Special Discourse and Allegory YY-234 1079 PRINTEDINU.S.A.THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES - TWO PRIESTS - Fratres, They wear short Grecian robes. These can be easily made. Symbols representing the Sun, Moon, , and other planets, are attached to the front of the costumes, and are large enough to be easily visible. See illustration page for designs and further de- tails. Both are to wear sandals. HIEROPHANT - He wears a false long white beard and wig of white hair, He should be tall. He wears a Grecian-type white robe and sandals, with a purple mantle draped across his chest, over his left shoulder, and down the back. The symbols can be painted on the mantle instead of the robe--whichever is more effective. See illustration page for details. He wears a gold crown. TWO JUDGES IN HADES - They wear long black robes and sandals, of the same design as the Hierophant. EPOPT (Mystae) - He wears a white toga and sandals. See illus- tration page for design. TECHNICIAN - He is to operate tapes and lighting according to the instructions in the script. (Not to be seen by mem- ber audience.) APPURTENANCES - The following materials are easily made by members who have mechanical and artistic skills. Some can be rented. Prepara- tion for an historical allegory such as this calls for membership cooperation, and contributes greatly to fraternal relationships. A- A Sistrum--An ancient ritualistic musical instrument. See at- tached page of illustrations for simple design to simulate a Sistrum. To be placed on the table in the East. 0 7 Recorder (Cassette) With Amplifier--To provide volume loud enough to be heard in the Temple Auditorium, C- Tape Recording of Drums--Slow rhythm beginning softly, then Theveasing in loudness; Play where indicated at several places in the ritual. D- Tape Recording of Womens' Voices--The sound of two or three women chanting; words must be indistinguishable. A selection from any chant may be used, but not one that is generally well- known. es " Three Small Tables--Like typewriter tables, covered with blackAPPURTENANCES Cont'd cloth to the floor. One in front of each of the following stations; East, South, and West. small Basket and Chest--See illustration page. A Gong & Hammer--Standing in the East, Spotlights--Several orange spotlights as needed, with dimmers, pee cero oeeiea script requirements. Small Brass Bowl--With water. Small Round Stick--About @ inches (20 cm) long, such as a piece Of barboo, with a small swab of cotton attached to one end for dipping into the bowl of water. Large Bowl of Glass or Plastic--About 8 to 10 inches (20 to S cm) in diameter; placed upside down on the table in the East. At the bottom of the inverted bowl, a round piece of plastic under which is placed small colored electric bulbs, one each in red, white, and blue. Bulbs may be painted if necessary. Each bulb should be attached to its own battery and have its own switch. See illustration page. A Simulated Scroll--A strip of paper 14 to 18 inches (35 to 45 cm) in length, should be attached to a stick and rolled up onto the stick, tied with rough string, and placed on the Shekinah. See illustration page. Copy may be typed on this scroll to be read; see script. Sound of Thunder--Sound effects tape can be purchased, or twisting a large sheet of galvanized metal will make a sound similar to thunder. Simulated Stalk of Wheat--Easily made, if not obtainable; see illustration page. Torch--Ritual torch, as used in the Degree Initiations, should be used.EPOPT (Mystae) Simple white cloth draped as closely as possible, as shown. Open sandals. <> SCROLL White paper rolled onto an attache ick. Copy to be er about 14”to 18"(35cm to 45cm) in length. Scroll is tied with rough brown cord, HIEROPHANT JUDGES HIEROPHANT Long white beard and wig of white hair. Costume to follow as closely as possible this design of simple cloth. The mantle is of purple cloth strung over the left shoulder, down and to the back about waist-length. See symbols for same. Crown canbe made out of cardboard covered with gold paper (easily obtainable), with sequins placed about it to represent jewels. Judges Same design as Hierophant, but black robes. No mantle. Sandals are needed. No crown.BASKET & CHEST Basket of straw, or simulated as such. Preferred color: Brown. About 10” (25cm) in length, with cover. Chest to be wood, with cover, (e wood, with cover. About SISTRUM May be made of wood, metal, paper mache, or cardboard. The hand should be about 5” (12.5em) long, and the looped upper part out. (15cm) long and 3’ should be ‘STALK OF WHEAT Length about 10” (25cm). Symbols for Hiero- phant’s and Priests’ Costumes. D venus h pease 8 Mercury Y supiter © su J a > Moon ‘Symbols for Priest’s costumes made of gold Paper and attached. About 3” (8 cm! in size. PRIESTS PRIESTS Robe of simple white cloth; short skirt, dr: Follow sco: possible. Sandals. of gold paper. LARGE GLASS OR PLASTIC BOWL It must appear seme round when bottom "bent is turned up, shown. About 8” toPage One THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES ATTENTION MASTER: The following must be read to the assembled members before the enactment of the Mystery Rite. The following subject matter is necessary to acquaint the members with the historical background of the Eleusinian Mysteries. The Master should first personally xvead this narration before reading it to the assembled members, so as to familiarize himself with any unusual words. Fratres and Sorores, on this occasion we bring you another enactment in our series of the