With Roi Gal-Or and Stella Kassimati
Dates to be confirmed for2021
Together we will discover the meeting place between Myth and autobiographical storytelling, bringing to life the story of our personal journey, celebrating human freedom and responsibility and how they are deeply connected with nature.
Join us in this Ancient Cretan landscape, one of the most beautiful in Crete, abundant with wild orchards and herbs, vines, olive and cedar trees, to explore the dwelling places of Homer’s Gods and Goddesses. Together we will discover the meeting place between Myth and autobiographical storytelling, bringing to life the story of our personal journey, celebrating human freedom and responsibility and how they are deeply connected with nature.
In the writings of Homer (1000 BC), the Gods were intimately involved in human affairs, controlling and guiding the destiny of human beings, but humans had very limited freedom. Today individual freedom is of great value, often at the expense of our relationship with the natural world. Our freedom is essential, yet we long for connection, guidance and inspiration at a time when it seems the Gods and Goddesses have grown silent.
In the village of Amari, cradled in the foothills of the majestic Psiloriti (Idi) mountain, we will walk the paths of the ancients, creatively and playfully discover new ways of communicating with ourselves, with nature and with each other.
This course is offered by Friends of Amari. The School of Storytelling at Emerson College, UK receives a donation for every place booked.
The course starts at 5.00pm on 17th July and ends at 10.45am on 24th July.
Please click here for Prices and to Book
TESTIMONIALS
“Authentic and Beautiful. Spoke to the Stars” Bronnie Bird, U.K., July 2019
“Amari stole my heart... 14 people, 12 cultures, deep soul searching to find the right word, deep heart listening to truly meet, commune, in the Spirit. Words feel inadequate ... I have a favourite saying ‘Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying’ Your actions have been for me love through the deed” Heather Peri, New Zealand, July 2019.
"Speaking to the Stars in Amari was eye opening, heart opening, powerful, gentle – an experience that I will never forget.” Hannah Mallinckrodt, UK, August 2018
“The Amari experience for me was a unique encounter with the spirits of the place and with the Gods and Goddesses of the Hellenic Pantheon and an opportunity to explore my life in this context.” Liz Cruse, UK, 2018
“What is meaning of life? I don’t know! I am as confused as everyone else in modern time. But every single time I’ve been listening to a Greek myth, I have had the feeling: “This is the truth! This is what it is all about!” If you ask me afterwards if I can explain and define it to you, I can’t because this is wisdom beyond brains and reason. But while I am listening I sense that I know and I understand. And to be brought there by a myth encourage me to join daily life and other human beings and think it is not that bad after all and in a larger perspective be able to think: Cheer up, mankind! Practically Greek myths offer you a focus in daily life. In Crete in peaceful and warm-hearted Amari in the course Speaking to the Stars I met Apollo. I am so glad I did.” Inger Lodberg, 2015, Denmark
“I first came across
Greek myths when on a course at the International School of Storytelling in
Sussex. Of course, I'd heard of them but had never studied them at school and
they had never really entered my world in any great way. I was blown away by
them. This inspired me to go to Amari on the Speaking to the Stars course with
Roi and Stella.
All stories are biographical in some way, shape or form but Greek myths address
human nature in a way that is able to speak to everyone. Each myth, God and
Goddess talks about aspects of our person and behaviour in the timeless way
that only stories manage to do. They are as relevant today as they have ever been.
Human nature never changes.
During that week I made friends with Zeus.
For me, it was a life changing experience. Through Zeus I was able to look at
my courage, how I had skirted around using my courage for the greater good
throughout my life and, perhaps, feared it in some way. Zeus gave me the
helping hand to use that courage in the way that he would wish. One of Zeus'
big things was about hospitality to the stranger, he would test people on their
hospitality and punish them if he thought that they were not offering
hospitality to strangers in the way that it should be offered. Zeus was also
fairly big on punishment. It was through Zeus that I took the plunge to do the
work that I had always wanted to do which is to work with refugees and we are
living in a time when there are plenty in the world.
It has been a bumpy but enriching time thus far. I have to say that if I have
doubts about what I am doing, I pick up a story of Zeus, I read any of the
Greek myths and they remind me that I am a very small (but important) cog in a
very big wheel that has been going round and round since time began. The Greek
myths give me the grounding, the space and the enormity of possibility that we
all have within us to do what needs doing in the world.
