Ancient Greek initiation rites and their transformative impact. Mysteries of Eleuses

Ancient Greek initiation rites at Eleuses were believed to have a life-transformative impact, potentially involving the use of a ritual potion. Participation in the mysteries was considered illegal to reveal what was seen or experienced. The mysteries typically occurred once in a person's life, often in later years, after decades of spiritual preparation. The rituals included a 13-mile march from Athens to Eleusis, a nine-day affair involving fasting, procession sacrifices, and a culminating experience at the Telestereon, the ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Demeter. Participants progressed from being a mistae to anepoptes, signifying a profound transformative journey. Initiates went to Eleusis not to learn, but to experience and suffer, and were said to have seen something that convinced them of their immortality. These rites were practiced continuously for about a thousand years prior to Plato and Aristotle, dating back to 1500 B.C. The temple of Eleusis was dedicated to Demeter and focused on a cult around the Persephone story.