The Eleusinian mysteries & rites. - The Masonic Trowel

THE INITIATORY RITES 91
initiated may, by this means, be enabled to communi-
cate to others the sacred rites in which he has been
instructed. Whether after this he becomes a torch-
bearer, or an interpreter of the Mysteries, or sustains
some other part of the sacerdotal ofhce. But the
fifth, which is produced from all these, is friendship
with divinity, and the enjoyment of that felicity
which arises from intimate converse with the gods.
According to Plato, purification is to be derived from
the five mathematical disciplines, viz. arithmetic,
geometry, stereometry, music, and astronomy."
Apuleius is represented as saying to himself :
** I approached the confines of death ; and, having
crossed the threshold of Proserpine, I at length
returned, borne along through all the elements.
I beheld the sun shining in the dead of night with
luminous splendour : I saw both the infernal and
the celestial gods. I approached and adored them."
Themistius represents initiation in the following
words :
—
" Entering now the mystic dome, he is filled with
horror and amazement. He is seized with solicitude
and a total perplexity. He is unable to move a
step forward ;
—
and he is at a loss to find the entrance
to that road which is to lead him to the place he
aspires to. But now, in the midst of his perplexity,
the prophet (hierophant) suddenly lays open to him
the space before the portals of the temple. Having
thoroughly purified him, the hierophant now dis-