If you often invoke me you shall see all things darkening, For neither does the convex bulk of heaven then appear, Nor do the stars shine, the light of the moon is hidden, The earth stands not still, but all things appear in thunders. (The Chaldean Oracles, Fragments 10 and 14, in Oracles Chaldaïques, edited and translated by Édouard Des Places, Les Belles Lettres, 1971.)
But these things I revolve in the recluse temples of my mind. Extending the like fire sparklingly into the spacious air, Or fire unfigured whence a voice issuing forth. Or light abundant; whizzing and winding about the earth. But also to see a horse more glittering than light, Or a boy on thy shoulders riding on a horse. Fiery or adorned with gold, or divested, Or shooting, or standing on thy shoulders, If thou speakest often to me thou shalt see absolutely that which is spoken, For then neither appears the celestial concave bulk. Nor do the stars shine, the light of the moon is covered, The Earth stands not still, but all things appear in thunders. Invoke not the self-conspicuous image of Nature, For thou must not behold these before thy body is initiated: When soothing souls they always seduce them from these mysteries. Certainly out of the cavities of the
Earth spring terrestrial dogs. Which show no true sign to mortal man. Labour about the Hecatick Strophalus. Never change barbarous names, For there are names in every nation given from God, Which have an unspeakable power in Rites. When thou seest a sacred fire without form, Shining flashingly through the depths of the World, Hear the voice of fire. (Zoroaster. Psel. 14.—Plet. 25.)
