ORPHIC FRAGMENT 251 - OTTO KERN
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For links to many more fragments: The Orphic Fragments of Otto Kern.
SUMMARY: This fragment is an astrological excerpt from the book entitled Dodekaeteris.
251. Excerpt from Δωδεκαετηρίς Ὀρφικά “The Orphic Cycle of Twelve Years” (V, v. Josef Heeg Diss. 17):
Περὶ τῆς φύσεως τῶν ιβ’ ζωιδίων καὶ πρὸς τὰ ἐνιαύσια καταστήματα τῶν φυσικῶν ἰδιωμάτων.
“About the nature of the twelve zodiacal signs and of the natural properties in respect to the annual positions of the heavens”
...embellished with dactylic verse, from codd. Vatican. gr. 1290 fol. 69v, Monac. gr. 287 fol. 92v, Mutin. gr. 85 fol. 23v published by Franz Boll from Catalog. cod. astrologorum graecor. V 1, 241.
(ed. Here follows the fragment):
<Διὸς Κριὸν περιπολεύοντος> τὸ [δὲ] ἔτος [ὅπερ αὐτὸς κυριεύσει] ὑπάρχει πολεμικὸν ἀπ’ ἀρχῆς, πάμφορον πάνυ, παντοίας τροφὰς ἐπιφέρον· πτώσεις δὲ ἀνθρώπων· καὶ τετράποδα θάλψουσι πάντα.
“When Jupiter crosses Aries and the year [the very one ruling] is warlike from its beginning, exceedingly productive, bringing nourishment of all kinds; the calamities of men; and the four-footed animals will all be in heat.”
(trans. by the author)
Franz Boll Sphaera 330 s.; Josef Heeg 17. 21. 24. 26 fr. 2.
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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