because it was the number of the first
cube, which form had eight corners, and was the only evenly-even number under
10 (1-2-4-8-4-2-1). Thus, the 8 is divided into two 4's, each 4 is divided into
two 2's, and each 2 is divided into two 1's, thereby reestablishing the monad.
Among the keywords of the ogdoad are love, counsel, prudence, law, and
convenience. Among the divinities partaking of its nature were Panarmonia,
Rhea, Cibele, Cadmæa, Dindymene, Orcia, Neptune, Themis, and Euterpe (a
Muse)." (Thomas Taylor's Theoretic Arithmetic, Thought by one source to be
the rarest and most important compilation of Pythagorean mathematical fragments
extant.)
''... the Ogdoad, which is the eighth, and that we
might receive that place of salvation." (''The Testimony
of Truth.'' See also; ''A Valentinian Exposition.'') The Sacred
ogdoad according to some sources is: Barbelo (deep), Sige (silence), Nous
(mind), Veritus (truth), Sermo (word), Vita (life), Homo (man), Ecclesia
(church). The last member of the group acts to syncretize the group.
Ophites: Also called Naassenes. (Sethians) A 2nd century
Greek Gnostic sect who are associated with their reverence toward 'ohis'
the serpent. They contended that the serpent represented the introduction of
good and evil in the
Oracle: A shrine consecrated to the worship and consultation of a prophetic
deity, as that of Apollo at
Origen: (185- 254 C.E.) Born in
Orosius, Paulus: (385-420 c.) Latin writer that opposed
Origenists, and Gnostics, especially the Pricilliannists, who advocated that
Jesus was ascetic in his nature. He sided with Augastine in declaring
heretical works, and identified a book called ''Memoria of the Apostles,'' in
which he identifies the parable of the ''sower.'' "A sower went forth to
sow his seed, the sower was not good: asserting that had he been good he would
not have been careless, nor cast his seed by the wayside or on stony places or
unfilled ground: willing it to be understood that that this (the ruler of the
world?) was the sower, who scattered the souls he had
caught into various bodies as he pleased. In the same book much is said about
moist things, and the principle of fire: he would have it understood that all
good things happen in this world, not by the power of God, but by
contrivance.'' ( "The New Testament Apocrypha,''
James, Apocryphile Press, page, 21.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orosius
Ouroboros: This is an image of the serpent biting it's
own tail, and is meant to imply infinity. Or, possibly,
eternally being stuck in the material cycle.
http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsouroboros.htm
http://altreligion.about.com/library/glossary/symbols/bldefsouroboros.htm
Oxyrynchus: Place in
Pachomius: (290-346) Founded the Christian monastery
around Nag Hammadi
Panentheism: is
the theological position that God is immanent within the universe, but also
trancends it. It is distinguished from pantheism, which holds that God is
synonymous with the material universe. In panentheism, God is viewed as creator
and/or animating force behind the universe, and the source of universal
morality. The term is closely associated with the Logos of Greek philosophy in
the works of Herakleitos, which pervades the cosmos and whereby all things were
made. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panentheistic
Pantaenus: (date uncertain) Appointed to head the Christian Catechise School of
Alexandria by Peter. Originally, the Alexandrian church was thought to be
founded by Mark, Peter, Barnabus, and Glaucius. Known to have
been a Stoic, and teacher of Clement. Pantaenus is known to have done
missionary work as far east as
www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=808
Papias: (70-155 A.D.) Papias had associations with Polycarp and with
Parable: Stories with a point that Jesus is believed to have spoken to the
multitudes around
"Wherefore the holy mysteries of the prophecies are veiled in the parables
preserved for chosen men, selected to knowledge in consequence of their faith;
for the style of the Scriptures is parabolic. Wherefore also the Lord, who was
not of the world, came as one who was of the world to men. For He was clothed
with all virtue; and it was His aim to lead man, the foster-child of the world,
up to the objects of intellect, and to the most essential truths by knowledge,
from one world to another. Wherefore also He employed metaphorical description;
for such is the parable, a narration based on some subject which is not the
principal subject, but similar to the principal subject, and leading him who
understands to what is the true and principal thing; or, as some say, a mode of
speech presenting with vigor, by means of other circumstances, what is the
principal subject." (''Stromata,'' Bk. VI, et sec.)
Paraclete; Parakleiton: (puraclete) "Comforter" or one who pleads a
case for another. This word is sometimes used for the Holy Spirit or for the
Logos. (See "1st Book of Jeu") ''The followers of Valentinus say that
Jesus is the Paraclete, because he has come full of the Aeons, having come
forth from the whole. For Christ left behind Sophia, who had put him forth, and
going into the Pleroma, asked for help for Sophia, who was left outside; and
Jesus was put forth by the good will of the Aeons as a Paraclete for the Aeon
which had passed. There are twelve elements associated with Jesus as the paraclete. Paracletus (Comforter) and
Pistis (Faith), Patricas (Paternal) and Elpis (Hope), Metricos (Maternal) and
Agape (Love), Ainos (Praise) and Synesis (Intelligence), Ecclesiasticus (Son of
Ecclesia) and Macariotes (Blessedness) Theletus (Perfect) and Sophia (Wisdom). In
the type of the Paraclete, Paul became the Apostle of the Resurrection.'' (Theodotus, source; Dr. Andrew Criddle.)
Parallel: The ''Five Gospels,'' by Funk, Harper, 1993, pg. 544, states that a
gospel parallel, is one where, ''In a gospel parallel or synopsis the gospels
are arranged in parallel columns with matching materials opposite each other.''
In the case of literary dependence referencing a parallel, Karen King suggests
the following criteria in determining the characteristic of viable literary
dependence. (parallel) The reference to this work
is... (''The Gospel of MaryMagdala,'' King, Polebridge, 2003.
pg. 110.)
1. Extensive word-for-word similarity, (citation).
2. Similar arrangement or ordering of materials.
3. Similar narrative context or meaning.
4. The use of a citation formula. (For instance each saying
in the ''Gospel of
Thomas,'' starts with 'Jesus said,' or someone talking to him, in an obvious
schema. {My insertion} King uses, ''as it is written,'' and ....)
