On the Occult Philosophy or the Secret Miraculous Birth of the Seven Planets and Metals

was not easy to obtain at that time, and Cœlus, her husband, did not know what he should do. But what happened? Cœlus went out again to amuse himself and to look for game, and led the goddess quite naked by her hand. Then a very high, round mountain opened up, glistening like a beautiful precious stone and like a mirror that emits fire, and honey and milk flowed from it. And behold, a monstrous, very grisly, old, and ugly figure came to the gods and addressed them with sharp words. He knew well what they intended to accomplish in their minds, and he took of this milk and honey that had come from the mountain and said to them: I am called Faunus, and I am older than you, therefore I know more than you both. Follow me, however, and obey my voice regarding what I shall announce to you. Let no one speak to me, or else it will cost both your lives, so that henceforth for all eternity you will be no more gods. Then they both fell silent, and he called out three times: May the light of wisdom be