Plotinus the Magician? Ritual Practice and Power in Platonism
Mar 17, 2021
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Debating whether Plotinus was a magician and the influence of Porphyry's account on Platonism. Exploring ritual practices and beliefs in Platonism, including animating statues and visionary exercises. Examining the ritual of bird strangulation and the concept of personal guardian diamonds. Discussing the belief in guardian spirits and Platonus's understanding of the gods.
Platonist believed in the power of ritual and prayer to connect with the divine and influence celestial gods.
Platonist's willingness to participate in ritual practices, such as a seance, demonstrated his belief in their power to connect with higher realms.
Deep dives
Platonist's Views on Ritual and Magic
Platonist's views on ritual and magic are a topic of debate among scholars. While some argue that Platonist saw ritual practices as magical, others suggest that he saw them as distinct from magic. Platonist's writings refer to various terms related to magic, such as goateya and epodai, but he may not have considered these practices as theurgic or high-level activities. However, Platonist did believe in the power of ritual and its role in connecting with the divine. He wrote about the importance of prayer and how it can influence the celestial gods, causing changes on Earth. Platonist's explanations for the effectiveness of ritual involve concepts like cosmic sympathy and the influence of stars and planets. He also emphasized the importance of ritual purity and the appropriate use of words, intonation, and posture. While Platonist's understanding of magic and ritual may differ from later thinkers, his writings provide valuable insights into the theory and practice of ritual in ancient philosophy.
Platonist's Guardian Diamond and Ritual Practices
According to Porphyry's account, Platonist had a powerful guardian diamond or personal spirit that repelled an astral magical attack aimed at him. Platonist's belief in the existence of guardian spirits, similar to the notion of guardian angels, was not uncommon in his time. He viewed this guardian diamond as an elevated being, even a god, rather than a mere diamond. An incident involving an Egyptian priest further demonstrates Platonist's willingness to engage in ritual practices. In a seance held at the Temple of Isis in Rome, the priest attempted to conjure up a visible manifestation of Platonist's guardian spirit. Although the exact details of the ritual are unclear, the presence of the god or divine being was affirmed. Platonist's openness to participating in such rituals showcases his belief in the power of ritual and its ability to connect with higher realms.
Platonist's Views on Religious Practices and Mythology
Platonist had a different approach to religious practices and mythology compared to some of his contemporaries. While he did not reject traditional cults or ancient myths outright, he did not place a strong emphasis on them either. Platonist allegorized some Greek myths and drew upon myths from Plato's works for philosophical discourse. However, he saw authoritative philosophic texts, like those from Plato, as deserving of deeper analysis and exegesis. Platonist's interest in revealed literature, religious folklore, or religious festivals was limited compared to other philosophers of his time. He focused more on philosophical inquiry and sought to understand the metaphysical and noetic aspects of reality rather than engaging extensively in religious practices or studying traditional myths.
Platonist's Persona and Ritual Observances
The persona of Platonist, as described by Porphyry, portrays him as a philosopher who upholds a certain decorum in relation to religious observances. Platonist is characterized as not being overly scrupulous in religious practices or excessively engaging in rituals and festivals. He emphasizes the belief that the divine should come to him rather than him going to them, hinting at his elevated spiritual status and authority. Porphyry presents an incident where Platonist declined to participate in a celebration during a festival, stating that it is up to the divine beings to approach him. This statement may reflect Platonist's belief that, as a philosopher attuned to the noetic realm, he does not need to actively seek contact with the divine through ritual observances. Platonist's stance on this matter may have been seen as unconventional among his colleagues, leading to surprise and silence among them.
