The Sacred Ibis

8:02 AM | BY ZeroDivide EDIT
sacred-ibis

INTRODUCTION
Cuneiform writing reminded the ancients of bird tracks in mud.

 Pagans of the Isis bloodline valued wisdom as the highest human virtue. The "Sacred Ibis" was an enduring wisdom symbol in Pagan religion. One might wonder why they chose the ibis as a symbol to represent the god of wisdom and learning. The common pun that someone's handwriting looks like "chicken tracks" has truly ancient origins. The earliest enduring forms of writing were impressions made in clay. The ibis is a wading bird that probes for food in shallow waters along streams and ponds. Its footprints in the mud of its habitat reminded the scribes of cuneiform clay tablet writing.  
 The Pagan's concept of wisdom was divided into distinctly different branches of wisdom. The educated wisdom of scribes was regarded differently from the agrarian wisdom of farmers or the military wisdom of soldiers. Farmers, soldiers, and "tradesmen" of all kinds were illiterate classes of people. Heru, the hawk god, was the patron god of soldiers who did not need to be educated in the literary arts. When armies went on military campaigns, professional scribes went along as accountants, message writers, and etc. The common feature of armies subservient to civilian governments in Western civilizations may have sprung originally from this ancient literary tradition. 
 Thoth was the patron god of all the scientific, literary, and bureaucratic professions that required writing skills. They chose the ibis as the symbol for the patron god of the educated literary branch of wisdom because its footprints looked like cuneiform clay tablet writing.
Priest scribes of the Thoth school were linguistic architects and wordsmiths. They designed languages and formulated words. 
 According to conventional language theories, our modern languages "evolved" from prehistoric languages by chance. There was no design or designer involved in the process. That isn't true. Our languages are man-made structures in much the same way that our houses are man-made structures. Our houses may be built of wood from forests that evolved out of the ecosystem of the planet, but the houses did not evolve out of the forest by chance. 
 For the most part, constructors of houses refined and formulated naturally existing materials to create the products from which they built houses. Ironsmiths refined nails out of raw iron ore. Sawyers sawed lumber from naturally existing trees. They built their houses on foundations of field stone mortared together to serve their purpose. Scribes of the Thoth school designed and constructed languages by similar processes. Our major languages are structures built partly of linguistic materials from prehistorical times and partly from the creations of Thothian genius. 
  "Thoth, the inventor writing and of numbers"-->  For instance, Thothian scribes used the names of gods and the functions of those gods to formulate words and give them meaning. Thoth was the all around god of wisdom and learning. Our word thought is derived from the name of Thoth. Our word hero is derived from the name of Heru, the god of wisdom in action. Our word assure is derived from the name of Assur, the founding father god of Pagan civilization. Those are very direct god name words that derive their sounds and meanings from the names and functions of Pagan gods. Many words in many languages are derivatives of god names. They're not always as direct and obvious as these examples are.


Herodotus, Histories 2. 75. 1-4 (trans. Godley) (Greek historian C5th B.C.) :  "There is a place in Arabia not far from the town of Bouto (Buto) where I went to learn about the Winged Serpents (ophies pteretoi). When I arrived there, I saw innumerable bones and backbones of serpents: many heaps of backbones, great and small and even smaller. This place, where the backbones lay scattered, is where a narrow mountain pass opens into a great plain, which adjoins the plain of Aigyptos (Egypt).  Winged serpents (ophies pteretoi) are said to fly from Arabia at the beginning of spring, making for Egypt; but the ibis birds encounter the invaders in this pass and kill them. The Arabians say that the ibis is greatly honored by the Aigyptoi (Egyptians) for this service, and the Aigyptoi give the same reason for honoring these birds."
Herodotus, Histories 3. 107. 1 - 110.1 :  "Again, Arabia is the most distant to the south of all inhabited countries: and this is the only country which produces frankincense and myrrh and casia and cinnamon and gum-mastich. All these except myrrh are difficult for the Arabians to get. They gather frankincense by burning that storax which Phoinikes (Phoenicians) carry to Hellas; they burn this and so get the frankincense; for the spice-bearing trees are guarded by small Winged Snakes (ophies hypopteroi) of varied color, many around each tree; these are the snakes that attack Aigyptos (Egypt). Nothing except the smoke of storax will drive them away from the trees . . .   So too if the vipers and the Winged Serpents (ophies hypopteroi) of Arabia were born in the natural manner of serpents life would be impossible for men; but as it is, when they copulate, while the male is in the act of procreation and as soon as he has ejaculated his seed, the female seizes him by the neck, and does not let go until she has bitten through. The male dies in the way described, but the female suffers in return for the male the following punishment: avenging their father, the young while they are still within the womb gnaw at their mother and eating through her bowels thus make their way out. Other snakes, that do no harm to men, lay eggs and hatch out a vast number of young. The Arabian Winged Serpents do indeed seem to be numerous; but that is because (although there are vipers in every land) these are all in Arabia and are found nowhere else.   The Arabians get frankincense in the foregoing way."
Aelian, On Animals 2. 38 (trans. Scholfield) (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.) :  "The Black Ibis does not permit the Winged Serpents (Ophies Pterotoi) from Arabia to cross into Aigyptos (Egypt), but fights to protect the land it loves."

