Dominique PERSOONS

It is ironic that the logo of "the new mithraeum" represents the Platonic cosmic chiasma

I’m trying to understand the few remaining vestiges of Mithras. Barberini’s fresco proves that the Platonic chiasm actually existed and was even depicted (Capricorn on the left). Furthermore, the solstices were linked to the descent or ascent of souls (metempsychosis). As for Oceanus, it’s very interesting because Freud describes "the oceanic character of the unconscious." Therefore, Oceanus is a profound and unfathomable archetype. Mithras, who represents Light, is victorious over Oceanus (the conscious dominates the unconscious). Thus, Oceanus is the archetype that feeds the opposite of the sun, namely the moon. The mysterious moon represents Spiritus Epithumia and is fueled by the deep unconscious Oceanus. Therefore, the moon also represents our unconscious psyche. In contrast, the goddess Terra has her feet on the ground (conscious). Therefore, she is the realistic, down-to-earth archetype that feeds the sun god. This is to say that the opposition between sun and moon, or Anima and Spiritus, was very psychological. In this way, Plato described human psychology.

We note the alignment: the dog, Mithras’ thigh, cape, raven and Sol; on the other side: bull, Mithras’ hand sacrificing the bull, Moon. In Santa Prisca, maybe Oceanus represents Spiritus Animus.

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At the Mithraeum of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the image reveals Oceanus and Terra in opposition to the Moon and the Sun. These two gods can be considered archetypes: Oceanus = deep ocean = the profound unconscious, and Terra = conscious earthly reality. The Platonic Chiasma is demonstrated here with the opposition between Animus and Anima.

Presumably, this camay served as a buffer, so it was depicted upside down, with the moon on the left and the sun on the right.

Dominique Persoons proposes a reconstruction of Mithraic ritual based on archaeological remains, frescoes, and zodiacal symbolism. He interprets the mithraeum as a liturgical microcosm governing the descent, purification, and ascent of souls.

Summary of Mithraic philosophy on a drawing of an ornate temple.

It is possible to draw the organisation of a Mithraeum, and also his philosophical consequences. For example, the two columns were probably very different: the south column was 'human'. the winter column. Reincarnated souls appeared there, And further, pure and philosophical souls left through the gate of Capricorn. The northern column was summer time. Pure souls entered the world of the gods, and imperfect souls were rejected by the Moon and passed through the door of Cancer to be reincarnated (metempsychosis), after a six-month journey that became darker and darker.

Dear Veronica, as a woman you cannot attend the ceremonies in the mithraeum. But you can help prepare the feast. You also have a soul, like the slaves. You can therefore hope to ascend to the heavens through the solar cycle, and you will be admitted into Capricorn at the winter solstice. Then your soul will be beautified and purified for six months and it will come out into Gemini and escape from earthly influence to ascend among the gods and goddesses. But if your soul has led an impure life, if you have lacked fervor and courage, if you have not endured your condition and if you have been selfish or dishonest, then you will ascend to the sky towards Saturn, then towards the Moon where you will be prepared to return to Earth. In cancer your soul will be admitted, and you will go down the days. your soul will become heavy and charged with humidity and it will come out on the eve of the winter solstice, in Sagittarius. She wandered among the Manes before integrating a fetus and being reincarnated.

Souls enter Cancer and follow the cycle of the moon passing in front of the altar. They continue to the right and exit in Sagittarius where they are greeted by a piper. In the South-East, pure souls enter Capricorn and follow the cycle of the sun to exit into Gemini and migrate towards the gods. the mithraeum is oriented upside down, west-east. But with Taurus in the North and Scorpio in the South, the Zodiac is almost in normal position, only shifted by two signs.The figure on the left runs with arms raised towards Gemini. It is a soul in the cycle of resurrection which will ascend to Heaven.

here’s a wonderful article, full of meanings to explain the different gods. In the religion of Mithras, the journey of the soul seemed very important. So the sacred rite was based on the Zodiac, which described the different stations of the soul on the way to reincarnation, or resurrection. In this way, the slayer god of Taurus organized the circuit of souls.

here’s a wonderful article, full of meanings to explain the different gods. In the religion of Mithras, the journey of the soul seemed very important. So the sacred rite was based on the Zodiac, which described the different stations of the soul on the way to reincarnation, or resurrection. In this way, the slayer god of Taurus organized the circuit of souls.

Monreal 12th centyry AD. 1,000 years after mithraism...

Monreal monastery 12th century AD ...

this capital from the cloister of the abbey of Monreal in sicily dates from the 12th century and is very disturbing. It’s exactly Mithras (upside down). This means that, contrary to the idea we have of the past, the cult of Mithras was known and understood in the 12th century. Probably less violently than we do today. All this had to be known and respected.

The modern Masonic lodge is organised around the starry vault, but the officers are still arranged in a very similar way to the Mithraeum, respecting the two solstices and the two equinoxes. The Venerable Master in the East is at the spring equinox, the first sign of the ancient Zodiac, and the seat of Mithras, from where he intervenes in the journey of souls.

Organization of a mithraeum according to Beck and Gordon (1978).The soul of man travels through the Universe according to the cycle of the Zodiac. The Mithraeum represents this journey.

Certains mythes de l'Antiquité sont probablement basés sur des récits de « mort imminente » exactement les mêmes que les nôtres. Ainsi, s'expliqueraient le Paradis, l'Enfer, l'âme, le Dieu unique, nos divers «états d'âme»...