#neoplatonist

[thetelesterion]

Hearken, You Gods holding the helm of holy Wisdom, Who, having kindled an upward-leading fire, draw to the immortals human souls, Who leave the dark hole behind, purified by the secret initiations of the Hymns. Hearken, Great Saviors, and grant me from very divine books pure light, Scattering the mist, so that I know well an Immortal God from a man; That a daemon, doing cruel things, may not hold me forever submerged in the streams of forgetfulness, while I am far away from the Blessed Ones, That a chilling Penalty may not bind my soul with the fetters of life, which, fallen into the waves of cold becoming, does not want to wander all too long. But, O Gods, leaders towards bright-shining wisdom, Hearken and reveal to me, while hurrying to the upward leading track, the secret rites and initiations of the holy words.

Hymn to All the Gods, by Proclus

[illustratus]

Hypatia by Charles William Mitchell

[apollophanes]

Like Kore, the soul descends into genesis, like Dionysus she is scattered by generation, like Prometheus and the Titans she is chained to the body. She frees herself by acquiring the strength of Hercules, gathers herself together through the help of Apollo and of Athena the Savior, i.e. by truly purifying philosophy, and she elevates herself to the causes of her being with Demeter.

- Damascius’ Commentary on Plato’s Phaedo I

[duxfemina]

Hypatia the asexual icon of the millennia

[kallisti-al-taqiyyah]

I feel so hard for people who have a hard time understanding neoplatonic literature. Please don't think I am one to breeze through these texts either 💀💀 the language is always so clunky and difficult to understand unless you compartmentalize every sentence and play the word puzzle game. I feel yall, I'm with yall,

[survivethejive]

Ask Me Anything! - Survive the Jive question time

[thetelesterion]

I know that Neoplatonism gets some shit in Helpol spaces, (mostly because some people who identify with Neoplatonism treat it as this sort of all-encompassing orthodox view with no room for change or deviation) and it's got me thinking about my relationship with philosophy.

When I first started my Helpol journey I found that I resonated deeply with Neoplatonism due to its many similarities with Eastern Orthodox theology, which I was used to due to my upbringing. It made the most sense to me, so I stuck with it.

I'd say that nowadays, I still resonate and identify the most with Neoplatonism out of other ancient philosophical paths-- but I think I am much more invested in the practical, ritual applications of Neoplatonism than the complex and often hard to explain elements of its philosophy. I am a Iamblikhos guy, not a Plotinus guy.

I am fully aware that adhering to Neoplatonism is not and has never been the only correct way to practice our religion. I am ashamed of any who espouse such views. Neoplatonism is just one thread in the elaborate tapestry of Ancient Greco-Roman polytheism.

[illustratus]

Hypatia by Julius Kronberg