Aelian, On Animals 16. 41 :  "Megasthenes states that in India there are . . . snakes (ophies) with wings, and that their visitations occur not during the daytime but by night, and that they emit urine which at once produces a festering wound on any body on which it may happen to drop."


The Sacred Ibis (Threskionis aethiopicus) once lived in Egypt and is depicted in many ancient Egyptian wall murals and sculptures. It is also found as mummified specimens at many burial sites and played a significant religious role, in particular during the Late and Ptolemaic periods. The ibis represented the god Thoth, god of wisdom, knowledge and writing, and was considered the herald of the flood[1]. It was of practical use to villagers as it helped to rid fish ponds of water snails that contained dangerous liver parasites[2]. However, it is now extinct throughout Egypt because of gradual aridification through swamp drainage and land reclamation[3].

The Brethren of Purity

5:33 PM | BY ZeroDivide EDIT
The Brethren of Purity (Arabicاخوان‌الصفا‎ ikhwãn al-safã; also The Brethren of Sincerity) were a secret society[1] of Muslim philosophers in BasraIraq, in the 10th century CE.
The structure of this mysterious organization and the identities of its members have never been clear.[2][3] Theiresoteric teachings and philosophy are expounded in an epistolary style in the Encyclopedia of the Brethren of Purity (Rasa'il Ikhwan al-safa'), a giant compendium of 52 epistles that would greatly influence later encyclopedias. A good deal of Muslim and Western scholarship has been spent on just pinning down the identities of the Brethren and the century in which they were active.

Name[edit]

The Arabic phrase Ikhwan al-Safa (short for, among many possible transcriptions, Ikhwān aṣ-Ṣafāʾ wa Khullān al-Wafā wa Ahl al-Ḥamd wa abnāʾ al-Majd,[4] meaning "Brethren of Purity, Loyal Friends, People worthy of praise and Sons of Glory") can be translated as either the "Brethren of Purity" or the "Brethren of Sincerity"; various scholars such as Ian Netton prefer "of Purity" because of the group's ascetic impulses towards purity and salvation.
A suggestion made by Goldziher, and later written about by Philip K. Hitti in his History of Arabs, is that the name is taken from a story in Kalilah wa-Dimnah, in which a group of animals, by acting as faithful friends (ikhwan al-safa), escape the snares of the hunter. The story concerns a ring-dove and its companions who get entangled in the net of a hunter seeking birds. Together, they leave themselves and the ensnaring net to a nearby rat, who is gracious enough to gnaw the birds free of the net; impressed by the rat's altruistic deed, a crow becomes the rat's friend. Soon a tortoise and gazellealso join the company of animals. After some time, the gazelle is trapped by another net; with the aid of the others and the good rat, the gazelle is soon freed, but the tortoise fails to leave swiftly enough and is himself captured by the hunter. In the final turn of events, the gazelle repays the tortoise by serving as a decoy and distracting the hunter while the rat and the others free the tortoise. After this, the animals are designated as the "Ikwhan al-Safa".
This story is mentioned as an exemplum when the Brethren speak of mutual aid in one rasa'il, a crucial part of their system of ethics that has been summarized thus:
In this Brotherhood, self is forgotten; all act by the help of each, all rely upon each for succour and advice, and if a Brother sees it will be good for another that he should sacrifice his life for him, he willingly gives it.[5]

Delphic maxims

7:39 PM | BY ZeroDivide EDIT
The Delphic maxims are aphorisms said to have been given by the Greek god Apollo's Oracle of Delphi, so attributed to Apollo. Some are said to have been attributed to The Seven Sages of Greece. The most famous one is perhaps 'Know thyself' and was carved into Apollo's temple at Delphi. The maxims consist of over 100 aphorisms that may vary in number and statement by version of the text (or translation.)

