MITHRA. After Ahura Mazda¯ and together with Ana¯hita¯, Mithra is one of the major deities of ancient Iran, one that later crossed the borders of the Iranian world to become the supreme god of a mystery religion popular throughout the Roman Empire. In the Avesta and the later Zoroastrian literature Mithra turns up frequently; indeed, an entire Avestan.
Mithra is essentially a deity of light: he draws the sun
with rapid horses; he is the first to reach the summit of
Mount Hara¯, at the center of the earth, and from there
watches over the entire abode of the Aryans; he shines with
his own light and in the morning makes the many forms of
the world visible. If his name is synonymous with the word
mithra, meaning “contract, covenant,” as Antoine Meillet
(1907) suggests, his functions are not restricted to merely
personifying that notion. In the Iranian world, besides being
a deity of light with strong solar characteristics (which explains his identification with the Mesopotamian Shamash),
Mithra has a clear significance as a warrior god. Thus, in relation to the gods of the Indo-Iranian pantheon, he is closer
to Indra than to the Vedic Mitra. He also, however, has the
traits of a divinity who ensures rain and prosperity and who
protects cattle by providing it ample pasturage.
The cult of Mithra, together with that of Ana¯hita¯, constitutes the principal innovation of Zoroastrianism as it
evolved after Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) and represents its
major compromise with ancient polytheism. It was probably
Mithra’s role as defender and guardian of asha, truth and
order—the fundamental principle of earlier Indo-Iranian religion, as well as of Zoroastrianism—that redeemed him
from Zarathushtra’s original general condemnation of polytheism.
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Mithra is essentially a deity of light: he draws the sun
with rapid horses; he is the first to reach the summit of
Mount Hara¯, at the center of the earth, and from there
watches over the entire abode of the Aryans; he shines with
his own light and in the morning makes the many forms of
the world visible. If his name is synonymous with the word
mithra, meaning “contract, covenant,” as Antoine Meillet
(1907) suggests, his functions are not restricted to merely
personifying that notion. In the Iranian world, besides being
a deity of light with strong solar characteristics (which explains his identification with the Mesopotamian Shamash),
Mithra has a clear significance as a warrior god. Thus, in relation to the gods of the Indo-Iranian pantheon, he is closer
to Indra than to the Vedic Mitra. He also, however, has the
traits of a divinity who ensures rain and prosperity and who
protects cattle by providing it ample pasturage.
The cult of Mithra, together with that of Ana¯hita¯, constitutes the principal innovation of Zoroastrianism as it
evolved after Zarathushtra (Zoroaster) and represents its
major compromise with ancient polytheism. It was probably
Mithra’s role as defender and guardian of asha, truth and
order—the fundamental principle of earlier Indo-Iranian religion, as well as of Zoroastrianism—that redeemed him
from Zarathushtra’s original general condemnation of polytheism.
-----
MITRA or Mithra is the Persian god and the mystery religion devoted to his worship. Make no mistake about it, Mithra is Lucifer or Satan. The god Mitra or Mithra was originally a Persian deity considered to be the mediator between mankind and Ahura-Mazda, god of light. (Lucifer the light bearer 2 Cor 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.2 Cor 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.)
This god overcame evil and brought life, both animal and vegetable, to humankind. Statues of Mithra characteristically show him holding a bull by the nostrils while plunging a knife into its neck. The Romans identified Mithra with the sun god. December 25 was celebrated as his birthday. Three traditions relate the birth of Mithra: (1) he was born of an incestuous relationship between Ahura-Mazda and his own mother; (2) he was born of an ordinary mortal; (3) Mithra was born from a rock. After his redemptive work on earth was finished, Mithra partook of a last supper with some of his devotees and then ascended to heaven, where he continues to assist the faithful in their struggle against demons.
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The god Mitra or Mithra was originally a Persian deity considered to be the mediator between mankind and Ahura-Mazda, god of light.
My understanding of Mithras in a purely psychological/esoteric sense is symbolic of the victory of the self over the ego.
The Bull or taurus is the 2nd month - First you got Aries, then Taurus. 2 symbolizes 'otherness' and so a separation in the primordial unity, which in consciousness serves as a symbol for egoic consciousness.
The sacrifice of the Bull in the Mithraic ritual symbolized the sacrifice of the ego to the self. Therefore Mithras is symbolically akin to Jesus.
The Bull or taurus is the 2nd month - First you got Aries, then Taurus. 2 symbolizes 'otherness' and so a separation in the primordial unity, which in consciousness serves as a symbol for egoic consciousness.
The sacrifice of the Bull in the Mithraic ritual symbolized the sacrifice of the ego to the self. Therefore Mithras is symbolically akin to Jesus.
Actually, Mithra plays a large role in Pike's original ritual of the 32nd degree. Much pertaining to Mithraic philosophy was omitted from the newer revised ritual, but remains in the lecture.
It was Pike's belief that modern Freemasonry is a direct line successor to the ancient Persian Magi, thus the reason he recapitulated the history of Mithraic thought in the ritual.
As another poster stated above, Mithra is generally seen as the Persian equivalent of Jesus or Osiris, not "Lucifer". Indeed, it has been said more than once that Christianity is simply Mithraism mixed with Judaism.
It was Pike's belief that modern Freemasonry is a direct line successor to the ancient Persian Magi, thus the reason he recapitulated the history of Mithraic thought in the ritual.
As another poster stated above, Mithra is generally seen as the Persian equivalent of Jesus or Osiris, not "Lucifer". Indeed, it has been said more than once that Christianity is simply Mithraism mixed with Judaism.
In the 32nd degree, Now you desire to become Priest and King. The 32nd degree gives the Royal Secret and make the initiate a Priest and King of Ahura-Mazda, one of Lucifer's many names.
Yes, the 32nd degree seekers of the Royal Secret of freemasonry offer incense to the Serpent god, Serpenta Manyu. Serpenta Mainyu is another of Lucifer's many names.