The lesser-known gods of Iamblichus

Are there any lesser-known gods or entities which Iamblichus prayed to? Please provide example prayers.

As an ancient philosopher and theurgist, Iamblichus was known for his reverence of the divine and his comprehensive approach to working with various spiritual forces. While many of the gods and entities he worked with were well-known in the Greco-Roman pantheon, he also recognized the existence and power of lesser-known spirits, including those from other cultures.

One example of a lesser-known entity that Iamblichus wrote about is the god Aion, who was associated with time and eternity. In his work "De Mysteriis," Iamblichus discusses how the theurgic practitioner can invoke the power of Aion through prayer and ritual to achieve union with the divine. Here is an example prayer to Aion, taken from "De Mysteriis":

"Hear me, eternal Aion, great and ineffable god, whose name is ineffable, whose nature is manifold and inexpressible, whose form is all and no form, essence that cannot be contained, the only principle of beings. You are both before and after all things, infinite power, beyond all being, incomprehensible wisdom. Be propitious, I beseech you, and listen to the prayers of your servant who calls upon you with all his heart."

Another example of a lesser-known entity that Iamblichus recognized is the Egyptian god Thoth, who was associated with wisdom, writing, and magic. In his work "The Egyptian Mysteries," Iamblichus discusses how Thoth can be invoked through ritual to gain knowledge and insight. Here is an example prayer to Thoth, taken from "The Egyptian Mysteries":

"I invoke you, great and powerful Thoth, lord of wisdom and divine words, who knows the secrets of the universe and the ways of the gods. I call upon you to aid me in my quest for knowledge and understanding, to guide me through the mysteries of the cosmos, and to grant me the wisdom to discern the truth. Hear my prayer, great Thoth, and be propitious to your servant who seeks your guidance."

Overall, Iamblichus' approach to prayer and ritual was inclusive and open to a wide variety of spiritual forces and entities, both well-known and lesser-known.

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