5. Use of language specific to the source work.
Parousia: To be present, pertaining to the Second Coming of Christ in
Apocalyptic works. (See; "Apocalypse of Peter," Nag
Hammadi Lib.)
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/Parousia
Paul: ''In the type of the Paraclete, Paul became the Apostle of the
Resurrection. Immediately after the Lord's Passion he also was sent to
preach.'' (Theodotus) Paul was originally Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted
Gnostics. He is thought to have been present during the execution of Stephan
the first Martyr. http://www.studylight.org/enc/cbc/view.cgi?number=T57
Pharisatha: Name given to Jesus in Syriac, according to the "Gospel of
Phillip," meaning "the one who is spread out."
Pharisees: The name means 'the separated ones.' Pharisees were a lay movement
of the Jewish Temple noted for their adherence to Jewish law. (See; Saducee. See also; ''The Five Gospels.'')
Pharmakeia: Is roughly equivalent to witchcraft. Contrary to the accusations of
the heresiologists, Gnostic writers seemed to be against any form of
sympathetic magic or divination. The reason for this is not that it doesn't
necessarily work, but that it's focus is still within
the hylic and psychic spheres of thought. ESP, astrology etc. are only
applicable to the realm of Heimarene. (See; Heimarene.)
Philo Judaeus: (25 BCE- 50 CE) A Jewish philosopher of
Pistis: "Faith." Usually in regard to having faith
in Jesus for salvation.
Pistis
Sophia: Meaning Faith-Wisdom. The text, ''The Pistis Sophia,'' contains six
books and is contained in the Askew Codex. See; http://www.gnosis.org/library/psoph.htm
Plane: Means "error," to denote the same concept and can be used for
both the cosmic mistake, and a personal, or earthly lack of understanding. (Hoeller p. 88.) May also be a synonym for level, as cosmic
level or plane of attainment.
Plato: (429-348 BCE) Athenian philosopher, student of Socrates, associated with
the mysticism of Pythagoras. Known for his philosophy on the
concept of forms, which may have influenced Gnostic thought in regard to the
concept of forms, and the nature of the soul. A partial copy of
''Plato's Republic,'' is contained in the Nag Hammadi Library.
http://wsu.edu/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM
Pleroma: The word means "fullness," and the 'All.' It refers to ''all
existence beyond matter. Refers to the world of the Aeons, the heavens or
spiritual universe, which represents being out of the state of matter.
According to the "Gospel of Truth" "....all the emanations from
the Father are Pleromas." See Tractates 3, 2, Codices, I, and XII, Nag
Hammadi Lib. Pleroma can have other connotations according to the Gnostic
school of thought, some differences in Sethian and Valentinian (other) schools
can be noted. Pleroma, is different than Logos. (See; Logos, See aslo; Gaffney, p. 246.)
Pneumatic: One who identifies with the spirit (pneuma), beyond that of the
physical (hylic) world and the intellect alone (psychic). The pneuma, described
in the ''Gospel of Phillip,'' as 'breath,' refers to bonding with the internal
spark (spinther) that came from and is drawn to reunite with the Father in some
Gnostic schema. One who awakens it (the spinther) within the self does it
through the process of gnosis. (See; Gregory of Nicea (Basil), who used the
term in his mystical teachings, and is a later term
which connotes Gnostic. See; ''Early Christian Mystics,''
McGinn, Crossroads, 2003.)
Pneumatophoroi: One who has united his soul with the 'light' (Sophia, Wisdom)
achieving Gnosis which is thought in Christian Gnosticism to be a union with
the Holy Spirit. A common name for those who have
reached this state are 'spirit bearers.' Those having reached this state are
mentioned in "Acts" and Pauline works. Thought to wear the Holy spirit like a garment. (See; ''1,000 Things You
Always Wanted to Know About the Holy Spirit, by Lang, Thomas Nelson Pub. 1999.)
Poimandres: "Shepherd of Men" This is a reference to the first
androgynous emanation which guides us back to the light in the process of Gnosis.
A Hermetic (rather than Gnostic) term that is basically an
allegory of transcendence through a Sophia and a Logos.
http://www.gnosis.org/library/hermes1.html
Polycarp: (69-155 A.D.) Thought to have been appointed Bishop
of Smyrna by Peter. He wrote the "Epistle of St. Polycarp," or
"Epistle to the Philippians," and was known to be in contact with
Ignatius, and other noted early Christians. Is thought to have rejected the
teachings of Marcion, but stated that, "For every one who does not confess
that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is antichrist; and whosoever does not
confess the testimony of the cross, is a devil, and whosoever perverteth the
oracles of the Lord (to serve) his own lusts, and saith there is neither
resurrection nor judgment, this man is a first-born of Satan." (New
Advent, Catholic Encyclopedia. See also; Irenaeus. See also; ''Epistle of St.
Polycarp,'' "The Lost Books of the Bible,'' Eden, LB Press. 1926-01.)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12219b.htm
Praxis: Practice. Can mean an act; by extension, a function: also can mean
deed, office, work.
Preterest: (Preterist) A person who believes that the prophecies of the
Apocalypse have already been fulfilled. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preterism
Procatarctic: Word to describe a type of thought process used by Clement of
Alexandria. "Procatarctic causes being removed, the effect remains. But a
Synectic cause is that, which being present, the effect remains, and being
removed, the effect is removed....The Synectic is also called by the synonymous
_expression "perfect in itself." Since it is of
itself sufficient to produce the effect." ( See;
Synectic.)
Protennoia: (pronoia), "
Protophanes: The perfect male mind, as defined in the Nag Hammadi text,
''Zostrianos.'' ''The great male invisible Mind, the perfect Protophanes has
his own water as you [will see] when you arrive at his place.''
Prunikus: "Whore" Sophia is sometimes referred to as "Pistis
Sophia Prunikus.'' The fallen Sophia. In some Gnostic
works Sophia is considered fallen because outside her perfect self in the
pleroma, she has 'fallen' to the earthly, hylic state as an entity.
Ptolemaeus: {Ptolemy} (160 A.D.) A student of Valentinus.
