The Enchanted Initiate
A Journal of Traditional Symbolism, Hermeticism & the Occult Sciences

Basilides

Basilides was a significant figure in the early Gnostic movement, known for laying the foundational teachings that would later be expanded upon by Valentinus. He was an early Christian gnostic who posited that the universe was divinely organized. Basilides believed in the concept of Abraxas, a deity that combined multiple divine attributes, reflecting a complex and intricate theological framework central to his teachings.

Concordance & Cross-References

Primary Correspondences & Figures

Basilides formulated the concept of Abraxas, a composite symbol representing the Supreme Being

Basilides was influenced by Simon Magus's teachings and used similar concepts in his own school of Gnosticism

Basilides was a key figure in the early formation of Gnostic teachings that influenced later developments

Mediate Correspondences

Sympathetic Chains & Distant Affinities

BasilidesthroughAbraxasilluminatesPythagoras →
I. Basilides & Abraxas

Basilides formulated the concept of Abraxas, a composite symbol representing the Supreme Being

II. Abraxas & Pythagoras

Abraxas, a Gnostic pantheos, is explained using a system closely related to the Pythagorean theory of number, suggesting a connection between the two.

BasilidesthroughGnosticismilluminatesKybalion →
I. Basilides & Gnosticism

Basilides was a key figure in the early formation of Gnostic teachings that influenced later developments

II. Gnosticism & Kybalion

The Kybalion and Gnosticism share a significant philosophical connection, both drawing from Hermetic principles that emphasize direct knowledge and understanding as fundamental aspects of their teachings. The Kybalion, a text believed to embody Hermetic teachings from ancient Egypt, and the broader Gnostic tradition, which flourished in various forms across different cultures and time periods, both explore themes of inner wisdom and spiritual insight. These philosophical systems assert that true understanding and enlightenment can be achieved through direct, intuitive knowledge rather than merely through external dogma or instruction. This shared emphasis on direct knowledge aligns the Hermetic philosophy encapsulated in The Kybalion with Gnostic beliefs, highlighting a common thread in their pursuit of spiritual truth and personal enlightenment.

BasilidesthroughGnosticismilluminatesHermetic Teachings →
I. Basilides & Gnosticism

Basilides was a key figure in the early formation of Gnostic teachings that influenced later developments

II. Gnosticism & Hermetic Teachings

Hermetic Teachings and Gnosticism are both spiritual traditions with similar goals of achieving direct knowledge

BasilidesthroughGnosticismilluminatesHermetic Philosophy →
I. Basilides & Gnosticism

Basilides was a key figure in the early formation of Gnostic teachings that influenced later developments

II. Gnosticism & Hermetic Philosophy

Hermetic Philosophy and Gnosticism both explore similar themes of direct knowledge and inner spiritual understanding

BasilidesthroughGnosticismilluminatesNeo-platonism →
I. Basilides & Gnosticism

Basilides was a key figure in the early formation of Gnostic teachings that influenced later developments

II. Gnosticism & Neo-platonism

Both schools emphasized the importance of spiritual or abstract knowledge in understanding reality

BasilidesthroughSimon MagusilluminatesGnostics →
I. Basilides & Simon Magus

Basilides was influenced by Simon Magus's teachings and used similar concepts in his own school of Gnosticism

II. Simon Magus & Gnostics

Simon Magus is often associated with the origin of Gnosticism, being its likely founder.

BasilidesthroughAbraxasilluminatesDemiurgus →
I. Basilides & Abraxas

Basilides formulated the concept of Abraxas, a composite symbol representing the Supreme Being

II. Abraxas & Demiurgus

The concept of Abraxas was created by Basilides and used to describe the Demiurgus, the creator of the lower worlds

BasilidesthroughSimon MagusilluminatesSt. Peter →
I. Basilides & Simon Magus

Basilides was influenced by Simon Magus's teachings and used similar concepts in his own school of Gnosticism

II. Simon Magus & St. Peter

Simon Magus and St. Peter had conflicting beliefs, and St. Peter allegedly outperformed Simon in a spiritual contest.

BasilidesthroughSimon MagusilluminatesPleroma →
I. Basilides & Simon Magus

Basilides was influenced by Simon Magus's teachings and used similar concepts in his own school of Gnosticism

II. Simon Magus & Pleroma

Simon Magus's teachings are described as emanating from the pleroma, suggesting a deep connection.

BasilidesthroughAbraxasilluminatesLuminous Pentagram
I. Basilides & Abraxas

Basilides formulated the concept of Abraxas, a composite symbol representing the Supreme Being

II. Abraxas & Luminous Pentagram

ABRAXAS is symbolized by the luminous pentagram, a key alchemical symbol