147 Delphic maxims
No.GreekEnglish
001.Επου θεωFollow God
002.Νομω πειθουObey the law
003.Θεους σεβουWorship the Gods
004.Γονεις αιδουRespect your parents
005.Ηττω υπο δικαιουBe overcome by justice
006.Γνωθι μαθωνKnow what you have learned
007.Ακουσας νοειPerceive what you have heard
008.Σαυτον ισθιBe Yourself or Know Yourself
009.Γαμειν μελλεIntend to get married
010.Καιρον γνωθιKnow your opportunity
011.Φρονει θνηταThink as a mortal
012.Ξepsilon;νος ων ισθιIf you are a stranger act like one
013.Εστιαν τιμαHonor the hearth (or Hestia)
014.Αρχε σεαυτουControl yourself
015.Φιλοις βοηθειHelp your friends
016.Θυμου κρατειControl anger
017.Φρονησιν ασκειExercise prudence
018.Προνοιαν τιμαHonor providence
019.Ορκω μη χρωDo not use an oath
020.Φιλιαν αγαπαLove friendship
021.Παιδειας αντεχουCling to discipline
022.Δοξαν διωκεPursue honor
023.Σοφιαν ζηλουLong for wisdom
024.Καλον ευ λεγεPraise the good
025.Ψεγε μηδεναFind fault with no one
026.Επαινει αρετηνPraise virtue
027.Πραττε δικαιαPractice what is just
028.Θιλοις ευνοειBe kind to friends
029.Εχθρους αμυνουWatch out for your enemies
030.Ευγενειαν ασκειExercise nobility of character
031.Κακιας απεχουShun evil
032.Κοινος γινουBe impartial
033.Ιδια φυλαττεGuard what is yours
034.Αλλοτριων απεχουShun what belongs to others
035.Ακουε πανταListen to everyone
036.Ευφημος ιοθιBe (religiously) silent
037.Φιλω χαριζουDo a favor for a friend
038.Μηδεν αγανNothing to excess
039.Χρονου φειδουUse time sparingly
040.Ορα το μελλονForesee the future
041.Υβριν μισειDespise insolence
042.Ικετας αιδουHave respect for suppliants
043.Παςιν αρμοζουBe accommodating in everything
044.Υιους παιδευεEducate your sons
045.Εχων χαριζουGive what you have
046.Δολον φοβουFear deceit
047.Ευλογει πανταςSpeak well of everyone
048.Φιλοσοφος γινουBe a seeker of wisdom
049.Οσια κρινεChoose what is divine
050.Γνους πραττεAct when you know
051.Φονου απεχουShun murder
052.Ευχου δυναταPray for things possible
053.Σοφοις χρωConsult the wise
054.Ηθος δοκιμαζεTest the character
055.Λαβων αποδοςGive back what you have received
056.Υφορω μηδεναDown-look no one
057.Τεχνη χρωUse your skill
058.Ο μελλεις, δοςDo what you mean to do
059.Ευεργεςιας τιμαHonor a benefaction
060.Φθονει μηδενιBe jealous of no one
061.Φυλακη προσεχεBe on your guard
062.Ελπιδα αινειPraise hope
063.Διαβολην μισειDespise a slanderer
064.Δικαιως κτωGain possessions justly
065.Αγαθους τιμαHonor good men
066.Κριτην γνωθιKnow the judge
067.Γαμους κρατειMaster wedding-feasts
068.Τυχην νομιζεRecognize fortune
069.Εγγυην φευγεFlee a pledge
070.Αμλως διαλεγουSpeak plainly
071.Ομοιοις χρωAssociate with your peers
072.Δαπανων αρχουGovern your expenses
073.Κτωμενος ηδουBe happy with what you have
074.Αισχυνην σεβουRever a sense of shame
075.Χαριν εκτελειFulfill a favor
076.Ευτυχιαν ευχουPray for happiness
077.Τυχην στεργεBe fond of fortune
