Observations placeholder
W.Y. Evans-Wentz - The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries - Cave of Trophonius
Identifier
014075
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries, by W.Y. Evans-Wentz, [1911]
As has already been stated, the original Purgatory was in a cave; pilgrims, after having fasted and performed the necessary preparatory penances, were required to pass the night there. Among the Greeks, neophytes seeking initiation, after similar preparation, entered the cave-shrine recently discovered at Eleusis, the site of the Great Mysteries, and therein, in the sanctum sanctorum, entered into communion with the god and goddess of the lower world.
In the state cult at Acharaca, Greece, there was another cavern-temple in which initiations were conducted. The oracle of Zeus Trophonius was situated in a subterranean chamber, into which, after various preparatory rites, including the invocation of Agamedes, neophytes descended to receive in a very mysterious manner the divine revelations which were afterwards interpreted for them. So awe-inspiring were the descent into the cave and the sights therein seen that it was popularly believed that no one who visited the cave ever smiled again; and persons of grave and serious aspect were proverbially said to have been in the cave of Trophonius.
The source of the experience
Eleusinian MysteriesConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
CaveScience Items
Sacred geographySacred geography - bridges
Sacred geography - cities
Sacred geography - crack or crevice
Sacred geography - islands
Sacred geography - physical caves
Sacred geography - rivers and streams
Sacred geography - sacred grove
Sacred geography - underground secret passages
Sacred geography - water sites