When Women Were The Shamans: In the Mystery Cults of Pre-Hellenic Greece

When Women Were The Shamans is a series of lectures on the historical context of women’s mystery teachings and religious experience in pre-patriarchal Europe with scholar Gabriela Gutierrez
 

In this series, independent scholar and mythologist Gabriela Gutierrez dives into ancient history, mythology and the customs and teachings of the female shamans of pre-patriarchal Europe.

Following on from her online lecture When Women Were the Shamans, these monthly lectures will take a closer look at the roles of women spanning a period of approximately 60,000 years, from the first examples of religious experience in the Palaeolithic caves, to the last remaining mystery cults of Ancient Greece.

Participants will be introduced to the female shamans of the ancient world in Europe, beginning in Paleolithic Spain and France, through into the Balkans of the Neolithic and arriving at the mystery cults of Ancient Greece.
 

“Gabriela’s lecture was fascinating and incredibly informative, and the journey afterwards eye-opening and soul-affirming (to say the least!). I look forward to attending many more sessions with her in the future. Highly recommended.” - Lucy Coats
 

Lecture 3: In the Mystery Cults of Pre-Hellenic Greece
 

The “Snake Goddess”, Temple Repositories, Knossos, Heraklion Museum, Neopalatial Period, 1450-1490 BC  

This lecture will explore the practices of the priestesshoods of pre-Hellenic Greece, notably their initiation rites, trance states, dreamwork and dream incubation temples, the oracular arts and the notion of ritualized myths. This will offer a deeper understanding of women’s religious experience in what was to become one of the primary influences of the modern western mind.

We will hone in on one of these priestesshoods - known as the Melissae - a title that means “bee” and that the Ancient Greek scholars recorded as having been used to denote priestesses of the Mother-Goddess.

“Really insightful session, perfect balance between academic and experiential learning.” - Mila
 

What to expect:

• Another look at our history in Europe in order to redefine our understanding of where we come from, our rich spiritual heritage, and why the Western world is suffering from a type of spiritual amnesia.
• An extensive reading list on women in ancient history and mythology
• An ancient method used by these women to induce a trance state and access direct revelation from the gods
• Dreamwork practices to deepen your relationship with your dreams and aid dream recollection

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You are encouraged to continue working with the practices you learn, and integrate them into your daily life for a period of time to give them a chance to unfold in you.

Way you may benefit from this work:
 

An understanding of women’s religious experience in the ancient world

You will receive a chronology that covers the key events in human history that resulted in the patriarchal world we live in today

Insight into the spiritual heritage of the western world that was largely wiped out by invading war tribes from the East in the Neolithic, the institutionalisation of women’s religious practice, and the Inquisition of the Middle Ages 

A deeper sense of belonging in the world, rooted in the knowledge of a rich spiritual heritage of the ancient women who lived before us

Reconnecting with your own inner wisdom

Trusting in your own sovereignty and direct relationship with the divine

A deeper sense of intimacy with your body, particularly your womb which was an important tool for these ancient women

Enhanced confidence in your ability to trust your intuition and develop a heightened awareness of the subtle realms 

Please Note: If you cannot attend the live classes, a recording will be available. Please sign up and you will be sent a follow up email with a recording. 
 

Facilitator:

Gabriela is a writer, mythologist and teacher of the mythic imagination, mysticism and ancient history. She is globally trained in shamanic healing and the oracular arts. Her work stems from her decade-long studies with shamans and renunciants around the world, and is focused on the revival of women’s wisdom traditions in Europe & the Middle East. She is currently writing her first nonfiction book on the bee priestesses of pre-Hellenic Greece. Her writing and research can be found on her Substack publication ‘Under a Fig Tree’.

www.gabrielamairgutierrez.com

"I cannot recommend Gabriela’s classes highly enough. To me there is no doubt she is amongst the great teachers on this Earth." - Noora Al Qassimi, Lawyer at United Nations, Abu Dhabi, UAE

"Gabriela is a rare find and an exquisite teacher. She is a unique combination of scholarly astuteness and mystical wisdom." - Ian Yan, Traditional Healer, Malaysia

Testimonies from When Women Were the Shamans first lecture:

“The most amazing, thorough and deeply informative event. I was captivated, thank you!” - Molly Chinner