This paper examines the concept of angelomorphism and magical transformation with reference to ca... more This paper examines the concept of angelomorphism and magical transformation with reference to canonical and non-canonical Christian and Jewish beliefs. Magic, as loosely defined, is the attempt to engage with the world through the imagination or psyche in order to obtain some form of knowledge, benefit, or advantage, while celestial magic engages with the cosmos through stellar, planetary, or celestial symbolism, influences, or intelligences.1 Angelification of an individual is linked to the concept of resurrection, where, in the eschaton, the physical body of the righteous is transformed into a glorious new body fit for eternal life in heaven, regaining its divine likeness and becoming androgynous like an angel. The Hebrew Bible and Merkabah traditions support the possibility of the exceptional transformation of a human being into an angelic entity. Qumran liturgical texts also suggest the formation of an angelomorphic identity among the priesthood. The Christian gospels state tha...
Chapter 1 Approaches to concepts of heaven This dissertation examines concepts of heaven in the e... more Chapter 1 Approaches to concepts of heaven This dissertation examines concepts of heaven in the early history of Western religions and the extent to which themes found in other traditions are found in Christianity. Russell, in A History of Heaven, investigates the origins of the concept of heaven, which he dates at about 200 B.C.E. and observes that heaven, a concept that has shaped much of Christian thought and attitudes, has been strangely neglected by modern historians. 1 Christianity has played a central role in Western civilization and instructs its believers to direct their life in this world with a view to achieving eternal life in the next, as observed by Liebeschuetz. 2 It is of the greatest historical importance that a very large number of people could for many centuries be persuaded to see life in an imperfect visible world as merely a stage in their progress to a world that was perfect but invisible; yet, it has been neglected as a subject for study. Russell notes that H...
This project examines how the layout and orientation of cult sanctuaries (Mithraea) dedicated to ... more This project examines how the layout and orientation of cult sanctuaries (Mithraea) dedicated to the mysteries of the Roman god Mithras reflect the perceptions of the sky of the participants, in the context of archaeoastronomy. Archaeoastronomy is defined as "the study of beliefs and practices concerning the sky in the past, and especially in prehistory, and the uses to which peoples' knowledge of the skies were put"1. Consideration is given to a definition of the mysteries of Mithras. The history of the Mithras cult is outlined, and the significance of Porphyry's De Antro Nympharum is considered in the light of recent scholarship, focusing on contemporary beliefs concerning the significance of directions.2 Four Mithraea sites are examined, two in Carnuntum, Austria and two in situ in Ptuj, Slovenia. Finally, some conclusions are drawn about the location and orientation of these sites
This paper examines the concept of angelomorphism and magical transformation with reference to ca... more This paper examines the concept of angelomorphism and magical transformation with reference to canonical and non-canonical Christian and Jewish beliefs. Magic, as loosely defined, is the attempt to engage with the world through the imagination or psyche in order to obtain some form of knowledge, benefit, or advantage, while celestial magic engages with the cosmos through stellar, planetary, or celestial symbolism, influences, or intelligences.1 Angelification of an individual is linked to the concept of resurrection, where, in the eschaton, the physical body of the righteous is transformed into a glorious new body fit for eternal life in heaven, regaining its divine likeness and becoming androgynous like an angel. The Hebrew Bible and Merkabah traditions support the possibility of the exceptional transformation of a human being into an angelic entity. Qumran liturgical texts also suggest the formation of an angelomorphic identity among the priesthood. The Christian gospels state tha...
Chapter 1 Approaches to concepts of heaven This dissertation examines concepts of heaven in the e... more Chapter 1 Approaches to concepts of heaven This dissertation examines concepts of heaven in the early history of Western religions and the extent to which themes found in other traditions are found in Christianity. Russell, in A History of Heaven, investigates the origins of the concept of heaven, which he dates at about 200 B.C.E. and observes that heaven, a concept that has shaped much of Christian thought and attitudes, has been strangely neglected by modern historians. 1 Christianity has played a central role in Western civilization and instructs its believers to direct their life in this world with a view to achieving eternal life in the next, as observed by Liebeschuetz. 2 It is of the greatest historical importance that a very large number of people could for many centuries be persuaded to see life in an imperfect visible world as merely a stage in their progress to a world that was perfect but invisible; yet, it has been neglected as a subject for study. Russell notes that H...
This project examines how the layout and orientation of cult sanctuaries (Mithraea) dedicated to ... more This project examines how the layout and orientation of cult sanctuaries (Mithraea) dedicated to the mysteries of the Roman god Mithras reflect the perceptions of the sky of the participants, in the context of archaeoastronomy. Archaeoastronomy is defined as "the study of beliefs and practices concerning the sky in the past, and especially in prehistory, and the uses to which peoples' knowledge of the skies were put"1. Consideration is given to a definition of the mysteries of Mithras. The history of the Mithras cult is outlined, and the significance of Porphyry's De Antro Nympharum is considered in the light of recent scholarship, focusing on contemporary beliefs concerning the significance of directions.2 Four Mithraea sites are examined, two in Carnuntum, Austria and two in situ in Ptuj, Slovenia. Finally, some conclusions are drawn about the location and orientation of these sites
Uploads
Papers by Alison Greig
Drafts by Alison Greig