Translated by Catherine Proppe​

59. Μοιρῶν, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
 
To the Moirai, Goddesses of Fate
Divine connection: aromatics
 
Μοῖραι ἀπειρέσιοι, Νυκτὸς φίλα τέκνα μελαίνης,
Impenetrable Moirai[1], Night’s[2] beloved dark children.
 
κλῦτέ μου εὐχομένου, πολυώνυμοι, αἵτ' ἐπὶ λίμνης
Hear these prayers of mine, many-named ones, implored upon marshes[3],
 
οὐρανίας, ἵνα λευκὸν ὕδωρ νυχίας ὑπὸ θέρμης
In Ourania’s[4] white liquid[5], and in Night’s underlying heat,
 
ῥήγνυται ἐν σκιερῶι λιπαρῶι μυχῶι εὐλίθου ἄντρου,
Bursting forth in shadowy oily innermost stone caves,
 
ναίουσαι πεπότησθε βροτῶν ἐπ' ἀπείρονα γαῖαν·
Prevailing over ripening mortals upon impenetrable Gaia[6].
 
ἔνθεν ἐπὶ βρότεον δόκιμον γένος ἐλπίδι κοῦφον
And then, upon the esteemed race of mortals, hopes lighten
 
στείχετε πορφυρέηισι καλυψάμεναι ὀθόνηισι
As they march, purple, covered in fine linens.
 
μορσίμωι ἐν πεδίωι, ὅθι πάγγεον ἅρμα διώκει
Their destinies on the flat, level plain where all earth’s chariots run,
 
δόξα δίκης παρὰ τέρμα καὶ ἐλπίδος ἠδὲ μεριμνῶν
Anticipating Dike’s[7] boundaries and expectations and concerns
 
καὶ νόμου ὠγυγίου καὶ ἀπείρονος εὐνόμου ἀρχῆς·
And Nomos’[8] primeval and impenetrable fair laws foundational.
 
Μοῖρα γὰρ ἐν βιότωι καθορᾶι μόνη, οὐδέ τις ἄλλος
Moira, Fate, then, sustains life, pure-sighted, alone, and none of the other
 
ἀθανάτων, οἳ ἔχουσι κάρη νιφόεντος Ὀλύμπου,
Immortals possessing the peak of snowy Olympos[9],
 
καὶ Διὸς ὄμμα τέλειον· ἐπεί γ' ὅσα γίγνεται ἡμῖν,
With Dios’[10] fulfilled vision roused[11] comes into being halfway.
 
Μοῖρά τε καὶ Διὸς οἶδε νόος διὰ παντὸς ἅπαντα.
Moira, Fate, then, and Dios’ mind extends through all, above all.
 
ἀλλά μοι εὐκταῖαι, μαλακόφρονες, ἠπιόθυμοι,
Yet, my prayer, soft, mindful, gentle, passionate:
 
Ἄτροπε καὶ Λάχεσι, Κλωθώ, μόλετ', εὐπατέρειαι,
Atrope[12]--Life’s End, Lachesi[13]--Life’s Beginning, and Klotho[14]--Life’s Experiences, offspring of a noble family[15],
 
ἀέριοι, ἀφανεῖς, ἀμετάτροποι, αἰὲν ἀτειρεῖς,
Aerial, unseen, above sway, eternal, fearless,
 
παντοδότειραι, ἀφαιρέτιδες, θνητοῖσιν ἀνάγκη·
All-giving, transcending the dark tide of mortal Necessity[16],
 
Μοῖραι, ἀκούσατ' ἐμῶν ὁσίων λοιβῶν τε καὶ εὐχῶν,
Moirai, hear! In bringing forth hallowed libations[17] and pure metals,
 
ἐρχόμεναι μύσταις λυσιπήμονες εὔφρονι βουλῆι.
Set forth mystae, release calamities, Gracious Counselors,
 
[Μοιράων τέλος ἔλλαβ’ ἀοιδή, ἣν ὕφαν' Ὀρφεύς]
Moirai. Complete Hellenic odes here now, as composed by Orpheus.
 

