The protagonist was to engage in a celebratory ritual that symbolized Persephone's return and therefore the fertility of the land, which was marked with joy and the lighting of torches.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Venus told the protagonist to visit Persephone's palace, she was to undergo the final parts of an ancient ritual that represented the recovery of Persephone by Demeter, signifying the fertility of the land. This recovery was celebrated with rejoicing and brandishing of torches, as reported by Lactantius. The narrative surrounding the visit to the palace includes the experience of an initiate who approaches the threshold of Persephone, setting foot on the edge of death and rebirth, which signifies a personal transformation. This initiatory experience is often veiled in secrecy due to its sacred and mysterious nature, intended to impart profound wisdom and initiate the participant into the deeper mysteries of life and the divine.