Is Sophia a Gnostic Goddess?
For those who don't know the myth of Sophia, please go here.
In a sense, Sophia is not a Goddess, or even a God. Sophia is just a manifestation of the Divine. Sophia was not created - simply eminated.
Sophia, to some modern day gnostics, is a Divine Goddess to which we must seek communion with. She is as close to the human image of the Divine as we can ascribe a human image to.
However, this is all myth as well. You miss the meaning in the message if you allow it to become literal interpretation. To put it in terms understandable, Sophia is a metaphor. Literally translated, "Sophia" is Greek for "wisdom." We will also define "wisdom" as "understanding of knowledge."
To tie it all together:
gnosis - experiential knowledge
Sophia - wisdom
wisdom - gnosis understood
So, to look at it as an allegorical account, the myth of Sophia is actually a retelling of the route that wisdom has taken through time. The love of Wisdom, the fall of Wisdom, the abuse of Wisdom, and finally the return of Wisdom. These are the paths that "she" has taken, and it is through this path that we receive understanding of our gnosis today.
While it may appear that gnostics are just another sect of "goddess worshipers," you must also understand that most of the stories are either myth or allegory. To take any of it literally is to miss the point.
It is important to say that Sophia recieved redemption when she returned to the Ultimate Godhead. Therefore, it is to be understood that once gnosis is realized, redemption takes place within.
posted by Joe Daher @ Tuesday, June 13, 2006
6 comments
6 Comments:
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Good writing and noble reason to study these subjects. I enjoyed it! Keep up the good work buddy!
Here's my problem with much of what is said online, and why I feel that uniting Gnostic's is ultimately flawed. It forgets that some Gnostic's don't see Sophia et al as divine beings, but as metaphors.
Of course Sophia is a gnostic goddess; she's THE gnostic goddess as a matter of fact. I think one should be free to see gods and goddesses as personifications;however, when seen real, one should use common sense. This is not after all super heroes and the like. Furthermore, don't forget that for Wiccans and others their personifications can sometimes seem and feel real. That's part of the beauty of it. But they know it isn't real(but the energy is). Many oriental ancient religions also see their gods in this way and so do many hindus.
You are free to think, feel and believe what you like. That's the beauty of it. It's also why unification of the Gnostic 'church' is a flawed concept. Thanks for proving my point. :)
The problem is humans anthropomorphize everything. Why do you thing the "person hood" is so special? And these are impersonal energies personified through the ego. Man always fears and worship that he doesn't understand. Sophia is an allegory of feminine energy. The energy is far more sacred then the human personification of a "divine" being. Because man is giving his/her meaning to it.
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