Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20

turned to Athens amid general hilarity.
The eighth day is thought to have been
added for the benefit of those unable to
attend the celebration at Eleusis. On the
last day the ceremony of the "PIemo-
choae" took place. This consisted of plac-
ing two earthen vessels filled with wine,
one toward the east, the other toward the
west. Then an attendant priest, with
some mystic words, upset the vessels and
the wine thus split was offered as liba-
ton.
The Romans worshiped Ceres instead
of Demeter, but the legend in regard to
both is practically identical Ceres, it is
claimed by some mythologists, is the
same as the Isis worshiped by the
Egyptians. The image of Ceres is that
Of tall woman on whose head Is
wreath, composed Of ears of corn. In
her left hand she carries a bunch of pop
pies and corn, and in her right lighted
torch. The myth concerning her is as
interesting as it seems strange In this
day and generation. The one generally
accepted tells of how she wandered over
the face of the earth in search OF her be-
loved daughter. Proserpine. who. I'M
known to her, had been stolen by Pluto,
king Of the Internal regions. and made
his queen. Finally, however, Ceres learns
piter to restore her. This Jupiter promises
to do on the condition that Prosperine
has eaten nothing. Ceres gees to Pluto
and is just about to take Proserpine away
when one of the kings spies claims he
has seen Proserpine eating a ponce
granate. This makes it impossible for
her to leave. Ceres, however. still pleads
with Jupiter who finally consents to let
her stay with her mother half the year
provided she remain with Pluto the re-
vnainder. Proserpine was thought to
represent corn, consequently the idea of
her being underground and above ground
half the year. In the festival of the
Greeks. Eleusis is the principle place, as
H,Also 81 AIa& vrynn %hnr ft,of
Ceres learned Of her daughters where
abouts.
X y:
With the Romans the celebration was
held just before the harvesting was be-
gun, the celebration being called "Cerea-
lia.'' At that time the country people
dressed in white and wore wreaths Of oak
leaves. Dances and harvest songs were
done in honor of Ceres, plays were pre-
scented and games of the circus played,
besides offerings and sacrifices
1t is claimed that even the Hyperbo-
reans, the inhabitants of the most north
ern part of Europe and Asia, celebrated
the production Of corn and fruits by oner-
ings and rejoicings. In India the har-
vesting observances consisted principally
in long professions to the temples of the
several deities, where flowers and corn
were placed on the affairs. This was fol-
lowed by rejoicing far into the night.
silva, considered the "Restorer," was the
deity most honored on this occasion.
In Peru in former times quaint and In
teresting ceremony took place at harvest
time. One hundred sheep OF different col
ors were offered and prayer that Mayz
might live forever offered. Following this
and with many ceremonies, quantity OF
mayz was put into an iron pot and
parched slowly. being constantly watched
for three nights. This was called pirVa-
A special sa crifice was made at the END
Of the third night and the witches were
demanded to tell whether or not 1t nave
strength enough to live another year. III
the answer was In the negative the grain
was carried back to the farm from which
it had been taken and another pirva
burned. Otherwise II was dressed up IN
the best clothes possible and carried SOL
emily and worshiped.
In Rhodes Silenus was at one time car
ried in a procession. This was clown
dressed as a woman and crowned with
ears of corn and bearing about him other
symbols Of Ceres. He was carried In
wagon with great pOmp and ceremony
through the streets. The horses were
covered with white sheets deliberately dec
Grated with corn and wild flowers. The
ancient Teutons and Scandinavians offered
sacrifices to Frey, the god OF rain ana