Thesmophoria

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Thesmophoria
A Wisdom Archive on Thesmophoria

Thesmophoria A selection of articles related to Thesmophoria

We recommend this article: Thesmophoria - 1, and also this: Thesmophoria - 2.

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ARTICLES RELATED TO Thesmophoria

Thesmophoria: Encyclopedia - Thesmophoria

Thesmophoria was a festival held in Greek cities in honour of the twin goddesses Demeter and her daughter Persephone. It celebrated the half of the year when Demeter didn't work in her role of goddess of the harvest and growth; she spent this half of the year (the harsh summer months of Greece, when vegetation dies and lacks rain) with her daughter who had been released by Hades; to whom Persephone was wedded. As a goddess of marriage, this feast was for women to celebrate the customs of the land. Only women who were the spouses of Athenian citizens could attend the festival; no slaves, men or unmarried wom ...

Thesmophoria: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary on Thesmophoria

Thesmophoria (Greek) [from thesmophoros law-giving]

A Mystery festival celebrated at Athens, Abdera, and possibly also in Sparta, in honor of Demeter-Thesmophoros, as goddess of justice, law, and order. During its celebration, prisoners were released, the law courts of the city-state were closed, and the senate did not meet. Celebrated by women only, it took place on three days, beginning with the 11th of Pyanepsion -- October 24-26.

The first day was called Anodos (the way up), but also Kathodos (the way down, the descent). It celebrated with a great processional the return of Demeter with her daughter Persephone from the underworld, and as Kathodos, her descent into it. The second day was Kalligeneia (mother of beauty); and third was Nesteia (the fast), passed by the women in silence and fasting, sitting on the ground to celebrate Demeter's sorrow. There is no information as to the rites of the second day, and nothing is actually known of the private ritual of any of the three days.

Thesmophoria: Spiritual - Theosophy Dictionary on Sais

Sais (Greek) Saut (Egyptian) An important ancient city of Lower Egypt, the capital of the fifth nome: the residence of kings of the 26th dynasty. Only ruins mark the famous temple of Neith wherein was kept the ever-veiled statue of Neith-Isis, Neith being the principal deity of Sais, regarded as Athena by the Greeks. Festivals in honor of Osiris were held regularly as well.

"At Sais, also, in the sacred precinct of Minerva, behind the chapel and joining the whole of the wall, is the tomb of one whose name I consider it impious to divulge on such an occasion; and in the inclosure stand large stone obelisks, and there is a lake near, ornamented with a stone margin, formed in a circle, and in size, as appeared to me, much the same as that in Delos, which is called the Circular. In this lake they perform by night the representation of that person's adventures, which they call mysteries. On these matters, however, . . . I must observe a discrete silence; and respecting the sacred rites of Ceres, which the Greeks call Thesmophoria although I am acquainted with them, I must observe silence, . . . " (Herodotus 2:170-1).

(See also: Sais, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

Thesmophoria: Encyclopedia - Demeter

Dêmêtêr (or Demetra) (DEH-MEH-ter) ("mother-goddess" or perhaps "distribution-mother") is the Greek goddess of agriculture, the pure nourisher of youth and the green earth, the health-giving cycle of life and death, and preserver of marriage and the sacred law. She is invoked as the "bringer of seasons" in the Homeric hymn, a subtle sign that she was worshiped long before the Olympians arrived. She and her daughter Persephone were the central figures of the Eleusinian Mysteries that also predated the Olympian p ...

Including:

Read more here: » Demeter: Encyclopedia - Demeter

Thesmophoria: Encyclopedia - Procession

A procession (M. Eng., processioun, Fr., procession, Lat., processio, from procedere, to go forth, advance, proceed) is, in general, an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner. This definition covers a wide variety of such progresses: the medieval pageants, of which the Lord Mayors show in London is the most conspicuous survival; the processions connected with royal coronations and with court ceremonies generally; the processions of friendly societies, so popular in Great Britain ...

Thesmophoria: Theosophy Dictionary on Agnus-Castus Plant

Agnus-Castus Plant A species of Vitex, a willow-like tree sometimes called the chaste tree (from hagnos chaste vs agnos willow-like)

. "Prometheus is represented as crowned with the Agnus-Castus plant (logos), the leaves of which formed the Crown of the Victors in the 'Agonia' of the Olympic games; . . . This Agnus-Castus plant was used also in the fete of the Thesmophoria, in honour of Demeter -- the law -- 'nomos' -- bringer, whose priestesses slept on its leaves as encouraging chaste desires. In Christian times this custom survived among Nuns, who used to drink a water distilled from its leaves, and Monks used knives with handles made of its wood with the same intention of encouraging chastity" (BCW 9:267). (also BCW 10:90)

Thesmophoria: Encyclopedia II - Demeter - Titles and functions

In various contexts, Demeter is invoked with many epithets: Potnia ("mistress") in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter Chloe ("the green shoot", Pausanias 1.22.3), for her powers of fertility and eternal youth Anesidora ("sending up gifts" from the earth Pausanias 1.31.4), as Demeter Malophoros ("apple-bearer" or "sheep-bearer" Pausanias 1.44.3) Kidaria (Pausanias 8.13.3), Chthonia ("in the ground" Pausanias 3.14.5) Erinys ("imp ...