Norman J. Penny - pictish-mithraism.com

Looking Skywards
Through the day (clear day) the sun is the most visible planet (it was considered to be a planet in
time frame of Roman Mithraism) followed by the moon, then on occasion, other planets (such as
Venus) and brighter stars. Through the night (clear night) the zodiac and a much wider set of stars is
visible – in fact, broadly a hemisphere of the universe. This sky component replaces much of the
iconography of the indoor mithraeum quite simply as it is not needed. In the night sky the relevant
constellations can be seen – dependent on the time of year. The plough will point to the pole star.
Any other star - indeed galaxy - formations, otherwise represented in the indoor mithraeum
(including the Milky Way), will be seen outdoors by the observer on Earth.
Therefore, in designing the terrestrial part of the Open-Air Mithraeum there is arguably no need to
include the planets and stars as such – maybe just their relationship within the mystery and/or
indicators towards their location. However, there may be aspects of the view skywards, otherwise
depicted but obscured in the Mithraeum, which are visible to anyone (Mithraist or not) that need to
have their context made unclear e.g. through astrological references.
The symbols on the Stones might then need to obscure something that may be deduced directly
from looking at the sky or, conversely, Stone based symbols could rely on the sky view to complete
the symbol. Nothing should be obvious to the uninitiated. Furthermore, a Stone based symbol could
be used as an indicator to use part of the sky view to decipher the symbol or, simply, to be a pointer.
The big difficulty, then, in designing the Open-Air Mithraeum Stone is what to include because the
sky (at night in particular) contains elements that are in the indoor Mithraeum and what to exclude
from the design – an icon may not be needed when the real thing is visible.
Orientation and Location
If the intent is to mimic the indoor Mithraeum then replication of layout, orientation and location is
necessary. The indoor Mithraea seem to have specific East/West orientation; good examples are
those in Ostia. The Tauroctony is at the East end; the benches are set on the North side facing South
and the South side facing North; the entrance is at the West end so anyone entering faces towards
the Tauroctony. All this gives orientation along a specific axis and facilitates observing where the sun
and moon rise and set plus gives a reference point for knowing the equinox and solstice locations.
Indoor Mithraea are located close to running water – partly, probably, for practical purposes but
maybe to ensure all elements are present and visible – earth, air, fire and water.
In some places several Mithraea are built in close proximity to one another – maybe providing
different but complementary functions.
Conclusion
We now have the rationale and elements for the “Open-Air” Mithraeum. Now we need to see if such
places exist – Pictish Symbol Stones seem to be a contender.
14