Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

178 Eleusinian andNothing more is meant by this circumstancethan that the diviner intellect, from the superior excellence of its nature, has in cause,though not in time, a priority to soul, andthat on this account a defection and revolt(and descent earthward from the heavenlycondition) commences, from the soul, andafterward takes place in the intellect, yetso that the former descends with the latterin inseparable attendance.>/IJFrom this explanation, then, of the fable,we may easily perceive the meaning of themystic confession, I have fasted; I havedrank a mingled potion, etc.; for by theformer part of the assertion, no more ismeant than that the higher intellect, previousto imbibing of oblivion through the deceptive arts of a corporeal life, abstains fromall material concerns, and does not mingleitself (as far as its nature is capable of suchabasement) with even the necessary delightsof the body. And as to the latter part, itdoubtless alludes to the descent of Proserpina to Hades, and her re-ascent to the