The Eleusinian mysteries & rites. - The Masonic Trowel

PROGRAMME OF GREATER MYSTERIES 49
all ye who are pure of heart and of hand, and whose
speech can be understood. Whosoever hath not
clean hands, a pure soul, and an intelligible voice
must not assist at the Mysteries."
The people were then commanded by the hiero-
phant to wash their hands in consecrated water,
and the impious were threatened with the punishment
set forth in the law if they were discovered, but
especially, and this in any case, with the implacable
anger of the gods. The hierocceryx then impressed
upon all the duty of observing the most rigid secrecy
with respect to what they might witness, and bade
them to be silent throughout the ceremonies, and
not utter even an exclamation. The candidates for
initiation assembled outside the temple, each under
the guidance and direction of the mystagogue,
who repeated these instructions to the candidates.
Once within the sacred enclosure all the initiates
were subject to a purification by fire ceremonial.
All wore regalia special to the occasion. This is
evident from the wording of inscriptions which
have been discovered, but particulars of the regalia
are wanting. We know that extravagant and costly
dresses were regarded by Demeter with disfavour,
and that it was forbidden to wear such in the temple.
Jewellery, gold ornaments, purple-coloured belts,
and embroideries were also barred, as were robes
and cloths of mixed colours. The hair of women
had to fall down loose upon the shoulders, and must
4