It is necessary however to consider whether those time's thus subsist. For again, we must give our opinion on this subject, which requires much discussion. I" or I’lalo moves the stars in different ways, not at all requiring contrivances of this kind, as unworthy of a divine essence. Hence [accordin'; to him] it is ne¬ cessary to suspend this variety from the motion of their informing souls, their bodies being moved swifter or slower conformably to the will of these, and not as the multitude think through imbecility. This inequality and diversity of motion also, is effected in orderly periods of time, the stars themselves being moved about their centre's, and proceeding variously through their proper spheres; m order that beini; mi dia between bodies that are inerratic, and those that are moved in a right line, they may have a mixed motion, being bone* along according to altitude and depth, and with a direct and retrograde motion, and this m orderlv periods ot time. For lie says that, “ the stars /iroctolhig u ith an ndnnnin if motion through the heavens, have rendulions.'' lint if they proceed through the heavens, it is evi¬ dent that all of them are moved throuirh tie ir spheres accordin'.; to the depth of them. 1 or bodies which proceed through a certain thing, do not abide in the. same place, but pass from one part ol that through vv Inch thev proceed, to another. If also, they have rotations, their all-various mutations are the revolutions of them in their spheres, according to breadth and depth. The spheres however, are alone moved to the east, and not about the same poles as the sphere of the fixed stars. For in the licpuhiic, he makes the one axis of them to Ik* the distaff', but the poles of the eight spheres to be the spindles, and he says, that about these there is one simple motion, just as there is of the sphere of the lived stars. After¬ wards, in that dialogue, he says that the Fates preside over these circles, and that a different Fate moves them differently. Here however, he convolves one of the spheres laterally, but the other diametrically, in the same manner as the cireles of the soul, in which he established the causes of the whole spheres them¬ selves, and the planets. On this account, he moved them obliquely, according to a diameter. Hence he says, that some of the planets are moved similarly, hut others, dissimilarly, in the same maimer as the spheres. The difference therefore
296 PROCLUS ON TIIE [book i*.
of the planetary spheres, anil the sphere of the fixed stars, is conformably to these things, and also according to a motion to the right hand, or to the left.
Such therefore, is the fabrication of the sphere according to Plato, the seven spheres having a conjoint revolution, and possessing that difference which vve have mentioned, with reference to the one circulation [of the inerratic sphere.] Conformably to this also, tin* fixed stars are alone moved about their centres; but the planets are both moved about thur centres, and proceed through the depth of the spheres in which nut h is placed, variously revolving upward and downward, and with a rt trograde motion. Kuch of these likewise, and the poles of these, arc moved in another circle about the zodiacbut the spheres in which they exisi, are all of tlu-in moved similarly to the inerratic sphere ; \i/. they are moved about one pole w hu h is common to all of them. The sphere of the fixed stars also, is bv itself moved vvilli one motion; but the planetary sphere, with a twofold motion, one Ih mg the motion of itsi If, and which is oblupie, but the other being a revolution in conjunction with the nu rralic sphere. \\ ith respect to the stars how¬ ever, those that are fixed, revolve abom then own ecu ties, and have likewise an advancing motion, in conjunction with their sphere. But tin* planets revolve in conjunction with the iiurratic sphere, and each is moved together with its sphere to the east, and revolves bv itself according to breadth and depth, and about its proper centre, Tor it is necessary that each lieing spin rical, should be moved with this motion, imitating its proper wholeness ; ju>t as the fixed stars are eo-ar- ranged with the inerratic sphere. To which may b< added, that proceeding through the heavens, they have also as I'lnto su>>, all-various revolutions.
These things therefore, being true, as we have l»efore demonstrated, the hypo¬ theses of epicycles, or eccentrics are not vain, hut they analyze various into simple motions, m order that we may easily apprehend the apocatastases of various motions, which are not of themselves easily understood, Imt are only to he com- preheiided from the fixed stars. Hence it is an cm client contrivance to discover what simple, produce various motions, and through them to investigate the mea¬ sures of such as are various. Just as it some one, not being able to measure a spiral motion about a cylinder, but afterwards assuming a right line moved about it, and a point m the right line measuring its motions, should find what the quan¬ tity is of the motion about the spiral in a given time. To this therefore, the atti n- tion ot those is directed, who employ evolvents, epicy cles, and eccentrics, through simple motions, from which they discover a various motion. These things
• For *tpi At gw* Lire, it u nccesiary to read wtpi Aigcv.
Hook I*.]
however, deserve to l*e jjnnre fully] considered, and on tins account the lmors of .speculation should excite themselves to the more accurate apprehension of them.
Hut hy their conjunctions, their synods must lie understood, and the configura¬ tions' which they make with each other; whether trigonieallv, or tetragonically, or hcxagnnically, or diametrically. For Plato alone assuming their counjunction and station in a direct line, comprehends in these as in the extremes, all the re¬ maining figures. But their ohinnhratinns are situations according to which they darken us and other things, For the hody whic h is arranged after another hod v, heciunes situated m the front of that which is posterior t'» if. And the stars are the cans* < of darkness to us when they run under each other. Bv “ their becom¬ ing concealed' also, and again am rging to our r/Vrc, at stated times," we must under¬ stand their eradiations under the sun, and lh« ir evolutions into light, hoth which ) are said l>\ those who are skilful in tin se things, to he effective and significant of 1 certain great events. 'To speak therefore of all these particulars, without imitations through the sight, i. e. without organic assistance, uoufd be a vain labour.
