THE MYTH OF THE ITHYPHALLIC HERMES.
That no doubt was the meaning of those ancient sages who in mysteries and initiations symbolically represented the "ancient Hermes"[95] with the generative organ in erection, to teach that it is intelligible reason that begets sense-objects. On the other hand, these same sages signify the sterility of matter, condemned to perpetual self-identity, by the eunuchs who surround Rhea,[96] making of it the mother of all things, to use the expression they employ in designating the principle that plays the part of substrate.