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Phanes and Nyx

Nyx has been considered Phanes mother, wife and daughter. The main Orphic story that is usually considered is that Phanes was first to spring from the World-Egg. Then came Nyx and then other followed. Due to being closely associated with Phanes, there are three aspects to Nyx.

The following is from Proclus commentary on the Plato's Timaeus:

"Phanes comes forth alone, the same is sung of as male and generator, and he leads with him the [three] Nights, and the Father mingles [no ëtically] with the middle one."

Hermeias, in his commentary on Plato's Phaedrus, in turn tells of these three aspects Orpheus has ascribed to her.

"...ascribes to the first the gift of prophesy, but the middle [Night] he calls humility, and the third, he says, gave birth to righteousness."

These refer to Plato? comments on Prudence, Understanding and Righteousness. Humility ties into Understanding due to the belief that "true understanding is always humble or modest".

Proclus' commentary on the Plato's Cratylus declares Nyx as the Mother of the Gods in relation to how Orpheus, whom he quoted, said that Nyx was the "Nurse of the Gods". Due to this all gods and mortals are under her power. Phanes then gives Nyx his scepter. Proclus tells of this.

"Night receives the scepter from the willing hands of Phanes--'he placed his far-famed scepter in the hands of the Goddess Night, that she might have queenly honour.'"

These philosophers have said that Nyx possesses the greatest powers of prophecy due to Phanes. Being his spouse, and he, having creative power to think the universe into being, gives her great foresight for she is "in the secret of his thoughts".

Hermias' commentary on Plato's Phaedrus has the following:

"Orpheus, speaking of Night, tells us that 'he [Phanes] gave her the mantic art that never fails, to have and hold in every way.'"

Book sources:
Orpheus. George Robert Stow Mead. Theosophical Pub. Society. 1896.

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