He admitted there was a psychic nature to the body. See his "Letter to
Flora,'' (''The Other Bible,'' Barnstone, Harper, 1984, p. 621.) (Hoeller, p. 90.)He was the most important of Valentinus'
early disciples at
Psalms: Part of the Hebrew Bible known in the first century. ''Pistis Sophia,''
using the numbering system of the Hebrew Bible, compares Psalms with the
teaching of Jesus. The 'Pistis' text, contains, ''Psalms,'' 68, 70, 69, 101,
87, 129, 81, 24., 30., 34., 51., 108., 50, and 84, appear or are mentioned in
the text. There are corresponding, Repentence passages to the mentioned Psalms.
The ''Manaecheaen Psalms of Thomas,'' correspond in literary style and context
to the accompanying passages that are presented with the Psalms, and
''Repentance'' verses in '' The Pistis Sophia.''
http://ebible.org/bible/web/Psalms.htm
Psychic: This level of thinking is the one right above "hylic," and
below 'Pneumatophoroi' It's drive is the intellect, or normal understanding of
the mind. While alive in the earthly state, the psychic remains as a hylic.
(See also Hoeller, p. 110) ''Mankind came to be in three essential types, the
spiritual, the psychic, and the material, conforming to the triple disposition
of the Logos, from which were brought forth the material ones and the psychic
ones and the spiritual ones.'' ("Tripartite Tractate'') ''...even Valentine
{Valentinus} teaches that Christ's body was Psychic.'' (''Stromata,'' Book 3.)
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/02103.htm
Pythagoras: (582 B.C.- 496 B.C.) Greek
mathematician and philosopher, known best for the Pythagorean Theorem. Known to have had a profound effect on Gnostic students of philosophy.
Specified the monad as the first thing in existence.
Pythagorean theories of the Monad, compared by Fung Yu-Lan author of ''The
History of Chinese Philosophy,'' Vol. 2, Princeton, 1953, show the use of the
Pythagorean tetraktys of the decad, and the Tai Chi are similar. The sequence
of the Tai Chi, the Pythagorean tetraktys, and the Sethian Monadology seem to
be based upon the sequence of the creation myth in the Pleroma, and the
application of the sequence to human action in the Logos, or kenoma. (See; Craftsman. See also; ''The Table of Ten Numbers.
http://www.sacredtexts.com/eso/sta/sta16.htm
http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/pythagoras/
Redaction: The act of changing a text for a specific purpose. (See; "The
Five Gospels,'' pg. 547.)
Resurrection: In Gnostic terms the resurrection takes place in the process of
Gnosis while one is still animate. According to the "Gospel of
Phillip," "It is fitting that we acquire the resurrection so that when
we strip off the flesh....."
Rhodon: ( circa 180 C.E.) Was
supposed by
Sabaoth: Earthly form of Yaldaboath, (begetter of the Heavens)... "truth which is the power of Sabaoth the Good which is in thy
material body - that is the truth which sprouted from the earth." ( See; "Pistis Sophia") Also a
form relating to Deity. ''SHBOH, meaning The Seven.''
(See; ''The Chaldæan Oracles of Zoroaster.'' Edited
and revised by Sapere Aude. [William Wynn Westcott] With an
introduction by L. O. [Percy Bullock] [1895]. See also; "Origin of
The World," and ''The Testimony of Truth.'') Mary, the mother, again
further interpreteth the same scripture from the meeting of herself with
Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptizer, thy mother, and Elizabeth, mother of
John, whom I have met. 'Grace' then is the power of Sabaōth in me, which
went forth out of me, which thou art. Thou hast had mercy on the whole race of
men. 'Truth' on the other hand is the power in Elizabeth, which is John, who
did come and hath made proclamation concerning the way of Truth, which thou
art,--who hath made proclamation before thee.'' (''The Pistis Sophia,'' Chapter
61.)
Saducees: Jewish aristocracy who aligned themselves with the
Sacrophilia: Alignment of sensibility (possibly the soul, nous) toward or with
the body and spirit. (See; "Birth of Christianity," Crossan, pg.
37-38.)
Sacrophobia: Opposition of spirit to body. Can include a compendium of human
fears of hylic nature that effect the perspective of
the body, spirit, and soul. In Gnostic terms the body is what makes the kenomic
state impure, as it is seen to pollute the pleromic state which is thought to
be pure. (See; ''The Birth of Christianity,'' Crossan,
Harper, 1998.)
Saklas: Literally means "fool." It is another name for the Demiurge.
In most Gnostic schema those entities that are not in the non-corporeal
pleromic state are thought to be in the hylic state, and imperfect. Some are
considered incapable of Gnostic transcention, and are doomed. In the ''Gospel
of Judas,'' Saklas is considered Satan, or satanic. Corresponds
to Samael, and Yaltabaoth. (See; ''Apocryphon of
John,'' ''The Apocalypse of Adam,'' and ''The Gospel of Judas.'')
Sarkic: "Fleshly" (Greek sarkikos) Same as or similar to
"hylic" but may connote the lowest form of Gnostic understanding,
animalistic. "The Book of Thomas the Contender" quotes Jesus as
saying some men are beasts.
Saturninus: (100-125 A.D.) An Antioch Gnostic philosopher noted for his strong
dualism between God and Satan. Thought to have strong
feelings toward ascetic views. A student of Simon
Magus. (See; Simon Magus, Hoeller p. 78-79.)
Samael: The word "Samael" means "blind god" and is another
name for the Demiurge, in some Gnostic schema. Samael is an important figure in
Talmudic and couille post-Talmudic lore, a figure who is accuser, seducer, and
destroyer. Legends mentioning Satan refer equally to him, such that Samael is
often taken to be the true or angelic name of the Devil, some also use the name
Lucifer (light-bearer), but this is a mistranslation of Isaiah 14 where Helel was
a Babylonian / Canaanite god who was the son of another Babylonian Canaanite
god named Shahar. An early Christian translator,
Septuagent:
The Greek version of the Hebrew Bible, containing the Deuteroconon, which are
books not used in the later Vulgate. ''Biblia Polyglotta Complutinus,''
appeared around 1514. The ''Vulgate,'' is the Latin version of the Bible. (See;
''Smith's Bible Dictionary, Smith, Thomas nelson, 1986. See also; Torah.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samael
Seraphim:
A celestial being having three pairs of wings, or the first of the nine orders
of angels in medieval angelology.
