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Liber Divinorum Operum (Book of Divine Works)/Book 1 · Liber Divinorum Operum — Pars 1
Chapter 50LDO.1.50

VISIO SECUNDA, cap. XXXIII

The Seven Planets and the Gifts of the Spirit

The seven planets above the image's head signify the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit working across the three ages of salvation history.

For above the head of this image, seven planets are marked, one above the other: three in the aforementioned circle of bright fire, and one also in the circle of black fire subject to it; but three in the circle of pure ether subject to that one — signifying that every human understanding, through the excellence of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit across the three ages of the world, namely before the law, in the law, and in the Gospel.

The Sun of Divine Judgment

The sun in the circle of black fire designates almighty God who overcomes his enemies with just judgment.

The sun, placed also in the circle of black fire subject to it, designates almighty God, who alone fought against his enemies with just judgment and overcame them powerfully.

Trinitarian Worship and the Fruits of Penitence

The three planets in pure ether reveal that the Trinity is worshipped through penitential submission, manifesting in God's judgment, the salvation of souls, and the example of good works.

The three established in the circle of pure ether, however, show that the three persons of the Divinity are to be truly worshipped by humanity in the good affection of pure subjection of penitence — where a person has submitted themselves wholly to God, so that the sun too, marked and distinguished in its own circle by the same order and manner, may appear toward the aforementioned places at his right side and also under his feet. For in the judgment of God, in the salvation of souls, and in the example of good works, these same gifts declare themselves through their showing, as was previously demonstrated in their significances: namely, that God is feared and purely worshipped, and that the judgment of God, the salvation of souls, and the examples of the just are held forth.

A Question About the Rays

A question is posed about the meaning of the three rays proceeding from the first planets in the vision.

What purpose do the three rays of the first planets — seen proceeding from them in this vision — serve, and what is signified both through those planets themselves and through their rays?

Read the original Latin

Super caput enim imaginis hujus septem planetae sursum ab invicem signati sunt, tres in praefato circulo lucidi ignis, unus etiam in subjecto illi circulo nigri ignis; tres autem in subjecto illi circulo puri aetheris, significantes quod omnem intellectum hominis, septem dona Spiritus sancti excellentia per tria tempora mundi, videlicet ante legem, in lege, et in Evangelio. Sol etiam in subjecto illi circulo nigri ignis positus Deum omnipotentem designat, qui solus justo judicio contra inimicos suos pugnavit et eos potenter superavit. Tres autem in subjecto illi circulo puri aetheris constituti demonstrant quod tres personae Divinitatis in bono affectu subjectionis purae poenitentiae homini veraciter colendae sint, ubi homo se totum Deo subjecit, ita ut etiam versus dextrum latus ejus, nec non et sub pedibus ipsius, sol eodem modo ac ordine signatus et distinctus in circulo suo ad praedicta loca appareat, quia in judicio Dei, ac in salute animarum, et in exemplo bonorum operum, eadem dona ipsa exhibitione, ut praemonstratum est, in significationibus suis se declarant, quoniam ut Deus timeatur pureque colatur, judicium Dei salusque animarum ac exempla justorum exhortantur.

Quorsum tres primi planetarum radios, qui in hac visione ex eis procedere cernuntur, dirigant; et quid tam per ipsos planetas, quam per radios eorum designetur.

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