Initiation into the Ancient Secret Society of Egyptian Priests

After enduring this temptation, the Thesmophore Thesmophore From the Greek "Thesmophoros" (Law-bringer). In this ritual context, he acts as an officer of the initiation. returned to him once more and posed certain questions.

Having received proper answers to these from the Neocoris, they led him into the assembly. The Stolista Stolista Originally an Egyptian priest in charge of the sacred vestments (stoles), here described as a "water-bearer" responsible for ritual cleansing. or water-bearer poured water over him. Afterward, he was required to provide assurance of his chaste and blameless life. Upon the completion of this act, the Thesmophore ran toward him with a live serpent, threw it onto his body, and then removed it from him again according to the ritual law 21).

The entire place of assembly was likewise filled with serpents to strike fear into the Neocoris 22).

21. Julius Firmicus Maternus A 4th-century Roman writer whose work "On the Error of Profane Religions" is a primary source for 18th-century scholars studying ancient mysteries., in Chapter 2, says that it was a crafted and gilded serpent.

22. The Egyptians even today possess the art of removing venom from serpents. However, they reveal this as a great secret to no one who does not belong to their specific sect.