http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/seraph
Seth: ''From Adam three natures were begotten. The first was the irrational,
which was Cain's, the second the rational and just, which was Abel's, the third
the spiritual, which was Seth's. Now that which is earthly is "according
to the image," that which is psychical according to the " likeness
" of God, and that which is spiritual is according to the real nature; and
with reference to these three, without the other children of Adam, it was said,
"This is the book of the generation of men." And because Seth was
spiritual he neither tends flocks nor tills the soil but produces a child, as
spiritual things do. And him, who "hoped to call upon the name of the
Lord" who looked upward and whose "citizenship is in heaven - him the
world does not contain.'' (Theodotus, Criddle Collection.) Criddle.http://neonostalgia.com/xtian/Extracts_from_Theodotus.htm
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/theodotus.html
Sethian:
It is a name for a specific sect of Gnostics, but also a category created by
scholars to refer to a number of sects that are related to Valentinians. The
Sethians as a group were known to Hippolytus who dedicated Book Five in his
work, ''The Refutation of All Hereseys,'' to denouncing them. (See Gaffney)
Seth was a character of Gnosticism who represented a savior figure and third
son of Adam, founder of the Gnostic race. Generally Sethian works include,
"Pistis Sophia," "Allogenes," ''The Gospel of Mary,*''
"Sentences of Sextus," "Marsanes," "Gospel of The
Egyptians,*" ''The Apocalypse of Adam,*'' "Origin of The World,"
''The Gospel of Thomas,*'' ''The Gospel of Philip,'' "The Three Steles of
Seth," "Melchizidek," ''The Apocryphon of John,'' ''The Gospel
of Judas,'' Trimorphic Protennoia,'' the un-named text in the Bruce Codex, and
''Zostrianos.'' (Others) Some Sethian works suggest strong ties with Jewish
Gnosticism, as well as Platonic thought, as well as Zoroasterism. (They
maintained three principles; darkness below, light above, and spirit
in-between, according to work attributed to Dr. Roy Blizzard,
Sethian Monadology: The system of the monad, constructed through the tetraktys
of the decad, which serves as an underlying philosophy
in Sethian Gnosticism. It is developed from the creation myths. The system is
like, and based upon that of Pythagoreans, and resembles the principles of the
ancient Chinese philosophy of the Tai Chi., which is based upon the ogdoad. The
system is based upon working variations of numerical values. Turner
states, ''....vigorous arithmological speculation on the first ten numbers, but
especially the first four numbers, comprising the Pythagorean tetraktys (the
{mode} of the first four numbers). This was carried on by such
Pythagoreanizing Platonists as Theon of Smyrna and Nicomachus of Gerasa, who in
turn depend in part on similar arithmological and mathematical theories
produced by such early first century Platonist figures as Dercyllides, Adrastos
of Aphrodisias (a Peripatetic commentator on Plato's Timaeus) and Thrasyllos, a
court philosopher under the Emperor Tiberius. The harmonic ratios produced by these
first four numbers and the geometric entities of point, line, surface, and
solid had been applied to the structure and the creation of the world soul long
before by Plato and his successors in the Old Academy, especially Speusippus
and Xenocrates. (See; Turner, See also; ''The History of
Chinese Philosophy, Vol. 2.,'' by Fung Yu-Lan, Princeton, 1953, See also; ''A
Valentinian Exposition.'')
Sextus: (4 BCE- 65-CE ?) A first
century Greek Pythagorean philosopher. A collection of his sayings are
contained in the Nag Hammadi Lib. Tractate 1 Codex XII.
http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/sent.html
Silvanus: Name of main character in the "Teachings of Silvanus,"
Tractate 4, Codex VII. of the Nag Hammadi Lib.,
anti-Pagan work not thought to be Gnostic. A person called Silvanus was a
disciple of Peter who carried messages from Peter to Asia Minor from
Simon Magus: (1st Century CE) From Samaria, he was thought to be one of the
earliest Gnostics, and a follower of John the Baptist. He was skilled in the
arts of the Occult. He interpreted the Garden of Eden, exodus from
Simony: The ecclesiastical crime and sin of paying for offices or positions in the
hierarchy of a church, named after Simon Magus, who appears in the ''Acts of
the Apostles,'' 8:18-24.
Sophia: Means "Wisdom." Like the Logos this is considered a primal
form. While the Logos is personified as male, Sophia is female. Logos has a
direct and intellectual basis for guidance, Sophia is inspirational (sometimes
even sensual). The basic idea is comparable to wisdom being Sophia (sofia) or "Holy Spirit" in the form of pure
wisdom. Pistis, means faith, hylic, or Prunikus Sophia
refers to the imperfect or earthly state of the living, or earthly form from
Pleromic origins. ''As appropriated by Sethianism and the Gnostics in general,
Sophia is a hypostatized form of Hokmah, (i.e., the divine Wisdom of Proverbs
8, Job 28, Sirach 24).'' ( See;
Turner.)
Sophist: Teachers in 5th Century B.C.
Soter:
"Savior" also a name used for the Logos.
Soteriology: The study of principles of salvation within a religion.
Soul: That part of the human nous that can be activated and bonded with the
Holy Spirit, Light, Sophia, etc. (See the Gospel of Phillip, "....the soul
bonds with the Holy Spirit..... Nag Hammadi Lib.)
According to the ''Acts of Thomas,'' and ''The Heart Sutra,'' and the ''Sutra
of Cause and Effect'' the soul is composed of five 'skandas,' or elements,
form, perception, consciousness, action, and knowledge. (See ''The Jesus
Sutras,'' Palmer, Ballantine, 2001) See also, ''Tatian's Letter to the
Greeks,'' ''The soul is a special kind of spirit.'' (See also; Sutra)
Spinther: The "spark" or "splinter" of internal divine light, that is awakened with Gnosis. The spinther is
considered a divine spark which is cast into the souls of men, by the light
cast off by the Perfect man, in some scenerios this is Seth, Adamas, (Adam), or
Jesus. (See Pneumatic. See; Gaffney, p. 246.)
Spirit: Meaning a range of things in literalist Christian works including
different ideas in the Gospels of Luke, Mark, Matthew and John. The Gospel of
Mary refers to the spirit as a part of the human condition, as is the soul.