[1] The Moirai are the immortal Goddesses who assign each individual’s allotted portion of mortal life: beginning, middle, and end. The closest Englisht translations for Moirai would be “morsel” and “mortal,” as in the “morsel” of eternity that each “mortal” is apportioned for their limited span of life on earth in a particular “mortal” (limited) body.

[2] Several sources call the Moirai the unfathered daughters of the Goddess Night (Hesiod Theogony 217, Aeschylus Eumenides 961, and Greek Lyric V Anon 1018).

[3] A marsh is an area of swampy, still water in which reeds, grasses, and cattails grow. The waters of Styx are referred to as a marsh (Virgil, Aeneid 6. 323 ff; Apuleius, Metamorphoses 6. 13 ff; Ovid, Metamorphoses 2. 46 & 201)

[4] Ourania is the Muse-Goddess of astronomy and astrology.

[5] The “Milky Way.”

[6] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.

[7] Dike is the immortal Goddess of Justice.

[8] Nomos is the immortal God of established law.

[9] Olympos is a mountain in Greece, the home of the Olympian deities.

[10] Dios is often, but not always, a reference to Zeus (although it is routinely and reflexively translated as “Zeus”). Zeus is the immortal God of lightning storms and the spark of fire/spark of life. Dios literally means “directing (Δ) + divine-power (ι) + entity (ὸς).”

[11] Eliminating the word break and apostrophe from “ἐπεί γ' ὅσα” leaves the word ἐπείγὅσα: to press, urge, impel. Note that original ancient Greek manuscripts had no word breaks or punctuation and were written in all capital letters.

[12] Atrope is the immortal Goddess associated with the span of one’s anticipated future; depicted as ultimately cutting the thread of life.
Atrope is depicted variously with a scroll, a wax tablet, a sundial, a pair of scales, or a cutting instrument.
Ἄτροπε literally means “transcending (Ἄ) + alteration, turning; manner, way, custom (τροπε).”

[13] Lachesi sets the foundation of one’s fate, depicted as pointing to the point on the horizon of one’s arising horoscope at birth; associated with one’s heritage and beginning circumstances.
Λάχεσι literally means “release (Λ) + transcending (ά) + the foundation (χ) + εσι.”

[14] Klothos weaves the threads of fate to clothe one in one’s experience of life; associated with one’s present circumstances.
Κλωθώ literally means “core/seed (Κ) + release (λ) + bring forth (ω) + the divine (θ) + bring forth (ώ).”

[15] According to various sources, the father of the Moirai is Zeus (Spark of Life), Erebos (Darkness), Kronos (Time), Okeanos (Ocean), or no father. The Moirai’s mother is said to be Themis (Law), Night, Ananke (Necessity), Khaos (First State of the Universe), or Gaia (Generative Earth).

[16] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of what is Necessary.

[17] Libations are drink offerings poured on the ground.

77. Μνημοσύνης, θυμίαμα λίβανον.
 
To Mnemosyne, Goddess of Memory
Divine connection: libanon (frankincense)
 
 
Μνημοσύνην καλέω, Ζηνὸς σύλλεκτρον, ἄνασσαν,
Queen[1] Mnemosyne[2] I call, Zenos’[3] marriage partner,
 
 
ἣ Μούσας τέκνωσ’ ἱεράς, ὁσίας, λιγυφώνους,
The Muses’[4] holy mother, hallowed, clear-voiced,
 
 
ἐκτὸς ἐοῦσα κακῆς λήθης βλαψίφρονος αἰεί,
Removed from the essence of evil[5] Lethe’s[6] harming of the mind eternal.
 
