On the Mysteries

so by watching the passions of others in comedy and tragedy, we halt our own passible [affections], and make them more gentle and cleanse them. So by the sacred spectacles and hearings of the shameful [things], we are released from the passion which we all have from the injury inherent in it; therefore, for the sake of the healing of the passible [part] in us, and with each of the evils growing upon it through generation, and for the sake of release from all such bonds, such things are brought in. And for this reason, it reasonably called them measures original: "μέτρα" as being some [thing] to be heard. And yet some, working out the teaching of the divine [things] unreasonably, say [there is a] cause of accusation, as if they become towards the gods [as] passible. As if not only the demons are passible, but also the gods. But this does not hold so, but as you have supposed. For it is a certain self-life and self-grace, the manifestation of the movements of the gods. It stands very far removed from being moved by passion. For through the divine-fitting [nature] and perfection, looking toward whom. And it has so much more of the unheard movement, as the divine will of the good contains the power of the soul. Through such an explanation, therefore, the gods abundantly shine forth the light, being unmixed, and gracious to the theurgists; both their [things] are completed and calling back their own [things], and the things from above granting to them the [power] toward themselves. And accustoming them, and making them, while in the body, to stand apart from them. And to be led around to the intelligible origin of themselves. Clear indeed is also the cause of the energies, which we say is the savior of the soul. For one is the soul contemplating the blessed spectacles, [it] weaves in another life. And it performs another energy. And it does not even think [it is] the same, rightly leading. And often, having left its own life, it exchanged [it for] the most blessed energy of the gods. The ascent through the movements provides to the priests a rest from passions, and a release from generation, and a union toward the divine origin.