Glossary Gnosticism / Term
Means "insight" as it comes from the higher connections of spirit, portrayed as a Pleromic emination . It can be translated as "wisdom" in the modern sense of the word. Without it one cannot gain Gnosis. This "insight" refers to, metanoia, (change of mind), and self-knowledge of the soul, which is merged with the "light" or Sophia, in the act of Gnosis. (See the "Apocryphon of John", See also; Metenoia.)
Also called Zoe, or Life, she emanates Barbelo and Eve. Elaine Pagels translates her name as “Imagination.”
Epinnoia (meaning Afterthought, or Insight) is an emanation or aspect of Sophia, mainly featured in early Sethian Gnostic texts such as the Apocryphon of john and the Trimorphic Protennoia. It is Epinnoia that descends to help Adam and Eve while they are trapped in Yaldabaoth's garden.
Epinnoia is referred to as such becuse Sophia is the last and lowest of the Aeons, and so should not to be confused with Pronnoia (or Protennoia) meaning forethough, or first thought - both being epithets for Barbelo, the first and highest of the Aeons.
Permanent link Epinoia - Modification date 2023-01-20 - Creation date 2020-05-23