Pantheism pt.1- Mysteries, Heimdallr and the World Tree - Hidden Knowledge in Old Norse Myths pt.25

"Beautiful indeed is the Mystery given us by the blessed gods: Death is for mortals no longer an evil, but a blessing." (Inscription at the Temple of Demeter, Eleusis)

Bibliography in Mystery Cults: Apuleius, Lucius Madaurensis/Griffiths J. Gwyn (overs. og red.) (1975): Metamorphoses book 11: The Isis-book Études preliminaries aux religions orientales dans l´Empire
Burkert, Walter (1987):Ancient Mystery Cults Harvard University Press, London
D´Alviella, Goblet (1981):The Mysteries of Eleusis -- the secret rites and rituals of the Classical Greek Mystery tradition The Aquarian Press
Eliade, Mircea (red..et al.) (1987): The Encyclopedia of Religion New York: Macmillan
Pakkanen, Petra (1995): Interpreting early Hellenistic religion: a study based on the cult of Isis and the mystery cult of Demeter - Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki
Eliade, Mircea (1965): Rites and Symbols of Initiation: the mysteries of birth and rebirth
New York: Harper & Row
Witt, Reginald Eldred(1971):Isis in the Graeco-Roman world, Aspects of Greek and Roman Life, London, Thames and Hudson
Egypt: Erik Hornung:Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt - The One and the Many
India: David Kinsley: The Sword and the Flute, University of California Press 1971
J.L.Brockington: The Sacred Thread, Redwood Books, 1996

"There was a time when the rest of the happy band
they saw beauty shining in brightness
we philosophers following in the train of Zeus,
others in company with other gods;
And then we saw the beatific vision
And were initiated into a Mystery
which may be called most blessed,
celebrated by us in our state of innocence,
before we had any experience of evils to come,
when we were admitted to the sight of apparitions
innocent and simple, calm and happy,
which we saw shining in pure light." (Socrates, in Plato´s Phaedrus, 250)

"For among the many excellent and indeed divine institutions
which your Athens has brought forth and contributed to human life,
none, in my opinion, is better than the Mysteries. For by their means we have been brought out of
our barbarous and savage mode of life
and educated and refined to a state of civilization; And as the rites (of the Mysteries) are called "initiations,"
So in very truth we have learned from them the beginnings of life,
And have gained the power not only to live happily,
But also to die with a better hope."( Cicero, Laws II, xiv, 36)

"I am everything there is, everything that ever was, and everything that will ever be. No mortal has ever seen beyond my veil". (Inscription at the Temple of Neith, Goddess of Existence, Egypt, recorded by Plutarch)

"Oh, All-Nature, Queen, Mother of all things, untiring Mother, exalted, creating, She who tames all, Unmentionable, shining, the first born who quenches everything, who brings the Light....Born of yourself, present everywhere and all-knowing...You Blessed One, who makes things grow and rot -- Father and Mother of all things, Universal Worker, you who walk forth in an endless maelstrom, conserving, you who uphold yourself through repeated metamorphosis...I pray to you -- give me peace." (Orphic poem)

The soul wanders around in tiring circles, on scary roads through absolute darkness that lead nowhere; and then, just before the final end to all cruelties the soul experiences panic, perspiration and trembling. Then a wonderful light approaches the soul, it is met by clean spheres and fields that welcomes the soul with sacred words and sacred sights, and there the initiate will, now in its most perfect form, free of bondage, wander about, crowned with laurel, celebrating great festivals with others of sacred, pure souls." (Pluthark)

"Wherever mankind was created, there was Nisaba established: Let the Wise teach the Mystery to the Wise!" (Assyrian history of creation 800 B.C- Nisaba was the Assyrian goddess of learning)

The unity of Heimdallr in: Gro Steinsland (1991): Det Hellige Bryllup og Norrøn kongeideologi (The Sacred Marriage and old Norse King Ideology)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Heimdallr
• Yggdrasill
• pantheism
• old norse
• socrates
• plutarch
• marcus aurelius
• philosophy
• myth
• mythology
• polytheism
• mystery religion
• ancient wisdom

[DandJ1998]

Another excellent video, Maria. I look forward to the second part. And may I ask, what is it with you? Seems like there's always someone trying to sleep with you.

[LadyoftheLabyrinth]

@DandJ1998 Thanks! As for the latter, I suppose I should be content that even those of smaller minds and dubious manners get something out of my talks... :)=)

[Vidarskald]

Isn't Heimdallr, according to some, also Rigr, the one who fathers the social classes of man? This would seem to lend weight to your interpretation of Heimdallr being the all encompassing god. In your next video are you going to address the significance of Heimdallr and Loki destroying each other in the final battle?

It's good to see your face again on video. ; )

[LadyoftheLabyrinth]

@Vidarskald Thanks!Many think that Rigr is identical to Heimdallr, I think that identification has been made exactly because Heimdallr is the great unifying figure in the myths and Rigr is the father of all classes...Otherwise the Rigs poem has a very particular agenda that set it a bit apart from the others: to legitimize slavery and rulership as a divine order, and Rigr is a mysterious figure that just means "Ruler". Loki-Heimd.:Ops, I must concentrate on pantheism for now but will do later:)

[SentientRaven]

I could listen to you talk about this stuff all day long. And these talking videos are of admirable length, too! :) Thanks!

[LadyoftheLabyrinth]

@FreeOneSolo Pantheism was an important part of several ancient Mystery cults, particularly those of Eleusis and Isis. That there were lots of other ideas existing in the same cultures is obvious - it was en era of diversity. The subject, however, is not all the various ideas of the classical age, but pantheism, which I clearly state was a tradition that existed within otherwise generally polytheistic societies (and still do, as in India). That is a correct statement based on serious studies.

[LadyoftheLabyrinth]

@FreeOneSolo I see. It is true that I choose the subject matters that interest me the most, and that I enjoy talking about it. It does not take away the fact that I am referring to historical concepts and movements that actually existed, which is the important question.I am not saying anything that has not been said before by serious scholars on the subject, yet it is not widely known and there are actually those who are happy to learn about these themes online.

[LadyoftheLabyrinth]

@FreeOneSolo Your idea that I have invented historical concepts based entirely on my own view is simply not true. Except for the part I quoted from Wikipedia, I have now added the most important bibliography on which I have based my claims, and if you are in fact interested you may find it in the description. I also recommend that you read the Isis book in Met. by Apuleius for more information on the female deity pantheism.I mentioned Nisaba as connected to mysteries, saying we do not know more.

[Metaldude1945]

I love the accent! :) 

[5nereus]

"I am everything there is, everything that ever was, and everything that will ever be. No mortal has ever seen beyond my veil" i love this quote

[DjSigvhat]

If my mind is the machine, you provide the fuel. Thanks for the gas Sis. I get stuck and you help me to move lol. Later!

[keeelane]

i wouldn't say in pantheism hierarchy doesn't exist. it exists - i.e. ome god(des)s are preferred over others - , but it may not make claims about universality of a specific hierarchy.