Astral Accretions, Fate, and the Resurrection-Body: Other Subtle Bodies of Antiquity
We discuss several themes found in antique religions, philosophy, and ritual praxis with relevance to the subtle body, including:
Primary Sources
Contra Celsum (1481 editio princeps)
This editio princeps reveals more than a theological argument. It captures the tension between Humanist scholarship and the existential dread caused by the Ottoman advance into Italy. Origen argues that Christianity survives not through the ornate rhetoric of philosophers, but through the lived powe
The Divine Pymander
The Divine Pymander is a foundational pillar of Hermeticism, offering a visionary exploration of how humanity can transcend the shackles of Fate through Gnosis. Translated by the legendary Marsilio Ficino for the Medici court, this text presents the 'Prisca Theologia'—a primordial wisdom that prefig
On the Dream of Scipio; The Saturnalia
Macrobius delivers a unique time capsule from the fifth century. He frames his work as a series of lively, high-stakes banquets where Roman intellectuals dissect everything from the calendar to the mechanics of the human stomach. The book argues that all gods ultimately point to the sun and that gre
Complete Hermetica (1505 Paris Edition)
The Complete Hermetica (1505 Paris Edition) is a profound synthesis of Western esotericism, offering a transformative vision of humanity’s place in the cosmos. Through the legendary dialogues of Hermes Trismegistus, the text argues that ignorance is the ultimate plague of the soul, while true knowle
Commentary on the Dream of Scipio; The Saturnalia; On the Birthday
This volume serves as a systematic record of Roman science, religion, and literature. Macrobius uses Cicero’s Dream of Scipio to explore the immortality of the soul and the mathematical ratios of the planets. He identifies the Sun as the singular power behind all major deities while providing techni
The Divine Pymander, Asclepius, and On the Mysteries
This monumental synthesis of Hermetic and Neoplatonic thought offers a radical roadmap for the soul’s ascent from the sensory 'multitude' to the intellectual 'One.' By weaving together the revelations of Hermes Trismegistus with the rigorous defenses of Iamblichus and the metaphysical depth of Procl
Commentary on the Dream of Scipio and the Saturnalia
Macrobius’s writings represent the ultimate synthesis of Late Antique wisdom, bridging the gap between the classical past and the medieval future. In his 'Commentary on the Dream of Scipio,' he offers a radical Neoplatonic vision of the soul's descent from the stars, arguing that our physical life i
Poimandres
Poimandres is a foundational pillar of Western esotericism that posits humanity as a 'divine animal' caught between the material and the eternal. Purported to be the work of the legendary Hermes Trismegistus—a syncretic fusion of the Greek Hermes and Egyptian Thoth—this tractate offers a radical cos
Origen Philocalia (Greek)
In this definitive collection edited by William Spencer, readers encounter the first great synthesis of Greek philosophy and Christian theology. Origen does not merely rebut charges of magic and sedition; he builds a comprehensive metaphysical framework that justifies 'simple faith' as a moral medic
Works (Opera)
This text operates as an intellectual banquet where Roman scholars debate the meaning of their own traditions. Macrobius argues that all classical deities act as mere masks for the singular power of the Sun. He rejects blind superstition in favor of natural philosophy, aiming to harmonize myth with
The Hermetic Writings, Volume I: Texts and Translation
This volume is a monumental reconstruction of the Hermetic tradition, presenting a world where philosophy is not merely an academic exercise but a literal means of deification. Scott challenges the notion that these texts are mere 'occult rubbish,' instead revealing them as the profound response of