Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

Bacchic Mysteries. 147these energies do not arrive to perfectionprevious to the sinking of the soul into thedark receptacle of matter. After this we behold her issuing on the plain with Minervaand Diana, and attended by a beauteoustrain of nymphs, who are evident symbols ofworld of generation,* and are, therefore, theproper companions of the soul about to fallinto its fluctuating realms.But the design of Proserpina, in venturingfrom her retreat, is beautifully significant ofher approaching descent: for she ramblesfrom home for the purpose of gatheringflowers ;and this in a lawn replete with themost enchanting variety, and exhaling themost delicious odors. This is a manifestimage of the soul operating principally according to the natural and external life, andso becoming effeminated and ensnaredthrough the delusive attractions of sensibleform. Minerva (the rational faculty in thisto thecase), likewise gives herself wholly*PORPHYRY: Cave of the Nymphs. In the. later Greek,signified a bride.