The Earth Cycles and the Eleusinian Mysteries: A Brief History
The Eleusinian Mystery cult started sometime around 1600-1580 B.C.E. [Before Common Era] (Kerenyi , 22), extending from the Mycenaean period to well beyond the Hellenic period. The Mysteries ended sometime around the 4-5th century C.E. [Common Era] (Kerenyi , 16). During those nearly two thousand, the cult grew from a small regional religion to become one of the largest initiation cults in recorded history. People from every culture in the known world made the pilgrimage to Greece to take part in the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The Lesser Mysteries took place in the early part of the Greek growing season. Taking part in the Lesser Mysteries initiation made one eligible for full initiation the following year into the Greater Mysteries, which began in the early part of the harvest season. The general teachings of the Mysteries were in connection with the cycles of life through agriculture. Those teachings led to a greater understanding that the human soul was immortal and that those Initiated into the Mysteries would have a ‘blessed after-life’. Within Greek religion, those that were not part of the Mysteries, or not allowed initiation, suffered the fate of wondering the realm of Hades for all eternity. Some of the limitations for being initiated were being able to speak Greek and never haven taken life. This last requirement was later lifted to allow soldiers to partake in the Mysteries. The DEO Order will seek to bring back the fundamental parts of these teachings that can serve us in a modern world.
There were only two types of Initiation* within the Eleusinian Mysteries. The first was the initiation into the Lesser Mysteries*. This occurred sometime during the middle of Anthesterion (Wright , 69). The second came the following year, initiation into The Greater Mysteries. This occurred during Boedromion (Wright , 71), which could very well have been on or near the fall equinox*. The Greater Mysteries* had a second and third degree of Initiation (Wright , 71), though we do not know what these consisted of. This research led me to the general formation of levels of membership within DEO bylaws and the study program structures. There is evidence that members of the Eleusinian Mysteries celebrated more than just the two Initiation rituals. It is very possible that these rituals or festivals were celebrated on a more local level allowing members to remain in the town and cities instead of making a pilgrimage to Eleusis every High Day. In the following charts, you will find possible calendars that were used in these celebrations. Note that they have been modified to be more closely related to North American growing cycles. (Reif , 76-78). I am presenting this now to start giving Seekers an idea of the future cycles we will begin to incorporate into the Order studies.
Table 1. The Greek Calendar
| Modern Calendar | Greek Calendar | Modern Calendar | Greek Calendar |
|---|---|---|---|
| September- October | Boedromion | March- April | Elaphebolion |
| October- November | Pyanopsion | April- May | Mounichion |
| November- December | Maimakterion | May- June | Thargelion |
| December- January | Poseideon | June- July | Skirophorion |
| January- February | Gamelion | July- August | Hecatombaion |
| February- March | Anthesterion | August- September | Metageitnion |
Table 2. The Demetrian Wheel of the Year (Modified to North American Region)
| Modern Date | Greek Festival and Date | Festival Description |
|---|---|---|
| Spring Festivals: Planting Seasons | ||
| March 7th |
Rites of Proerosia | The pre-plowing rites. Blessings and magic to prepare the sacred field. |
| March 5th |
Stenia Festival | Bawdy humor, sacred sexuality. Barren Demeter becomes Fertile Mother. |
| March 16th |
Rites of Arkichronia Pyanopsion 10 | Creation of fertility talismans. Combing Earth & Underworld powers. |
| March 22nd |
Thesmophoria | Celebration of Demeter’s sacred laws. Remembering our divinity. |
| March 23rd |
Rites of Nestia | The Sadness, Queen Persephone leaves Her beloved Plouton & the Underworld. |
| March 24th |
Rites of Kalligenia | The Rejoicing. Accent of the Maiden Kore. Reunion of Demeter and Kore. Planting. |
| Summer Festivals: Awakened Growth | ||
| June 10th |
Festival of Haloa | Celebration of new green growth in both cultivated field and wild. |
| Fall Festivals: Growth & Harvest | ||
| August 1st |
Festival of Chloaia | Festival of flowers, of Verdant Demeter & Kore, & of the green Earth. |
| September 12th |
The Lesser Mysteries | Ceremony of the whole festival cycle. Purification. Consecration to Demeter. |
| September 15th |
Thargelia | The Harvest. Demeter, the Harvest Queen. The seed & Maiden are matured. |
| October 7th |
Kalamaia | The Threshing. Freeing the seed grain from the chaff, Honoring Triptolemos. |
| Winter Festivals: The Fallow Time | ||
| November 28th |
Skira Festival | The Maiden’s descent. In Love, Plouton & Persephone unite. The grain is stored. The fallow period begins & in the following months Demeter becomes Crone. |
| February 20th |
The Greater Mysteries | The Sacred Drama. The reconciliation of Demeter, Plouton, & Persephone. The Rite of the Cesta Mystica. The Thanatos Rite. The Crowning. |
