Median Theurgy

Median Theurgy is given to the Hyper-Encosmic Gods. This type of theourgia involves an element of physical sacrifice; however, as the Hyper-Encosmic Gods only have one foot in the material realm, actions such as animal sacrifice, with its close connection to the body and deep physicality, is inappropriate. Those souls advanced enough to worship the Hyper-Encosmic Gods employ what we may call “intermediate” forms of sacrifice. This kind of sacrifice doesn’t involve the slaughtering of animals; but instead employs a kind of materiality that is, nevertheless, less material than animals. These include:

  • Hieratic characters and symbols
  • Talisman
  • Divine names and images
  • Incantations
  • Musical compositions.

All these things depend on the physical world; names can’t be spoken without lips to utter them or air to vibrate them. They are, however, a kind of materiality that is more refined than the sacrifice of bodies.

 

Bibliography

Dunn, Patrick. The Practical Art of Divine Magic: Contemporary & Ancient Techniques of Theurgy. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2015.

Ekklesia Neoplatonismos Theourgia. “Ekklesia Neoplatonismos Theourgia Catechism.” Ekklesia Neoplatonismos Theourgia. Accessed July 17, 2017. http://theourgia.org/catechism/.

Flavius Claudius Iulianus Augustus, and Wilmer Cave (France) Wright. The works of the Emperor Julian. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2006.

Iamblichus. De Anima. Translated by John F. Finamore and John M. Dillon. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2002.

Iamblichus. De mysteriis. Translated by Emma C. Clarke, John M. Dillon and Jackson P. Hershbell. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.

Kupperman, Jeffrey S. Living theurgy: a course in Iamblichus philosophy, theology and theurgy. London: Avalonia, 2014.

Medieval Astrology Guide Editors. “Theurgy.” Medieval Astrology Guide. Accessed July 21, 2017. http://www.medievalastrologyguide.com/theurgy.html.

Remes, Pauliina. Neoplatonism. Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 2008.

Sallustius, “On the Gods and the Cosmos”, 4th Century AD, accessed May 17, 2017, http://www.platonic-philosophy.org/files/Sallustius%20-%20On%20the%20Gods%20(Taylor).pdf

Shaw, Gregory. Theurgy and the soul: the Neoplatonism of Iamblichus. Second ed. Kettering, OH: Angelico Press, 2014.