If you have any doubts, banish them and go to Amari. Hold onto your hat for you
may be in for one hell of a ride but one that you will never regret and you
will come away all the richer for having delved into the world of Greek myths
and how they continue to live in our worlds today.” Glenys Newton, 2015 UK
“I enrolled on the '
Speaking to The Stars' course in 2015. This was the start of my storytelling
journey personally and professionally. On the first day of the course we sat in
a beautiful room in an old school, the sun was shining in through the long
windows and we were asked by Roi & Stella to pick up a piece of paper from
the floor. We were told that this piece of paper would hold the information of
the God or Godless that we would be exploring over the next week. I started to
read mine........ Hephaestus, God of fire, the forge, he walked with a limp and
he made beautiful things out of ugly things....... Blah, blah..... I was not
happy, this was not me, this was my husband, he worked with his hands. I then
skipped off to lunch with my usual haste. As I did that, I fell down some
steps , fell flat on my bum and quickly got up with an embarrassed expression.
I felt like I had been punched in the face and I walked with a limp for the
rest of the course. So on day one I felt the power of the gods, my ego was
knocked out of me and I had to really slow down. Amari was a magical place, I
felt like there was something holding us all from the clouds, I had real
moments where I connected to myself and my memories, I was made to look at
moments of my life with a new perspective and this has really helped me in my
life.
I have worked in education for the last 20 years, but this way of working is
deeper than any other way I have worked before, I hold Hephaestus close to me,
I recently painted a self portrait, so Hephaestus is there around me, helping
me steer with freedom and support.
Thank You ISOS & Friends of Amari”
Eleanor
Shaw, Storyteller and Theatre Practitioner, 2015 UK
“Working with myths for me has always served as a grammar
and template for my work and storytelling work, especially. The course in Amari
gave me the privilege of working with the god that I would not have normally
chosen for myself. As it happens, gods find us despite us believing
otherwise. Amari has so much material to begin delving into dimensions of Greek
myths and gods, that a week can seem too little. But it is a great beginning to
take these fragments of research out into the world and find its
interweavings.
I discovered the spirit and power of this god at the heart of my work. It was
like being in denial for a lifetime. And beginning to work with this
understanding felt initially like looking at death in the eye, the heart of darkness.
But as I grew used to the dark, shades of colours emerged there in and continue
to do so. Working with the Greek myths was akin to peeling off layers of an
onion, not knowing if we would uncover anything, certainly shedding a lot of
water along the way! And certainly the basic spice to any cooking. I found a
household recipe with onions today to clear one's throat!
The deep and ongoing enquiry with any mythological divinities is essential to
deepening storywork. I may never tell any myths but to live and work with them
as templates is vital to my work with storytelling. Working with Greek Gods in
Amari led me to discover the importance of this and begin to develop my own
work process to work with narratives and stories.” Gauri Rage, 2015, India
"I loved my time in Amari with Stella and Roi on the Speaking to the Stars course in Summer 2015. The opportunity to include the Greek myths was at the heart of the learning. The Greek Gods felt present in ways that challenged, soothed, inspired and touched many of us, me included. I was working with the Aphrodite archetype which was perfect for me personally and led to an inner connection that felt deep and delightful. Under that wonderful Amari sky, in the shadow of Zeus’s mountain, the Gods seemed to be with us in the village, in the cafes, in our workshop and of course in the countryside around and about. Stella has a connection with the myths that are personal, relevant, contagious and deeply deeply inspiring. With her delightful guidance they came alive for me and still are!" Matthew Stone, 2015, UK
“Greek Mythology has been part of my life since I was a child and my mother used to me read the Odyssey aloud. In Amari I truly felt those ancient gods, with their archetypal power work by my side. I found a way to reinterpret my goddess as a goddess of those who have lost their voices- which was empowering and a way to deal with moments of powerlessness in my life. I definitely recommend working with Greek mythology and personal stories.” María Serrano, 2015, Spain/Finland
“When I worked with Stella on Greek Myths I learned
incredibly much about the power of (the often invisible) Hera who I was linked
to.
One of the deepest exercises was one where I learned most about my own
biographical story; it took place during an outdoor storytelling. In this
exercise I asked Hera for the courage to be vulnerable. At that very moment, my
myopia sunglasses fell off and bumped on the rocky surface. That actually
made me vulnerable for the rest of the week; short-sighted I missed my glasses
with the right bow unrepairable broken.
Exactly a year later I was at home, lying on the couch, after an accidental
fall on my right eye. From the 7 ophthalmologists I had seen, I
learned that my eyesight would not recover in full. I feared for the end
of my storytellers path which I had seen gradually unfolding itself after the 3
month storytelling course. It took me roughly another year in which I had to
learn to be vulnerable and strong at the same time; I slowly began to see how
things were meant to be.
