(Varrese Painting of Demeter, [Public Domain] via Creative Commons)
The mystery religions of the
ancient world are a fascinating subject. While most worship in public temples
at the time focused more on action than emotion, any ancient Greeks and Romans
who wanted a more personal relationship with a god could find a home in the
various mystery religions scattered throughout the ancient world. Perhaps the
most popular of these mystery religions was dedicated to the goddesses, Demeter
and Kore (associated with Persephone), located at Eleusis.
Fairly close to Athens, in
the region of Attica, Greece, the community of Eleusis set up a cult to the
earth goddesses, Demeter and Kore, in support of the local agriculture. One of
the cult’s early functions was to ensure their patron goddesses’ favor for the
health of the grain they sowed around September and October. The agricultural
cult in Eleusis was founded and controlled by the Eleusinian people until
Athens usurped control of the cult around 600 BCE.
As the name ‘mystery religion’
suggests, much of what happened in the cult of Demeter and Kore at Eleusis
remains a mystery, for what occurred in the cult was a guarded secret. It is
known that they, at least, celebrated two events—the lesser and greater
mysteries. The lesser mysteries are thought to have been a preparatory
celebration that occurred near Athens around February at a place called Agrai. The
much more elaborate greater mysteries occurred during September and October,
when the sacred items held by the cult of Demeter and Kore were transported
from Eleusis to a temple in Athens. Once they were in the great city, eager
initiates into the mysteries of Eleusis were instructed to bathe in seawater.
Next, they would sacrifice a pig in honor of their patron goddesses. After the
celebrations and ceremonies of the greater mysteries were complete, the cult
members and initiates packed up the sacred items of their goddesses and
returned to Eleusis, singing and dancing as they went.
Written by C. Keith Hansley.
Source:
- The Ancient Mysteries: A Sourcebook of Sacred Texts by Marvin W. Meyer. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1987.
Not sure if this was the case for Demeter and Kore, but some of the 'deepest' rites of the Andean people took place in the Uku Pacha, deep or below world of caves and tunnels beneath the human world, celebrating Pachamama, serpents, llamas -- the messengers between -- celebrating the seeds they put into Uku Pacha would grow and bless the Kay Pacha, every day world, with all the food we humans desire. Trees spread their roots through Uku Pacha up into both of the higher worlds, bringing fruits to humans and gods.
ReplyDeletePart of this article reminds me of the punishment for man's sin in the bible. Sweat from your brow (work to produce food from the land)
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to mention that. I was wondering if anyone else noticed that? Not trying to fuss with anyone. Have a blessed day!