Archons

The Gnostic texts describe a class of beings called archons. The word comes from Greek, meaning “rulers” or “authorities.” They’re the powers that govern the material world under the direction of the Demiurge. This might sound like ancient mythology irrelevant to modern life. But the archons describe something you experience every day. Who Are the Archons? According to texts like the Apocryphon of John and the Hypostasis of the Archons, the archons were created by the Demiurge to help administer the material cosmos. They’re associated with the seven classical planets, each governing a sphere through which the soul descends at birth and must ascend at death. ...

Introduction Archons represent a complex and multifaceted concept that intertwines religious, mythological, and psychological elements. Rooted in ancient Gnosticism, these entities embody more than mere theological abstractions. They reflect deeper truths about cosmic and inner spiritual forces. This article explores their origins, historical significance, and contemporary interpretations, drawing connections between external cosmic dominion and internal psychological processes. Origins and Gnosticism Within Gnostic tradition, Archons functioned as powerful intermediaries between supreme divinity and the material world. Gnosticism posited a dualistic universe: a spiritual realm of light opposed to a material realm of darkness. In this framework, Archons served as rulers or guardians of the physical domain. ...