Isidore and Theodotus wrote that spirit emanated from the soul. Also used to denote the Holy Spirit. Can mean vital energy,
and probably best thought of as a concentration or type of energy.
"Further, Clement the Stromatist, in the various definitions which he
framed,that they might guide the man desirous of studying theology in every
dogma of religion, defining what spirit is, and how it is called spirit, says:
"Spirit is a substance, subtle, immaterial, and which issues forth without
form." ( JOANNES VECCUS, PATRIARCH OF
Stele: Upright stone or pillar with an inscription or design. (See; "The Three Steles of Seth," Codex VII, Tractate 5,
Nag Hammadi Lib.)
Stoic: A philosophy strongly associated with Plato, and commonly accepted by
the first century. Stoics held that virtue is attained by adapting nature and
reason, they held that there are four cardinal passions: pleasure, desire,
distress, and fear. They held that passions arose from false belief and
ignorance, and one should adopt an 'apatheia' or an active role of non-passion
in human feeling. (See; "The Gospel of Mary Magdala, by
Karen King, Polebridge Press, 2003).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stoicism
Stromata;
Greek for "things left lying around"or "Miscellanies") The
Stromata is eight books written by Clement of Alexandria. ''The Stromata will
contain the truth mixed up in the dogmas of philosophy, or rather covered over
and hidden, as the edible part of the nut in the shell. For,
in my opinion, it is fitting that the seeds of truth be kept for the husbandmen
of faith, and no others.'' (Book One)
http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0210.htm
Sutra: Refers to literature of Eastern origins, such as the ''Heart Sutra,''
known in Persian and Chinese works. Also refers to Chinese works found in Xian
China, which are from an early Christian monastery. The ''Sutra of Cause and
Effect,'' contains the five ''Skandas'' {skandhas} of the soul, ''Form,
Perception, Consciousness, Action, and Knowledge.'' These descriptions match
those in the ''Acts of Thomas,'' and the ''Heart Sutra.'' (See; "The Jesus
Sutras,'' Palmer, Ballantine, 2001.) ''What we in our ignorance call the Self
is really an interplay of five mental elements and the physical body (known as skandhas ), in temporary conjunctions, constantly
changing and interacting. "Skandha" is usually translated as
"heap": or "aggregate" or "group," each skandha
being itself a combination of faculties shading into each other. The Sanskrit for
the five mental skandhas can be translated as consciousness, sensations,
concepts, perceptions, and volition.'' ''The Gnostic
Apostle Thomas'' (c) 1997 Herbert Christian
Merillat. http://www.gnosis.org/thomasbook/toc.html
Syncretism: Refers to combining two or more 'cultural' or otherwise perspectives
into one system. Gnosticism (and therefore Christianity), as
well as Kabbalah and the Mysteries of Mithras etc. grew from syncretism.
Influence of Jewish mysticism, Zoroastrian, and Hermetic contained in the ''Nag
Hammadi Library,'' and other works suggest that Sethian Gnosticism is based
upon a syncretism.
Syncretism is not eclecticism but is often mistaken for the same thing. The
latter is a picking and choosing according to taste, without the internal
framework of a genuine understanding of function. The former is when two
systems come together with cultural perspectives, or mutual economy that needs
to be
worked out. Thus the important deeper "hard parts" of a system will
still be included after syncretism, but lost on eclecticism.
Synergy: When two or more things combine together to produce or become more
than their parts. In the process of Gnosis one must bond with a higher
'wisdom.' This is the plemoric part of enlightenment in the trilogy of gnosis
in the Plemoric, Psychic, and Hylic states of the Nous, in becoming a
Pneumatic.
Synesis: Means "insight," or intelligence in the aspect of
meditation or contemplation in the physical inter-workings of the bonding with
Sophia, as an aspect of Gnosis. It is one of the lower powers that was bound into man from the Aeons, by the Demiurge, as
derived from 'a' Gnostic creation scenerio. This concept is like other
scenarios of the process in Gnosis of bonding with the 'Light' or Holy Spirit
to become Pneumatophoroi, or enlightened.
Synectic: A term used by Clement of Alexandria to mean a type of thought or
memory that reflects aspects of the thought process relative to being human.
(See "Stromata" Bk VIII by Clement of
disease; and specifically, of fever. But Synectic causes are so, generically
alone, and not also specifically....Further, of causes, some are apparent;
others are grasped by a process of reasoning;
others are occult; others are inferred analogically." (See also;
Procatarctic)
Syzygetic: Having to do with the conjunction or opposition of two heavenly
bodies, or either of the points which these occur, most often in regard to the
sun and moon.
Syzygos: Literally means "consort". Sometimes used
to refer to the twin. Is generally meant to imply the thing to which one
is driven to connect with. A person's syzygos is their spirit. ''Sophia's mistake
was said to be her drive to create without her syzygos.'' (See;
Theodotus, Criddle Collection.) Syzgy, is
considered a blending of spirit and soul. In Gnosticism the male-female pair of
Aeons is called a "Syzygy." http://www.kheper.net/topics/Gnosticism/archetypal_man.html
Tai Chi: As an icon the Tai Chi is a symbol, composed of the Yin and Yang
circle, surrounded by eight trigrams. It, in terms of function is the
underlying philosophy of all Chinese, and 'classical' Oriental philosophy.
According to the scholar Fung Yu-Lan, ''The History of Chinese Philosophy, Vol 2.''
Tartaros: Keeper of Hades. Also referred to as Tartarucus,
Tatrokis, Saklas and Temeluchus in various Christian texts. (See; ''The
Book of Thomas the Contender,'' Nag Hammadi Lib. Name is also used by Clement
in "Stromata.")
Tatian: (110-180) Pupil of Justin Martyr and author of the
"Diatessaron," and "Letter to the Greeks." Formed Gnostic
sects in
Tertullian: (160-230) Native of
Tetraktys: (Tetractys) of the Decad, The Monadic Values: There is no doubt that
Sethian Gnostics applied the principles of this paradigm. ''Pythagorus
considered all things relative to numbers... How he conceived this process has
never been satisfactorily explained.'' (Bullfinch, pg. 289.)
