Theurgy: Theory and Practice: The Mysteries of the Ascent to the Divine

Theurgy is an ancient magic practice that divinized the soul and achieved mystical union with a deity, the Demiurge, or the One. P. D. Newman pushes the roots of theurgy back before the time of Homer, linking the Greek shamanic practices of the late Archaic period with the theurgic rites of late antiquity. He explores the many theurgic themes and symbolic events in the Odyssey and the Iliad, and presents a close analysis of On the Cave of the Nymphs and Proclus's symbolic reading of Homers Iliad. Newman also examines the methods of telestikē, a form of theurgic statue animation, linking this practice to ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions and theurgic techniques to divinize the soul.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2024
Publisher: Inner Traditions Bear and Company

Theurgy, an ancient magic practice, was first defined by the Chaldean Oracles in the second century. It involves divinizing the soul and achieving mystical union with a deity, such as the Demiurge or the One. In this comprehensive study, P. D. Newman delves into the origins of theurgy, pushing back its roots even before the time of Homer. He reveals that the Chaldean Oracles were not only written in Homeric Greek but also in dactylic hexameter, the same meter as the epics of Homer. By connecting the Greek shamanic practices of the late Archaic period with the theurgic rites of late antiquity, Newman explains how both anabasis, soul ascent, and katabasis, soul descent, can be considered varieties of shamanic soul flight. He explores the many theurgic themes and symbolic events in the Odyssey and the Iliad, such as Odysseus' journey to Hades and the funeral pyre of Patroclus. Newman also provides a close analysis of Porphyrys' commentary on Homer's Odyssey and Proclus' symbolic reading of Homer's Iliad, demonstrating how both Neoplatonists describe the philosophical theory and technical ritual praxis of theurgy.

Using the Chaldean Oracles as a case study, Newman examines in detail the methods of telestikē, a form of theurgic statue animation, linking this practice to ancient Egyptian and Greek traditions as well as theurgic techniques to divinize the soul. His study not only explores the philosophical theory of theurgy but also sheds light on the theurgic arts, revealing that they are far older than the second century. By examining the Chaldean Oracles and other ancient sources, Newman provides a rich and detailed account of the origins and evolution of theurgy, offering valuable insights into this ancient and fascinating practice.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781644118368