ancient mysteries. This time we go back to the Eleusinian Mysteries of Greece. The temple of Eleusis was one of the four most important temples of ancient Greece. It was pillaged and burned by the Persians in 480 B.C. It was subsequently rebuilt in the fifth century B.C. by Pericles, Greek statesman and naval commander. Eleusis, the site of the great mystery school, is but a few miles distant from Athens. The mysteries, the rites, and the initiations were held in a subterranean area of the temple. Over the entrance to the temple, there was inscribed in stone the admonition, "They who are not initiates must not enter here." The Eleusinian Mysteries were divided into major and minor sections. In the minor, the initiates were taught an introductory course as prepa ration for entrance into the first degree. This course principally consisted of a catharsis. The initiate had to purge himself of such worldly thoughts as demean man and which are beneath the dignity of an aspirant. Symbolic of this purging was the rite of lustration, that is, aspersing, sprinkling the candidate with water. This was thought to produce a refining of the emotions and remove the profaneness of a sec- ular, worldly life. The major mysteries were performed usually about the middle of septenber- Eligibility for this was the previous preparation in the minor section. The minor candidate had to stand outside the temple door. The candidate finally completing the tests and trials of the major Eleusinian Mysteries was known as an epopt. The degree lasted for a full year. Such an individual was assumed to have received a revelation of the ultimate sacred mysteries. Actually, there is a paucity of information about the actual de- tails of the Eleusinian Mystery Rites. All initiates were sworn to secrecy by solemn oath. Numerous celebrated persons of antiquity com- mented on the mysteries. Among them were such authors as St. Clemente of Alexandria (A.D. 160-220); St. Augustine (A.D. 334-430); and eccle- siastical writers as Eusebius (A.D, 265-340). Though they wrote about the Eleusinian Mysteries, most were quite evasive in revealing the in- nermost secrets of the rites. The prominence of the Eleusinian Mysteries, which have left an impact upon religion and mystical rites to this day, is indicated by the fact that prominent and humble people came from throughout the world to have the initiatory rites conferred upon them. It is histor-Page Two THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES ically related that as many as 100,000 candidates annually journeyed to Eleusis. The rites concern mythical characters of ancient Greece. These are principally Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and fertilit: her daughter, Persephone; and Pluto, the god of Hades, the Underworld. The Hymn to Demeter, composed by the famed poet Homer, was accidentally found in a Moscow library. It is probably the oldest document dealing with this myth and legend. The myth relates how Demeter and Persephone symbolically portray the changes in vegetation as the life and death and seasonal recurrences of plant life, and of related human birth, death, and rebirth. The myth tells how Persephone, daughter of the goddess Demeter, was playing with some nymphs, daughters of Oceanus, in the center of a very green and flowery meadow in Sicily. The beauty and fragance of the narcissus, lily, iris, and hyacinth in majestic bloom attracted the virgin Persephone, As she reached down to pluck a flower, the earth suddenly opened before her. Out sprang Pluto, god of Hades. Pluto seized Persephone and transported her to his gloomy kingdom. She cried out in terror. Demeter, the mother, wanders about for many days, seeking trace of her vanished daughter. When she finally learns that Pluto has taken Persephone for his wife with the consent of Zeus, Lord of the Gods, she is consumed with anger against him. Demeter's wrath, unsoothed, takes the form of terrible events. She casts a terrible drought upon the Earth. The human race would have perished if Zeus, Lord of the Gods, had not interceded. But Demeter said she would not return to Olympus, mountaintop and home of the gods, or call off her curse until her daugh- ter was returned to her. Hermes, messenger of the gods, descends to Hades and pleads with Pluto. He finally consents but he makes Persephone eat pomegranate seeds which have the power to cause her to return to Hades, the under- world kingdom, once out of every three seasons. This, of Course, sym- bolically represents winter, the death of plant life and its coming forth again in the spring, or rejuvenation, etc. In spring, the Earth would be decorated with myriads of flowers upon the return of Persephone. The Homeric hymn to which we have referred says that the Eleusinian Mysteries were established by the goddess herself. It is said in these ancient references that those who took part in these mysteries could look forward to a far better existence beyond the grave. Sophocles, the tragic poet, said of those who had received the mystery initiations that they were "thrice blessed." In appreciation of her daughter's return from Hades, Demeter con- ferred favors upon man. These unique favors to mankind included the promise of agricultural fertility, the furthering of human life, and cultural gifts which overcame the bestial in man. Isaeus, a speech writer in Athens in the 4th century B.C., said the goddess gave us two things when she came to Eleusis: First, fruit of the field; second, that from the darkness of death man may rise