This trip is full.
$2000 per person
Priestess Yeshe and Priestess Bri are master researchers of Goddess history, ceremonial technique, and women’s mysteries. From April 9-15, 2024, they will bring you across Crete to connect with Earth Mother Rhea in the seat of her ancient worship. Together, we will navigate the beautiful terrain of the Cycladic island, visit the ancient Temple Palaces, study Minoan art, climb into magical caves, enjoy delicious food and drink, and bask in the beauty of this peaceful, matriarchal land.
Do you hear the call to join us?
Arrive Heraklion
April 9: When you arrive at the Heraklion Airport, you'll be picked up and whisked to our home away from home to rest after your long flight. You can settle in, unpack, have a snack, or nap before dinner. Depending on everyone’s arrival times, we will journey to see an ancient cave and make our first offerings to Rhea. Over our evening meal, we will debrief about the journey ahead and get a good night’s sleep.
Palace at Knossos
April 10: We will get a bright and early start in the morning to visit the Palace at Knossos. With our expert guide, we will learn about the fascinating history of the Minoan culture at this majestic site that some believe was the basis for the Atlantean myths. With its gleaming selenite-covered facade, Knossos rose as a beacon in the Cretan landscape. After our tour, our guide will accompany us to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to teach us the complicated history of the relics housed there and their discovery. We will see the Minoan Snake Priestess, the Phaistos disk, and numerous other treasures of Goddess history.
Tomb of the Priestess
April 11: On the 11th, we will sit in the quiet cool of the Skotino Cave and meditate with the Earth Goddess, followed by a visit to Archanes, where we will tour the collection of relics related to the local Minoan burial site. We will tour the Tombs of the late Minoan Priestesses and pay our respects to the Goddess devotees who came before us, followed by a visit to one of the most world-renowned pottery studios in Greece, which produces beautiful reproductions of the statues in the Heraklion Museum.
Phaistos Palace
April 12: In the Heraklion Museum, one of the most impressive relics is the Phaistos disk. Over 4000 years old, it is an inscription of what is believed to be a hymn to the Goddess. On April 12, we will visit the Phaistos Palace to see where the disk was found and to study the other aspects of the site, including the Queen’s Megaron, the labyrinthine building layout, and an iconic view of Mount Ida, Crete’s tallest peak. After our visit, we will enjoy a leisurely lunch and an afternoon of teachings about ancient matriarchies and the Queens of Minoan Crete.
Matala
April 13-15: One of the most beautiful beaches in the world and an important launching place for the Cretan fleet of trading ships, Matala will be our home base for the final days of our tour. From ancient times up until the groovy 1960s, the caves at Matala Beach have been home to artisans and creators, including Joni Mitchell and the Grateful Dead. April 13-15 will give us ample time for beach days, enjoying leisurely coffee and cocktails in cute boardwalk cafes, shopping for Cretan art and gifts, and a final ritual inside one of the caves to thank Rhea for her many blessings.
Departure
April 15: On our last day of the tour, we will drop off the members of our group who are going on to continue their retreat with Priestess Bri in Chania, and the rest of us will journey back to Heraklion to catch our flights home.
Honoring Foremothers
Our journey will bring us into the heart of one of the most ancient Goddess cultures, in a sacred landscape that has withstood the ravages of time. Who were the women that shaped early Goddess worship? How did they connect with the Earth Mother, and what was important to them about their priestess arts, their physical activities of worship, and their devotion? We will contemplate these questions and create ritual connecting back to these foremothers.
Special Pricing for 2 or more trips!
If, in addition to the Daughters of Rhea Crete trip, you also book the Mt Shasta Goddess Temple’s Aphrodite Retreat in Cyprus from March 31-April 9, and/or Priestess Bri’s Spirit of the Goddess Retreat from April 15-20, you will receive a discount on your trip fee. Make the magic last a little longer by extending your tour with our Temple Priestesses!
Lodging
Prices for this trip are based on single occupancy for each room, with a total of 4 guests plus Priestess Yeshe and Priestess Bri. Sleeping arrangements typically feature a private space for everyone.
Meals
Your trip fee includes breakfast daily. Every day, breakfast options will be provided including cereal, milk, yogurt, vegan options, eggs, toast, coffee, tea, and fruit.
Lunch and dinner will typically occur while we are out sightseeing, with each person taking responsibility for paying for two group meals.
If you have special needs related to food, such as gluten intolerance or allergies, please let us know so that we can support you in preparing for a happy, healthy journey.
Price Details
The price for this trip is $2000 per person. If you'd like to book, please see below.
Inclusions
pick-up at Heraklion Airport on April 9, and drop-off on April 15
breakfast each day
lodging in a personal room
ground transportation to all sites and activities
Admission to Knossos Palace, Phaistos Palace, and Heraklion Museum
Daily informational sessions about Rhea and Cretan history
Rituals and ceremonies
goodie bag with items to honor the Earth Mother
pre-trip planning assistance
Exclusions
flights to and from Crete
lunch and dinner expenses (estimate $200)
admission to any additional sites or events
spending money
Personal expenses- laundry, toiletries, offerings at sacred sites.
If you are interested in booking your space on this journey, an application and a $500 non-refundable deposit are required. Please use the button below to apply for this trip and schedule your deposit meeting with Priestess Yeshe.