 
πάντα νόον συνέχουσα βροτῶν ψυχαῖσι σύνοικον,
All mind together contained, mortal souls together housed,
 
 
εὐδύνατον κρατερὸν θνητῶν αὔξουσα λογισμόν,
Kindly, mighty ruler, augmentor of mortal reasoning,
 
 
ἡδυτάτη, φιλάγρυπνος ὑπομνήσκουσά τε πάντα,
Sweetly extend the loving grip underlying memory to all,
 
 
ὧν ἂν ἕκαστος ἀεὶ στέρνοις γνώμην κατάθηται,
Bring forth each eternal heart’s pure, sacred knowledge,
 
 
οὔτι παρεκβαίνουσ’, ἐπεγείρουσα φρένα πᾶσιν.
In no way step away from awakening all minds.
 
 
ἀλλά, μάκαιρα θεά, μύσταις μνήμην ἐπέγειρε
Then, blessed Goddess, mystaes’[7] memories awaken
 
 
εὐιέρου τελετῆς, λήθην δ’ ἀπὸ τῶν δ’ ἀπόπεμπε.
From this holy completion rite, Lethe send forth, dispatch.
 
 

[1] Anassa means Queen, Lady, ruler.
 

[2] Mnemosyne is the immortal Goddess of memory: the memory’s (Μνη) + container/house/tower (μοσύν).
 
Orphic tablets instruct the deceased not to drink from the waters of Lethe (forgetfulness), which will cause them to forget their mortal life and become reincarnated, but to drink from the waters of Memory, and then to continue on into the lands of the blessed in the afterlife.
 
Interestingly, this hymn seems to suggest that Memory is a collective entity comprising the minds and souls of all mortals.
 
Μνη- literally means “medium-of (Μ) + tipping-point (ν) + center (η).”
The second and third syllables literally mean “medium-of (μ) + entity (ο) + synchronized (σύν).
The “tipping-point” in many words is the tipping-point between mortality, which is finite and limited, and immortality, which extends beyond mortal boundaries. In the case of memory, our capacity to remember enables us to extend beyond our immediate circumstances as well as to “eternally” remember the deceased, keeping their memory “alive.” 
Memory also enables us to build on our experience to create art, science, literature—the provinces of the Muses—that endure past our mortal lives, enabling a kind of immortality through mortal works.
 

[3] Zenos is another name for Zeus, the immortal God of lightning storms and the spark of fire/spark of life, literally “spark (Ζ) + central (η) + tipping point (ν) + entity (ὸς).”
 

[4] Muses are immortal Goddesses who divinely inspire individuals to creative endeavors, literally “medium-of the (Μ) + essence; the primary real, the substratum underlying all change and process in nature; immutable realtiy (ούσἱας).” Muses are the daughters of Memory.
 

[5] Kakees (κακῆς) means wicked, evil, bad, literally “core/seed (κ) + arising-to (α) + core/seed (κ) + center (ῆ) + ς,” in other words, stunted, unfulfilled, unperfected.
 

[6] Lethe is the river of forgetfulness in the afterlife, literally “release/liberate (λ) + center (ή) + divine (θ) + ης.”
 
Psyche is the immortal Goddess of the soul, literally “incorporeal (ψ) + pure (υ) + foundation (χ) + αῖσι.”
 

[7] Mystae are initiates in the Mysteries, literally “medium (μ) + pure (ύ) + in-sync with (σ) + extension (ταις).”

Translated by Catherine Proppe, January 20, 2016

42. Μίσης, θυμίαμα στύρακα.
To Mise[1] , Egyptian Goddess of Childbirth (?)
Divine medium: storax
 
Θεσμοφόρον καλέω ναρθηκοφόρον Διόνυσον,
Law-bearer[2] I call, fennel-stalk[3] bearing Dionysian[4],
 
σπέρμα πολύμνηστον, πολυώνυμον Εὐβουλῆος,
Seed of many memories, many-named Euboulos[5]
 
ἁγνήν εὐίερόν τε Μίσην ἄρρητον ἄνασσαν,
Pure, holy, unspoken-of Queen[6] Mise.
 
ἄρσενα καὶ θῆλυν, διφυῆ, λύσειον Ἴακχον·
Male and female[7], of two natures, liberating Iakchos[8].
 
