The Mysteries of Mithraspresents a revival of the magical practices and initiatory system of Mithraism, the ancient Roman mystery religion that was immensely popular in the Roman Legions from the late second century B.C. until A.D. 400 and was taken to every corner of the Roman Empire. As the last pagan state religion in Europe, it was the most important competitor to early Christianity and heavily influenced Christian doctrine and symbolism. The parallels between Christianity and ancient Mithraism are striking--for example, the god Mithra was born of a virgin in a cave on December 25. Payam Nabarz reveals the history, origins, and spiritual and philosophical tenets of Mithraism and its connections to Christianity, Islam, and Freemasonry. He also describes the modern neo-pagan practice of Mithraism in evidence today and for readers who wish to adopt the Mithraic path, he includes seven of its initiatory rituals and meditations, as well as orations and teaching tales, that open the door to the seven Mithraic grades of passage.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Acknowledgments
Foreword by Caitlín Matthews
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the
Mithraic Mysteries
The Persian Mithra
The Roman Mithras
The Revival of Mithras in the Twentieth
and Twenty-First Centuries
Chapter 2: Mithraic Iconography
Birth of the Roman Mithras
Mithras the Hunter
The Tauroctony
Sol and Sol Invictus
The Miracle of the Rock
The Sacred Meal
The Ascension
Leontocephaline (Lion-Headed One)
Chapter 3: The Seven Initiatory Rites
of Mithras
The Rites
Sufi Interpretation of the Seven Rites
The Women’s Grade
Chapter 4: Echoes of Mithraism around
the World
The Echo of Mithraism in Christianity
Mithras as Liberator
Echoes of Mithraism in the Yezidis and
the Peacock Angel
Mithras in Britain
Chapter 5: Simorgh--A Mithraic Fairy
Tale
Simorgh--An Old Persian Fairy Tale
Symbolism of the Simorgh Tale
Chapter 6: The Mithraic Liturgy
Preparation for Performing the
Mithraic Liturgy
The Ritual
Chapter 7: The Goddess Anahita
Chapter 8: Meditations and Initiations
I. Corax Meditation and Initiation
II. Nymphus Meditation and Initiation
III. Miles Meditation and Initiation
IV. Leo Meditation and Initiation
V. Perses Meditation and Initiation
VI. Heliodromus Meditation and Initiation
VII. Pater Meditation and Initiation
Chapter 9: The Four Stations of Mithra
Yule--Birth of the Sun
Spring Equinox--Nou Roz
Summer Solstice--Tir
Autumn Equinox--Festival of Mithra
Epilogue
Appendix A: Zoroastrian Hymn to Mithra
(Mehr Yasht 10)
Appendix B: Zoroastrian Hymn to
Anahita (Aban Yasht 5)
Notes
Bibliography
Further Reading
Mithraic Groups and Internet Resources
Index