Perhaps this is the secret....
Pythagorus considered the monad as the source of all things. In the case of the
tetraktys of the decad, the concepts of form and
structure are related in mathematical values. These values work in harmony.
They are not just a list, they are a set. The first and most obvious is
numerical value is the digital sequence of one through ten. 'Monad,'
2. Decad, 3. Triad, 4. Tetrad,
5. Pentad, 6. Hexad, 7.
Heptad, 8. Ogdoad, 9. Ennead, and 10. Decad.
Digital sequencing can be done in different base values, like using base six to
count on your hands. You count to five on the right hand, and the first digit
of the left hand represents six, the next set the left hand finger is given the
value of twelve, then eighteen, then the sequence goes
up to 35, when you run out of fingers, if you have ten. Another sequencing
schema is the Heaven Sequence of the Tai Chi, which is in base eight.
The Pythagorean model showing the tetraktys of the decad
is in the form of a triangle, usually shown as only dots, I have placed numbers
beside the dots, denoting the digital sequence. Below is a traditional
explanation for this sequence, where I have made aditions to show how the Tai
Chi, and this sequenceare parallel....
o Monad
o o Decad
o o o Triad
o o o o Tetrad
1.
2. 3.
4. 5. 6.
7. 8. 9. 10.
1.. The Tetractys represented the organization of space: {Wu Chi, Void, ''Jesus
is Silence.'' See; ''A Valentinian Exposition.''}
2.. the first row represented zero-dimensions (a point)
{Tai Chi, yin and yang are the same.}
3.. the second row represented one-dimension (a line
of two points) {Liang Yi, yin and yang are different}
4.. the third row represented two-dimensions (a plane
defined by a triangle of
three points) {This is consistent with the San Ti. Man is the same as heaven
and earth.}
5.. the fourth row represented three-dimensions (a
triangular pyramid defined by four points) {This is consistent with the Si
Xiang. This is Yin and Yang seenas two different things, or four types. This
parallel to the Tai Chi does not include the Ba Gua (8 trigrams)} Wikapedia
source..... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetractys
This
triangle represents five, or more different mathematical values, not generally
recognized unless you apply the Tai Chi model with the parallel of the
Tetraktys. The mathematical values are thought of more like aphorisms, or a
mantra, rather than calculations in some respect. Pythagoras put everything in
terms of math, and I think the statistical terms below can be adapted to both
the Tai Chi and the Tetraktys of the Decad.
The digital sequence of one through ten, connotes the decad.
What cannotes the the 'tetra' is the number four. In the case of the tetraktys
of the decad, the value of four corresponds with the
relative value of the mathematical concept of 'mode.' One through six, would
make the triangle a triad, and if you add a fifth line, 11. through,
15., to the base, the mode is a pentad. As shown above we have the tetrad.
(See; ''The Table of Ten Numbers,'' http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/sta/sta16.htm)
The mode is the value, or set of like units that appear most frequently in a
set. As can be seen in the model of the tetraktys of the
decad, all three sides of the triangle contain four units. (This is
looking at the triangle of dots as an icon like the Tai Chi.) In terms of the
triangle there are four levels, or modes (called types in the ''Gospel of
Mary,''), Level 1. is one, level two the decad, is 2. and 3., level three the triad, is 4. 5. and 6., level four the tetrad, is 7. 8. 9. and
10.
O monad
O O decad
O O O
triad
O O O O tetrad
(Should be shown as an equalateral triangle.)
A set in most science involving polarity, is called a field or pool, which
connotes a perimeter of the form, or the unified body of the set, as a whole.
Mode connotes the 'level,' of the form and structure of the pool. Therefor
tetrads, hexads, ogdoads, etc. are thought of as modes and levels, which can be
applied to fields.
As you build the triangle by adding lines of digits to the base, the mode
changes in sequence, but the values of mean, and median, also become relative
to the model. This is allegorical to how a seed turns into a tree or plant.
This same sequence is thought to be extant in the working of the Logos,
Pleroma, Kenoma, and Psyche of man, and collective consciousness of mankind.
This means you are using mathematical terms as points of a contemplation, or
meditation, more like aphorism than calculation. Each configuration of the
triangle regardless of the mode, retains the value of
the monad in the digital sequence. The mode sequence, the mean value in the
sequence, and the median values in the sequence, are not mutually exclusive.
They work in harmony.
The mode sequence is determined by looking at the triangle like an icon, and
determining the number of units each side of the triangle has. The mode sequence
has a different numerical value than the digital sequence value. In the Tai
Chi, Wu Chi, is the void or zero, and in the Sethian
system Jesus is Silence. Tai Chi, is one, meaning Yin and Yang are the same.
Liang Yi is the third in the Heaven Sequence, and means Yin and Yang as
seperate or different. The student of the Tetraktys retains the triology, or
'tripartite,' as a mindset, in the contemplation of the sequence. "Man's
mind/heart, is the same as heaven and earth.'' (''Kenpo
Gokui'.')
The next stage in the Heaven Sequence, (Use of even numbers) is the Si Xiang,
which represents the tetrad or four units. In the Chinese system Wu Chi = 0,
Tai Chi equals 2., Liang Yi = 2, and Si Xiang= 4., puting the Tai Chi in a set
of eight parts, symbolically aligned with the Ba Gua, or eight trigrams, making
the Tai Chi an organized Ogdoad. The Sacred Tetrad is regarded in the same way,
as the Si Xiang, in form, structure, and mechanics. (See; Tai
Chi. See; ''The History of Chinese Philosophy,'' Vol. 2, Fung Yu-Lan, Princeton,
1953.)
The mean is determined by adding the number of units, in the digital sequence,
then dividing that sum by the number of units, the result is an average number
of units. That would be the pentad or five, the mean of ten units. In building form
and structure in the Monadology, the constant value of the mean is thevalue of
one, (Monad) and denotes the value of the monad in each consecutive mode in the
sequence. The Monad remains integrated into the form and structure of all mode
values. (See; Decalogue.)
The median, is the value where half of the units in a
set are larger or smaller than the opposite set of units. The median is the
point where the set is divided, and determines balance with the reflective or
dual values of male/female, good/evil, light and darkness. The odd numbers
where their are more units on one half of the set than
the other, represents unbalance. Pythagoreans used the terms square for even
numbers, and oblong for odd numbers. (Ibid.)
