What is nice about “Gnosticism” is the lack of a dogmatic approach. However, people do like their theatrics/ceremonies and prayer for their spiritual beliefs, as do I (to an extent). Looking for “Gnostic” related prayers, I picked up the book “A Gnostic Prayerbook: Rites, Rituals, Prayers and Devotions” by J. Puma. In this book, the …
Author Archives: bP
The Thirteenth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
We have come to an end here with the thirteenth repentance translation comparison. I hope you have enjoyed reading the comparisons. The point of this exercise is to show that one needs to check out various translations, if possible, of various works to get a full understanding of what the text is trying to say. …
Continue reading “The Thirteenth Repentance of Pistis Sophia”
Simon Magus diagram
Here is another diagram from the 1926 book “Gnosticism.” This one is named after Simon Magus, a figure who some of you may be aware of. Below is the quote from the book: “This one is not within the egg, but emphasizes the Aeons as perfections in their several spheres and planes. On the plane …
Ophite diagram
This diagram is from the 1926 book “Gnosticism” by Mary W. Barrie. Here is the description from the book: “Another diagram from an Ophite pre-Christian community is more complex, and shows, it seems to me, the eclecticism of the pre-Christian Gnosticism. We have the egg of Brahm, the three aspects of the One and the …
The Twelfth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
We’re almost to the end. This is a long one. MacDermot Translation: I. ‘0 Light, forget not my song of praise. 2. For the Authades and his lion-faced power opened their mouths against me, they dealt cunningly with me. 3. And they surrounded me, wishing to take away my power; and they hated me because …
The Mnemonic Diagram of Valentinus
I recently picked up and read the 1926 book “Gnosticism” by Mary W. Barrie. This book was published pre-Nag Hammadi, so I was curious to how it portrayed Gnosticism. It is a rather small book, just a little over 100 pages. The book gives a history of the Gnostic sects and touched upon some of …
The Eleventh Repentance of Pistis Sophia
Here is the translation comparisons of the Eleventh Repentance of Pistis Sophia. MacDermot Translation: I. ‘Why has the strong power risen among the wicked? 2. Its thought took the light away from me at all times. And Iike sharp iron they took power from me. 3. I preferred to come down to the Chaos more …
Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1
What is the “Papyrus Oxyrhynchus 1” you may ask? It is a piece of papyri discovered by papyrologists Bernard Pyne Grenfell and Arthur Surridge Hunt on their second day of excavation, January 12, 1897, in the garbage mounds of the town of Oxyrhynchus, Egypt. Their total find amounted to 1,000s of various texts including some …
The Tenth Repentance of Pistis Sophia
Almost there! This is a rather short passage. Below are the comparisons. MacDermot Translation: 1. ‘I have cried out to thee, 0 Light of Lights, in my affliction, and thou hast heard me. 2. 0 Light, save my power from unjust and iniquitous lips, and from cunning snares. 3. The light which was taken away …
Be Like Wine Jars
Just like my post from the other day, this particular post is a short text from the “Essential Gnostic Scriptures” book and is sourced from the Mandaean liturgy. It is a short text titled “Be Like Wine Jars.” Text is pretty explanatory and to the point. I like it! You of my blood, speak the …
Culmination of Wisdom 