In this way we shall undertake to deal with the
numerous and tiresome people, whether they be such
as take pleasure in associating theological problems
with the seasonal changes in the surrounding atmosphere, or with the growth of the crops and seedtimes and ploughing ; and also those who say that
Osiris is being buried at the time when the grain is
sown and covered in the earth and that he comes to
life and reappears when plants begin to sprout. For
this reason also it is said that Isis, when she perceived
that she was pregnant, put upon herself an amulet1 on
the sixth day of the month Phaophi ; and about the
time of the winter solstice she gave birth to Harpocrates, imperfect and premature,2 amid the early
flowers and shoots. For this reason they bring to him
as an offering the first-fruits of growing lentils, and
the days of his birth they celebrate after the spring
equinox. When the people hear these things, they
are satisfied with them and believe them, deducing
the plausible explanation directly from what is
obvious and familiar.