On the Mysteries of the Egyptians

...to release them from bodies. The duty of demons original: "daemonum." These are intermediary spirits, not "demons" in the modern malevolent sense. is broader than that of heroes. The former act more concerning the universe as a whole, while the latter act primarily concerning souls. We do not say that souls are created by them, but rather that they receive something from demons and heroes; souls add many things from their own nature besides, and begin their own duty near the point where the works of the divine beings end. This is not because divine beings do not act further, but because souls are admitted into the final ranks of divine duties.

Likewise, the soul can produce such varied forms of living from within itself that it may inhabit individual regions of the world according to how well it fits them. It is also able to meet with whichever beings it wishes, and again return into itself, and join itself both to gods and to those beings inferior to it—insofar as it brings forth the principles of divine things as an inferior would. And even if it is often joined to the gods through demons and heroes, it can also join itself to the gods through certain media of its own that differ from those spirits.

The soul sometimes reconciles itself to divine things through other harmonies of its essence and actions than those by which demons join themselves to the higher beings. And even if the soul does not maintain a perfectly consistent tenor of life, it is nevertheless often illuminated by the benevolent will of the gods; it then transcends the state of demons to reach an angelic life rather than a merely animal one. Although the soul seems to exhibit all rational principles and every speciesIn this philosophical context, "species" refers to the "Forms" or "Ideas"—the perfect blueprints of things in the divine mind. within itself, it is nevertheless always determined according to one specific thing—that is, one single form. And meanwhile, because of preceding causes, it coordinates itself now to some things and now to others, moving itself by its own power.

When different divine powers appear and act differently.

All the higher beings, when invoked, come into view; but some appear under different forms and powers than others. The souls of the stars also move the sight in certain new ways. The visions of the gods appear uniform and most simple. Those of the archangels are somewhat less uniform or simple. Those of the angels are even less so. Those of demons are varied; those of principalities original: "principatuum." High-ranking spirits that oversee nations or vast natural orders. are more varied still, but in a wonderful order of variety; those of the heroes are nearly similar to these. Those of the [lower] princes original: "principes." Often referring to spirits more closely tied to the material world. are very varied but poorly ordered. Those of particular souls, of course, take on all possible forms.

For since the higher beings are diverse in their natures and actions, and each appears in its own way, they rightly appear to different people in different ways. The gods come into view appearing entirely salutary That is, bringing health, safety, or spiritual preservation.; archangels appear both terrible and mild at the same time. Angels are gentler. Demons are to be feared. Heroes are less to be revered. Principalities are stupendous. Princes are harmful and hostile. Souls are similar to heroes, though inferior.

The images of the gods appear utterly immutable in their size, form, and figure. Those of archangels and angels are gradually less immutable, but still close to the gods. Those of demons are indeed changeable in size and form—for they appear now one way, now another—yet they are still recognized as the same. Those of principalities are immutable; those of heroes...