Mysteries in Antiquity. Eleusis and Crete. Part 1 of the series "In the Footsteps of the Goddess" (Warsaw)

A lecture by Anija Miłuńska, "Mysteries in Antiquity. Eleusis and Crete" – part 1 of the series "In the Footsteps of the Goddess". She will talk about the ancient Eleusinian and Cretan mysteries and the wisdom and teachings of the Great Goddess, sharing discoveries from this year's journeys to Eleusis and Crete. The starting point is the remark by Diodorus Siculus (1st century BCE) that what was secret in the Eleusinian mysteries was open in Crete – for years she has been looking for what this Minoan "open secret" was, and she invites participants to add their own stories.

The Eleusinian mysteries, linked to the cult of Demeter, Persephone and Dionysus, were celebrated from about the 15th century BCE until 391 CE; they referred to the myth of Persephone's abduction and the cycle of birth, death and rebirth, and anyone who spoke Greek and was ritually pure could be initiated. The Cretan mysteries grew out of Minoan religion – the cult of the Great Goddess (Mother Earth) and the reborn Young God – and took place in sacred caves and on mountain tops, with ecstatic states induced by music. The lecture also refers to the peaceful civilisation of Old Europe described by Marija Gimbutas and to a vision of the transition to a new paradigm based on the Goddess myth, including the Bird Goddess – the one who connects the worlds.

Programme

• Lecture and stories by Anija Miłuńska about the Eleusinian and Cretan mysteries and the teachings of the Great Goddess.

• Screening of excerpts from Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska's documentary filmed in Crete during a women's journey "In the Footsteps of the Goddess".

Facilitators

Anija Miłuńska – has led Women's Circles and passed on the teachings of the Great Goddess for many years; philosopher, researcher and guide who builds communities. She combines a philosophical perspective and research into culture and history with experience of spiritual transformation and work with people. She expresses her discoveries in lectures, essays, stories, initiatory fairy tales and poetry, and creates mysteries. Her method is individual and collective transformation in a shared field with the unconscious and collective memory, using meditation, visualisation, dance, song, fairy tales and myths; the Circle is the foundation of her work and the Spiral its energetic pattern. For many years she practised Zen Buddhism and other forms of meditation and explored indigenous spiritual traditions; she is inspired by the discoveries of Marija Gimbutas.

Małgorzata Ola Dobrowolska – author of a documentary from a women's journey to Crete, excerpts of which she will show.

Practical information

• Dates:Sunday, 18 October 2026, 17:30–20:30

• Venue:Tu i Teraz hall, Warsaw-Mokotów, ul. Balladyny 3c/5, 2nd floor (intercom no. 5) – the glazed floor of a low building at the end of Balladyny street, between Łowicka and Wołoska. No parking at the hall; the nearest option is the designated parking lane on Wołoska street (about 200–300 m). Racławicka metro station about 600 m away. (the Warsaw branch of the Tu i Teraz centre in Nowe Kawkowo)

• Not included:participants arrange their own accommodation and meals

• Sign-up:E-mail registration is required at the address given on the centre's website (name, phone number, date and title of the event). Registering by e-mail also means agreeing to receive the Tu i Teraz newsletter (consent can be withdrawn at any time).