Sophia ("Wisdom"), also called "the Sophia"
with the article, is the Gnostic Great Mother or in Greek,
meter. She is the Goddess of Heaven and the Mother
of the Stars and the Hebdomas, the Seven powers who created
the world. They are sometimes called "angels" but are of ambiguous
character, since in Gnostic belief this material world is
thought to be a lesser emanation of the divine world, filled
with hostile and evil powers. The Seven find their antecedants
in the seven "planets" of Babylonian belief.
Gnosis means "deep knowledge" or "spiritual understanding",
and was usually understood by the Gnostics to mean "revelation".
Our word "know" has its roots in "gnosis". The Gnostics were
an early mystic sect who existed prior to Christianity, but
who were much influenced by it later. In the early centuries
of the current era it presented serious competition for the
mainstream Church. The new orthodox Church that developed
in response rejected Gnosticism and its writings, which included
the Gospels of Thomas, Phillip, and Mary
Magdalene.
Sophia is considered one of the Aeons, Angels of Manifested
Thought, who created all things. She is the mother of Sophia-achamoth
(who represents astral light), Enthumesis ("Consideration"
or "Esteem") and the Elohim ("the Gods").
With Phronesia ("Purpose" or "Practical Wisdom")
and Dynamis ("Power") She created the Angels and
the Principalities (the Higher Angels). Called the Spirit
of God, She is also sometimes said to be His mother, and some
call Her the Bride of Christ.
She is represented here as all-seeing Wisdom.
Hagia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom in Constantinople,
now Istanbul (not Constantinople--it's been a long time gone),
was built by the Emperor Constantine in honor of Her and remains
one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.
Sophia in a reading indicates wisdom and creativity, intelligence
and divine inspiration. This kind of wisdom is able to understand
and listen with compassion to differing viewpoints, and sort
out the truth between them. This divine knowing is also able
to comprehend paradox and the idea that two opposite points
of view may both be the truth.
Other names: Sophia Prunikos
