#kykeon

2024-01-26

Something I would love to know more about are the #ElusinianMysteries. But thanks to the cult's secrecy (and #Christianity), we may never know all the details...

Elusinian Mysteries

There were two Eleusinian rites – the Lesser One, and the Greater One. While the details of these rites were a carefully guarded secret, what is known is that the Greater Rite took place over many days, involved #music and #dancing, #sacrifices of grain and a bull, #ritual purification in a river, and the consumption of a #SacredBeverage that was believed to be #hallucinogenic.
The beverage, known as #kykeon, was made from #barley, #pennyroyal, and other ingredients.

It is analogous to the Sacred #Soma / #Homa beverage of the #IndoIranians. While the Cult of #Eleusius was closed down by the #Christian #RomanEmporers, elements of the cult “survived in the Greek countryside,” into the rites of “#SaintDemetrius of #Thessalonki.”

#Rituals #RomanHistory #MysteryCults #AncientHistory #Histodon #WomensRights #RomanWomen #RomanPriestesses

There were two Eleusinian rites – the Lesser One, and the Greater One. While the details of these rites were a carefully guarded secret, what is known is that the Greater Rite took place over many days, involved music and dancing, sacrifices of grain and a bull, ritual purification in a river, and the consumption of a sacred beverage that was believed to be hallucinogenic.

The beverage, known as  kykeon, was made from barley, pennyroyal, and other ingredients. 

It is analogous to the Sacred Soma/Homa beverage of the Indo-Iranians. While the Cult of Eleusius was closed down by the Christian Roman Emporers, elements of the cult “survived in the Greek countryside,” into the rites of “Saint Demetrius of Thessalonki.”

Slide background:
A dark blue sky with shadowy hills. On the lower left side is painting of a procession of worshippers holding musical instruments.

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