Three Books of Occult Philosophy · 175 of 186

Book III, Ch. 54: Of cleanness, and how to be observed

We must therefore first observe cleanness in food, in works, in affections, and to put away all filthiness, and perturbations of the mind, and whatsoever sense or spirit that offends, and whatsoever things are in mind unlike to the heavens, not only if they be in mind and spirit, but also if they be in the body, or about the body: for such an externall cleanness is beleeved not to help a litde to the purity of the mind. For this cause the Pythagorian Philosophers being taken with the desire of Oracles, divine praises being celebrated, did wash themselves in a river as in a bath, & did put on white rayment and linen; for they did account wooll a prophane clothing being the excrements of beasts, and they did inhabit in a pure chamber, and altogether unspotted. In like manner the Bragmanni [Brahmans], the wise men of the Indians were wont to wash themselves naked in a fountain, which is called Dirce in Beotia, their heads being first annointed with amber drops, and odours fit for that purpose; then after they were according to custome sufficiently clean, they were to go forth about noon, clothed in white linen, with a white attire, having rings on their fingers and staves in their hands. In like manner amongst the Gymnosophists it was a custom to wash themselves thrice in a day, and twice in the night, in cold water, before they entred into the holy places. They did also every day use linen garments every day newly washed. We read also of the manner of this kind of washing in Hesiod in his books of works and dayes, where he sings, None dare with hands unwashed unto Jove Wine pour forth, nor unto the gods above; For then they do refuse for to be heard, Though being pray’d unto ----- And elswhere, When wicked men the rivers do passe by With hands unwash’d, then are the gods angry With them, and them afflict ----- Hence in Virgil, Aeneas thus speaks to his father, O Father, take the household gods, and hold Them in thy sacred hands; to be so bold As them to handle after so great fights I dare not till that washed in streams most bright. It was also a custom amongst the Gentiles, when they were wont to perform any holy services to the gods, to cleanse their bodies by washing; and when they were to contend with the infernall gods, sprinkling only did suffice. Hence in Virgil, Dido, when she did perform any solemnities to the gods, saith, Cause that my sister Ann (my nurse most dear:) Come, and my body wash with water clear. And in another place where Aeneas is brought in amongst the infernals bringing a bough to Proserpina, he sings thus, The passage doth Aeneas keep, and wash His body with fresh water ----- Also when he relates of Misenas to be buried, he sings, His friends he thrice did wash with water new, And with an Olive branch, wett in the dew, He did them sprinkle ----- Now man being made thus clean becomes celestiall, and spirituall, and is fitted for the sight of and union with God, whilest he ministers to God with a clean body, and pure mind, and delights in the cleanness of all things, as inwards, skin, garments, houses, utensils, oblations, gifts, and sacrifices; the cleanness of all which even purifies the air, and attracts the most pure influence of celestiall, and divine things, and allures the pure ministers of God, and good Demons: although sometimes impure spirits, and ill Demons, as the apes of the good Demons, take upon them this kind of cleanness, that either they may be adored, or may deceive: therefore first of all we must observe that the mind be pure, and the heart pure, and then the impure powers cannot ascend.