HellenicGods.org - ORPHIC FRAGMENT 272

ORPHIC FRAGMENT 272

OTTO KERN

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

SUMMARY: This fragment is a passage from a codex which enumerates the days of the moon which Hesiod and Orpheus say are auspicious.

272. Codex Monacensis Graecus 287 fol. 19^v (Franz Boll Catalogus codicum astrologorum Graecorum VII 101):

Περὶ τῶν τῆς Σελήνης ἡμερῶν. Ἡσιόδου· (fol. 20) εὔχρησται τῆς Σελήνης ἡμέραι αὗται· δʹ ζʹ ηʹ θʹ ιαʹ ιβʹ [ιςʹ] ιζʹ [ιηʹ] ιθʹ κʹ κζʹ λʹ. Ὀρφέως· πεφωτισμέναι καὶ εὔχρησται τῆς Σελήνης αὗται· [αʹ] βʹ γʹ ζʹ θʹ ιαʹ ιγʹ ιδʹ ιςʹ [ιζʹ] ιθʹ κʹ κγʹ κςʹ κηʹ. ἐν ταύταις, ὥς φησιν Ὀρφεὺς καὶ Ἡσίοδος, ἅπασα ἀρχὴ εὐθετεῖ· καὶ χρὴ ἀφορᾶν καὶ πρὸς τὰ σχήματα τῆς Σελήνης καὶ τοὺς τύπους αὐτῆς καὶ τὰς συναφείας καὶ τὰς ἀπορροίας καὶ τοὺς καλοποιοὺς τῶν ἀστέρων καὶ τοὺς συλληπτικούς.

“Concerning the days of the Moon. For Isíodos (Ἡσίοδος): (fol. 20) these are the favorable days of the Moon: 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, [16], 17, [18], 19, 20, 27, and 30. For Orphéfs (Ὀρφεὺς): these are the light-filled and favorable (days) of the Moon: [1], 2, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 14, 16, [17], 19, 20, 23, 26, and 28. In them, as Orphéfs and Isíodos say, every beginning is auspicious; and it is necessary to look also to the phases of the Moon, and the patterns, conjunctions, separations, and the beautiful creations of the stars, and their abilities to conceive.”

(trans. by the author)

Josef Heeg 44. 71.

Compare to Ἔργα καὶ Ἡμέραι Ἡσιόδου 765 ss.

With regard to πεφωτισμέναι compare to that which Josef Heeg Diss. 71 published from the Codex Vaticanus Graecus 952 fol. 168^v:

Διήγησις Πυθαγόρου περὶ πεφωτισμένων ἡμερῶν τῆς Σελήνης καὶ ἀφωτίστων.

“The exposition of Pythagóras about the light-filled and dark days of the Moon.”

(trans. by the author)

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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