HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 241

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 241

OTTO KERN

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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.

SUMMARY: This fragment talks of the creation of souls, that they are dragged into matter in a state of intoxication, which causes forgetfulness.

241. (p. 216) Macrobii Ambrosii Theodosii In somnium Scipionis I 12, 7:

et hoc est quod Plato notavit in Phaedone animam in corpus trahi nova ebrietate trepidantem, volens novum potum materialis alluvionis intellegi quo delibuta et gravata deducitur. arcani huius indicium est et Crater Liberi patris ille sidereus in regione quae inter Cancrum est et Leonem locatus, ebrietatem illic primum descensuris animis evenire silva influente significans, unde et comes ebrietatis oblivio illic animis incipit iam latenter obrepere.

“And this is what Plato remarked about in the Phaedo, that the anxious soul is dragged into the body in a state of intoxication, wishing to understand its recent drink of overflowing matter, by which the soul, besmeared and weighted down, is drawn down. Evidence of this Mystery is the celestial Crater of Father Liber (Dionysus) placed in the region between Cancer and Leo, signifying that there, for the first time, the intoxication comes forth into the souls who are about to descend, flowing in abundance, and whence forgetfulness, the companion of intoxication, now takes hold and secretly steals upon the souls.”

(trans. by the author)

Compare under ΚΡΑΤΗΡΕΣ. Lobeck I 736.

The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Theogony.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods.

How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods.

This logo is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia, Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances. The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions of the Olympian Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara, κιθάρα), the the lyre of Apóllôn (Apollo, Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus, Ὀρφεύς).

PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation.

We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology.

Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology.

SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages:

Pronunciation of Ancient Greek

Transliteration of Ancient Greek

Pronouncing the Names of the Gods in Hellenismos

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