εἴτ' ἐν Ἐλευσῖνος τέρπηι νηωι θυόεντι,
Whether in Eleusis’[9] joyful dwelling divine,
 
εἴτε καὶ ἐν Φρυγίηι σὺν Μητέρι μυστιπολεύεις,
Whether in Phrygia[10] with the Mother of many mysteries,
 
ἢ Κύπρωι τέρπηι σὺν ἐυστεφάνωι Κυθερείηι,
Or in Kypros[11] rejoicing with well-crowned Kytheria[12],
 
ἢ καὶ πυροφόροις πεδίοις ἐπαγάλλεαι ἁγνοῖς
Or on the wheat-bearing[13] plain glorious, pure,
 
σὺν σῆι μητρὶ θεᾶι μελανηφόρωι Ἴσιδι σεμνῆι,
With thou Mother divine, black-bearing Isis’[14] revered,
 
Αἰγύπτου παρὰ χεῦμα σὺν ἀμφιπόλοισι τιθήναις·
Egypt’s stream[15] together with the surrounding cities are nursed
 
εὐμενέουσ' ἔλθοις ἀγαθοῖς τελεουσ' ἐπ' ἀέθλοις.
Graciously come in goodness, complete, upon these struggles.
 
Allen, James P. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
--The Ancient Egyptian Pyramid Texts. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2005.
 
Budge, E.A.Wallis. The Book of the Dead. New York: Bell Publishing, 1960.
 
Collier, Mark, and Bill Manley. How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Berkeley/Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2003.



[1] Mise is Egyptian Coptic for “to give birth.”
https://books.google.com/books?id=culoAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA139&lpg=PA139&dq=coptic+mise&source=bl&ots=TCGhdBxRv5&sig=f0JgsVoMSYhMzxufnv1_3wRRWFk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjiuM3_7LjKAhUFRiYKHezpC5gQ6AEIHzAC#v=onepage&q=coptic%20mise&f=false
 
https://books.google.com/books?id=k0ffIUIc5U0C&pg=PT246&lpg=PT246&dq=coptic+mise&source=bl&ots=hiYSFtRsf_&sig=nbcOdt1H9BkXuHFCerWiGv92Q3w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwik6IOt7bjKAhVDKyYKHR-6BaIQ6AEIGTAA#v=onepage&q=coptic%20mise&f=false
 
https://books.google.com/books?id=6KUdBAAAQBAJ&pg=PA11&lpg=PA11&dq=coptic+mise&source=bl&ots=O5gk3Ee7Ow&sig=hC_OYy_21V5HP9Ca2x_Dj_4TGG4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi4nvK97bjKAhXKHR4KHf77Cn8Q6AEIIzAE#v=onepage&q=coptic%20mise&f=false
 
Μίσης is translated by the Liddell-Scott Lexicon as “hate” as in, “misogyny (hatred of women) or misanthrope (hatred of men).” However, that translation makes no sense in the context of this hymn. The Lexicon also shows the prefix “mis-“ as meaning hired, paid, wages. The word “misuoi” is defined as “those who are half white and half black.” “Misgagkeia” is defined as “meeting of glens, meeting of the waters.” The modern translation is “half; meeting point; medium; average; middle.” A homonym may be “moon” (μείς).
 
Since Isis and the Nile are mentioned in this hymn there is substantive reason to think that Mise is an Egyptian deity. D.M. Murdock in his book Did Moses Exist? says that, “The Egyptian term for ‘birth’ is basically ms or mes (Collier, 155), while in Coptic it is mise” (Allen, J.P. (2000), 9).
 
According to Barbara S. Lesko in The Great Goddesses of Egypt, Meskhenet is the Goddess who presides over childbirth. “…she represented one of the magical bricks on which the ancient woman squatted to give birth…She is found, assisting Isis and Nephthys, in the funerary rites.” (ps. 269-270) Meskhenet, often depicted as the actual birthing bricks a woman squatted on, declared the child’s destiny when the child was born.
 