Last year, two of my partners in biographical counselling went to work with
Greeks Myths with Stella as well. After the course we all were deeply impressed
by the impact of autobiographical storytelling and myths and the common ground
there was with our work.
Thanks to Hera, my partners and I repositioned the individual work we had been
doing for several years and founded our ‘Institute for Biographical
Storytelling’. I can see clearly now how Hera affected my professional and
personal life; working with Greeks Myths does open doors, deepen insights and
give direction.” Annette Filippo,2014, Holland
“Stella Kassimati was just so comfortable drawing on deep
wells of wisdom within her own culture with its rich mythology and history.
She told us Greek Myth first as captivating story and then to find a layer of
meaning from which we might explore events in our own lives. This latter aspect
was shared with co-course carrier Roi Gal Or.
In “responding to the archetype” my work was with Hermes through invoking
his qualities.
Hermes has for a long time appealed to me because he is a peaceful messenger.
Now I equate my sense of humour with his being a trickster.
In Hermes Gorge I offered to Hermes “story for fireside” i.e. my love of
telling stories in small group gatherings.
And asked for “messages of peace spread far and wide, the return of spring to
each heart” which are among my greatest desires today.
Recently, when translating into simple storytelling language passages from The
Routledge book of Greek Mythology, I discovered Hermes’ early life had a great
deal to say about family relationships. I am enjoying practising this part of
Hermes’ story and eagerly looking forward to telling in a small gathering
somewhere out there.” Kathleen Hunter, 2015, New Zealand
“Well as a storyteller I still and joyful tell the story: “How come that
Jheronimus Bosch never painted the fall of Ikarus” This story was made during
“Speaking to the Stars” in Amari 2014.
My hard working with the Goddess Hestia, the Goddess of hearth and home, has
given me a painful insight in my life but also much comfort and joy.” Burt
Lintmeijer, 2014, Holland
“I was in Amari attending Speaking to the stars during the month of May. May is a very challenging month for because more than one of my beloved have passed away during this month. Each year I look for a personal celebration to honor them. In this occasion it is important for me that there is a profound connection with the meaning of our presence on earth and beyond. Two years ago I chose Amari and I could not have made a better choice.” Giovanna Conforto, 2014, Italy.
“Speaking
to the Stars, during my one week stay to Amari, has been quite an experience.
Greek mythology has always inspired me and poked my imagination. I did know
that Greek Gods and Goddesses were the archetypes of all qualities humans
projected on them.
However in Amari, all this knowledge did become an experience. By incorporating
the energy of the God I was chosen to be and by exploring in many amazing
different ways the qualities of this energy, it became more than clear that all
archetypical vibrations reside within every one of us and that it is a choice
to either express them or suppress them. Interaction with co-participants
strengthened this experience, together with the feeling of belonging,
co-existing and sharing.
In a similar way myths narrate the history of humanity. Every character, either
mortal or immortal could be you and me and anyone in the eternal human pathway.
Exploring the myths is equivalent to exploring oneself and by Speaking to the
Stars I strengthened connection with myself and others through deepening a
little bit more my consciousness. Isn’t that a gift from the Gods?” Eftychia
Christodimou, 2014, Greece
“As I write this,
it was exactly one full moon ago that a dozen of us gathered from different
parts of the globe to attend a story telling
workshop in Amari in the mountains of Crete.
Through a range of experiences
including voice, play, song, movement and listening, our two
experienced facilitators gently brought out skills and strengths to
enhance the evolution of our chosen story. This allowed us to trust a
deeper and more powerful voice to come through, a voice that was
based on true life experience intertwined with archetypal myth. The
week culminated in a magical evening where everyone presented
their story in a courtyard smelling of fragrant orange blossom and jasmine
under a soon-to-be-that-evening, full moon.
Many of these stories had never been
told before. It seems that people are too busy and distracted to really
hear and bare witness to receiving the gift of each other's stories and
yet, when we do slow down enough, it is by far the most
satisfying and nourishing form of entertainment, and perhaps the oldest,
as humans have always engaged in storytelling from the beginning of time.
