Taylor - Eleusianian and Bacchic Mysteries.pdf - Platonic Philosophy

Bacchic Mysteries. 81(as we have already abundantly proved), andthat, consequently, sense is nothing morethan the energy of the dormant soul, and aperception, as it were, of the delusions ofdreams. In consequence of this, it is absurd in the highest degree to imagine thatsuch men would compose fables from thecontemplation of shadows only, without refrom whichgarding the splendid originalsthese dark phantoms were produced :to mention that their harmonizingmore perfectly with intellectualnotso muchexplicationsis an indisputable proof that they were derived from an intellectual [noetic] source.And thus much for the dramatic showsof the Lesser Mysteries, or the first part ofthese sacred institutions, which was properlydenominated TS/.C-CT] \telete, the closing up]and [rj7]acmuesis [the initiation], as containing certain perfective rites, symbolical exhibitions and the imparting and reception ofsacred doctrines, previous to the beholding ofthe most splendid visions, or STCOTCTSIOI\epopteia,seership]. For thus the gradation of