Meskhent is associated with birth and with death. According to E.A. Wallis Budge in “The Shrine of Osiris on Water” (ps. 240-241), “Tradition declared that when Isis and Horus had reunited the members of the body of Osiris that Set had scattered, and wished to revivify the reconstituted body, they wrapped it up in the skin of the cow or bull which had been slain for the funeral sacrifice. This skin thus symbolized the human placenta, and when Osiris was enveloped in it he received 'new life,' and his exit therefore was regarded as his 'new birth,' i.e., 're-birth.' The skin was called 'Meskhen' or 'birthplace,' but later the name was given to the tomb in general and even to the whole of a tomb region, or necropolis. (See Moret, Mysteres Egyptiens, p. 29; Junker, Die Stundenwachen, pp. 51ff.)”
 
A similar term is used to describe the tool used in the “Opening of the Mouoth” ceremony. In “The Book of the Opening of the Mouth” Budge translates, “With the iron tool (meskhet) wherewith he opened the mouths of the [Goddesses and G]ods doth he open the mouth.” (p. 253)
 
Literally, the name Μίσης translates as “medium of (Μ) + divine-power (ί) + synchronized (σ) + center (ης).”
 
[2] Thesmosphoros means law-bearer, an epithet of the immortal Goddess Demeter.

[3] The “thyrsos” staff born by Dionysos/Bacchos and his devotees is made from a stalk of fennel topped by a pine cone and adorned with grape-vines leaves.

[4] Dionysos is the immortal God of wine and its effects. Wine is a medium of union with the divine.

[5] Euboulos means “Good Counselor,” an epithet of Pluto, the immortal God of the afterlife, and other deities.

[6] Anassa means Queen, Lady; addressed to Goddesses.

[7] It is not uncommon for an Egyptian deity to be described as both  male and female.

[8] Iakchos is a mystic name of Dionysos shouted at his festivals, literally “divine-power (Ἴ) + transcendant (α) + core/seed (κ) + foundation (χ) + entity (ο).”

[9] Eleusis is a holy city on the Rarian Plain of Greece, home of the Eleusinian Mysteries of Demeter and her daughter, Kore.

[10] Phrygia is in modern day Turkey.

[11] Kypros (Cyprus) is a Greek island sacred to the immortal Goddess of love, Aphrodite.

[12] Kythera (Cythera) is also a Greek island sacred to Aphrodite.

[13] Interestingly, the word for fire and root are identical: puro (πυρο), literally "under-the-same-roof (π) + pure (υ) + flow (ρ) +entity (ο)."

[14] Isis is the immortal Goddess of Egypt. The Nile River brought black mud to the agricultural fields each summer when it flooded.
Ancient Egyptians called the Nile River Ar, meaning "black," because of the black sediment left behind after the river flooded.  http://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/river-nile-facts.html

[15] The Egyptian stream is presumably the Nile River.

27. Μητρὸς θεῶν, θυμίαμα ποικίλα.
To the Mother of the Goddesses and Gods
Divine media: manifold
 
Ἀθανάτων θεότιμε θεῶν μῆτερ, τροφὲ πάντων,
Immortal, divinely-honored Mother of the Goddesses and Gods, nurturer of all.
 
τῇιδε μόλοις, κράντειρα θεά, σέο, πότνι’, ἐπ' εὐχαῖς,
From Ida[1], come, Ruler, Goddess, Potnia[2], upon these prayers,
 
ταυροφόνων ζεύξασα ταχύδρομον ἅρμα λεόντων,
Yoked to a bullslaying[3], whirling, speedily-coursing carriage pulled by lions[4].
 
σκηπτοῦχε κλεινοῖο πόλου, πολυώνυμε, σεμνή,
Scepter-bearer, renowned to all by many honored names,
 
ἣ κατέχεις κόσμοιο μέσον θρόνον, οὕνεκεν αὐτὴ
Holding the center of the cosmos, the middle throne, alone.
 