For me it was a powerful week
leaving a deep impression etched in my memory for many
full moons to come!” Eleni Rivers, Australia 2014
“I enjoyed the gentle way in which the Greek Myths and autobiographical work were woven together. The sessions spent working outside in the landscape were particularly special and I left Amari filled with renewed wonder for the tiniest details in the natural world all around us. The experience of listening to others tell stories from their own lives with the context of these ancient myths there in the background was moving and thought provoking, and will stay with me for a long time to come. The course was very well held by the two teachers, who were attentive to the needs of the group and adapted and shaped the week with those needs in mind. Staying in the village of Amari was wonderful - I had never been to Crete or Greece before, and I felt absolutely welcomed by the warm hospitality of the Friends of Amari and the local people in the area. Bronia Evers, UK 2014
This course was a delight. It felt spacious and uplifting.
The facilitators led activities well, with care and graciousness and without
seeming to do much and yet I (and other course members) was able to
produce my story in a way I never thought possible. It was magical.
I loved that everything was done beautifully with spirit from the opening
ritual to our activities in nature, to use of sound and movement.
And of course the beautiful and peaceful surroundings of Amari was as
nourishing as the hospitality extended in looking after our needs while there. Thank
you for a truly magical and effective course. Femi Hughes, UK 2014
"The biographical course and being in Amari was a heart warming experience of beauty and connection, of culture, magic, wonder, excitement, hospitality, sisterhood, brotherhood. I really felt a whole human being. It deeply touched my heart" Annejet Rümke 2012
"I knew that traveling from the USA to Crete to attend
the "Speaking to the Stars" storytelling course would expand my
horizons. I did not anticipate the magnitude of the impact that the content,
instructors, and my fellow classmates would have on me. I have grown
intellectually, spiritually, and culturally. This experience has been
transformative!" Anthea Lavergne, U.S.A. 2013
"The course was held in a caring, inspirational way. It was like a trip to
fairy land, where everything is possible, the sun shining and penetrating deep
into dark places - finding gems which were hidden there." Kaja
Vildersboell, Denmark. 2013
"Generous, inspiring, supportive, fun ....The final telling under the
stars, beneath the big tree, was a sublime and memorable experience." Christina
Rowntree, Australia 2013
"This course was transformative, liberating, encouraging and Fun!" Barbara
Leeney, UK 2013
"A really tremendous week to explore life's experiences in a
playful, deep and meaningful way." Dinah Pryor, UK 2013
"Intensely beautiful. A meeting of landscape and metaphor inviting you to
deeper and braver knowing." Julie Perrin, Australia
“It was amazing how quickly we - much thanks to the leaders
of the workshop - established an atmosphere of trust and confidence, and
how every member of the course after just a few days became BOTH ABLE
AND WILLING to show such an amount of sincere honesty and great openness
in their biographical storytelling. You cannot actually learn so
much technique in only one week, but what happened was that people GOT
THE COURAGE to put their life and experience and whole personalities
in their storytelling- and that is what made the final stories on the
last evening so captivating, so touching, so funny and so unforgettable.
During this week in Amari I felt really deep contact with people I
never met before. And I truly feel that we all, although we came from
quite different parts of the world and from different backgrounds, share
the same life on this earth.” Nena Stenius, Finland 2013
There is always a
bit of faith involved in signing up for a course; faith in the teachers, the
intention, the other people who will make up the temporary community that you
become for that week or several weeks.
The course information – which was
useful, considered and accurate – had told us to come to Amari prepared. There
are no shops, no ATMs, no pharmacies. We needed to be organised. There was an
enormous freedom in the lack of distraction. I got to the end of the 8 days and
realised the only time I had actually reached into my wallet was to buy a beer
at the beach. I think I spent 3 Euros in the whole week. These courses
are never about money but we were generously taught, hosted and accommodated
and fed for a modest fee.
The course formed part of a quest for
understanding our relationship to concepts of destiny and choice and
relatedness to the natural world. Roi led us into the landscape and over the
week we explored a mountaintop near Pan’s Cave, hopped along the rocks by the
side of the river at Hermes’ Gorge and visited Poseidon’s realm, diving into
the sea.
Stella began by telling us stories
from the Pantheon of the Greek Gods. Her voice was sure and she carried these
stories that I had often found bewildering, to a new level. As the week
unfolded we had a rhythm of meeting from 9am – 1.30pm. Following a siesta
we would regather from 5 – 8pm. The afternoon rest period provided time to
absorb and reflect and a fresh beginning in the evening.
I think the mark of a great teacher is
a humility that takes things in its stride. Roi has this in spades. Another mark
is the reciprocity that takes up learnings from the group. Stella did this with
clarity and openness. We remain indebted to them both for gifts shared and
exchanged. We drank from the spring, we climbed mountains and leapt over river
rocks and spoke to the stars. We were not disappointed. Julie
Perrin August 2013
