Page:A Collection of Esoteric Writings.djvu/245

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or the 6th principle of the Universe? Does Isis or the law of Karma afflict and rejoice the 6th principle or the spiritual intelligence of the Cosoms. If it does, it requiries no doubt a "range of perception" which the Eastern system "has yet to attain" to comprehend the meaning of this statement. If it does not, the whole arguement is simply worthless. The law of Karma and its influence is as much a manifestation of the energies of the Cosmic 6th principle of every other all in the Universe; and the rejoicings and sufferings of the soul encased in matter do not disprove the real genuine claims of Isis to be rgarded as the spiritual soul of the Cosmos.

I did not say and did not mean to insinuate in my articles that Dr. Kingsford made any incorrect statements as regards Dionysos Zagreus as is now alleged. I simply pointed out in my article that Dionysos as contrasted with Osiris had no place in the Egyptian Pantheon to preclude the possibility of any misconception that might otherwise arise regarding the real position of Osiris from certain passages in the introductory essay: and I must further state now that if Osiris is to be left out of account Dionysos has no correspondence in the Egyptian Pantheon.

The inconsistency pointed out in my article is in no way removed by the explanation now given. I beg to call the readers's attention to the following passages in the introductory essay in this connection.

1. " . . . The incarnation, martyrdom and resuscitation of Dionysos Zagreus."

2. "For, Osiris is the microcosmic sun, the counter-part in the human system of the macrocosmic Dionysos or Son of God. So that these authors who confound Isis with Demeter, equally and quite comprehensibly confound Osiris with Dionysos . . . "

"The Hermetic books admit three expressions of Deity; first, the supreme, abstract, and infinite God, eternally self-subsistent and unmanifest; secondly, the only Begotten, the manifestation of Deity in the universe; thirdly, God in man, the redeemer, or Osiris."

Comparing these various statements with each other we find Dionysos, described as the macrocosmic sun or the only Begotten Son of God manifested in the Universe, undergoing incarnation, martyrdom and resuscitation as if he were the incarnated spirit. It is now asserted that Dionysos represents the spirit or 7th principle, whether macrocosmically or microcosmically. If so, he is identical with Osiris as is virtually admitted. Why then was it stated in the introductory essay that some authors confounded Dionysos with Osiris and Isis with Demeter? If one and the same principle is alike the Logos manifested in the Cosmos and the Logos manifested in man, what foundation is there for the three expressions of Deity above described? If the Greek mysteries