γαῖαν ἔχεις θνητοῖσι τροφὰς παρέχουσα προσηνεῖς.
Earth’s foundation, mortal nurterer, bountiful provider,
 
ἐκ σέο δ' ἀθανάτων τε γένος θνητῶν τ' ἐλοχεύθη,
Of thou immortals are born, mortals, too, brought to birth.
 
σοὶ ποταμοὶ κρατέονται ἀεὶ καὶ πᾶσα θάλασσα,
Thou rules the rivers eternally and all seas[5].
 
Ἑστία αὐδαχθεῖσα· σὲ δ' ὀλβοδότιν καλέουσι,
Hestia’s[6] audible divine foundation of whole-life gifts I call
 
παντοίων ἀγαθῶν θνητοῖς ὅτι δῶρα χαρίζῃ,
To all purified mortals give grace,
 
ἔρχεο πρὸς τελετήν, ὦ πότνια, τυμπανοτερπής,
Set forth, lead the completion rites, Potnia[7] who delights in the tympanum[8],
 
πανδαμάτωρ, Φρυγίης, σώτειρα, Κρόνου συνόμευνε,
All-directing Mother, Phrygian savior, Kronos’[9] partner,
 
Οὐρανόπαι, πρέσβειρα, βιοθρέπτειρα, φίλοιστρε·
Ouranos’[10] child, honored elder, life-nourisher, lover of history.
 
ἔρχεο γηθόσυνος[11], κεχαρημένη εὐσεβίηισιν.
Come, joyful, charming power, well-revered.
 

[1] Mount Ida (modern day Turkey) is considered to be the home of the Mother of the Goddesses and Gods.

[2] Potnia is a title of honor addressed to women and Goddesses, i.e. Queen, revered.

[3] Lions are often referred to as “bull-slaying.” Since the bull is associated with male deities and the lion with the Great Mother of the Goddesses and Gods, “bull-slayng lion” may be a metaphor for the Great Mother’s ultimate power over all.

[4] The constellation Virgo (August-September), the Virgin--meaning independent female, appears to be “pulled” through the zodiac by the side-by-side constellations Leo (the lion) and Leo Minor (the little lion) (July-August). “In a chariot pulled by lions” is a common epithet of the Great Mother of the Goddesses and Gods.

[5] Thalassa is the immortal Goddess of the seas.

[6] (H)estia (Ἑστία) is the immortal Goddess of the hearth and altar fire. Since the foundation of fire is typically wood that crackles when burned, the Goddess who provides the wood (Demeter) is the “audible foundation.”

[7] Potnia is a title of honor addressed to women and Goddesses.

[8] The tympanum is a hand drum, a tambourine.

[9] Kronos is the immortal God of Time.

[10] Ouranos is the immortal God of the sky.

[11] Ge is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth. 

41. Μητρὸς Ἀνταίας, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To the Mother Antagonized
Divine medium: aromatics
 
Ἀνταία βασίλεια, θεά, πολυώνυμε μῆτερ
Antagonized[1] Basileia[2], Goddess of many names, Mother of
 
ἀθανάτων τε θεῶν ἠδὲ θνητῶν ἀνθρώπων,
Immortal Goddesses and Gods and mortal humans,
 
ἥ ποτε μαστεύουσα πολυπλάγκτωι ἐν ἀνίηι
When searching numerous convoluted directions in grievous distress
 
νηστείαν κατέπαυσας Ἐλευσῖνος ἐν γυάλοισιν
Fasting and alone, you paused in Eleusis’[3] valley,
 
ἦλθές τ' εἰς Ἀίδην πρὸς ἀγαυὴν Περσεφόνειαν
Then came to Aidon[4] before august Persephone[5],
 
ἁγνὸν παῖδα Δυσαύλου ὁδηγητῆρα λαβοῦσα,
The pure child of Dysaulos[6] taken as your guide,
 
μηνυτῆρ' ἁγίων λέκτρων χθονίου Διὸς ἁγνοῦ,
Revealing the sacred subterranean marriage-bed of holy Dios[7].
 
