Over the last six years as the Trust has published the Thomas Taylor Series, the Trustees and editors have been asked where a new student can begin the study of the profound philosophy of the Platonists: to this question there has been no obvious answer. Modern textbooks of philosophy badly misunderstand the mystical bedrock of Plato and his followers, and the volumes in the Thomas Taylor Series - although wonderfully comprehensive and enlightening to the student who has a framework with which to study - were not written for the new student. The Prometheus Trust decided, therefore, to publish alongside the Series a number of books which would deepen the existing student's understanding of mystical Platonism and also act as an introduction to the fundamental doctrines of the ancients for newcomers. This book, written by Tim Addey (the chairman of the Trust, and an editor of the Thomas Taylor Series), is the first of these books.
For more than one thousand years, the Pythagorean and Platonic philosophers of antiquity visited and revisited their primeval mythological heritage which was the living heart of their pagan religion, art and science. In earliest antiquity the inner truths of myth were held to be suitable only for those who had undergone the initiations and training of mystery cults and academies of philosophy, and were communicated in secret and guarded language; in later antiquity, circumstances forced their interpreters to become more open and commit their insights to writing. It is these writings upon which Tim Addey draws in order to present to the non-specialist reader a philosophic interpretation of the beautiful and powerful myths of the Greeks.
The Seven Myths of the Soul is based on a passage from Damascius, the last head of Plato's Academy in Athens:
The Soul descends into generation, after the manner of Kore;
She is scattered by generation, after the manner of Dionysus;
Like Prometheus and the Titans, she is bound to body.
She frees herself by exercising the strength of Heracles;
Gathers herself together through the help of Apollo
And the Savior Athene, by truly purifying philosophy;
And she elevates herself to the causes of her being with Demeter.
In the stories of Persephone (Kore), Dionysus, Prometheus, Heracles, Apollo, Athene and Demeter the trials, initiations and ultimate triumph of each human soul are outlined in mystical symbols. For those seeking soul wisdom this book provides the starting point for a cycle of profound meditations.
This paperback edition includes eight colour plates illustrating the various myths and many diagrams outlining the basic relationship between the various conditions through which the soul passes.
Chapter headings are:
1 An outline of Platonic philosophy
2 The journey of the Soul
3 Persephone 4 Dionysus 5 Prometheus 6 Heracles 7 Athene
8 Apollo 9 Demeter (ch. 3 - 9 are subdivided into `The Myth' and `Interpretation')
10 Some Conclusions
11 Plato's Symposium and Myth
12 A defence of the worship of the Gods
This book is priced at £12.95 but our normal discounts apply if you buy directly from the Trust: UK price with discount £10.35 post free, overseas price with discount £12.30 post free (note - we post by airmail to Europe, but by surface mail everywhere else: if you want us to airmail to you outside Europe, please add £2).
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