Divine Dreaming Retreat in Greece

The DRI Centre for Dream Studies is teaming up with retreat host, dream researcher and author Sarah Janes of Dream Mysteries for a truly unique and dreamy experience in the idyllic setting of Archaia Epidavros in the Peloponnese.

Visit themysteries.org for more details.

On this divine dreaming retreat, we will explore and experience the culture, art and technique of dream incubation for healing and oracular purposes. We will experiment with telepathic dreaming, healing intent and precognitive dreaming. You will drink healing springs, dream in temples, sleep upon sacred land, and in the enkoimeterion of Epidavros – the very same holy precinct where ancient pilgrims slept with sacred serpents, to receive healing dreams and visions from the divine physician Asklepios.

This retreat offers a truly immersive, direct and contextualised experience of the ancient Greek dream culture associated with the Asklepion healing sanctuaries. We will also examine the dream rituals of select oracle sites and the potency of darkness and dream visions in the Elefsinian Mysteries.

Over four nights and five days, you will learn practicable techniques and tools to wake up your dream life.

Join us on this inspiring dream odyssey to Greece, and you will be walking in the footsteps of generations of ancient pilgrims, healers, priests and priestesses, sleep temple attendants, interpreters, dreamworkers, theurgists and philosophers.

This retreat offers 70 CPD.

NOTE: We can only accommodate 12 participants, so please book soon to secure your place.

Sacred locations

At the Sanctuary of Asklepios and Apollo Maleatus at Epidavros, we will spend a full day practising dream incubation. This holistic health complex was the most important healing sanctuary in the ancient Hellenic world. We will also visit other legendary, mysterious and mythical sites in the area, including the famous dream oracle site – Amphiaraeion of Oropos; the temple and sacred virginity‐restoring spring of Goddess Hera; and the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore – home of the Elefsinian Mysteries, where thousands of mystai were led through soul‐perfecting rites in the Telesterion and came face‐to‐face with their gods and goddesses in the dreaming darkness.

Retreat guides

This dream expedition to Greece, taking place from 17–21 May 2025, will be led by DRI associate, dream guide and psychotherapist Laura Payne, and hosted by Sarah Janes from Dream Mysteries.

Activities

Daily practices will include morning sea dips and Orphic meditations to enhance your dream awareness, along with a daily dream sharing circle using art, drama and music to explore whatever emerges in your creative imagination.

Continuous education

This course offers a total of 70 CPD.

Accommodation & pricing

The all‐inclusive retreat includes private en‐suite accommodation (sharing can be arranged on request), meals (buffet breakfast, hearty lunch and a light dinner), all guidance, workshops and materials, museum and archaeological site entrance fees, and transport to and from Athens city centre for connections to the airport. Travel costs to Greece are not included.

SINGLE ROOM: £1350

DOUBLE ROOM (based on sharing a double/twin or studio): £1900 (£950 per person)

Book your place

A £500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

Our host Sarah Janes is based in Archaia Epidavros and is happy to offer assistance and advice if you would like to discuss travel arrangements or accommodations before or after the retreat in Greece. If you have any questions, please feel free to email Laura Payne or Sarah Janes.

Sarah Janes can be contacted at 22sarahjanes22@gmail.com or via WhatsApp on +44 7786 686 786. She is also happy to arrange a Zoom call if you would like to ask any questions in person.

Basic Itinerary

Subject to change, but we expect to visit the following locations:

MAY 17th

• 11:00: Pick-up from Athens Acropolis Car Park

• Drive to the Amphiaraeion of Oropos

• Introductions

• Dream incubation practice

• Departure for Archaia Epidavros and accommodation check-in

• Orientation

• Group activities and dinner

• Optional evening walk around the village

OPTIONAL MORNING ROUTINES STARTING 18 MAY:

Each morning, guests are invited to a dream meditation ritual in the small Panagia chapel on the Nisi. Guidance for the meditation will be drawn from Orphic hymns dedicated to dream and sleep deities, and Sarah will fumigate guests with frankincense to enhance dream perception and clarity. Afterwards, participants may bathe in the sea in front of the guesthouse.

• Breakfast: Served at the guesthouse between 08:30 and 10:30

• Lunch: Usually served between 13:30 and 14:00

• Light Supper: Provided between 18:00 and 19:30

MAY 18th

• 08:30–10:30: Breakfast and dream sharing circle (circle starts at 09:30)

• 11:00: Pick-up for a trip to Kanathos, the Temple of Hera (Water of Freedom) and Mykines

◦ At the Temple of Hera: Dream Mythology workshop

◦ At Mykines: Dream Mapping (art materials supplied)

• Storytelling before bed – The Story of Asklepios

MAY 19th

• 08:30–10:30: Breakfast and dream sharing circle (circle starts at 09:30)

• 11:00: Pick-up for a day at the Sanctuary of Asklepios and Apollo Maleatus (picnic lunch), including enkoimesis (temple sleep) practice and dream theatre work

MAY 20th

• 08:30–10:30: Breakfast and dream sharing circle (circle starts at 09:30)

• 11:00: Pick-up for baths at Beautiful Helen, Corinth, Acrocorinth and Loutraki

• Lunch in Loutraki

• Return to Epidavros in the late afternoon/evening

MAY 21st

• 08:30–10:30: Breakfast and dream sharing circle (circle starts at 09:30)

• Check-out

• Midday: Pick-up for a visit to the Elefsinian Mysteries site – the Sanctuary of Demeter and Kore – for group work exploring dream initiation

• 15:00: Drop-off at Syntagma Square for connections to Athens city centre and the International Airport