Gnostic Glossary: Greek Lexicon

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From Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos, “original, ancient”). Compare with Arche (/ˈɑːrki/; Ancient Greek: ἀρχή; “beginning”, “origin” or “source of action”) + Chaos (Ancient Greek: χάος, romanized: kháos), the void, the Absolute. In alchemy, archeus refers to the vital principle or force that presides over the growth and continuation of living beings; the anima mundi or malleable power of the alchemists and philosophers.

From Ancient Greek ἀρχαῖος (arkhaîos, “original, ancient”). Compare with Arche (/ˈɑːrki/; Ancient Greek: ἀρχή; “beginning”, “origin” or “source of action”) + Chaos (Ancient Greek: χάος, romanized: kháos), the void, the Absolute. In alchemy, archeus refers to the vital principle or force that presides over the growth and continuation of living beings; the anima mundi or malleable power of the alchemists and philosophers.

“There has been an infinite confusion of names to express one and the same thing. The chaos of the ancients; the Zoroastrian sacred fire, or the Antusbyrum of the Parsees; the Hermes-fire; the Elmes-fire of the ancient Germans; the lightning of Cybele; the burning torch of Apollo; the flame on the altar of Pan; the inextinguishable fire in the temple on the Acropolis, and in that of Vesta; the fire-flame of Pluto’s helm; the brilliant sparks on the hats of the Dioscuri, on the Gorgon head, the helm of Pallas, and the staff of Mercury; the πυρ ασβεστον the Egyptian Phtha, or Ra; the Grecian Zeus Cataibates (the descending); the pentecostal fire-tongues; the burning bush of Moses; the pillar of fire of the Exodus, and the “burning lamp” of Abram; the eternal fire of the “bottomless pit”; the Delphic oracular vapors; the Sidereal light of the Rosicrucians; the AKASA of the Hindu adepts; the Astral light of Eliphas Levi; the nerve-aura and the fluid of the magnetists; the od of Reichenbach; the fire-globe, or meteor-cat of Babinet; the Psychod and ectenic force of Thury; the psychic force of Sergeant Cox and Mr. Crookes; the atmospheric magnetism of some naturalists; galvanism; and finally, electricity, are but various names for many different manifestations, or effects of the same mysterious, all-pervading cause–the Greek Archeus, or Αρχαιοσ.” – HP Blavatsky, Isis Unveiled

Beginning or Origin

Arche is an interesting word. We find a lot of other words that come from it such as Archangel, which is a principle or chief angel, an original angel, an angel that is emanating that Arch. In other words, an Archangel is superior to that of a regular Angel because it has fully or more developed that Arche, that original activity, it is closer to that origin.

There is also a word used a lot called Archetype. Archetype means a primordial mold. An archetype is like a blueprint for something that must be developed within our self. We have these potential connections, like I said prior, our soul is connected to our spirit and our spirit is connected to Christ, and Christ is manifested in many different archetypes, many different ways in which the light is formed.