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 Forum index » Archive » Archive: General » ARG: Sammeeeees II
[SPEC] BEG MITHRAS???
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Lacey
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Joined: 08 Jun 2007
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Location: Not all witches live in Salem.

 		[SPEC] BEG MITHRAS???
Was wondering whether "BEG MITHRAS" might be a directive, rather than a puzzle, (similar to what Kona had to do last time with the disc), I went hunting for rituals for Mithras and found this:
http://www.mithraism.org/cgi-bin/display.cgi?file=ritual.txt&part=2&total=6

WARNING: This website takes forEVER to load, but be patient. It will.

May or may not play out to be important, but worth having a record, just in case.

PostPosted: Thu Jun 14, 2007 12:58 am
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Lacey
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 		Can someone please give me a rundown of who has been told about the Mithras votive? I think Kona told Dwin, and we're operating under the assumption that Higgs found it on his own...but everything's so spread out that I'm having trouble finding out if anyone else was told.

Still wondering what Higgs vowed to do in return for protection from Mithras as well. Has anyone asked him and if so, has he responded at all?

(Honestly not trying to revive my old thread here, but this just seemed the most logical place to put this question.) Embarassed

PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:20 pm
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konamouse
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 		Order of stuff?
My recollection:
Dog of El Portal emailed BEG MITHRAS.
Dwin posted the Mithras avatar in his LJ.
I passed along BEG MITHRAS to Higgs.
Methos & October did the same to Happy in her attempt to save Ben (but they gave her more specific information after the SATOR square blogspot was found).

All of this stemmed from Dog of El Portal.

Quote:
The lowest grade, `Corax' or Raven, stood under the protection
of Mercury; the next, `Nymphos', has been translated as `Bride', but
is a masculine noun, thereby paradoxically meaning a male bride (a
term which appears in later mystery cults such as the Rosicrucians);
members of this grade were also known as `Cryphius', `Veiled'. The
grade was under the tutelage of Venus. The third grade was called
`Miles' or `Soldier', signifying the entrance of the adherent into the
active service of the god. Naturally, Mars was the guiding spirit of
this grade.

The next grade was known as `Leo', or `Lion', under Jupiter. The
fifth grade was known as `Perses', `Persian', perhaps used in much
the same way that Crusaders were sometimes known as `Soldiers of
Zion.' They were under the protection of the Moon. The next grade was
known as `Heliodromos', the `Runner of the Sun', protected of course
by the Sun. The highest grade, `Pater', was for the priests or
patriarchs of Mithras; the name means `Father.' They were guided by
Saturn.

Of the seven degrees, those not yet beyond the third, Miles, were not
in full communion, and were called `Servants of Mithras,' while the
fourth degree, Leo, admitted them into the class of the fully in-
itiated, the `Participants.' No women were admitted into the cult. A
sacred communion of bread, water and wine, and sometimes honey, were
administered to the mystic upon advancement into the higher degrees.
Each day of the week was marked by adoration of its planet, with their
equivalent of the Sabbath falling on the Sun's day.


Quote:
Saturn (Saturday), Sun (Sunday), Moon (Monday), Mars (Tuesday), Mercury (Wednesday), Jupiter (Thursday), Venus (Friday)


Corax = Wednesday
Nymphus = Friday
Miles = Tuesday
Leo = Thursday
Perses = Monday
Pater = Saturday
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PostPosted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:53 pm
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Lacey
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Location: Not all witches live in Salem.

 		Speculations and Misc. Info
From the uF chat room brainstorming session tonight:

While a few of us were discussing the various aspects of Mithras, including the fact that Mithras is considered either closely related to or also known as the Sun God and that Ben seemed to improve when exposed to sunlight, we decided that I should send Happy instructions on a protection spell, invoking Mithras as a Sun God, once again remembering the directive to BEG MITHRAS. I sent the same instructions to TM via the behindthebluedoor email address.

I suggested ingredients that were both useful for protection in general and ingredients that were specifically made more potent by the sun, and suggested that she repeat the phrase "To the Invincible God Mithras and the Sun his Ally, us thou has saved by shedding the eternal blood" in Latin, found on the website referred to above.

Link to my post:
http://happyrogers.livejournal.com/3466.html?view=9610#t9610

If/when I get a reply, I'll post again.

