S2 #69 / Peter Mark Adams on Ritual & Epiphany in the Mysteries of Mithras

In this episode, I welcome back author and scholar Peter Mark Adams for a rich and far-reaching conversation centred on his upcoming book from Theion Publishing "Ritual & Epiphany in the Mysteries of Mithras – The Secret Cult of Saturn in Imperial Rome" an extraordinary and deeply thoughtful study of the cult of Mithras. Peter takes us through the ancient layers beneath Mithraic practice — its origins, iconography, cosmology, and initiatory structure — tracing a lineage from early Mesopotamian myths such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, through the cultic worship of Saturn, and into the esoteric heart of Imperial Rome. What emerges from his research is a profound view of Mithraism not simply as a Roman mystery cult, but as the survival of a much older, animistic, star-oriented cosmology. It is a vision of reality structured around spirit, fate, celestial forces, and the metamorphosis of the human soul. Peter takes us through the complex ideas behind his thesis weaving in insights from recent advances in anthropology, ethnography, and comparative religion. He draws particularly from the Orphic mysteries to illuminate the metaphysical architecture underpinning the Mithraic rites. We unpack how the mysteries functioned as both a lived, embodied practice and a carefully guarded initiatic system, intended to bring about deep spiritual transformations in their adherents. The conversation explores the mythic grammar encoded in the Tauroctony — the slaying of the bull — not as a static religious image but as a dynamic, performative act tied to the movement of the heavens and the soul's journey through the stars. In the Plus show, Peter also shares fascinating insights into the seven grades of Mithraic initiation, each representing different spiritual and cosmic stations, and the curious fact that while the cult is famous for these grades, only two formal initiation rituals are known. We delve into the frescoes at St. Capua Vetere, rare depictions that provide intimate glimpses into the ritual life of Mithraic initiates, and discuss how sacred art served not merely as decoration but as an active, living technology for transformation. Expect a wide-ranging discussion that weaves together ancient rites of passage, the secret symbolism of the night sky, the endurance of spiritual forms across civilizations, and the vital necessity of re-enchanting our approach to mystery, spirit, and knowledge. We explore the ongoing relevance of ancient animist cosmologies, the fluidity between spirit and matter in the Mithraic worldview, and the subtle power of initiatory experience as a form of epistemology — a way of knowing rooted in the living cosmos itself. It would be remise of me not to mention that Peter has just launched a new Patreon of which I am a proud supporter. He will be sharing his writing and essays and potentially some courses on his areas of research. It's still a work in progress but with Peter at the helm it promises to be incredible. Further to that Peter and the good people at the House of Zophiel are running a four day course on the Sola Busca tarot in Turin, Italy. This includes a study trip to Milan to view the cards themselves with Peter! It's a packed four days with lectures, ritual work and some creative sessions. Really not to be missed. Shout out to Tommie Kelly for my cool new animation graphics! Show notes: Peter's site https://petermarkadams.com Peter's instagram   / petermarkadams   Peter's Patreon   / posts   Theion Publishing https://theionpublishing.com/shop/pma... Sola-Busca Workshop, Turin https://www.houseofzophiel.com/sola-b... Cosmic or Orphic egg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmic_egg Phanes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phanes Tauroctony https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tauroctony St. Capua Vetere https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_M... Epic of Gilgamesh https://www.britannica.com/topic/Epic... Orphism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orphism Mithras https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mithraism Henosis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henosis Leontocephaline https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9461/2/2/3 Chora https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khôra Apogenesis https://www.iasdurham.org/wp-content/... Keep in touch? https://linktr.ee/darraghmason Music by Obliqka   / obliqka