From: popec@brewich.hou.tx.us (Pope Charles)
Subject: Re: Merlin, Mithras and Magick
Organization: The Brewers' Witch BBS, +1 713 272 7350, Brewich.Hou.TX.US
Lines: 42

caldwell@facman.ohsu.edu (Larry Caldwell) writes:

> kosinski@us.oracle.com (Kevin Osinski) writes:
> 
> >I recall reading in Michael (?) Rutherford's novel "Sarum" a scene in
> >which the son of a Roman nobleman living in Britain takes part in a
> >secret ceremony involving a bull.  He stands naked in a pit covered
> >with some sort of scaffolding while assistants coax a bull to stand on
> >the scaffolding.  They then fatally stab the bull, which douses the
> >worshipper in the pit with blood.  This is supposedly some sort of
> >rite of passage for members of the bull cult.  I wonder if this is
> >related to the Mithras cult?
> >
> >I don't know where Rutherford got his information for this chapter.
> >The book is historical fiction, and most of the general events which
> >take place are largely based on historical accounts.
> 
> There is a rite like this described in Joseph Campbell's
> _Occidental_Mythology_.  He also described levels of initiation, I think
> 6?  I don't know where Campbell got his info, but I remember thinking he
> was being a little eclectic.
> 
> >I also wonder what if any connection there is between the ancient bull
> >cults and the current practice of bullfighting popular in some
> >Mediterranean cultures.
> 
> Quite a bit.  If you haven't read Campbell, give him a try.  
> 
> -- 
> -- Larry Caldwell  caldwell@ohsu.edu  CompuServe 72210,2273
> Oregon Health Sciences University.  (503) 494-2232


Yes.  I cannot remeber which works I read about this in, as it was many 
years ago.  This ritual was called The Tarobaullum I believe, (The 
spelling may be off).

Pope Charles

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popec@brewich.hou.tx.us (Pope Charles)
Origin: The Brewers' Witch BBS -- Houston, TX -- +1 713 272 7350
