From the book
Marsilio Ficino’s Platonic Theology, Volume I
Marsilio Ficino · Diotimos Editions · 2026
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At a Glance
- The wordSol is the sun, Mercurius here the celestial Mercury, and luna the moon.
- In the Platonic TheologyFicino presents one source of light and two modes of receiving it.
- In this editionThe English “in a moment” and “over time” correspond to momento and tempore.
- A place to readThe complete example distinguishes the common source, two receivers, and explicit correspondences.
Meaning
Sol is the sun, Mercurius here the celestial Mercury, and luna the moon. Infundere pours in or imparts; vicissitudo is alternation. Plenissimus describes complete fullness, not merely a large quantity.
Use in the book
Ficino presents one source of light and two modes of receiving it. The sun gives its light immediately. Mercury receives it all at once and remains full; the moon receives differently as it turns, producing alternation through its own nature. He makes the correspondences explicit: sun signifies God, Mercury angel, and moon soul. What he says of Mercury is then extended to stars above the moon. The point is the different receptive mode, which allows soul to receive a divine gift and yet have changing operation from its own nature. The passage’s celestial claims must remain those of the historical model. Its use of Mercury does not refer to Mercury Trismegistus, cited as an authority elsewhere, and it does not establish contemporary planetary optics.
Selected annotated passages.
Places to read
- III.1.32The complete example distinguishes the common source, two receivers, and explicit correspondences.
Translation in this edition
The English “in a moment” and “over time” correspond to momento and tempore. Replacing the astronomical account with a modern correction inside the exposition would erase the example; affirming it without attribution would mislead. The stated analogical roles, rather than observational accuracy, explain the passage’s function.
Mercurius — planet
Mercurius — planet. Printed forms: Mercurium; Mercurius.
Mercury as celestial receiver of sunlight. Here Mercury signifies angel; the name does not designate the Hermetic author cited elsewhere. References: III.1.32. See Sun, Mercury and moon.
sol / luna
sol / luna. Printed forms: luna; Luna; lunam; Sol.
Sun / moon. The sun signifies God and the moon soul in the expressly stated analogy of differing reception. The astronomy is Ficino’s model. References: III.1.32. See Sun, Mercury and moon.
vicissitudo
vicissitudo. Printed forms: vicissitudine.
Alternation or changing succession. The moon’s varying reception represents soul’s successive operation despite a stable higher gift. References: III.1.32. See Sun, Mercury and moon.
Alternation or successive exchange. Celestial motion is said to illuminate and foster the elemental globe equally on every side. References: IV.2.20. See Circularity and return.