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 2:52 am
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Lacey
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Location: Not all witches live in Salem.

 		Sorry for the double post!
Mithras' antithesis is Ahriman, also known as Angra Mainyu.

From Encyclopedia Brittanica Online:
Quote:
Angra Mainyu ("Destructive Spirit") the evil spirit in the dualistic doctrine of Zoroastrianism. His essential nature is expressed in his principal epithet—Druj, "the Lie." The Lie expresses itself as greed, wrath, and envy. To aid him in attacking the light, the good creation of Ahura Mazda, the Wise Lord, Ahriman created a horde of demons embodying envy and similar qualities.


From Encyclopedia Mythica:
Quote:
Ahriman's chief weapon was concupiscence, through which all that was his should be devoured, even his own creation. There was a female counterpart of Ahriman, called Az, and it is said that when Ahriman saw the righteous man he swooned, and lay in a faint for three thousand years, until the 'accursed whore', Jeh, awoke him and defiled men with her destructive spirit, introducing fear, jealousy, lust and greed into man.


The "Mistress"???

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 3:31 am
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Citizen Kane
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 		Okay, as I promised in another thread, I'll post a few things from the book I have. Prepare for a long post.

First of all Corax:

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
The first degree was that of Corax (Raven), under the rule of Mercury. This stage symbolized the death of the Neophyte. (In ancient Persia, it was the custom to place the bodies of the dead on funeral towers, to be eaten by ravens.) At this first stage the neophyte would die and be reborn into a spiritual path. A mantra was given to him to repeat, and his sins were washed away by baptism in water.
{Here it talks about Ravens and the Tower of London, but skipping that part here}
Ravens have always been the messengers of the Sun, and from antiquity, divine kingship was bestowed by sun gods (e.g Mithra, Horus); therefore, Ravens symbolize the link between the Sun and the King/Queen.
{More talk of the Tower of London, Bran and King Arthur.}


Second is Nymphus

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
The second degree was that of Nymphus (male bride), under the auspices of Venus. Nymphus also means, "bee chrysalis," which opens up the Neophyte's potential to grow and become a full "bee" later on, at the Leo and Perses levels, by taking part in the honey sacrament. The Neophyte wore a veil and carried a lamp in his hand. He was unable to see the "light of truth" until the "veil of reality" was lifted. He was vowed to the cult, and would become celibate for at least the duration of this stage, as he was now a bride (lover) of Mithra. He also offered a cup of water to the statue of Mithra--the cup being his heart, and the water, his love. The ritual greeting for this grade was: "Hail Nymphus, hail New Light."


Third is Miles

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
On reaching the third degree, Miles (Soldier) under Mars, the Neophyte had to kneel naked--casting off his old life--blindfolded and with hands tied (in a similar matter to Wiccan initiations). He was then offered a crown on the point of a sword. Once crowned, his bindings were cut with the single stroke of the sword and his blindfold removed. This represented his liberation from the bondage of the material world. He would then remove the crown from his head and, placing it on his shoulder, he would say: "Mithra is my only crown." This vow of loyalty and rejection of ego also symbolizes removing the head itself: allowing Mithra to be the guide.
{Talks about the "Song of Macrocosm" and Mithras in Britain}
At the end of the initiation for the Miles degree, it has been suggested by some that a mark was branded (or tattooed) on the forehead of the initiate.
... ... ...
It is unclear what the mark was, some speculate it might have been an equidistant cross, the symbol of the sun.
... ... ...
Some writers have even speculated that this mark was the mark of the "Beast of Revelations," as the numerological value of the Sun is 666! The image of the brand on the forehead was popularized by Rosemary Sutcliff in her 1954 historical novel for children, Eagle of the Ninth.


Aaaand... That should do for now Razz

I'll add the rest later, as well as the Mithraic Liturgy and actual rituals if needed. But for now, Homework (Finals week)
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 5:38 pm
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Lacey
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 		[OFF TOPIC]

Ummm...Ahem.

Regarding the description of the initiation of the Soldier above...
I've made little secret of the fact that I'm Wiccan, especially in chat. But I would like to say, just for the record and so you people don't start getting ideas, I have never "knelt naked, blindfolded, with my hands tied."