078.Ακουων οραObserve what you have heard
079.Εργαζου κτηταWork for what you can own
080.Εριν μισειDespise strife
081.Ονειδς εχθαιρεDetest disgrace
082.Γλωτταν ισχεRestrain the tongue
083.Υβριν αμυνουKeep yourself from insolence
084.Κρινε δικαιαMake just judgements
085.Χρω χρημασινUse what you have
086.Αδωροδοκητος δικαζεJudge incorruptibly
087.Αιτιω παρονταAccuse one who is present
088.Λεγε ειδωςTell when you know
089.Βιας μη εχουDo not depend on strength
090.Αλυπως βιουLive without sorrow
091.Ομιλει πραωςLive together meekly
092.Περας επιτελει μη αποδειλιωνFinish the race without shrinking back
093.Φιλοφρονει πασινDeal kindly with everyone
094.Υιοις μη καταρωDo not curse your sons
095.Γυναικος αρχεRule your wife
096.Σεαυτον ευ ποιειBenefit yourself
097.Ευπροσηγορος γινουBe courteous
098.Αποκρινου εν καιρωGive a timely response
099.Πονει μετ ευκλειαςStruggle with glory
100.Πραττε αμετανοητωςAct without repenting
101.Αμαρτανων μετανοειRepent of sins
102.Οφθαλμοθ κρατειControl the eye
103.Βουλευου χρονωGive a timely counsel
104.Πραττε συντομωςAct quickly
105.Φιλιαν φυλαττεGuard friendship
106.Ευγνωμων γινουBe grateful
107.Ομονοιαν διωκεPursue harmony
108.Αρρητον κρυπτεKeep deeply the top secret
109.Το κρατουν φοβουFear ruling
110.Το συμφερον θηρωPursue what is profitable
111.Καιρον προσδεχουAccept due measure
112.Εχθρας διαλυεDo away with enmities
113.Γηρας προσδεχουAccept old age
114.Επι ρωμη μη καυχωDo not boast in might
115.Ευφημιαν ασκειExercise (religious) silence
116.Απεχθειαν φευγεFlee enmity
117.Πλουτει δικιωςAcquire wealth justly
118.Δοξαν μη λειπεDo not abandon honor
119.Κακιαν μισειDespise evil
120.Κινδυνευε φρονιμωςVenture into danger prudently
121.Μανθανων μη καμνεDo not tire of learning
122.Φειδομενος μη λειπεDo not stop to be thrifty
123.Χρησμους θαυμαζεAdmire oracles
124.Ους τρεφεις αγαπαLove whom you rear
125.Αποντι μη μαχουDo not oppose someone absent
126.Πρεσβυτερον αιδουRespect the elder
127.Νεωτερον διδασκεTeach a youngster
128.Πλουτω απιστειDo not trust wealth
129.Σεαυτον αιδουRespect yourself
130.Μη αρχε υβριζεινDo not begin to be insolent
131.Προγονους στεφανουCrown your ancestors
132.Θνησκε υπερ πατριδοςDie for your country
133Τω βιω μη αχθου.Do not be discontented by life
134.Επι νεκρω μη γελαDo not make fun of the dead
135.Ατυχουντι συναχθουShare the load of the unfortunate
136.Χαριζου αβλαβωςGratify without harming
137.Μη επι παντι λυπουGreive for no one
138.Εξ ευγενων γενναBeget from noble routes
139.Επαγγελου μηδενιMake promises to no one
140.Φθιμενους μη αδικειDo not wrong the dead
141.Ευ πασχε ως θνητοςBe well off as a mortal
142.Τυχη μη πιστευεDo not trust fortune
143.Παις ων κοσμιος ισθιAs a child be well-behaved
144.ηβων εγκρατηςas a youth - self-disciplined
145.μεσος δικαιοςas of middle-age - just
146.πρεσβυτης ευλογοςas an old man - sensible
147.τελευτων αλυποςon reaching the end - without sorrow