Mysteries of Mithras: The Temples, The Initiations... and the God April 24, 2009

7.15 for 7.30 start

In this illustrated slide lecture, we are taken into the world of the late Roman / Persian pagan cult of the god Mithras. How did you join, what did you see, and what did it mean to be a follower of Mithras? Our speaker starts by describing the temple, a Mithraeum, which was a key part of the religion, 'the cave of universe' or 'world cave' described by classical sources. The position of the various icons, symbols and imagery together created a microcosm allowing the initiates to see the mysteries.
The initiations of the mystery cult took the seeker through grades of illumination, and the talk reveals what these aimed to achieve and what each meant. To be a follower of Mithras was to engage with meaning, self and transformation: tonight's speaker shows us just how.

Payam Nabarz is author of ‘The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World’ (Inner Traditions, 2005), ‘The Persian Mar Nameh: The Zoroastrian Book of the Snake Omens & Calendar’ (Twin Serpents, 2006), and Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan (Web of Wyrd, 2008). He is also editor of ‘Mithras Reader: An Academic and Religious Journal of Greek, Roman and Persian Studies’ Vol1 & Vol2. His forth coming book ‘Stellar Magic: A Beginner’s Guide to Rites of the Moon, Planets, Stars and Constellations’ is due out in 2009. For further info visit: http://www.myspace.com/nabarz

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