...at least, not for religious purposes! Very Happy


Seriously, though...not something I'm familiar with, although I suppose in some covens it *may* happen, it's not one of those things that is common. Just thought I'd share. I hate it when people get the wrong idea about us. The vast majority of us really do keep our clothes on the vast majority of the time.
[/OFF TOPIC]

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:12 pm
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chixor1
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Lacey wrote:
[OFF TOPIC]
I have never "knelt naked, blindfolded, with my hands tied."

[/OFF TOPIC]


Hahaha no but Konamouse has danced backwords and "Axed" some cheese to save the world! :p
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Completed:
Sammeeeees
Sammeeeee II
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PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:16 pm
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konamouse
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 		Thank goodness there was nothing stipulated about the clothing in that ritual. It was kind of chilly out there in the Valley of Fire last December.
_________________
'squeek'
r u a Sammeeeee? I am Forever!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:23 pm
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Lacey
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Location: Not all witches live in Salem.

 		Replies from Happy and TM:

from Happy:
Quote:
Subject: Re: Protection
Thanks for the potion, Lacey! I live in an area where I can get all of the ingredients needed. Jayne will go off this morning and get what is needed. Meanwhile, I will definitely place the hand all over the house. No news from Trinket overnight. Maybe she found somewhere else to stay.
I'm still Happy


From TM:
Quote:
Thank you, Lacey, for your assistance. It comes just in time. I
believe I had a visitor late last night. There are no windows in
my hiding place, but I know someone or something was shaking the
only door. They were not able to enter. I will try to find the
items needed for my protection before the sun sets. You take care
as well, Sammeeeee.
TM



Question:
name the song sung by Jean Moulin, Patrica Moore, and the Singing and the Dancing Nun

Spoiler (Rollover to View):
"I Dreamed a Dream," from Les Miserables


Looks like maybe the protection spell will do some good? I hope so!

ETA: (And I still have clothes on.)

PostPosted: Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:45 pm
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Citizen Kane
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Lacey wrote:
[OFF TOPIC]
Regarding the description of the initiation of the Soldier above...
[/OFF TOPIC]


Hehe, just quoting the book. Razz

In the exceptions of the ellipses (...) and the {} brackets where I left some text out, all of that was straight from the book. Even that line about Wiccans. Razz


I'll post the rest tomorrow. Just checking in during a 5 minute break. Need to finish this program by classtime tomorrow, and the compiler keeps crashing! Evil or Very Mad

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 12:47 am
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Lacey
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 		No worries at all, Kane! I always crack up at what the 'experts' think we're doing. And we're always naked. Always. I think my hubby'd be way more involved if that were the case! Laughing

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 1:51 am
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konamouse
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Joined: 02 Dec 2002
Posts: 8010
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Lacey wrote:
And we're always naked. Always. I think my hubby'd be way more involved if that were the case! Laughing


Now that we're doing some Pagan stuff, my hubby's ears have perked up slightly and he does better at pretending he is interested in Sammeeeees (beyond his asking about how Higgs is doing and if I get to see him). He was even okay with the sator-square-under-the-bed thing.
_________________
'squeek'
r u a Sammeeeee? I am Forever!

PostPosted: Wed Jun 20, 2007 10:13 am
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Citizen Kane
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 		 Mithras Ranks 4-7 Leo through Pater.
Everything you wanted to know about Mithras, but were afraid to ask
Okay, sorry this took so long to get up, but here are the rest of the ranks.

The fourth stage is Leo:

