As part of the Fox & Badge event Bacchanal: Feast of Dionysus, Cunning as Folk presents Dionysiakí Mýisi!
Drawing on the exquisite work of Kristin Mathis, poet, classicist, educator, translator, and expert on ancient Mediterranean esoterica, and her profound translations of The Orphic Hymns, Dionysiakí Mýisi is a ritual-performance offering a glimpse into the timeless rituals of the manifold god, Dionysus and his profound mysteries.
A sole initiate, with the aid of a priestess and group of followers, seeks encounter with the lucky-starred, first seeded, double natured, thrice born, wild, ineffable, hidden, two-horned, two-formed, bull-eyed Bacchic lord, teaming with ivy and clusters of grapes—to be forever changed by the communion of with this prismatic, euphoric god-form.
Beginning in solemnity and building to ékstasi (ecstasy), this ritual-performance takes us through the sacred rites, rich with offerings and in symbola (symbols), full of loosening and whirling movements, punctuated by roaring, booming, and moaning sound, all sacred to this God, and his mother, Persephone.
The ecstatic throng of raving ones and satyrs processes from their ritual circle to an altar of Dionysus—Bromius (the tumultuous one), Lysios (the loosener of care), Oribasios (the wild wanderer)—where both inner and outer offerings will be made throughout the night by all seeking the sweet wine-soaked kiss of Kissokemes ,the ivy-crowned Lord of Divine Ecstasy!
Lyra is a movement artist who draws on classical and contemporary dance training to create and perform within ritual theatre. Equally at ease performing at outdoor pagan and ceremonial gatherings, from the Stonehenge solstice and Druid and priestess gatherings to music festivals in the Sahara, as she is on stage in choreographed ensemble performances, her work moves between ritual, dance and theatre.
With experience choreographing opening performances for festivals and gatherings, Lyra brings a distinctive tribal fusion movement style informed by her background in dramaturgy and her study of the Natyashastra and Butoh, with a special focus on engaging the audience into the performance.
JD is a professional astrologer, a practitioner of astral magic, and a talisman maker. He is influenced by historical approaches to magic, the mixing of magical traditions throughout the world, by an animist view of the Cosmos, by art and art-making, and by visionary and ecstatic practices. He has developed, facilitated, and officiated both public and private ritual for decades.
Having worked professionally as an anthropologist, studying religious experience, the imaginal, ritual, animism, magic, education, and performance, and as educator, he now devotes his time to his esoteric and astral passions. He has served as a priest within public and private rituals and performances for decades, bringing to them his rich background and presence.