The Demiurge & The Archons

 

The cosmos is divided into two realms: the Pleroma (the divine realm of light and pure spirituality) and the Kenoma (the realm of emptiness, darkness, and material existence). The Pleroma is the realm of the true God and the divine emanations (Aeons), while the Kenoma is the world created by the Demiurge, who is typically portrayed as a lesser, flawed god or cosmic architect.

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The Archons are subservient to the Demiurge, and they are often depicted as tyrannical rulers who govern the material world and prevent souls from returning to the divine realm. They are seen as the rulers of the physical universe, acting as gatekeepers who impose ignorance, suffering, and illusion upon humanity. The Archons are typically portrayed as malevolent forces who want to keep humans trapped in the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth in the material world, preventing them from achieving spiritual enlightenment.

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The Demiurge

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When Sophia attempted to emanate without her co-partner Syzygy, the Demiurge came into existence, who in turn brings about the creation of materiality. The Demiurge has many names, and among them are Yaldabaoth, Yahweh, Saklas, and Samael. He was also known as Rex Mundi (King of the World) and sometimes conflated with Satan.

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In the Apocryphon of John, the Demiurge declares that he has made the world by himself:

 

"Now the Archon ["ruler"] who is weak has three names. The first name is Yaldabaoth, the second is Saklas ["fool"], and the third is Samael ["blind god"]. And he is impious in his arrogance which is in him. For he said, 'I am God and there is no other God beside me,' for he is ignorant of his strength, the place from which he had come".

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The Demiurge is often depicted as a (sometimes winged) serpent with a lion's head. This creature is exiled outside the Pleroma; in isolation, and thinking itself alone, it believed that he is the Creator God. It then created the material world.

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​For clarification purposes, let us call the "God" of the Bible as "The Demiurge" to differentiate from the Monad being the "True God".​

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The Archons

​The Demiurge created the Archons, in an unconscious attempt mirroring the Monad & the Aeons.

​The Demiurge created the Archons for the sole purpose of serving him, and to control the material world. The Archons are also known as Powers and Principalities, tasked with keeping the souls trapped in the rmaterial realm.

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The Demiurge was later became known to the world as "God" (of the Bible) and the Archons were known as "angels".

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​The Demiurge and his Archons then created the first Man in the form of a golem. ​Angelic beings were subsequently tricked into entering the golem bodies with the promise of material pleasures, unknowing to them that the price would be decay & death, and also forgetting their spiritual origins.

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The Demiurge and the Archons later raped Eve, and thus Abel & Cain were born.

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​The Archonic Hebdomad

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In several Gnostic texts (especially those found in the Nag Hammadi Library), the Archonic Hebdomad describes the cosmic rulers who:

• Govern the seven classical planets

• Control fate and material existence

• Keep human souls trapped in the physical realm

 

These archons are subordinate to the Demiurge, the flawed or ignorant creator-god who fashioned the material universe.

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The Archonic Hebdomad refers to the seven archons (rulers) who govern the seven planetary spheres of the material world.

• Archonic → relating to archons (from Greek archōn, meaning “ruler”).

• Hebdomad → a group of seven.

 

So the Archonic Hebdomad literally means “the seven ruling archons.”

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Beyond the Hebdomad lies:

• The Ogdoad (eighth realm)

• The Pleroma (fullness of divine aeons)

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The Seven Archons

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The chief ruler is the Demiurge—often called Yaldabaoth—a lion-faced serpent figure. He generates subordinate archons who help construct and govern the material cosmos.

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• Yaldabaoth (chief ruler)

• Iao

• Sabaoth

• Adonaios

• Elaios

• Astaphanos

• Horaios

 

These names echo distorted forms of divine titles, suggesting parody or corruption of higher divine realities.
 

In many systems (with variations), the seven correspond to the classical planets known in antiquity:

1. Moon

2. Mercury

3. Venus

4. Sun

5. Mars

6. Jupiter

7. Saturn

 

Each planetary sphere was believed to act as a barrier the soul must pass through after death to return to the divine realm (the Pleroma).

The Archonic Hebdomad can manifest in the following forms:

• Cosmic forces governing material reality

• Psychological forces binding human consciousness

• Astrological influences shaping destiny

• Spiritual obstacles to enlightenment

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The Soul’s Ascent Through the Hebdomad

 

In many Gnostic systems, enlightenment means:

1. Awakening to one’s divine origin

2. Escaping ignorance imposed by the archons

3. Passing upward through the seven spheres

4. Entering the Ogdoad (the eighth realm beyond fate)

5. Returning to the divine fullness (Pleroma)

 

Each sphere strips away a layer of worldly attachment—sometimes symbolized as removing garments, passions, or planetary influences.

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Each sphere can also be interpreted symbolically:

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Planet    Archonic Aspect       Psychological Reading     7 Deadly Sins

Sun          Ego-identity                False selfhood                     Pride

Saturn     Control & Limitation   Fear & mortality                  Greed

Jupiter    Authority                      Dogma & belief systems    Sloth

Moon      Instinct & Habit           Emotional conditioning      Gluttony

Mercury  Thought                       Mental distraction               Envy

Venus      Desire                           Attachment & pleasure      Lust

Mars        Aggression                  Conflict impulse                  Wrath

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​In this view, “ascending past the Hebdomad” means freeing consciousness from these forces.

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The Seven Deadly Sins

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1. Pride (Superbia)

Excessive self-importance or self-exaltation.
Traditionally considered the original and most serious sin.

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2. Greed (Avarice)

Insatiable desire for wealth or possessions.

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3. Lust (Luxuria)

Disordered desire for sexual pleasure.

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4. Envy (Invidia)

Resentment of others’ success or blessings.

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5. Gluttony (Gula)

Overindulgence in food, drink, or consumption.

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6. Wrath (Ira)

Uncontrolled anger or hatred.

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7. Sloth (Acedia)

Spiritual laziness, apathy, or neglect of duty.
Originally meant a deep inner despair or resistance to spiritual growth.

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The 12 Archons

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The 12 Archons in Gnostic cosmology are powerful spiritual beings who serve the Demiurge, preventing souls from attaining gnosis and returning to the divine realm. They are often described as oppressive and tyrannical rulers of the material world, ensuring that the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth continues for humanity. These Archons are considered to be significant obstacles to spiritual liberation, and the path to enlightenment involves overcoming their influence and transcending the material world they govern.

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In some traditions, the 12 Archons are seen as a representation of the cosmic forces that keep human souls bound to the illusion of the physical world, while the goal of Gnosticism is to break free from their grip and attain knowledge of the divine truth.

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