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
The fourth grade, the stage of Leo (Lion), under the guidance of Jupiter, was the first of the senior degrees. The initiate was entering the element of Fire. Therefore, the Lion was not allowed to touch water during the ritual, and instead, he was offered honey to wash his hands and anoint his tongue. Porphyry in the third century C.E. wrote this about the use of honey in Mithraic rites: "The ancients used to call the priestesses of the Earth-Mother Bees--in that they were initiates of the Earth Goddess--and called the virgin herself bee-like. They also called the moon Bee, as the Lady of Generation; and especially because the exalted Moon is the Bull, and Bees are Ox-born--that is, souls about to be born are Ox-born."
Porphyry also says: "So in the Lion mysteries, when honey is poured instead of water for purification of the hands of the initiates, they are exhorted to keep them pure from everything distressing, harmful and loathsome; and since he is an initiate of fire, which has a cathartic effect, they use on him a liquid related to fire, rejecting water as inimical to iit. They use honey as well to purify the tongue from all guilt.
The Lions carried the food for the ritual meal, which was prepared by the lower grades, to the ritual feast, and took part in it. The ritual feast represented Mithras's "Last Supper" of bread and wine with his companions, before his ascent to the heavens on Sol's chariot. The Lions'
duties also included tending the sacred altar flame. In Santa Prisca Mithraeum it is written: "Receive the incense-burners, Father, receive the Lions, Holy One, through whom we offer incense, through whom we offer ourselves consumed!"
They are said to have growled like lions and to move strangely (but this was from the point of view of the Christians, who persecuted them). This emphasizes that the lion or raven masks were not just props, but also acted as part of the shamanistic aspect of the religion. The ordeals of fire, water, heating, and cooling all point to the shamanistic nature of the mysteries. The ordeal pit would have been covered by stone slabs, resulting in the initiate being engulfed by earth. The presence of a potential ordeal pit in the Carrawburgh Mithraeum in the North of England suggests these ceremonies were carried out even in the further reaches of the Roman Empire.



The fifth rank is Perses:

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
The fifth degree, Perses (Persian), was under the rule of the Moon. In Greco-Roman mythology Perses is the son of Perseus, and as the cult of Mithras associated the constellation Perseus with Mithras, the ultimate title of Pater (Father) for the seventh grade makes sense as Father and Son. The emblem for this stage was a harpe (carved sword), the harpe sword that Persues used to decapitate the Gorgon, symbolizing the destruction of the lower, animal aspects of the initiate. The initiate was again purified with honey, as he was under the
protection of the Moon: "Honey is associated with the purity and fertility of the moon, as this was, in ancient Persia, believed to be the source of honey, and thus the expression of 'honey-moon' denotes not the period of a month after marriage, but continued love and fertility in married life."



The sixth would be Heliodromus:

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
In the sixth grade of Heliodromus (Sun Runner) under the influence of the Sun, the initiate would represent the Sun at the ritual banquet. He would sit next to Mithras (Father), and would be dressed in red, the color of sun, fire, and the blood of life.
{Talks of a few pictures in the book} The relationship of Mithras and Sun is very close. This close link is also seen between the Persian Mithra and the Sun: the Sun is described as the eye of Mithra.



The last is Pater:

Mysteries of Mithras wrote:
The highest grade was that of Pater (Father), under the domain of Saturn. Pater was Mithras's earthly representative, the light of heaven embodied, the teacher of the congregation which he led. Regarding his clothes, according to Charles Daniels in Mithras and His Temples on the Wall:
Quote:
He wore a red tunic with long sleeves piped with yellow stripes, and a yellow belt (Santa Prisca), or alternatively, (in two Roman Temples), a white or grey tunic with long sleeves and red piping. His baggy Persian trousers and his cloak were normally red while on his head is a red cap. His symbols wer a Persian cap, a patera, or a libation dish, a sickle-like sword and his staff of office

The title of Pater is the most frequently recorded title; his symbols are that of libation bowl and sickle. In congregations were several Paters were present, the title of Pater Patrum (Father of the Fathers) was used. Other titles linked to this grade ar Pater Sacrorum (Father of the Mysteries) and Pater Nominus (Father in Conformity with Custom).



Woo, long post!
Sorry it took so long for all that. Had a few issues this past week.
Been unable to keep up with things here. Sad

PostPosted: Mon Jun 25, 2007 7:07 pm
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konamouse
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 		Just looking around and here is another reference page.
http://www.ceisiwrserith.com/mith/whatismith.htm

This guy writes about a lot of ancient worship (from what I have googled this past month).
http://www.philipcoppens.com/mithras.html

http://www.farvardyn.com/mithras7.php (probably already been linked, but couldn't remember).

http://www.taivaansusi.net/historia/mithraism.html The Rites of the initiate are about halfway down and seem to be the same as Citizen Kane quoted from his book.
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r u a Sammeeeee? I am Forever!

PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2007 12:00 am
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