


The details of her worship are unknown, and even her name is not exactly accurate-her true name was only told to initiates, none of whom ever repeated it. This has led some to believe she was the vestige of an ancient equine goddess. The Eleusinian mysteries were abolished by the 4th century CE by the Roman emperor Theodosius the Great.Ī cult also developed around Despoina, the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon, said to have been conceived while both parents were in the form of horses. Some suspect this was done while initiates were under the influence of hallucinogens. Though details are scarce, it is believed that this myth was acted out in ceremonies at Eleusis, with the symbolic harvesting of grain being a focal element. It was said that during this time her failure to attend to the crops caused the fall season, but when she emerged with Persephone she was able to attend to the crops again, ushering in the spring. Demeter's search eventually brought her to the ancient Greek city of Eleusis, and to the underworld.

The most prominent myth associated with Demeter is the kidnapping of her daughter, Persephone, by Hades. They were devoted to the worship of the goddess Demeter, who was believed to have given agriculture to humans, bringing them into civilized existence. The Eleusinian mysteries were the longest-running and most popular of the mystery cults. As a result, all priests of Cybele during this era performed the same cutting, often publicly, in hopes of being reborn one day themselves. Eventually, Cybele had a change of heart and petitioned Zeus to allow Attis to be resurrected. Attis was a mortal who spurned Cybele’s romantic advances and was punished with madness, causing him to cut off his own testicles and die. The cult of Attis was a later addition to the Cybele mythos. Worshippers of Cybele also participated in the taurobolium, a ritual bull slaughter that according to one (admittedly hostile) late Roman account involved initiates positioning themselves below the bull and showering in its blood. She is often depicted-as she is above-holding a primitive tambourine, which is fitting, since rituals associated with her included loud, percussive music and frenzied dancing. She was believed to reside on mountaintops where, accompanied by lions, she ruled over the natural world. CULT OF CYBELEĬybele, or Magna Mater, came to Greece around the 5th century BCE from the ancient Indo-European people known as the Phrygians. Here are seven of the most influential Greco-Roman Mysteries and some of what little we know about them. While participation in these cults is believed to have ended with the rise of Christianity, their influence is still evident in society’s widespread fascination with secret societies and the occult. Because members were banned from discussing their beliefs and practices with outsiders, details of their activities are now scarce, but scholars speculate that initiates were given some form of secret knowledge, handled sacred objects, and acted out sacred stories to gain favor with their deity and to secure a better afterlife. Tickets for ‘Dining In The Dark’ are now available for this summer.The ancient Greco-Roman mystery religions were a group of secret cults that worshiped lesser-known gods outside the official pantheons. Waiters were great and welcoming and then food was amazing! Definitely would recommend and can’t wait to come back!” Had a great time and would recommend to all” 💬 Devon P. Food menu was well thought out… Waitress Georgia was fantastic. Really had to rely on other senses to get your way through the table and manage to carefully grab your wine without spilling. – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Fantastic and well thought experience. ‘Dining In The Dark’ has received some rave reviews from attendees who have experienced the event in cities around the world. Guests will be led into the darkened environment by a “guide” who’ll be on hand to make sure you don’t bump into anything on your way in. This special events promise to “elevate your meal to a whole new level” with darkened surroundings – leaving just you, your taste buds and your sense of smell to enjoy a three-course meal served at W Hotel Austin!īlindfolds will be provided to all guests, which will help to heighten your senses but also help stop you from peaking at what’s on your plate. Sounds a little bit incredible, right?Īn experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing ‘Dining In The Dark’ events are now open in Austin. Imagine stepping inside a restaurant blanketed in darkness and being served a sublime three-course meal – the flavors and textures of which are intensified by your remaining senses.
