Flegetanis

Flegetanis was, according to Wolfram von Eschenbach, an Arab astronomer who first read the secret of the Holy Grail in the stellar script. Wolfram refers to the account of the historically elusive Provençal poet Kyot, whom he cites as the source for his Parzival novel. Kyot had asked him not to reveal this story until the right time. In fact, Wolfram only describes it in the 9th book (453, 5 - 455, 22).

On his father's side, Flegetanis was a pagan, on his mother's side a Jew from the lineage of Solomon. Kyot found Flegetanis' forgotten Arabic manuscript in Toledo in Spain, then known as al-Andalus, which was under Muslim rule at the time. After Kyot had learned the Arabic language and deciphered the manuscript, he travelled throughout Europe to learn more about the Grail. In the process, he came across the story of Parzival in Anjou.

453 ... ein heiden Flegetânîs bejagte an künste hôhen prîs. 25 der selbe fisîôn was geborn von Salmôn, ûz israhêlscher sippe erzilt von alter her, unz unser schilt der touf wart fürz hellefiur. 30 der schreip vons grâles âventiur. 454 Er was ein heiden vaterhalp, Flegetânîs, der an ein kalp bette als ob ez wær sîn got. wie mac der tievel selhen spot 5 gefüegen an sô wîser diet, daz si niht scheidet ode schiet dâ von der treit die hôhsten hant unt dem elliu wunder sint bekant? Flegetânîs der heiden 10 kunde uns wol bescheiden ieslîches sternen hinganc unt sîner künfte widerwanc; wie lange ieslîcher umbe gêt, ê er wider an sîn zil gestêt. 15 mit der sternen umbereise vart ist gepüfel aller menschlîch art. Flegetânîs der heiden sach, dâ von er blûweclîche sprach, im gestirn mit sînen ougen 20 verholenbæriu tougen. er jach, ez hiez ein dinc der grâl: des namen las er sunder twâl inme gestirne, wie der hiez. «ein schar in ûf der erden liez: 25 diu fuor ûf über die sterne hôch. op die ir unschult wider zôch, sît muoz sîn pflegn getouftiu fruht mit alsô kiuschlîcher zuht: diu menscheit ist immer wert, 30 der zuo dem grâle wirt gegert.» 455 Sus schreip dervon Flegetânîs.

453 ... A heathen, Flegetanis, Whom one praised for rare arts, 25 Had many a vision. He was descended from Solomon, Of Israel's lineage attained From old, before our shield The baptism was from hell's torment. 30 He was the first to write of the Grail. 454 A heathen he was by his father, Flegetanis, who worshipped a calf Worshipped a calf as if it were God. How is the devil allowed such mockery 5 But on so wise a people? Will they not deign to keep Before the hand of the Most High, To whom all wonders are known? Flegetanis to the heathen 10 May his art tell us Of the course of all the stars And their return from afar, How long each has to walk Till we see him at the old goal. 15 Human fate and nature Can be read in the course of the stars. Flegetanis the heathen recognised, When he turned his eyes to the sky Mysterious tidings. 20 He spoke with a shy mouth Of this: "A thing is called the Grail; Written in the stars He found the name, as it was called. A multitude let it out of the earth, 25 Which flew again to the stars, Whether grace or innocence they went home. Then nursed his baptised fruit With humility and pure discipline. Humanity bears the highest value, 30 That is converted to the service of the Grail." 455 Thus Flegetanis wrote of it.

Literature

• Wolfram von Eschenbach, Jessie L. Weston (Translator): Parzival. A Knightly Epic. Volume 1 & 2. London 1894 Volume 1 Volume 2
• Rudolf Steiner: Christ and the Spiritual World. The Search for the Holy Grail. CW 149. Translated by Charles Davy and D. S. Osmond. Rudolf Steiner Press 1963 rsarchive.org

German

• Wolfram von Eschenbach, Karl Simrock (Übers.): Parzival und Titurel. 2 Bände, Stuttgart 1862 pdf
• Wolfram von Eschenbach, Karl Lachmann (Hrsg.), Parzival, 5. Auflage, Berlin 1891 pdf
• Rudolf Steiner: Christus und die geistige Welt. Von der Suche nach dem heiligen Gral, GA 149 (2004), ISBN 3-7274-1490-1 English: rsarchive.org German: pdf pdf(2) html mobi epub archive.org

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