We did it! All seven of Aleister Crowley’s Rites of Eleusis have now been staged by Eleusyve Productions in Rock Opera format.
The Rites of Eleusis
“We are the Poets! We are the children of the wood and stream, of mist and mountain, of sun and wind!” – Aleister Crowley
The Rites of Eleusis are seven planetary mystery plays written and presented by Aleister Crowley at Caxton Hall in London, 1910. The original presentations contained poetry recitals, live musical accompaniment and interpretive dance. Each of these plays has been adapted into a musical theater format, maintaining all of the original dialog and stage directions, and presented over the span of almost two decades. Full length video presentations of these performances are available on Vimeo.
The Rite of Saturn
“Oh woe unto me, my god, woe unto me!”
Saturn is the beginning – where life and all dualities begin. Magister Templi and Mater Coeli show their followers that life is despair and ecstasy, and that sometimes the difference between the two can be a matter of perspective.
Watch The Rite of Saturn
The Rite of Jupiter
“Oh that the banquet of Jupiter might begin!”
Seeing the wild carnival of the world, the Initiate asks, “How can so many seeming opposites all come from one source?” While some seek the center of the wheel to resolve the duality within themselves, the maenads celebrate a more “hands on” communion with the Divine.
Watch The Rite of Jupiter
The Rite of Mars
“Life, Joy, Empire, and Victory!”
The battle for Olympus is at hand. The armies assemble to fight for Jupiter against his father Saturn. Victory may be assured, but at what cost? And what happens to the General when there are no more soldiers to fight?
Watch The Rite of Mars
The Rite of Sol
“This flesh is of mine offering to the Lord”
Welcome to Heliopolis and the temple of the Sun! All seems peaceful after the war and the bright desert sun reveals all the colors of the rainbow. But the shadows are growing longer. Who knows what lies hidden there? It is an evil omen, indeed!
Watch The Rite of Sol
The Rite of Venus
“Life, death, love, hatred, light, darkness… return to me.”
Venus gathers her acolytes in the growing twilight for a more sensual resolution of opposites… But in the darkness, they learn that love means change… and change is another name for death.
Watch The Rite of Venus
The Rite of Mercury
“For between the Light and the Darkness did he stand.”
Mercury proclaims the Word to Virgo and Gemini, who pass the wisdom to the clergy, who share it with the acolytes. But just as the map is not the territory, the god of communication struggles to teach us that the book is not the word.
Watch The Rite of Mercury
The Rite of Luna
“Silence is the Secret of the Lady Artemis”
It all comes down to this. Luna, holder of the last vestiges of divine insight, is asleep on her throne. Cancer and Taurus keep peace (and control) among the nymphs and fauns, but Pan has other ideas
Watch The Rite of Luna