AGON – ΑΓΩΝPronunciation: ȦgōnSingular: AgonPlural: AgonêsOther Forms of the Word:Agonia: a consequence of AgonCommon English translation: strife, struggle, conflict, contestTranslated definition of the word:AGON originally denoted ‘a gathering’ and was later extended to mean an athletic contest. An AGON commences and takes place within the context of an ‘ago’ which is a gathering of the THEOI…

“What are concrete ways that you/we can do to promote ARÊTE and the Hellenic kosmotheasis?” was a question asked in one of the online fora that I am on. And that is something that bears thinking about. As I sit here at home, feeding my child her breakfast, I have time to think on this…

The Mysteries, like the Gods themselves, exist outside of what we would consider “normal” space and time. They are set apart from the world of our everyday, mundane experiences and that is part of the reason that they were celebrated in ancient times and also part of the reason that we strive to recreate them…

Today is the 6th day of the Greater Eleusinian Mysteries by the calendars that I go by. And part of this Mystery has to do with dying and being reborn. This leads to the reason for Persephone’s annual descent. Plato, in his dialogue Phaedo discusses the immortality of the soul and the afterlife. And it…

“I have fasted, drunk the kykeon, taken things out of the big basket and, after performing a rite, put them in the little basket, whence I put them back in the big basket”  This is unfortunately, one of the few clues we have about what the preparations for the Greater Eleusinian Mysteries entailed. Today is the…

Today is the 4th day of the Eleusinian Mysteries according to the calendars that I am using. It is the last day of preparation and purification before the high point of the Mysteries themselves. I feel that this is a good time to discuss purification of self and home. I personally work to cleanse the…

“I begin to sing of rich-haired Demeter reverend goddess (semne thea)–of her and her trim-ankled daughter [Persephone] whom Aidoneus [Haides] rapt away . . . Right blessed is he among men on earth whom they freely love: soon they do send Ploutos (Wealth) as guest to his great house, Ploutos (Plutus, Wealth) who gives wealth…

Much of what I will be including in today’s blog entry is speculation on my part as there is little direct evidence except the lines of the Orphic Hymn in her honor.”O, vernal queen, whom grassy plains delight, sweet to the smell, and pleasing to the sight: Whose holy form in budding fruits we view, Earth’s…

“Where is my child, my golden girl?” I can easily imagine Demeter uttering these words after the disappearance of Persephone. As a mother I can also imagine the sense of utter anguish when she searched  throughout the Upper World for her daughter. I am merely mortal and yet I worry when I don’t know what…

“[39] XXXIX. TO CERES [DEMETER ELEUSINIA]The Fumigation from Storax.O Universal mother, Ceres [Deo] fam’d august, the source of wealth, and various nam’d:Great nurse, all-bounteous, blessed and divine, who joy’st in peace, to nourish corn is thine:Goddess of seed, of fruits abundant, fair, harvest and threshing, are thy constant care;Who dwell’st in Eleusina’s seats retir’d, lovely,…