In the application of the sequence the consideration of median, is that
'duality,' reamains a constant regardless of the level, or mode, as does the
power of the Monad. Duality can be meant to be more than one feature, when
drawing a monadic paradigm, as duality does not always mean opposite, it can
mean either, or. In some cases it can be implied as an opposite. It can be
areflective value, like a mirror image, or reflection. (See; Bythos)
For instance, the pentad can be given five values, with good connotations, and
their opposite with negative conotations. Five constructive values,
are opposed to the destructive values of opposition. The Chinese use the idea
of the Wu Xing, or five constructive, and destructive forces. The reflective
value or median value (duality) is always considered as part of form and
structure, regardless of the mode, or level in the sequence.
The fifth value is the parabolic, more of a geometric adaptation, which has
dimensions or perspective, reflection and even vibration. (See;
Parables.) The parabolic view is in reference to the higher modes of the
Pentad and above, where the structure and form can be seen as multi-dimensional
and having perspective. (See; Parabole, which can be shown as
viewing the inside of a cone. See also; Gematria.)
As a contemplation device, all the values of the tetraktys of the decad, are imagined in unison as a harmony. This unified perception is imperical to the idea of how the
natural order of wisdom works in the tripartite vision of man as being psyche,
material, and spiritual. The sequence is operational in the realms of man,
heaven and earth.
You can see that 1. 2. 3. and 5. form
the equalateral cross, common in the first century. There may be more of these
parallels, than I mention at this time. The Platonic tetrad, used in the ''
If you look at the triagle of dots you will see that 2. 3. 4. 6. 8. and 9. form a circle with 5. in the middle. 1. 7., and 9. are outside the circle. (See Tripartite) As one contemplates
this image the fifth value of the parabolic becomes apparent. The image can
look like it is multi-dimensional, where the center (5) as seen as closer and
further away, adds perspective. The center dot 5. becomes parabolic point of center, and the middle of the
sequence.
In regard to the human figure, you can draw arms going up from 2., and 3., and legs off 8. and 9.,
and you can imagine the human figure in the gematria within the triangle.
In martial arts, especially those aligned with the classic Tai Chi, the points
of the shoulders and hips represent the primary centers of the body's natural
''primary square of balance,'' where 5. is the center
of the body the diaphram. Some martial artists use this 'cone' image like
sights on a gun, aiming at a target, and using the same grid for defense. This
shows the tool (sequence) is useful as both applied in the material world, and
applied to the psyche. The entire system of Isshin Ryu Karate can be shown in
the ''Heaven Sequence,'' as well as the application against opponents.
Theodotus: A student of Valentinus, and Pantaenus in the Alexandrian lineage.
Theodotus explains that passions are called spirits: " The passions that
are in the soul are called spirits, not spirits of power, since in that case
the man under the influence of passion would be a legion of demons; but they
are so called in consequence of the impulse they communicate. For the soul itself, through modifications, taking on this and that other
sort of qualities of wickedness, is said to receive spirits." ( See; Fragments of Theodotus, Kirby, Criddle.http://neonostalgia.com/xtian/Extracts_from_Theodotus.htm
, and
Theodotus http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/theodotus.html )
Theosis:
(Theiosis, Theopoiesis, Theōsis) In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern
Catholic theology, theosis, meaning divinization
(or deification or, to become god), is the call to man to become
holy and seek union with God, beginning in this life and later consummated in
the resurrection. Theosis comprehends salvation from sin, is premised
upon apostolic and early Christian understanding of the life of faith, and is
conceptually foundational in both the East and the West. See also;
Consecration, Deification, Divine Union, Sanctification. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theosis
Theudas:
(42 CE approx.) Theudas, meaning 'gift from God' declared himself a prophet and
was executed while attempting to 'part the
Theurgy: 'Works of the Gods' ( See; "Zostrianos"). This refers to
human affairs and the effects in the earthly state. ''Theurgy (from Latin: theurgia,
Greek: theourgeia) describes the practice of rituals, sometimes seen as
magical in nature, performed with the intention of invoking the action of God
(or other personified supernatural power), especially with the goal of uniting
with the divine, achieving theosis, and perfecting oneself.''
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theurgy
Torah: The first five books of the Bible, "Genesis,"
"Exodus," "Leviticus," Numbers," and
"Deuteronomy," also referred to as "The Law."
http://user.aol.com/lazera/torah.htm
Transubstantiation: The act of applying or transference of Holy Spirit into
wine and bread. The term is common to the Christian and Gnostic Eucharist,
Communion, or sacramental ceremonies. ''A change of
substance, {transmutation} usually refering to the doctrine of the Eucharist
sacrement of the Lord's Supper, where the bread and wine were declared symbols
of the body and blood of Jesus.''( See; ''The Steinerbooks Dictionary of
the Psychic, Mystic, and Occult,'' Rudolf Steiner, 1973. pg. 219. See also;
"Valentinian Exposition," Baptism A., B., Eucarist, Chrism, etc. Nag
Hammadi Lib. See also; ''Gospel of Philip.'')
Treatise: A book or writing directed toward a specific purpose.
Triacontad:
''Triacontad of Aeons, which is made up in the Pleroma of an ogdoad, a decad, and a duodecad.'' (duodecad
meaning double decad) Mentioned in the text, ''A
Valentian Exposition.'' http://www.gnosis.org/library/ter_appendix.htm
Tripartite: Meaning to have three parts. "Triple Headedness, or Triple
Power," or a state of three something like as described in the texts
"Trimorphic Protennoia," "Gospel of the Egyptians" or
"Tripartite Tractate." May refer to the developing state in Gnosis
where one learns to perceive oneself in the sense of being in the psychic,
living, as in the pleromic state. As a process, man transcends in becoming
Hylic, Psychic, and Pneumatic (Gnostokoi or Enlightened). ''Mankind came to be
in three essential types, the spiritual, the psychic, and the material,
conforming to the triple disposition of the Logos, from which were brought
forth the material ones and the psychic ones and the spiritual ones.''
