Astra

With a pious voice, self addresses astra in the high place.

Pure luminescence and good spirits of the firmament.

Supercelestial, progeny of Nyx, with far-proceeding illumination.

Refulgent rays permeating ouranos.

Unageing and ever-proceeding fire, the origin of the subjacent.

Self's flames radiate and signify Moira,

Indicating the direction of mortal devotion to the Gods.

Dispersing into seven encircling luminously.

The firmament and the earth, components of Self's luminous frames.

[Frames - made from fitting component parts together according to a plan]

Proceeding with constant vigour, pure fire,

Continual brilliance perforating the veil of Nyx.

Salute radiating delightful fires.

Radiate propitiously on self's just desire.

Delight in this devout initiation rite.

Allow release from self's toil.

Orpheus, Initiation Through Astra, (Aroma Offering),

New English Interpretation after Thomas Taylor, by The Editor of ClassicalPhilosophy.org, Chichester, England, 2025.

For this initiation, I have turned to paraphrase, seeking once more to recapture the spiritual path; yet in doing so, the original hexameter and later rhyme have fallen away. The dramatic intensity of a Homeric narrative style has also been softened, as I believe these changes better capture the essence of the original Orphic initiations.

The editor of Classical Philosophy.org