The Incantation of Circe

JORDANUS BRUNO
—verse. Inscrutable powers of things, leading down from the Ideas original: "ideis." In Platonic philosophy, these are the eternal, perfect forms or patterns of all things in the divine mind. through the principles of the Soul of the World original: "animæ mundi." A Neoplatonic concept of an intrinsic force that connects all living things and animates the universe. even unto us; and below, from which arise the various and manifold virtues of herbs, plants, and other things, as well as stones, which are powerful enough to draw the mundane spirit original: "mundanū ſpiritum." Also known as the Spiritus Mundi, this was believed to be a subtle substance that permeated the universe, acting as a bridge between the physical and the spiritual. to themselves through the rays of the stars.

Be present at the sacred prayers of your daughter Circe. If I am present to you with an intent and chaste mind, if I present myself with worthy rites according to my ability. Behold, we have built accessible altars for you. Your fragrant incense is present, along with the smoke of reddening sandalwood. Behold, for the third time I have whispered barbarian and arcane songs original: "barbara & arcana carmina." This refers to traditional magical incantations, often using "words of power" from ancient or foreign languages.. The ritual washings are completed. We have prepared seven kinds of fumigations for the seven princes of the world These represent the seven planetary deities: Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and the Moon.. The loosening and binding spells have been performed according to custom. We have sealed everything. One thing remains: that we bring forth the desired prayers which ought to have preceded, and which have been repeated according to their proper numbers. Moeris, look at the sundial original: "lineā." Literally "the line," referring to the shadow line on a dial. and see if the sun still holds the height of the sky.

MOERIS. Nothing is lacking i.e., it is exactly midday..

CIRCE. I turn, therefore, to you, midday sun, by the wondrous power through which you, though one, perform so many things. By the courses of your swift horses A reference to the chariot of Apollo/Helios., who, uncovering all things, run through the two hidden hemispheres. What, I ask, is the measure of things? Behold, under the human husk are wild-animal souls. Is it fitting for a human body, like a blind and deceptive dwelling, to be inhabited by a bestial soul? Where are the laws of things? Where is the right and wrong of nature? If Astraea The Greek goddess of Justice and purity, who was said to be the last immortal to abandon the Earth as it sank into wickedness. has returned—