The Eleusinian Mysteries

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the Eleusinian Mysteries and their magical initiation rites, begun in a city called Eleusis, were held on an annual basis in honor of the most sacred ritual celebrations of all of ancient Greece. The author points out that the mysteries and the rituals that surrounded them were repeated for more than 2,000 years and were as important to those living in that time as Christmas is to Christians today. The paper relates that the only people who were allowed to participate in the rituals were those who spoke Greek and had never shed blood or had been purified after doing so.

From the Paper:

"Historians believe that the Eleusinian Mysteries were derived from this earlier practice. Demeter had promised if the Eleusinians built a temple to her honor she would teach them magic rituals that would create a better existence for them. They built the temple but she did not appear. The world suffered from famine and other ills. Eventually she relented and a poem was written that promised followers a rich reward in this life and in the next life as long as they remained loyal."

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