The Orphic Mysteries are just as intriguing as they sound. They’re a set of religious beliefs and practices centered around the mythical figure of Orpheus and rooted in ancient Greek mythology. However, they had a different focus compared to the religion practiced by most Greeks, and the mysteries offered unique insights into the nature of the soul, the afterlife, and the human connection to the divine. Unlike the more public rituals of Greek polytheism, the Orphic Mysteries were esoteric, reserved for initiates who sought a deeper understanding of existence and the cosmos. For something called “mysteries,” we know a lot about them; everything from their origins and historical context to their core beliefs and how they influenced later philosophical thought on the soul and afterlife.  The Enigma of the Thracians and the Orpheus Myth  Read moreSection: NewsHuman OriginsReligionsMyths & LegendsEuropeRead Later