again.Page Three THE ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES As Demeter was said to have given man the ear of corn which he might grow, so, too, these agricultural ideas were transmuted in the Eleusinian Mysteries to become principles of human culture so that man may morally grow as well. The power of Demeter, the earth mother, impressed the mystai--the initiates, with nature's inexhaustible generative powers. It gave the epopts—the highest initiates, the reassurance of the indestructibility of both the vegetable kingdom and of man. Though man must die, he will survive in his progeny. Demeter gave grain to man to feed his body and the ceremonial mysteries of Eleusis so that he may live above the beasts, Persephone symbolized the threshed grain that was preserved in the under- ground vessels from which, in due season, the seed was taken. The rape Of Persephone refers to the annual disappearance of vegetation in parching heat or cold. Now, we shall proceed with an enactment of the Eleusinian Mystery Rites. it"shall bean abridgment of those portions that have bern ret vealed and preserved.Page Four ELEUSINIAN MYSTERIES-INITIATION RITUAL At Opening Of Ritual - It is advised that the full Convocation Ritual not be con- ducted due to the length of time required for this histor- ical allegory. The lights in the Temple are to be reduced to low level. All station lights are out. There should be no lighted candles on the Shekinah. They should be removed. A colonbe may cense the Temple. Technician: A - (As soon as the Temple lights are dimmed, begin the tape Teapesy of the sound of the drums, low volume at first and then increase it for about 30 or 40 seconds.) - (The drums are followed by the tape of low chanting of womens' voices, played for about one minute, the words of which are not distinguishable.) Technician: - (An orange floodlight, not white, is focused on the area (iighty _—=—soof_ the entrance door into the Temple. This is to be slowly flushed on, immediately following the drums and chanting.) Two Judges: - (They enter by the threshold door into the Temple. When the door is opened, they enter in single file. They cross by way of the West and slowly go down the southside to the East. There they stand forming a semi-circle and facing the West.) Technician: A - (As the Judges enter the East, flush on the orange spot- Tights) light on that area.) (tape B - (Also the tape of the chanting begins again when the recording) Sudges are in the East.) Two (They should wait until the Judges are in the East before Priests: entering the Temple, One carries the basket. The other ae the chest. They go to the West and place them on the table there and stand facing the East.) Technician: A - (The amber floodlight should be focused on the Priests in Uights) the West.) (tape off) B - (The chanting should cease when the Priests are in the West standing at the table.) (sound C - (The rumble of thunder should be heard for just a few effect) seconds.) Second - (The priest raises his hands upward to the Temple ceiling Priest: as to the sky and says loudly:) “The heavens proclaim the coming of the Hierophant, the Sacred Initiator."Hierophant: Technician: ight! First Tudge: Hierophant: First Pries Technician: ig First Priest: Second Priest: Technician: lights First Judge: Page Five (Priest drops his hands to his sides, then both of the Priests turn looking toward the entrance door.) (He enters the Temple after the Priest proclaims him. He goes up to the Shekinah platform and stands facing the West.) (A spotlight in this area should be focused on the Hiero- phant at the Shekinah.) (The first Judge in the East steps forward when the Hierophant is at the Shekinah and strikes the gong three times.) (After the gong has been struck, he says aloud while pointing his hands to the East:) "Whosoever hath not pure hands, whosoever hath not intelli- gible voice, let him not assist at the Initiation." (Then says again addressing the Priest:) dmit the Mystae that he may prepare for the Illumination the Supreme God has decreed for the worthy." (He goes to entrance door in the West walking ceremoniously, turning at right angles, then steps into the anteroom.) (Be sure the spotlight is focused in this area when the Priest and the Mystae make their entrance.) (He enters carrying the torch in his left hand, and taking the Mystae by the left arm, guides him to the South Station by way of the West. He places the Mystae on one Side of the table facing the South, and he stands on the opposite side facing the Mystae.) (He follows the First Priest and the Mystae, and then stands with the First Priest at the table in the South.) - (Lights at South Station should be focused on the area when the Priest and Mystae approach.) - (The chanting on the tape should be played as the Priest and Mystae enter the Temple and until they reach the South Station. Then cease it.) (The Judge now steps forward when the Mystae and Priests are in the South and strikes the gong in the East once.) (At the sound of the gong the Hierophant turns and ad- dressing the Mystae, says:) "It is the sacred thirteenth day of Boedromion. Beloved Mystae, your vision within is still beclouded by theSecond Priest: First Priest Seconda Priest: Technician Hierophant: Page Six sensuality of the world the mortals dwell in. Your soul is not yet free from the uncleanliness of mortal exist- ence. You must now be purged before the mysteries can be revealed to you." (The Second Priest, (the one without the torch), takes the stick with the small cotton