The Eluesinian Trinity and Acid

I was searching for information on Demeter and the Eluesinian Mysteries, and I found this relief of Demeter, Triptolemus, and Kore, the Eluesinian Trinity, at Wikipedia.org. Triptolemus was another son of Celeus and therefore brother to Demophoon, who Demeter attempted to make immortal. In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Triptolemus is only mentioned in passing. But, according to this article, he was one of the original priests of the Eluesinian Mysteries and the one to which Demeter taught the art of agriculture. I expected this relief to be of the "Triple Goddess," Demeter, Persephone, and Hecate, that Dr. Sexson talked about in class. Apparently old Triptolemus was an important guy though. I also thought it was interesting that in such a female based religion a male priest would play such an important role in the ceremonies or rituals. For more information on Triptolemus, go to http://http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Triptolemus&oldid=100063165

The Kore is the young maiden, who is of course Persephone, and she is often portrayed in Greek art wearing a robe and holding a sheaf of grain. Persephone is usually referred to as "The Maiden" by the Greeks, because as the Queen of the Dead, her name is not safe to say aloud.

The religion related to the Eluesinian Mysteries was one of the greatest religions of all time, which was supposed to be kept secret. The ceremonies were held every five years, and the "initiation rites united the worshipper with god, and included promises of divine power and rewards in life after death."

It is thought by some that the special drink, which is called kykeon, that the iniates drank at the ceremonies caused the participants to trip out, which they interpreted as profound spiritual experiences. The barley in it acts as a psychadelic agent similar to LSD. The fungus ergot is the cause of this, which you may remember is also believed to have caused the physical symptoms that led to many accusations in the witch trials that took place in New England in the 17th Century. I thought that this was a very interesting detail of the Eluesinian Mysteries.

All of this info I found at www.wikipedia.org