134 HERMES TPJSMEGISTUS. 



the Zodiac and defining it, carried along with the planets 

 both to equalize its power with the r progression (a) of the 

 Universe in contrariwise to the Seven ; and to hold 

 back (&) the comprehending body ; for it l would have 

 been last in the course, it by itself in the effect (c). But 

 to accelerate the Seven other circles because of their being 

 moved with a slower motion than the circle of the 

 Universe. 2 For necessity is there that they should be 

 moved as that of the Universe. 



Let us understand then of them that they are stationed 

 around (d) the Seven and the circle of the Universe, or 

 rather of all things that are in the World, as if it were 

 guardians; keeping together all things, and maintaining 

 the good order of all of them. 



Asclepius. For so I understand, Father ! from what 

 thou sayest. 



Hermes. But understand further, Tat ! that they are 

 also unaffected (e) by those things which the other stars 

 suffer. For neither kept back in their course do they stop, 

 nor hindered do they retreat, nor are they enveloped with 

 the light of the Sun which the other stars experience, but 

 being free up above all things as watchful guardians and 

 overseers of the Universe they encompass the Universe in 

 the day and night. 



Asclepius. Whether then also do these, Father! 

 possess energy as to us? 



Hermes. The very greatest, O Child ! For if they ener- 

 gize upon those, how not also upon us, both as to each one 

 and in common. . . . Thus, Child ! of all the things 

 happening universally (/), in the energy is from these; 

 such as (understand what I say) revolutions of kingdoms, 



(a) iffctivvKjuelv TYI Qopoi. (b) eire%ttv. (c) tv ru 



(rf) Vip liar 0,060,1. (e} dKo-Qtig. (/) 



1 i.e., The Zodiac. 



2 See as to this Poemandres, ch. ii. 6. As explained there and else- 

 where, Plato as well as Hermes believed the KoV^o? to be in the Form 

 of a Sphere, and that the outer Periphery controlled the motions of 

 the planetary circles. 



