The Dionysian Mysteries

Hello Friends,

Can anyone provide information on this Mystery School? I found a site that was quite interesting entitled,The Bacchic Mysteries and I was wondering if anyone could provide additional insight.

Their was a description of Dionysus, In particular, that I found very interesting and was wondering if comment could be offered on this in addition to any other thoughts?

Dionysian Underground Wrote:

The central archetype of these Mysteries being this man-god Dionysos, an eclectic figure drawn from a variety of cultures and given formal image in Greek and Roman mythology. Dionysos, or Bacchus as he was known in the Roman world, is a universal archetype who can be variously understood as a mythological metaphor, a deep aspect of our own being, an anthropomorphic vision of nature, a wild god, or the devil himself. How ever he is understood he remains the Great Mystery beyond human reason and conventional categories. He represents that dynamic flow of becoming that is the true essence of nature. Beyond all duality, he is both god and mortal, animal and man, life and death, light and dark, male and female, good and evil, spirit and matter, the particular and the whole. Manifest in both extremes (never in between) but also beyond all. A primeval immanent Tao.

TIA

Alrighty then,

Thanks for the info.

There are two poles of Dionysian Intoxication:

See: Dionysian Intoxication


And some of the authors mentioned in the following post, were most likely from Spiritual-Lineages directly descended from the Dionysian Master Builders:

History of Masonic square and compass



Hope this helps.

Manly P. Hall and Godfrey Higgins have always had valuable info to share:

The Processional of the Bacchic Rites

From Ovid's Metamorphosis

In the initiation of the Bacchic Mysteries, the role of Bacchus is played by the candidate who, set upon by priests in the guise of the Titans, is slain and finally restored to life amidst great rejoicing. The Bacchic Mysteries were given every three years, and like the Eleusinian Mysteries, were divided into two degrees. The initiates were crowned with myrtle and ivy, plants which were sacred to Bacchus.

In the Anacalypsis, Godfrey Higgins conclusively establishes Bacchus (Dionysos) as one of the early pagan forms of the Christos myth: "The birthplace of Bacchus, called Sabazius or Sabaoth, was claimed by several places in Greece; but on Mount Zelmisus, in Thrace, his worship seems to have been chiefly celebrated.

He was born of a virgin on the 25th of December; he performed great miracles for the good of mankind;

particularly one in which he changed water into wine;

he rode in a triumphal procession on an ass; he was put to death by the Titans, and rose again from the dead on the 25th of March: he was always called the Saviour. In his mysteries, he was shown to the people, as an infant is by the Christians at this day, on Christmas Day morning in Rome."


At one time the Bacchic Rites were of a high order, but later they became much degraded. The Bacchanalia, or orgies of Bacchus, are famous in literature. MPH

This last sentence here^^^, reflects what Samael Aun Weor wrote about one of the Two Dionysian Poles, and the Hippie Movement, etc.

Gnostic Glossary - Alchemy

Al (Arabic, as in Allah) means "God." Also El (Hebrew) for "God." Chem or Khem is from kimia (Greek) which means "to fuse or cast a metal." Also from Khem, the ancient name of Egypt. The synthesis is Al-Kimia: "to fuse with God."

In Alchemy, it is symbolically stated that there exist Five Atomic Ingredients with a Unitive Cement in order to acquire such fusion: Seed, Honey, Wine, Bread and Milk.

Seed: Represents the Ens Seminis, the masculine and feminine creative energy.

Honey: wisely represents the Bartholin glands or greater vestibular glands. These are two glands located slightly below and on both sides of the vaginal opening in women. They secrete mucus to provide lubrication, especially when the woman is sexually aroused, thus facilitating sexual activity.


Wine: Is the same Ens Seminis, transmuted or elevated to a higher scale of vibration by means of the alchemical transmutation,

which is magisterially symbolized in the biblical narration of the transmutation of water into wine in the weddings of Canaan of Galilee.


Bread: it is a clear reference to the Solar Bodies, the Existential Vehicles of the Being; the outcome of the Alchemical Work.

Milk: Symbol of the Developed Virtues.

[edit on 20-2-2007 by Tamahu]

PRS(Manly P. Hall) Rare Reprints, and Thomas Taylor:

DIONYSIAN ARTIFICERS-(Rare Reprint) - By Hippolyto Joseph Da Costa. - With an Interpretation of the Myth of Dionysius by Manly P. Hall.

In this illustrated reprint of a rare Masonic monograph, Da Costa expresses his belief that modern Freemasonry derives it origin from the Dionysian architects and gives a valuable and comprehensive outline of the opinion of ancient authors on this subject. As the laws of nature and moral rules deduced from them were explained in fables, they were impressed on the memory by symbolical ceremonies which were termed “Mysteries.” This edition is completed with an interpretation of the central myth of the Dionysian Mysteries and explains the secret metaphysical doctrines of this cult.

Originally posted by Foundation

Alrighty then,

Thanks for the info.

You're welcome.

Thanks Again for all your time and effort It is very much appreciated.

Kindest Regards