The Eleusinian mysteries & rites. - The Masonic Trowel

THE INITIATORY RITES 69
the following September. Septimius Severus was
initiated before he ascended the throne.
There was, as stated, three degrees, and the ordi-
nary procedure with regard to initiation was as
follows :
—
In the month of Anthesterion, the flower month
of spring, corresponding with February-March, an
appUcant could, if approved, become an initiate
into the first degree at the celebration of the Lesser
Mysteries and take part in their celebration at the
Eleusinion at Agra, near to Athens. The ceremony
of initiation into this first degree was on a far less
imposing scale than the ceremony of initiation into
the second and third degrees at the Greater Mysteries.
The candidate, however, had to keep chaste and
unpolluted for nine days prior to the ceremony,
which each one attended wearing crowns and garlands
of flowers and observed by offering prayers and
sacrifices. Immediately previous to the celebration
the candidates for initiation were prepared by the
Mystagogues, the special teachers selected for the
purpose from the families of the Eumolpides and
Keryces. They were instructed in the story of
Demeter and Persephone, the character of the
purification necessary and other prehminary rites,
the fast days, with particulars of the food permissible
and forbidden to be eaten, and the various sacrifices
to be offered by and for them under the direction of
the mystagogues.