A Gnostic Glossary


Aeons: inhabitants of the Pleroma


Archons: evil rulers of this world


Alien: 1) the unknown high God; 2) the gnostic; 3) that which does not belong here


Awakening: effect of gnostic call


Beyond, the Other World: The Pleroma


Dwelling or House: 1) this world; 2) the body


Egypt: The material world


Fall, sinking, capture: 1) pre-cosmic fall of divine principle; 2) the gnostic fate without gnosis


Forlornness, dread, homesickness: gnostic longing for realm of Light


Gnosis: (saving) knowledge


Heavenly garment: pneumatic self


Hyle: Matter (irredeemably evil)


Impure garment: body


Numbness, sleep, or intoxication: ignorant state in this world


Pleroma: "fullness". The realm of Light; the gnostic heaven


Pneumatic: the spiritual elect; the divine spark


Race of Seth: Gnostic elect


Sophia: 1)Last aeon in the pleroma; 2) the Mother or female divine principle


Psychic: people of mixed hylic/pneumatic nature


Sea or Water: World of darkness into which the divine has sunk; forces of chaos


Serpent: 1) bringer of wisdom or 2) forces of chaos, evil principle: "The outer darkness is a huge serpent whose tail is in its mouth