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In the Discourse on the Eighth and Ninth, an initiate intends to ascend to the Ogdoad and Ennead (or “Eighth and Ninth”) planetary spheres of spiritual existence with his mystagogue, having already ascended through the first seven. (The mystagogue is referred to as “father” and the initiate as “son.”) Dirkse, Brashler, and Parrott note the ancient belief of some religions that several concentric spheres surrounded the earth, including the moon and sun; the first seven were identified with observable planets and the habitation of demonic forces, but the eighth and ninth were believed to be the divine realm where souls, angels, and the “Universal Mind” dwelled (Dirkse et al., “Discourse,” 342). Although some ancients believed a person traveled through these spheres at death, some communities—such as the one that produced this text—believed they ascended spiritually while still living (Dirkse et al., “Discourse,” 342).

Dirkse, Brashler, and Parrott offer the following outline of the fragmentary text (“Discourse,” 344):

• An initiate asks the mystagogue to fulfill his promise of bringing him into the eighth and ninth spheres; the mystagogue agrees and sets out conditions for the experience (Discourse 52.2–18). The mystagogue reminds the initiate of the brotherhood in which he is about to enter (Disc. 53.6–21).

• The initiate formally requests to enter the eighth and ninth spheres (Disc. 53.24–27).

• The initiate and the mystagogue pray for entry into the eighth and ninth spheres, noting the progress they made through the other spheres, specifying their roles, requesting wisdom, offering assurance of their worth, and pleading for acceptance (Disc. 53.28–57.25)

• The mystagogue and initiate embrace, and the mystagogue experiences a vision (Disc. 57.26–58.22).

• The initiate enters first the eighth sphere, then the ninth (Disc. 58.22–60.1).

• The mystagogue entreats the initiate to remain silent concerning the vision (Disc. 60.1–4).

• The initiate sings a hymn of praise for having the experience (Disc. 60.4–61.17).

• The work offers instructions for its preservation, including its transcription and placement in a temple in Diospolis. Oaths are made regarding the secrecy of the work among those who are uninitiated (Discourse 61.19–63.30).