Mysteries of Mithras

Payam Nabarz, a Persian-born Sufi and practicing Dervish, holds a Ph.D. from Oxford University and is carrying out postdoctoral research there on genetics and cancer. He is a Druid in the Grove of the Order of the Bards, Ovates, and Druids; a member of the Golden Dawn Occult Society; and a revivalist of the Temple of Mithras. He lives in England.

"A refreshing study of an often-neglected subject. From the conventional to the controversial, the broad scope of this book and its valuable contribution to Sufi, Mithraic, and Zoroastrian studies attempts to get to the very heart of the matter."

• AcknowledgmentsForeword by Caitlín MatthewsChapter 1: An Introduction to the Mithraic MysteriesThe Persian MithraThe Roman MithrasThe Revival of Mithras in the Twentieth and Twenty-First CenturiesChapter 2: Mithraic IconographyBirth of the Roman MithrasMithras the HunterThe TauroctonySol and Sol InvictusThe Miracle of the RockThe Sacred MealThe AscensionLeontocephaline (Lion-Headed One)Chapter 3: The Seven Initiatory Rites of MithrasThe RitesSufi Interpretation of the Seven RitesThe Women’s GradeChapter 4: Echoes of Mithraism around the WorldThe Echo of Mithraism in ChristianityMithras as LiberatorEchoes of Mithraism in the Yezidis and the Peacock AngelMithras in BritainChapter 5: Simorgh--A Mithraic Fairy TaleSimorgh--An Old Persian Fairy TaleSymbolism of the Simorgh TaleChapter 6: The Mithraic LiturgyPreparation for Performing the Mithraic LiturgyThe RitualChapter 7: The Goddess AnahitaChapter 8: Meditations and InitiationsI. Corax Meditation and InitiationII. Nymphus Meditation and InitiationIII. Miles Meditation and InitiationIV. Leo Meditation and InitiationV. Perses Meditation and InitiationVI. Heliodromus Meditation and InitiationVII. Pater Meditation and InitiationChapter 9: The Four Stations of MithraYule--Birth of the SunSpring Equinox--Nou RozSummer Solstice--TirAutumn 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