The Eleusinian mysteries & rites. - The Masonic Trowel

PROGRAMME OF GREATER MYSTERIES 59
the initiatory rites then. The eighth day was re-
garded as symbohcal of the soul falHng into the
Kmar orbi, and the repeated initiation, the second
celebration of that sacred rite, was symbolical of
the soul bidding adieu to everything of a celestial
nature, sinking into a perfect oblivion of her divine
origin and pristine felicity, and rushing profoundly
into the region of dissimilitude, ignorance, and error.
The day opened with a solemn sacrifice offered to
Demeter and Persephone, which took place within
the peribolus. The utmost precision had to be
observed in offering this sacrifice as regarding the age,
colour, and sex of the victim, the chants, perfumes,
and libations. The acceptance or rejection of a
sacrifice was indicated by the movements of the
animal as it approached the altar, the vivacity of
the flame, the direction of the smoke, etc. If these
signs were not favourable in the case of the first
victim offered, other animals must be slain until
one presented itself in which all the signs were favour-
able. The flesh of the animal offered was not allowed
to be taken outside the sacred precincts, but had
to be consumed within the building. The following
is said to have been an Invocation used during
the celebration of the Mysteries :
Daughter of Jove, Persephone divine,
Come, blessed queen, and to these rites incline
Only-begotten, Pluto's honoured wife,
O venerable goddess, source of life
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