So according to this point of view, then when people experience direct communications from the gods, then (in line with number 6 above), strictly speaking, those are actually daemons, albeit perhaps daemons in touch with those deities and incarnating/channelling their force?
Yup, exactly! Proclus even talks about that, saying that dæmons in the retinue, so to speak, of a god rejoice in taking the name of that god when interacting with mortals, since not only are they acting on behalf of that god, but also that god is their exemplar, their ideal, and it's flattering to be likened to one's ideals: "And about each of the divinities, there is an innumerable multitude of dæmons, and which are dignified with the same appellations as their leading gods. Hence they rejoice when they are called by the names of Jupiter, Apollo, and Hermes, &c. as expressing the idiom, or peculiarity of their proper deities [...]."
And thanks, maybe I will turn it into a post; the Neoplatonists take myths very seriously so it's a topic well worth contemplation...
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Re: Thank you!
Date: 2023-05-09 05:11 pm (UTC)Yup, exactly! Proclus even talks about that, saying that dæmons in the retinue, so to speak, of a god rejoice in taking the name of that god when interacting with mortals, since not only are they acting on behalf of that god, but also that god is their exemplar, their ideal, and it's flattering to be likened to one's ideals: "And about each of the divinities, there is an innumerable multitude of dæmons, and which are dignified with the same appellations as their leading gods. Hence they rejoice when they are called by the names of Jupiter, Apollo, and Hermes, &c. as expressing the idiom, or peculiarity of their proper deities [...]."
And thanks, maybe I will turn it into a post; the Neoplatonists take myths very seriously so it's a topic well worth contemplation...