swab, dips it ceremoniously into the water three times and then sprinkles lightly the bowed head of the Mystae. (The First Priest says, after the aspersing (sprinkling), while raising his right arm aloft in salutation:) "Zeus, the Supreme God was; Zeus, the Supreme God is; Zeus, the Supreme God, ever will be." 7 (He now takes the Mystae by the left arm and leads him back to the table in the West. The Mystae stands at one end of the table, facing the East.) (He again follows the First Priest and Mystae and then stands at the other side of the table facing the Mystae, but if possible, not obscuring him from the members’ view.) (There should be chanting from the tape while the Priests march with the Mystae to the West. It should cease when all are at the proper place at the Station.) (Pointing to the Mystae solemnly say: “Beloved Mystae, thou shalt now be guided in the pursuit of the revelation of the mysteries.” (The Priest points to the cup on the table and says to the Mystae:) “Of this do drink" (He picks up the little cup, drinks from same, and replaces it.) (He now points to the chest and says:) “Look therein.” (He opens the chest slowly and brings out, holding aloft, a stalk of wheat. Then he ceremoniously puts the stalk in the basket. He raises his right hand over the basket as a sign of a benediction. He then reaches in, takes the stalk out again and places it back in the chest.) (Now he opens the chest, puts his hand in and brings out objects in his hands and looks at them but does not show them as they are said to be secret, Then he ceremoniously places each one back in the chest.) (He now, testifying to the acts he performed, says, with his left hand on his heart:)First Pries Two Priests: Hierophant: Second Tudge: Mystae: (Epopt) First Tudge: Mystae: EPOpt) Second Judge: First Judge: First Priest: Hierophant: Page Seven "I have fasted, I have drunk of the potion. I have taken the sacred objects from the chest and have laid them in the basket and then taken them out of the basket and put them in the chest." (He now takes the Mystae by the left arm and leads him by way of the North to the table in the East where the Judges are waiting. The Second Priest follows.) (At the table in the East, the Priests stand away from it at either end and facing the Shekinah. The Mystae is led to a point facing the Two Judges, who are standing behind the table and facing the West. (He turns and faces the East when the Priests and the Mystae have arrived there.) (He now addresses the Mystae pointing to the big inverted glass (or plastic) bowl.) "Look upon creation, see what no mortal eyes have viewed except those of the Epopt." (He steps forward and, bending over slightly, peers into the bowl.) (The Judge now switches on alternately and quickly the lights of each color--then combines two colors at differ- ent times to produce effects.) (At first, when the bowl is lighted he must seem awed and steps back covering his eyes with his hands momentarily. Then he again looks into the bowl for a few seconds. He then steps back with his head bowed. (While the Mystae is looking he says with hand pointing upward:) "Admire the work of the Master of the Universe: He is the only One and His presence is everywhere.” (He now speaks impressively to the Mystae:) "You are initiated that you may perish impiety, and save those who defend themselves from injustice. (He again takes the Mystae by the left arm and leads him by way of the North to the West. The Mystae kneels on one knee on the carpet approach to the Shekinah and facing the Hierophant. The Second Priest stands to one side.) (When the Mystae is kneeling before hii ear of corn and holds it aloft and say: he picks up the “This corn is the symbol of fertility of the body, of the mind, and of the soul."Page Eight (He now unrolls the scroll and reads the following impres- sively: "As the corn dies, its seeds are reborn in the fertility of the soil. Demeter the goddess has given us the growth of plants and she has revealed how they may be revived season- ally to serve us. She taught of the one Creator who has given you life. She taught that when you leave Earth to enter the other world that thence you will be recreated as is the corn in the fields." “Doest thou solemnly promise before the one eternal God to keep forever secret the mysteries and the symbols revealed to you in the chest." ney - (He replies solemnly:) ipOp’ "I promise before the one ever-living God." Hierophant: - (He now continues reading from the scroll.) "Depart thou now in peace. Be just. Worship the Creator of all, who is without beginning, endless and incompre- hensible with all thy soul and mind." First - (He now steps forward and strikes the gong three times.) Judge: Two - (The First Priest raises the Mystae and leads him out of Priests: the Temple. The Second Priest follows.) Two - (The First Judge picks up the sistrum and, marching up the Tudges: North side of the Temple, shakes it slowly as he walks. The Second Judge follows.) (When they get to the West they wait before exiting.) Technician: A - (As the Judges leave the East play the tape recording of (tape) the drums until all the characters have exited.) (lights) B - (Extinguish the lights in the East and at all stations when all have exited.) Hierophant: - (When the Judges are waiting in the West, he steps down and exits from the Temple ahead of them.) Two - (They now exit behind the Hierophant.) Tudge: Technician: - Bring on the normal Temple lighting again when all have oem Gah) (Now close Convocation.) e = END -