Proclamation for initiates: Stoa Poikile
After the heralds of the two houses who ran the mysteries told prospective initiates the mysteries would be starting, those who had paid 5 obols(about a days work), had a mystagogos who had been initiated to vouch for them, and had no blood crime, would gather here at the Stoa Poikile just south of the Agora. On the steps of the painted porch the Archon Baselius would make the proclomation that the mystery festivals had begun
day 3, Athens, 'Day of sacrifice' Ancient Agora
The second day the initiates were to take their piglet and themselves to the ancient Piraeus bay, to cleanse themselves and their sacrifice. Day three they returned home, went to the Athenian agora and sacrificed their piglets. Most watched as the Archon sacrificed to the Goddess, and representatives from other poleis did so for their respective constituents. After this the initiates were alowed one day of rest for the Asklepios festival on day four and to allow those who were late to get caught up on the initiations.
day 5 part one: 'pompe' at Rheitoi
after a day rest, and time for the festival of Asclepius to conclude, the initiates begin a 14 mile journey toward ancient Rheitoi. Here at the Archaeological Rheitoi museum they will re-enact the tying of the ribbons or the krokosis. A ribbon is tied to the left arm and leg of each initiate by the decendents of the area. The significance is lost at this point, but more than likely it was a good resting spot and a way to remember the trip before entering into Eleusis. *The picture that accompanies is an Attic inscription found near the area which decrees that a one lane, pedestrian walkway across what is now Limni Koumoundourou, should be built so that those walking across the sacred way, and priestesses of Demeter could travel safetly across.
day 5 part two: gephyrismoi at kephisos: Hadrians Bridge
As the procession got much closer to the telesterion and the temple complex, there was a sense of almost heightened mania, and zeal given the extent and physical exhaustion of the procession for almost 16 miles at this point. On the bridge across the ancient river kephisos near Eleusis the remains of Hadrians bridge, so named for the Roman emperor, can be seen among the infrastructure of the modern era. At this point in procession this exhaustion and zeal would have given way to confusion of the social orders and reversals and here across the bridge, all initiates became equal as they shared insults, jeers and jests from onlookers and each other. The young against the respected old, slave against master, women against men, and the forlorn against the wealthy. This reversal in social role could only have been enacted in specific conditions, but here on this bridge for almost a thousand years it stood as a reminder that according to the mother and the maiden, all were equal in worship for a time.
day 5 part 3: arrival and dancing at the Kallichoron well
Finally the initiates would enter the sanctuary from the east where closely situated was the Kallichoron well where Demeter can be seen portrayed. This well means literally 'beautiful dancing' and as the initiates arrived after the procession leading into the next day, still in a state of euphoria from exertion, they would dance their way into the sanctuary. Finally after arriving and dancing their way into the complex, the intiates would rest and await the next day.
Day 6: 'Telete' or rites near the Greater Propylae
After a reprieve and a nights sleep the initiates would await nightfall typically by watching the Archon Baselius and the ephebes make ritual sacrifice. Of keen interest surrounding the pomp of the day there are indications that physically fit young men would lift up not fully matured bull's to have its throat cut. This type of reenactment is not necessary but helps us understand some of the excitement surrounding the openess and importance of this preliminary event awaiting initiation proper. While waiting the initiates would have broken their fast by drinking the mythical drink from the Homeric hymn, Kykeon. A mix of penny royal, mint, barley, and unfermented wine. Here the initiates as well would have seen sacred objects, done sacred things such as move grain from basket to mortar, worked it and placed into a receptical, and said sacred things such as the initiation pass code.
day 6 part two: initiation night one: porch of philo
after libations and sacrifices the initiates during the dark of night all piled into the telesterion. This structure could fit roughly 3000 people when in use and it consisted of 5 rows of 5 pillars, and the outside perimeter had seats that inclined down. This was to ensure those at the top could see over the ones in the front. In the center of this square structure was the Anaktoron, which was the small chapel where it is said Demeter dwelled and the sacred objects held. On night one reconstruction is hazy but from ancient sources we can ascertain that the room once settled was hushed to an eery quiet, and torches extinguished making the scenery extremely dark. What ensued here was based on the Homeric Hymn to Demeter. The three highest officials of the mysteries would re-enact the abduction, searching for, and eventual finding of the maiden(Kore)Persephone. In darkness, both inside and out of the telesterion, the initiates would yell calls for her. A terrible frightening experience with thousands of others with not much but a single torch to light the way. After a time spent 'looking' for the maiden, a loud gong would 'boom' and a large fire light from the top of local buildings would erupt signifying she had been found. This move from tranquility, to chaos and confusion, to catharsis, would have had a dramatic effect on the participants.
day 7: initiation of the highest degree: the telesterion
After a day of rest, the second night of initiation would begin. This was reserved for those who had been initiated already, and were seeking the final experience. The narrative here again is largely lost but piecing together what we do know, those that were here for night two. The first was re-enactment of a subterranean decent by Persephone into the underworld. This is largely just allegorical here as there is not a chamber underneat the telesterion. Next would come ritual dancing, singing and speaking. Next there was a point where the initiates were essentially terrified in a variety of ways such as a female dressed up with snakes in her hair and other ritualistic actions meant to terrify. Finally at the climax all would be quiet and still and under bursting flame light the Archon, reaped one ear of wheat, next to a sacred statue of Demeter, and proclaimed that the goddess had given birth to a 'strong one'. This would signify a healthy spring cultivation for the coming year.
