“And to be entangled by the Dimiourgic God [Jupiter], who, determining (reward) for all in conformity with merit, both to the wheel of destiny and generation, which, according to Orpheus, we are unable to escape without the favor of the Gods:
‘In which Jupiter enjoined
to free the human souls from the circle (of births) and lift them from misery.’ ”
Simplicius, Commentary On the Heavens
Liberation is to become united with God. This is called Henosis which literally means Unity or Oneness. Jupiter has ordained that through our merit and spiritual work we will all escape the realm of suffering and rebirth.
The goal of all philosophy is to prepare us for this spiritual liberation. Philosophy cannot take us all the way there but it is our guide along the way. Ultimately, liberation is achieved through our relentless spiritual practice and piety.
The one salvation of the soul herself, which is extended by the Demiurgus [Jupiter], and which liberates her from the circle of generation, from abundant wandering, and an inefficacious life, is her return to the intellectual [spiritual] form, and a flight from every thing which naturally adheres to us from generation.
Proclus, Commentary on Timaeus
This liberation is to become like God as much as possible. We are united but still remain distinctly ourselves. It is not like a drop of water joining the ocean but rather being united to the Divine as much as possible.
Everything longs for its parent and loves it, especially when parent and offspring are alone; but when the parent is the highest good (God), the offspring is necessarily with him and separate from him only in otherness.
Plotinus, V:1:6
Liberation is separate from the realms of the afterlife which are temporary resting places between incarnations. Liberation elevates the soul into the chorus of the Gods and we end the need to incarnate on earth at all.
Liber Pater
‘Though all things by the Father Jove (Jupiter) were form’d,
Yet their completion they to Bacchus (Liber) owe;’
“this also must be said of the junior Gods, viz. that they give perfection to the fabrication, which the Father constituted by intellection itself; just as the [Chaldean] Oracle likewise says (Kroll De oraculis Chaldaicis 46),
‘These things the Father understood, and the mortal nature became animated for him.’
Proclus, Commentary on Timaeus
The God Liber is essential to our work to transcend the realm of generation. Liber is known by other names such as Zagreus, Bacchus and Dionysos. He is given power over reincarnation by his Father, Jupiter, and as his name suggests has control over Liberation. His name literally means, The Free One.
Jupiter establishes Liber as the heir to the heavenly throne. This is because Liber is fated to complete what his father Jupiter has started. “Having completed the cycle of time” we all return to God and achieve Divine union. This is not the end of time itself but the end of our cycle of rebirths. Liber presides over the completion of the cycle and helps souls reach their final end.
…and Bacchus (Liber) who is the last king of the Gods receives the kingdom from Jupiter. For the Father (Jupiter) establishes him in the royal throne, puts into his hand the sceptre, and makes him the king of all the mundane Gods:
‘Hear me ye Gods, I place over you a king.’
“says Jupiter to the junior Gods“
Proclus, Commentary on Timaeus
Liber gave the rites of religion and spiritual practice to man so that we could find our way back to God. It is through our worship and devotion to Liber that we are granted a fulfillment of the promise set by Jupiter for our liberation. Our worship of other Gods is made possible by the work of Liber. Ritual, prayer and meditation are three actions that can lead us upward but they are ultimately activated by the three virtues of philosophic purification.
it is necessary… to propose the virtues which, from creation, purify and lead (back to God),
“…Faith, Truth and Love,”
That praiseworthy triad
“For all things are governed and exist in these three (virtues)” says the oracle
For this reason, the Gods counsel the [spiritual seeker] to unite themselves to God by means of this Triad.
Proclus, Quoting Chaldean Oracles