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mourning with Demeter for Persephone who was staying in Hades, were reflecting
upon their own souls? Esoteric Exercises, such as holding communion with oneself,
fasting, prayers and quiet meditations were taking place? In the evening, the Mystics
gathered for a sacred meal? At the conclusion, they drank a mysterious mixed drink.
On the Fourth Day, offerings were given to Demeter and Persephone.
The Fifth Day was "Torch Day.? At the onset of darkness, the Mystics were led by
Daduchos the Torch-Bearer (representing the Sun), with burning torches to the
Temple of Demeter, to symbolically repeat the search for the Goddess? The burning
Torch represents the symbol of the Love ignited from within for the Divine.
The Sixth Day is called "Iacchos." It was the most festive and the highlight of the
Great Mysteries.
On this day, a column of Iacchos-Dionysos was carried in a festive procession by
the Initiates and Mystics for over four hours on the long, sacred road from Athens
to the Temple of Demeter in Eleusis? This was done to symbolize the introduction of
the Light and the presence of the Divine? Every Mystic received, before the beginning
of the procession, a Thyrsus-Staff and a sealed basket, the sacred chest which they
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Alchemy Unveiled Page 90
had to carry with them the whole day and were not allowed to open? The sacred chest
contained three blessed objects, and was opened in the forthcoming grand and sacred
night of the initiation by the Hierophant himself, and he showed and explained these
things to the Mystics? The Hierokeryx also told them that even the carrying of the
sealed basket had a deeper meaning for them? Because, even as a Human Being, they
carried all kinds of things with them, of which they had no knowledge; concealed
abilities that would only reveal themselves at a later date.
At the onset of darkness, the Mystics were received in the Temple of Eleusis by the
Holy Herold, with the call: "Escato bebeloi!" - "Begone from here, all unconsecrated
and ungodly, whose Souls are covered with crimes!," and drove thusly all of the
trespassers out? Unauthorized intrusion to these secret celebrations were punishable
by death.
The Mystics had to cleanse themselves once more in blessed water, and took vows not
to disclose anything to the uninitiated of what they would now see and experience.
After the vows, Hierokeryx told the Mystics that they were now on the threshold to
Persephone's infernal dwelling? However, in order to reach the "Great Light", they
had to walk first through the darkness? In order to understand something about the
true existence of their Soul, they must first walk through the Kingdom of Death? This
is the test through which they would change from Mystics into Initiates (Epopts)? The
Mystics now had to undress and they don a deer hide (the Symbol of animalism, the
"Coat of Skins," which Adam received upon leaving Paradise).
Then Daduchos extinguished his torch? All other torches were also extinguished, as in
Death the Light of the external World becomes extinct.
Now the Mystics are led by their Mystagogues to the entrance of the infernal
labyrinth? Total darkness reigns there? This represented the condition of their Soul,
which only possessed her illuminated natural intellect from the external sensual Light,
which is being filled with the deepest darkness, as soon as the external sensual Light
becomes extinct? Such a Soul knows nothing about her once-higher existence,
because the "Great Light" of the true Recognition and Initiation has not yet risen up in
her.
The Mystics moved forward slowly and with uncertainty in the dark labyrinth? They
were being transposed into a particular mood through fasting, prayers and
instructions, and through a mysterious mixed-drink. Eerie noises, horrifying moans,
and terrible screams reached their ears? The roar of thunderbolts, the force of which
shook the arched passageways, startled them with fear? Glaring lightning pierced the
darkness and showed the frightened Mystics gruesome appearances, so that they were
over-come with dizziness and were horror-stricken? But only for moments did they
see this terror that surrounded them; then they were again enveloped by absolute
night? The Mystics also felt themselves being seized, beaten and thrown to the ground
by invisible hands? Fearful natures preferred at times to turn back through the
labyrinth to seek the exit? But, by doing that, they lost forever the Right to receive the
initiation.
Alchemy Unveiled Page 91
Even though the Mystics were still in their physical bodies, in this hour however
through the art of the Priests, the curtain that separates the invisible world from the
visible world was lifted, and they were granted access to the lower demonic depths of
the Spirit-World? Plutarch, who was initiated into the Mysteries, compares the horror
that the Mystics experienced in the infernal labyrinth, with the terror of death.
Finally, the Mystics saw a dim light in a crypt? It illuminated a horrible scene. They
saw the Tartarus, the brazen gate opened with a horrible noise? They saw the domicile
of the from-the-furies tormented damned?, they heard their lamentation, their fruitless
repentance, the sound of fear and the longing for the lost paradise? In between the
voice of Hierokeryx could be heard, who at times shouted to the Mystics words of
warning and then threats, and at times gave certain explanations of what represented
.
itself to their eyes and ears. Then the Gates of Hell closed and the Herold
communicated to the Mystics, that they would now enter the Plutonium, the domicile
of the Ruler of the Underworld, where they would view the Third Act of the sacred
drama.
Amongst solemn festive singing by invisible Spirit-Choirs, the Mystics entered now
into a large, endless, illuminated, infernal hall, which was filled with an eerie twilight.
The ceiling was carried by an out-of-copper embossed, dull, shadowy elm, the "Tree
of Dreams," whose pale silvery leaves roofed the whole room? From up above,
through the branches, giant bats and grimaces stared down upon the Mystics. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]