What is the Origin of the Word Abrasax in “Jupiter Ascending?” Why Was It Chosen?
In writing Jupiter Ascending (2015), The Wachowskis drew inspiration from a lot of different concepts ranging from science and genomics to gnosticism and astrology. The origin of the term Abrasax stems from some of the more unorthodox fields of study, as elaborated below by a New Age/conspiracy site like DeusNexus.
As explained, the word Abrasax is an iteration of Abraxas, which has roots in Gnosticism and signifies a type of planetary ruler. It’s the perfect surname for the film’s family of antagonists.
DeusNexus says, “Here we have the illuminati motto in a nut-shell – that according to nature, every society is a pyramid, and the elite vampires are entitled to occupy the capstone of the 1%. Interestingly, the word Abraxas has roots in ancient Gnosticism, signifying a type of Archon, demiurge, or planetary ruler.”
Abraxas was a mystical word in the Gnostic Basilides, applied to the Great Archon, the princeps of the 365 spheres. In 1916, psychiatrist Carl Jung wrote a Gnostic treatise called The Seven Sermons to the Dead, in which he refers to Abraxas as a god higher than the Christian god and devil that combines all opposites into one being. From that text:
“This is a god whom ye knew not, for mankind forgot it. We name it by its name Abraxas. It is more indefinite still than god and devil. That god may be distinguished from it, we name god Helios or Sun. Abraxas is effect. Nothing standeth opposed to it but the ineffective; hence its effective nature freely unfoldeth itself. The ineffective is not, therefore resisteth not. Abraxas standeth above the sun and above the devil. It is improbable probability, unreal reality. Had the pleroma a being, Abraxas would be its manifestation. It is the effective itself, not any particular effect, but effect in general.”
Furthered by Deus Nexus,
“The God Abraxas (Abrasax, Abraxis and Latin-Afipacrdl) comes to us from ancient Egypt and is associated with the early beginnings of Gnosticism, which would later influence many of the first Gnostics who had went on to form the various Abrahamic religions such as Judaism and Christianity. The word Abraxas is just another code name for true Lord of the Thrones. For example, a similar code name for the supreme god, like that of Abraxas we can find in the horned goat idol known to the world as Baphomet who was made famous by the Knights Templar.”
The Abrasax family in Jupiter Ascending clearly view themselves as the curators of the universe. As Balem Abrasax says in one poignant scene for his character, “I create life, and I destroy it.” The Abrasax’s view their position equal to that of gods, and anything beneath them is mere supplement to their existence.