the Aeonic Copies, and the world which does not truly exist. Zostrianos joins the aeons he has traversed. Authrounios explains the origin of the physical cosmos, stating that the atmospheric realm was created by a rational principle to manifest generated and perishable things for the sake of the advent of great judges, lest they be enclosed in the creation. When Sophia contemplated the stars, she emitted the darkness, fleeing what is subject to the Archon. The Archon saw a reflection and created the world, but the image belonging to Sophia is always corrupt and deceptive. Zostrianos responds, and the section concludes with the restoration of Sophia and the explanation of the Aeonic Copies and the illumination of souls. The pre-existent principles are three in number and appeared from a single origin of the Barbelo aeon. These principles have manifested every principle and empowered every power, and are existence, blessedness, and life. The text then mentions the three perfect baptismal waters: water of life, water of blessedness, and water of existence. The text highlights that these waters are likenesses and forms of the Triple-Powered One, that flows from the pure water, and that they exist together with the essence and existence of being. The text further explains the generation of determinate being and how it received enlightenment and stable being through baptism. One who knows how he exists and what the living water is lives within knowledge. The text describes the descent of various spiritual entities, which are incorporeal, undivided, and spiritually pure, but also without compulsion. Their path of ascent is pure and imperishable, and they are associated with different baptisms that lead to eternal life. Glories are appointed to guard those who are truly baptized in knowledge, and various baptisms are appointed for those who strip off the world and lay aside nature. Through knowledge and purification, one can approach unity and be filled with holy spirit. The text also mentions the Triple Powered Invisible Spirit and the powers of the Spirit, which can be revealed through silent thought and meditation. The text discusses various types of souls and their level of attainment in different aeons. The first type of soul is the incarnate soul, which is divided into those that have perished and those that are within their time. There are differences among souls, but they are parts of things that endure. The second type is the disincarnate