Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP) cover image

Podcast episodes – The Secret History of Western Esotericism Podcast (SHWEP)

Mithras and the Stars: Astral Elements in the Cult of Mithras

Jun 30, 2021
Explore the astral imagery in the cult of Mithras, including the symbolism in the tauroctany and the prevalence of astral elements in temple iconography. Discover the enigmatic connection between Mithraic grades and planets, and delve into the interpretation of a possible Mithraic artifact. Explore the symbolism of death and ascent in Mithraic rites, including the representation of cosmic ascent in cave depictions.
44:43

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The Mithraic temples featured astral imagery and symbolism, indicating a possible connection between Mithras and astral religion.
  • Scholars have different interpretations regarding Mithraism's view on salvation, with some emphasizing post-mortem salvation and others focusing on rituals symbolizing death and rebirth.

Deep dives

Mithraism and the Mysteries of Mithras

In this podcast episode, the focus is on the mysteries of Mithras, a long-dead but still influential cult. The podcast explores the connection between Mithras and astral religion, which refers to religious systems where the state of celestial bodies directly influences humans. The imagery found in Mithraic temples, such as the tauroctony, displays elements that can be interpreted as having possible astral references. The podcast also delves into the association of Mithras with the sun and the potential symbolic meaning behind the ladder depicted in Mithraic visuals, which could indicate a soul's cosmic ascent. The podcast presents differing scholarly opinions on whether Mithraism offered salvation in the afterlife, with some arguing for a post-mortem salvation and others emphasizing an emphasis on rituals symbolizing death and rebirth. The episode concludes with the mention of the Mithras Liturgy, a precious ancient document providing detailed instructions for ascending through the cosmic spheres in search of immortality.

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