(''Trimorphic Protennoia'') May also have references to other sets of three
such as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, or soul, mind, spirit, or spirit, mind,
and body, etc., related to the concept of the triad in the Sethian Monadology.
Corresponds to the Supernal triad of the Kabbalah,
Kether, Chockmah, and Binah, in the study of the ''Tree of Life.'' Synonymous
with the Chinese concept of 'San Ti,' known as the Taoist Trilogy, ''man (Man's
mind or heart) is the same as heaven and earth.'' (''Kenpo Gokui,'' Tatsuo
Shimabuku. See also; ''Xing Yi Quan Xue,'' Tang, Unique Publications, 2000., Pg.'s 69, 80.) In Hinduism, the Trimurti (also called
the Hindu trinity) are three aspects of God, or
"Parabrahman," in God's personae as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. This
Trimurti concept is a tenet most strongly held in Smartism, a denomination of
Hinduism as well as Ayyavazhi. VishnuBrahma - the Source/Creator (Tamil: Vethan
in Ayyavazhi.) Vishnu - the Preserver/Indwelling-Life (Tamil: Thirumal in
Ayyavazhi.) Shiva - the Transformer (Destroyer-Creator) (Tamil: Sivan, in
Ayyavazhi). The Trimurti itself is conceived of as a deity and artistically
represented as a three-faced human figure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimurti
Valentinus: (100-180 C.E.) Valentinus was born in Phrebonis in upper Egypt about 100 AD and educated in nearby
Valentinian:
A general reference to types of work which seem related, and to have other than
Sethian roots. See; ''The Valentianian Exposition,'' "Gospel of
Truth," "Tripartite Tractate," others) References to Archons,
Aeons, Demiurge, Logos and Autogenes are common to Valentinean works. However,
Valentinian works are also related to Sethian ideas. http://essenes.net/valen10.html
http://www.gnosis.org/library/valentinus/Organization.htm
http://www.gnosis.org/library/valentinus/Valentinian_Writings.htm
Wisdom: In Hebrew, 'Chockmah,' see also; Sophia. Meaning
Understanding, discernment, enlightenment, erudition, insight, intelligence,
judgment, learning, sense. To be wise, ''having
intelligence and knowledge.'' (See Harper Collins,
''Dictionary, and Thesaurus,'' 2003.) ''...the personified Wisdom of the
''Old Testament wisdom literature developed into the Gnostic redeemer myth,
especially as it identified Jesus with that redeemer, and thus understood Jesus
as bringer of the secret redemptive gnosis or logoi.'' (pg. 31) '' Wisdom is
not only the mediatrix of creation but also of salvation, and cosmology and
soteriology are related to one another in the myth of Wisdom.'' (pg. 105) (James Robinson on ''The Gospel of Thomas, ''The Gospel of Thomas,
and Christian Wisdom, 2nd, Davies, Bardic Press, 2005.)
Dr. Stevan Davies' ("Gospel of Thomas, and Christian Wisdom" ) relates Wisdom to Solomon traditions and contained
therein on the nature of Wisdom is its 'ordering value.' These descriptions are
of great philosophical value to the idea of natural organization in formal
study. They pertain to the way all lexicons are formed and this kind of
organization is present in philosophy, as well as science. As
to Pseudo Solomon.... "This presents a series of ideas on Wisdom. "Included are Wisdom's creative and ordering power, her presence in the world in all human beings, and in
the world through all her permeation of all things, and her arrival as spirit
to those who call upon her." (Ibid., pages 52-4)
"By the time of the writing of the Wisdom of Solomon, Wisdom is not only
seen to be active at Creation, it is said to permeate all the
world, organizing and underlying all ordered phenomena." (Ibid. p. 54.)
Word: A spoken or written symbol of an idea, (Pei-Gaynor). Synonymous
with Tao, and Logos. First 'type' of the Sacred
Tetrad, Word, Man, Life, Truth, (''A Valentinian Exposition.'')
"The law of God is perfect, converting souls." The Saviour Himself is
called Law and Word, as Peter in "the Preaching," and the prophet:
"Out of
Yaldabaoth: (Yaltabaoth, Ialdabaoth, Jaldabaoth, 'yalda baoth') From the
Aramaic language, meaning "begetter of the Heavens". A name corresponding to the Demiurge meaning Child-lord. The chief Archon, according to the ''Apocryphon of John.''
(''Jung and the Lost Gospels,'' Hoeller, Quest, 1994, p. 141.) Also equated with Saklas, and Samael. (''Trimorphic
Protennoia.'')
Zeus:
Greek God of Thunder and Sky. ''Beginning around 700 B.C., stories by Homer and
other Greek poets described the lives of powerful gods who involved themselves
in human affairs. Supreme among these gods was Zeus, who inherited the heavens
and earth after overthrowing his father, Cronus. Zeus ruled from
Zodiac:
Means 'circle of life' and refers to the study of astrological signs and
predictions due to the position of the planets, stars, and constellations. (See; Kyklos.) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zodiac
Zoe: Means "Life," and is usually equated with "Eve" which means the same thing in "On the Origin of the
World," and "Reality of the Rulers." Zoe Pistis, means
Life-Faith. (See; ''Pistis Sophia.'') ''They fashioned
Adam and his wife Eve, who is also called in the cloud, Zoe. For
by this name all generations seek the man, and each of them calls the womn by
these names.'' (''Gospel of Judas.'')
Zoroastor:
(Zoroaster) was a priest who lived c.630 - 550 B.C. He wrote down the tenets of
Zoroastrianism in the Avesta. Zoroastrianism was established as the state
religion of
Zostrianos: Sethian character of the writing in Tractate 1, Codex VIII. of the Nag Hammadi Lib. The text seems to reflect
Zoroastrian (Zarathustra) philosophy in regard to Gnosis. The text is a creation
myth. ( See also; ''History of Magic, and the Occult,
by Seligmann, Gramercy, 1997.)
For a
list of other glossaries of religious tersms see;
http://www.religioustolerance.org/glossary.htm
http://essenes.net/glossaryaramaic2.html
http://symbolisch.blogspot.com/2006/08/gnostic-glossary-toz.html"http://symbolisch.blogspot.com/2006/08/gnostic-glossary-to-z.html
http://www.avesta.org/zglos.html