After the mathematical theory however, let us survey what i« said hy Plato, philosophically. The dances therefore of souls, are their being inspired with Bacchic mania, and their periods about the intelligible ; and also their intellectual 1 ajiocatastases. For a> Socrates says in the Pluedrns, following their more divine leader, they also are harmoniously moved. But their concursions are their intel¬ lectual perceptions of each other. For all things tlu-re are splendid, they sec each other, and one soul is not ignorant of the concerns of another. 1'arther still, they adapt the forms of themselves, as vestiges and types, to intelligibles which are their paradigms. But the revolutions and advancing motions of tin ir circles, are the conversions trom themselves to intellect, and from intellect again to them¬ selves. For hoth these are effected by them perpetually, and from themselves they know intellect, and from intellect themselves. Their conjunctions also, and diametrical stations, are the unions of each other with the inti lligilde, according to l which tie v are mutually conjoined ; and also their progressions. Fur when they i unjoin the one of themselves to the one of intellect, there is a synod or conjunction of hoth. For in these conjunctions it is necessary that the centres of the things conjoined should be in one right line. But proceeding from thence to the* provi¬ dential inspection of secondary natures, they become situated oppositely to this union. Since however, they subsist always after the same manner, and abide and at the same time proceed, they are connected, and diametrically opposed. But
1 InMrad of x/>r)/inn<r/iov« in fins place, it is nrcr««ary In read * For cnraXq^ctf here, it i» requisite lo read innuaXir^oi,
Tim. Plat. Vol. II. 2 P
PROCLl’S ON THE
[book iv.
the obumbrations of each other , and of us, are the media which are between divine souls and us. For all of them are not immediately united to all, hut some are united to other* through more or fewer media. And their concealments and evolu¬ tions into light, at stated times, are their apocatastases, and the beginnings of period*. For according to these especially, they cause revolutions and mutations in the world, introducing copious corruption*, ami mights changes, a* Plato says in the Republic. To assert therefore, all these particulars, without \ iewmg the imitations of these things which are surveyed about the hear eii*, would be a vain labour. For it is necessary to recur from the phenomena to the reminiscence of invisible natures. For as from these instruments and shadow*, we are enabled to com¬ mence the contemplation of the celestial bodies; thus also from the latter, we recal to our recollection invisible circulations. For the heavens are a medium between generated and intelligible natures.
Since however, Plato s;i \ s, that the figures and motions of the heavenly bodies cause terror, and t.ihibit tokens of future events, to such as are able to discover their signification, it i» requisite to observe, that the\ not only signify future events, but also are tokens of past ev» nfs. lienee also lie makes mention of energies whii h are in themselves preeedaneoiisl) significant. Ilut Theophrastus sns, that in his time,' the theory of the Chaldeans, about these tilings, was most admirable, as it predieted both other particulars, and the life and death of each individual, and not common events only, such as stormy and fair we »th< r. Tor he adds, that ac¬ cording to them, the planet Mercury, when it is seen in winter, signifies cold,* but when in sumin r, excessive heat. In his treatise On Sign* therefore, lie says that they predicted all things, both sin h a* are particular, and such as are common, from the celestial bodies. b.t us however here finish the discussion of the n iture of the \ isi- ble and generated Gods, as what we have said concerning it is sufficient. For the work of science consists in this,* to adapt an appropriate measure to words, and to give them as much extent as may contribute to the proposed theory. This also, Plato does, m what is here said. For in the words before us, he finishes his discussion of the celestial bodies, and starry animals, fur the sake of which he likew ise assumed what he sajs about the earth ; liecause it also produces time, in conjunction with the celestial circulations. Here therefore, the above mentioned particulars are terminated. For here, the consideration of the \ isible and generated Cods, whom we call starry, and in short celestial, is brought by him to an end. He calls them
1 Tor yjxiyov li(rt, lead yj>uvuit.
1 lor y here, »1 u necessary to read
* Instead of tv <ra« tqvtcv, it is requisite to read tv tat rovr^.
TIM^L’S OF PLATO.
however visible, because they are mundane, and ha\e something of sensible* suspended from their intellectual essence ; but generated, as having soul, which he calls the first of generated natures. For they are not visible, according to every thing whi»'h they are; hut there is something which is generated indeed, yet is at the same time invisible.. But that the discussion of the earth w as assumed for the sake of the measured motion of the stars about it, he manifests by directly adding, after what he had said about it, “ And the natures successive to these,'" 1 through which I think, he clearly shows, that his design was to speak about the celestial Gods, and the <renera attendant on them, which sometimes are concealed by the splendors of their leading Gods, and sometimes when they become visible, pro¬ duce terror, and tokens of future events.’ For what is said, is adapted to these, according to an appropriate definition.
“ To speak however, concerning the other dremons, and to know their generation, exceeds our ability.”