Observations placeholder
W.Y. Evans-Wentz - The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries - Mithras Mysteries
Identifier
014076
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, by W.Y. Evans-Wentz, [1911]
The worship of Mithras, the Persian god of created light and all earthly wisdom, who in time became identified with the sun, was conducted in natural and artificial caves found in every part of the Roman Empire where his cult flourished until superseded by Christianity; and in these caves very elaborate initiations of seven degrees were carried out.
The cave itself signified the lower world, into which during the ordeals of initiation the neophyte was supposed to enter while out of the physical body, that the soul might be purged by many trials. In Mexico the cavern of Chalchatongo led to the plains of paradise, evidently through initiations; and Mictlan, a subterranean temple, similarly led to the Aztec land of the dead.
The source of the experience
Roman MysteriesConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
UnderworldScience Items
Sacred geographySacred geography - altars
Sacred geography - artificial hills
Sacred geography - barrows
Sacred geography - crack or crevice
Sacred geography - labyrinths
Sacred geography - physical caves
Sacred geography - rivers and streams
Sacred geography - underground secret passages