The Eighth Sermon to the Dead

"Let me tell you then why the Creator made this world of generation. He was good, and the good can never have any jealousy of anything. And being free from jealousy, He desired that all things should be as like Himself as they could be." – Plato, "Timaeus"

Today is the Twelfth day of Christmas. I'm posting this a little early, because Twelfth Night technically began at sundown. This is a day for mediation on the qualities of Pisces: romance, generosity, emotions, receptivity, affection, and honesty. It is associated with St. Peter. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: So God created man in his own image. - Genesis 1: 27 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, The Discourse on the Eighth and the Ninth for the day: "He is perfect, the invisib...

Today is the Eleventh day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Aquarius: creativity, challenge, entertainment, progressiveness, stimulation, and independence. It is associated with St. Matthew. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Ye are my friends. -John 15:4 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, The Teachings of Silvanus for the day: "Entrust yourself to this pair of friends, reason and mind, and no one will be victorious over you." 7. Memorize and repeat the scripture...

Today is the Tenth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Capricorn: ambition, patience, responsibility, stability, trustworthiness, persistence. It is associated with St. Simon. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Let the Christ be formed in you. -Galatians 4:19 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Gospel of Thomas, 108 for the day: "He who will drink from my mouth will become as I am: I myself shall become he, and the things that are hidden will be revealed to him."...

Today is the Ninth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Sagittarius: ethics, humor, generosity, open-heartedness, compassion, and energy. It is associated with St. Philip. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Ye are the light of the world. -Matthew 5:14 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Hypostasis of the Archons for the day: "Samael said, "If any other thing exists before me, let it become visible to me!" And immediately Sophia stretched forth her finger and ...

Today is the Eighth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Scorpio: Intensity, Passion, and Power. It is associated with St. John the Beloved. This sign is near and dear to my heart, as it is my sun sign. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. -Matthew 5:8 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Corpus Hermeticum, XII:11 for the day: "Do not, then, let terms trouble thee; action and passion are both the selfsame thing. "...

Today is the Seventh day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Libra: Justice, Charm, Perception, Idealism, Refinery, and Diplomacy. It is associated with St. Jude. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. -John 8: 32 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Corpus Hermeticum, V:5 for the day: "Most blessed sight were it, my son, to see all these beneath one sway - the motionless in motion, and the unmanifest made manifest; whe...

Today is the Sixth day of Christmas, a day for mediation on the qualities of Virgo: Purity, Service, Diligence, Self-sufficiency, Control, Order, Modesty. 1. Begin with the sign of the Cross. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirt. Amen. 2 Remain in silence for some minutes. Let your breath attain a natural rhythm. 3. Sing or chant: Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison, Kyrie Eleison or Lord have Mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have Mercy 4. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the scripture reading for today: But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 5. Memorize and repeat the scripture, taking it into yourself. Let it flow through you, and see how it applies to you, today. 6. Read, repeat, and meditate upon the Gnostic Scripture, Corpus Hermeticum, XIII:8 for the day: "Gnosis of Joy hath come to us, and on its coming, son, Sorrow will flee away to them who give it room. The Power that follows Joy do I invoke, thy Self-control...