Author Archives: Richard Emerson

The Rings of Angelic Beings

Here’s the moment when the Pilgrim looks at the source of the Divine in the Deep of Motion, and sees the nine rings of Angelic Beings: there came showers of light from all the fiery rings, like molten iron in … Continue reading

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The First Mover, and Time

From the moment we leave the Fixed Stars and enter into the First Mover, the poetry changes from deep theology to pure philosophy about motion, the universe, and Time. And the whole sphere is pure motion: “The parts of this, … Continue reading

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Motion

The last step before the Empyrean is the source of Motion itself, the First Mover. It might be helpful to remember the Greek definition of nature, or physis; “the underlying force (or source) of motion and change.” Motion is thus … Continue reading

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Reflections on Paradiso

Reading the Paradiso for the third, and now fourth time, has been a fully different experience from the first journey through the spheres up to the Empyrean. The narrative seems even less structured than in the other two books, which … Continue reading

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Dante’s thoughts of the New Papacy around 1300

Towards the boundary of the material cosmos, and right before entering the Eternal Mind of the Divine, Dante sums up his thoughts about Pope Boniface VIII through the voice of St. Peter – the first Pope: He who on earth … Continue reading

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Beauty in Arts, Nature, and the Mystery

Here is the passage where Dante compares beauty in arts or in nature, with the spiritual beauty within oneself, of the Divine Mysteries: And all that art and nature can contrive to lure the eye and thus possess the mind, … Continue reading

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Adam in Paradiso

Here are the words from Adam to the Pilgrim in Paradiso – as to why they were metaphorically expelled from the Garden of Eden: Know now, my son, the tasting of the tree was not itself the cause of such … Continue reading

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The Definition of Hope

In the second examination the Pilgrim has to define “Hope”. His answer is: “Hope is sure expectancy of future bliss to be inherited – the holy fruit of the Divine’s own grace and man’s precedent worth.” He then says it … Continue reading

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The Definition of Faith

In the first of the three examinations for the Pilgrim in Paradiso he has to define “Faith.” His answer is: “Faith is the substance of those hoped-for things, and argument for things we have not seen.” And the reason that … Continue reading

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The Inner Circle of the Sun

Here are the 12 people that Dante puts in the inner circle of the Sun, the 4th Sphere: St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Albertus Magnus, Aquinas’ Teacher. (1193/1206 – 1208) Graziano  (c.1075/80 – 1146/47) Peter Lombard (c.1100 – 1160) Solomon (c.970BC … Continue reading

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Morning!

Wednesday morning, and the latest reading of Dante’s Paradiso is slowing sinking in with great new discoveries from the very last pages. How Dante is making the point of what could be the deepest question and mystery to ponder, about … Continue reading

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Good morning!

Good coffee, and summer days! 😊☕️🌇

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Examination by St. Peter, St. James and St. John

In the final steps before the Empyrean, the Pilgrim needs to show a deeper understanding of the theological virtues of Faith, Hope, and Love – which then brings him closer to the Divine Light in the Highest Heaven. And then … Continue reading

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The Constellations

In the 8th Sphere of Paradiso, Dante suddenly arrives in the Constellation of his Birth, the Gemini. From there we can look back all the way down to Earth, and on the seven spheres that Beatrice has helped “put beneath … Continue reading

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The Contemplatives

In the opening of the Sphere of the Mystics, the Pilgrim is once again focusing exclusively on theology and the beauty of the divine mystery: “By now I had my eyes fixed once again upon my lady’s face, and with … Continue reading

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