The illustrations to Boehme’s Aurora are a particularly fine example of the early theosophical tradition. Boehme was a German shoemaker and mystic who one day while contemplating upon the exquisite beauty of a beam of sunlight reflected in a pewter dish fell into a visionary state which he believed revealed the spiritual structure of the universe.
His work was a direct influence upon the great English visionary, painter and poet William Blake.
Translation of the Hebrew: “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (and below same in Greek and Latin).
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Wow….thanks for the translation, you’re definitely a good person to have around
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You’re welcome. My husband had to confirm it but it was easy enough. He knows Hebrew, Aramaic, some Latin and some ancient Greek! It was, according to the Gospels, something nailed to the cross of Jesus, probably in sarcasm.
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My scatter shot learning seems quite superficial now
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Not at all. That was his specialty, Hebrew/Judaism/languages. You can’t really study biblical Hebrew without also encountering Aramaic. He isn’t elitist at all about knowing what he knows. It’s when you realize how little you know that you realize there is nothing to show off! There is always more to know. đŸ™‚
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I see the Tetragrammaton on the sign, too. Kinneret is correct but I wonder if the four Hebrew letters actually render it “son of God (Yahweh)” YHWH. It was meant to be s mockery by the Romans
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I have no knowledge of Hebrew or Aramaic unfortunately. So the Romans are mocking Jesus for his claims to divinity?
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The Gospels of Luke and John are the ones that mention the nailing of the sign over Jesus as he hung on the torture stake. (I looked it up.) The inscription is said to have read “Jesus the Nazarene – King of the Jews”. In the artwork of your post though, the four Hebrew letters that form God’s name are apparent in the second line of the top translation. It’s the same as the four letters in your post about circles. It may just be that the artist added them. It isn’t there in the Latin and I have no idea what the Greek says. The Romans were mocking Jesus’ claim to be a king. Jesus never claimed god-ship, the Pharisees made that claim so they would have grounds to put him to death. Perhaps the artist was making some inference about the divinity of Jesus. You might have a better idea about that.
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Time to brush up on my bible I think.
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Good morning, iced one. What about Boehme? Did his theosophy blend in any traditional beliefs?
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I believe he was an influence on the Pietist movement, I am sure the Pennsylvania Dutch would know him
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Interesting. The Pennsylvania Dutch aren’t really known to be expansive in their thinking.
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Too true, stuck in aspic.
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Oh revolting… But accurate!
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Nowt wrong with aspic.
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Ichh my Scottish nana used to make a gelled meat dish….
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You Americans
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Yes, we’re awful
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i didn’t say that, you just don’t do stuff like offal and black pudding.
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No comment on my new poem?
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And I forgot to say… This kind of thing is really intriguing to me. You have stirred my curiosity to look into this further. Excellent post!
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Thank you.
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Thank you for introducing me to Boehme.
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My pleasure
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Mr. Cake, wonderful illustrations containing so much imagery. How splendid to see the spiritual structure of the universe, lucky! ~ Miss Cranes
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Thank you Miss Cranes you know the affectation I hold towards the mystics, occultists, confidence tricksters and charismatics I write about with they obsessions, visions and hallucinations. The crooked roads of genius to quote my old friend Blake.
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You’re most welcome, Mr. Cake, and you do a splendid job.
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Thank you Miss Cranes
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This post and the previous one are two of my favorites – for the symbolism. For the invitation to pull at the threads and uncover the meanings behind the artwork.
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Thank you, though my poor other posts are feeling slighted. The symbolism is very inviting.
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Oh don’t feel slighted! I’ve yet to read anything here that didn’t catch my interest.
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Ah you are really too kind
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Very fascinating. Any time I see art like this I think of the painstaking hours and patience it took. In the days before distractions like technology…
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Too true Emily, painstaking and with a patience that has probably disappeared from the world.
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Thanks for the follow đŸ™‚
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Likewise
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The all seeing eye is a metaphor that tries to express one of the many aspects of a spiritual enlightenment. Do you agree?
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Absolutely. All mystical systems have basically the same goal, to make you wake up. When you are awake your eyes are open and if you could achieve full awareness, then you would see everything. Thank you for your comments.
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Thanks for the wisdom bro.
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My pleasure and thanks for the comment, they are always appreciated
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