The mysteries of Mithras : the pagan belief that shaped the Christian world

AcknowledgmentsForeword by Caitlín MatthewsChapter 1: An Introduction to the Mithraic Mysteries The Persian Mithra The Roman Mithras The Revival of Mithras in the Twentieth and Twenty-First CenturiesChapter 2: Mithraic Iconography Birth of the Roman Mithras Mithras the Hunter The Tauroctony Sol and Sol Invictus The Miracle of the Rock The Sacred Meal The Ascension Leontocephaline (Lion-Headed One)Chapter 3: The Seven Initiatory Rites of Mithras The Rites Sufi Interpretation of the Seven Rites The Women’s GradeChapter 4: Echoes of Mithraism around the World The Echo of Mithraism in Christianity Mithras as Liberator Echoes of Mithraism in the Yezidis and the Peacock Angel Mithras in BritainChapter 5: Simorgh--A Mithraic Fairy Tale Simorgh--An Old Persian Fairy Tale Symbolism of the Simorgh TaleChapter 6: The Mithraic Liturgy Preparation for Performing the Mithraic Liturgy The RitualChapter 7: The Goddess AnahitaChapter 8: Meditations and Initiations I. Corax Meditation and Initiation II. Nymphus Meditation and Initiation III. Miles Meditation and Initiation IV. Leo Meditation and Initiation V. Perses Meditation and Initiation VI. Heliodromus Meditation and Initiation VII. Pater Meditation and InitiationChapter 9: The Four Stations of Mithra Yule--Birth of the Sun Spring Equinox--Nou Roz Summer Solstice--Tir Autumn Equinox--Festival of MithraEpilogueAppendix A: Zoroastrian Hymn to Mithra (Mehr Yasht 10)Appendix B: Zoroastrian Hymn to Anahita (Aban Yasht 5)NotesBibliographyFurther ReadingMithraic Groups and Internet ResourcesIndex