Note 109 — SECTION V.

Proclus in Tim. lib. v. observes concerning the telestic art, or the art which operates through mystic ceremonies, “that, as the oracles teach, it obliterates through divine fire all the stains produced by generation.” Η τελεστικη δια του θειου πυρος αφανιζει τας εκ της γενεσεως απασας κηλιδας, ως τα λογια διδασκει. Hence another Chaldean oracle says, τῳ πυρι γαρ βροτος εμπελασας θεοθεν φαος εξει. i. e. “The mortal who approaches to fire will have a light from divinity.” Hercules, as we also learn from Proclus, was an example of this telestic purification. For he says, Ηρακλης δια τελεστικης καθῃραμενος, και των αχραντων καρπων μετασχων, τελειας ετυχε εις τους θεους αποκαταστασεως, in Plat. Polit. p. 382. i. e. “Hercules being purified through the telestic art, and participating of undefiled fruits, obtained a perfect restoration to the Gods.”