Greek Mythology & Mystery Cults

About this event

Journey into the Eleusinian Mysteries and examine the evidence behind their psychedelic reputation. Followed by Q&A. For nearly 2,000 years, people from across the ancient Greek world journeyed to Elefsis to take part in rites so sacred and secret that their true nature remains debated today. At the heart of the Eleusinian Mysteries was an encounter with myth, death and the divine. Pilgrims travelled 22 kilometres from Athens to Elefsis, fasted and gathered inside the darkened Telesterion, where the final rites were said to reveal the soul's journey and the connection between all life. In this online workshop, author and curator Sarah Janes will examine the origins, rituals and eventual disappearance of the Mysteries. She will explore the theory that participants drank an ergot-enriched kykeon and experienced psychedelic visions, consider whether altered states were central to the rites, and ask what these traditions can still teach us about dreaming, transformation and encounters with the divine. Learn how the Eleusinian Mysteries began and why people travelled to Elefsis Gain insight into the evidence behind the psychedelic kykeon hypothesis Explore the rituals associated with the darkened Telesterion Discover what the Mysteries can teach us about dreaming, transformation and the divine Sarah Janes is an author, curator and retreat leader specialising in dreaming, ancient mystery cults, and the archaeology and memory of the soul. She is the author of Initiation into Dream Mysteries: Drinking from the Pool of Mnemosyne (Inner Traditions, 2022) and leads Dream Mysteries retreats across sacred sites in Greece. Her work brings together ancient history, mythology, dream incubation and lived spiritual practice to explore transformation, healing and encounters with the divine. Sarah hosts Explorers Egyptology on YouTube and facilitates conversations through The Mysteries. ⭐ Seed Talks have done an incredible job at making insanely cool topics easily digestible and enjoyable to learn about for ones self improvement. It's like Ted Talks, but cooler? And more accessible! - Eva W ⭐ I've attended a few of your talks over the past few months and have absolutely loved them. Thank you so much for bringing joy and understanding to the world of neuroscience. - Joe F