IAMBLICHVS

...which fall short in the distinction of recognition due to the fullness of knowledge The text continues from the previous page's discussion on the beauty of souls compared to higher beings.. The manifestations of demons are meager and, as it were, fleeting. Those of heroes are even more meager. Those of principalities are clear. Those of princes are dark, yet both of these latter types are unholy original: "impiosa." In this context, it suggests these lower entities are further from the divine source and can lead the practitioner toward material attachment.. Those of souls are shadowy. The images of the Gods flash with the greatest splendor. Those of the archangels are also very bright, while those of the angels are simply bright.

Demons appear as a turbulent fire. Heroes possess a light mixed from many sources. Principalities show a purer light, but princes show one confused from dissimilar and contrary elements. Souls give back a fire that is full of many mixtures from the world of generation original: "generationis," referring to the realm of physical birth and decay. and is divided. The images of the Gods appear as an indivisible and ineffable fire, filling the whole depth of the world. The archangel also appears as an undivided fire, having around it—either before or behind—a very great multitude. The angel appears as a divided fire, yet existing in most absolute forms original: "ideis," likely referring to the Platonic Ideas or archetypal patterns.. The fire of demons is also more divided, but more narrowly circumscribed and easily described; among those who have seen higher things, it is easily despised.

The heroic fire has something similar to these but is not equal. The fire of principalities is exceptionally clear, while that of princes has something opaque about it. The fire of souls is greatly divided, multiform, and mixed from many natures of the world. In appearance, the fire of the Gods is entirely stable. That of the archangel participates in that stability. That of the angel moves stably. The fire of demons is unstable, while that of heroes is more rapid. That of principalities arrives quietly, but the fire of princes is tumultuous. The fire of souls transforms with many movements.

The Gods purify souls most perfectly. Archangels call them back upward. Angels only release them from the bonds of matter. Demons pull them toward nature. Heroes lead them to the care of material works. Principalities provide the oversight of worldly things, while princes exhibit a devotion to material affairs. Souls, when they appear, struggle and pull the observer toward the realm of generation.

Whatever is pure and firm in the image occurring to us should be attributed to the higher kinds. Now, attribute that which is very bright and firmly remains in itself to the Gods. That which shines and remains indeed, but as if supported by another, attribute to the archangels. That which remains in another, to the angels. Likewise, attribute that which is mobile, wandering, and full of foreign natures to the lower orders everywhere. Demons have mixed within themselves the vapors of the world and are carried unstably alongside or near the motion of the world.

Mixtures of generative spirits are mingled with heroes, around which they themselves are moved. Principalities remain in the same way, showing the worldly things they possess. Princes are full of material fluids original: "liquoribus," likely referring to the grosser elemental flows or humors of the sublunary world.. Souls are filled with superfluous stains and foreign spirits; whenever they appear, each of these kinds reveals its true nature. The Gods consume matter suddenly. Archangels do so little by little. Angels release the soul from matter and call it back to the heights. Demons diligently adorn matter. Heroes adapt the soul to matter with fitting measures everywhere...