Journey Into Spirit
1999 - The Anthesteria
Friday night
Rite of the Wine Jar Opening (Pithoigia)
The new wine is opened and carried to the Shrine of Dionysos, where it is offered as a libation to the God. With the libation, we will offer a prayer that the year's wine will do us no harm, and will indeed prove beneficial.

Saturday
Rite of the Wine Jugs (Choes)
We will discuss the nature of Dionysos, and retell some of the ancient stories. Through maskmaking, we will explore The Wildness Within. The second day of the Anthesteria ends with a "dumb supper" where we will eat and drink in meditative silence, followed by a procession to the Shrine of Dionysos.

Sunday
Rite of the Cauldrons (Chytrai)
The third day of the Anthesteria includes offerings to the spirits of the dead. We will also do some circle dancing, and the main ritual will be the Rite of the Masks of Dionysos.

Monday morning
The Anthesteria is at an end.
In our closing circle, we bid hail and farewell to the Gods and Spirits we have worked with over the weekend.

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