Were there really nine muses in ancient Greece? Where were they worshipped? And what do their stories tell us about artistic inspiration and the Greek landscape? In this episode, meet the Muses of ancient Greece and learn more about their special relationship with music, winged messengers, springs, and the Greek gods of prophecy and sleep.

In this episode, we’ll be meeting the Greek gods of Night, Sleep, and Dreams — Nyx, Hypnos, the Oneiroi, and more. We’ll explore dream rituals in ancient Greece, in particular dream incubation as a means for healing and divination. We’ll learn about how the Greeks understood their dreams, and how they are connected to the Underworld. And we’ll meet one of my favorite flowers of the Greek landscape, the often controversial — and even illegal in some countries — Poppy.

The Oak is a polymorphic evergreen or deciduous tree that produces acorns; four main species are found growing throughout Greece. Associated with Zeus, god of the sky and just rulership, the Oak is a steadfast ally in our search for wisdom and strength of conviction. One of the most important sites of the sacred Oak is the Oracle of Dodona, where pilgrims sought its wise counsel. The Oak is a formidable elder and can be called upon when we are unsure of — or are doubting — our values.

In this podcast episode, we turn our attention to the Melissae, the oracular Bee Nymphs of ancient Greece. The Melissae are considered divine messengers, conduits for prophecy, speakers of divine truths, and a source for inspired thought and song. Today, I share with you some of the ancient Greek folklore associated with the Bee, as well as some of my favorite ceremonies and techniques for connecting with Bee.

In this episode we discuss the myth of Daphne and Apollo. Daphne, whose name actually means Bay Laurel in Greek (Δάφνη), was a nymph of ancient Greece who, while running from Apollo’s advances, was transformed into a sacred tree of prophecy and ritual cleansing.