THE GOLDEN VERSES: PART 1, STEP 1

Reverence and Respect

The Pharos of Alexandria.

Welcome to the first part of the Golden Verses course!

We start our study immediately after the introduction with the first step. I’m aware that this is a substantial part, but then Hierocles begins by talking about the gods, and so we need to honour all that this might mean. Take each section slowly, come back to it, and read it over and again. If parts do not resonate with you at first, be aware that your innate wisdom will lead the way, prompting you to follow where your soul needs to stop or take rest along the golden path that is unfolding. I will be reading the appropriate verses at the beginning of each of the parts, so that you may hear them.

PART 1 RESPECT AND REVERENCE

‘We are all fragments of the Divine.’

-       Epictetus: Discourses 2.8,11

UNDER THE THOLOS

The first four verses of the Golden Verses are like pillars that hold up the scaffolding of all life, bringing us into respectful relationship with all that is, from the gods to our own family and friends. The reason we start with these prime relationships is that we are not just random individuals upon a journey: we are seeking to know ourselves, but we first need reference points and context, since we are not the sole beings in the universe.

The four pillars of the gods; the truth underlying our agreements with life, the inspiration of daimons, heroes and ancestors; the respect due to our family; these are the canopy under which we ourselves are cared for and protected. These pillars bring us into the temple of reverence, awe, wonder and respect: which can be visualised as the supporters of a tholos – a free-standing round building with a conical roof, supported by pillars – which in the ancient world was often part of a temple complex. A small  twelve-pillar tholos tops the cupola of the Capitol building in Washington, supporting the statue of Freedom. Inside it is a lantern which is lit when the House of Representatives or the Senate are in session. This small tholos is overlooking the bay of Naples, near Pompeii.