Sethian Practice
"Many of the Sethian texts contain allusions to rituals, especially a baptismal rite often called the Five Seals. Although some of these allusions could be understood as referring to an otherworldly mystical experience rather than a literal water ritual, others are most naturally understood as references to a physical ritual practiced by a sectarian group with its own social organization and communal identity."
- John D. Turner
"In the first part of the tractate, Zostrianos recounts how, while meditating, he is visited by "the angel of knowledge," who invites Zostrianos to accompany him on an ascent through the heavens."
- Birger A. Pearson
"What should Gnostic prayer be? A call to the self, perhaps, to wake up, in order to be made free by the Gnosis."
- Harold Bloom
The religious and spiritual practice of the early Sethian Gnostics is well poised for resurgence in our complicated age, it is highly personal, mystical, and firmly rooted in ancient mythology.
Just like our current time period, the first few centuries of the Common Era were a time of spiritual and cultural experimentation, learning, and blending. The area of Alexandria was witnessing a merger of Judaic, Platonic, and Christian ideas and practices. Some of these spiritual seekers, now recognized as Sethians, were assembling a creative, syncretic blend of religion that became highly adaptable to innovative spiritual discoveries. We believe their practices can be adapted for today's use.
- Baptism in Light -
Baptism is the first of the Sethian sacraments. These early Gnostics developed a unique form of baptism to initiate its members into a spiritually focused lifestyle that prioritized Gnosis. These ancient "seekers" yearned to surpass the mundane world and know God in a deeply personal manner.
April D. DeConick defines Gnosis in The Thirteenth Apostle:
“This form of “knowing” is what they called ‘gnosis.’ This gnosis is not an intellectual knowledge, but knowledge by acquaintance – as in ‘getting to know’ someone through an interpersonal relationship. This relationship is what changes us, they thought. It transforms us, they argued, and transfigures us. The God-Self relationship – gnosis – was an experience of transcendence, moving us from a state of separation, from the sinful mortal condition, to an eternal spiritual body and life united with God.”
-Meditation, Contemplation -
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- Prayer, Rhythmic Chant, Praise -
As they incorporated Christianity and Platonism into their worldview, they advanced a sacramental form of meditation and contemplation that helped one reach an ecstatic ascent to the Divine. This ritual also appears to have fully utilized prayer, chanting, and the singing of hymns as part of this practice.
- Repentance & Psycho-Spiritual Inquiry -
Similar to the Hebrew term teshuvah, Gnostic repentance can be viewed as a return to our relationship, or acquaintance, with God. Just as Sophia repented and returned to the Pleroma for help, we, too, can identify where we have, once again, become ignorant of Divine pursuits and return our "hearts and minds" to God. We all know that our culture offers many distractions and false gods that can lure us into poor discernment and an inflated egoism. Maintaining this Divine relationship takes hard work.
- Jewish Magic -
There is ample textual evidence to confirm that magic was commonly practiced during the formative years of Sethianism. Influenced specifically by Jewish magical practices, the use of amulets, talismans, words of power, magic bowls, and spells has been an integral aspect of Sethian practice throughout its various phases. Whether magic works to transform the outer world or an individual's consciousness, it can be a powerful tool in the quest for Gnosis.
- Alchemy & Astrology -
The oldest known recorded texts on alchemy were written by Zosimos, an Alexandrian Gnostic from about 300CE, who has been recognized as the father of Greek alchemy. His writings were heavily influenced by the Sethian and Hermetic myths. The Gospel of Judas is an excellent example of a Sethian understanding of the Astrological influences on our lives.
- Dreams & Visions -
Apocalyptic Judaism was the foundation for Sethian Gnosticism, therefore the spiritual importance of dreams, visions, and imagery traces back to our earliest days. Gnostics continue to place special value on these Divine moments when the veil between the worlds is penetrated. A Jungian approach is often utilized.
- Service -
"Fighting the powers" is an oft repeated theme in Sethian literature. Whether the archons are external, as in faulty systems, or internal, as with personal addictions, they create much pain and suffering. Helping others overcome these powers can often precipitate further spiritual awakening.
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