Εὔβουλον τέξασα θεὸν θνητῆς ἀπ' ἀνάγκης.
Good counseling child-bearer of deities and mortals by Necessity[8],
 
ἀλλά, θεά, λίτομαί σε, πολυλλίστη βασίλεια,
Goddess, humbly and often entreated, Basileia,
 
ἐλθεῖν εὐάντητον ἐπ' εὐιέρωι σέο μύστηι.
Come, reflect with favor upon your consecrated initiate[9].
 

[1] The Goddess Demeter was antagonized by her daughter’s kidnapping and so she refused to allow new life to grow on earth until her daughter was returned to her. Demeter is the “directing (Δ) + central (ή) + Mother (μητερ)” who determines whether or not plant life will grow. Her daughter, also know as Kore (κόρη), literally core (κ) + entity (ό) + outflow of (ρ) + center (η)—the “korn” Goddess, is a metaphor for the seed that disappears beneath the earth in death when planted in the fall, re-emerging in the spring as new life. Notably, almost all ancient Greek words that mean plant “seed” begin with the letter κ. The Eleusinian Mysteries drew a correlation between the death and rebirth of plant and human life.

[2] Basileia means Queen, literally the “basis (βάσις)” or “seat” of rule.

[3] Eleusis is a famous city on the Rarian Plain, home to the Eleusinian Mysteries of the Mother and Daughter. “Eleusis” is derived from the root word “liberate/set free.” The Goddess Eleusia is synonymous with Eileithyia, the Goddess of parturition/childbirth. The Mysteries of Eleusis elucidated the path to a good life and a glorious afterlife.

[4] Aidon is the immortal God of the afterlife, also known as Hades or Plouton.

[5] Persephone, Demeter’s daughter (Kore), is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and springtime rebirth.

[6] Dysaulos means inhospitable, unhappy, desolate. Dysaulos’ son led Demeter to her daughter, a metaphor for how Demeter’s desolation eventually gave birth to Euboleus (Good Counsel) and Triptolemus (Three Cities or Three Ptolemies). One of Demeter's epithets is "Lawgiver." The Ptolemaic Dynasty of Egypt had close ties with the Hellenic world and shared cultural, economic, and religious collaboration, including the great Library at Alexandria. A suburb of Egyptian Alexandria was called Eleusis. The Egyptian Goddess Isis is identified with Demeter by some scholars as being one and the same. It is possible that the name “Triptolemus” is a metaphor for the longstanding Ptolemaic dynasty which derived its wealth and cultural dominance from a highly developed system of agriculture and commerce.
Pausanias writes that "…those [verses] ascribed to Orpheus…say that Eubouleus and Triptolemus were sons of Dysaules, and that because they gave Demeter information about her daughter the sowing of seed was her reward to them.” (Pausanias, Description of Greece 1. 14. 3, trans. Jones) Ancient Greek names in literature are not just names, but also descriptions.

[7] Here “Dios” refers to Plouton/Aidon/Hades, the immortal God of the afterlife who abducted Persephone to be his bride. In other instances “Dios” refers to other divinities, literally the “directing (Δ) + divine (ι) + one (ὸς).” “Dia (Δῖα)” refers to divine Goddesses, with the word ending in “transcendant (α).” Deeo (Δηώ) and Deeous (Δηοῦς) refer to the Goddess Demeter. “Dios” is often reflexively (and not always accurately) translated as “Zeus.”

[8] Ananke (Αναγκη) is the immortal Goddess of what is necessary, of what is required, inevitable, unavoidable, compulsory, unconquerable, involuntary, literally “transcendant (Α) + prevailing (ν) + enclosure/noose/hook/anchor (αγκη).”

[9] A mystees (μύστης) is one initiated in the Mysteries, literally “medium (μ) + pure (ύ) + in-sync with (σ) + extension (της).” The letter τ, literally “stretch/extend,” begins many words having to do with extending/stretching the life of a child and, concomitantly, the family/tribe.