Earth & Spirit Southern Italian Journeys

THE CHTHONIC ORACLE OF DEEP SLEEP 

A GUIDED JOURNEY TO THE DREAM TEMPLES OF LUCANIA

-Join us in October 2026 for this mythic and interior pilgrimage,

-From the mountains of Cilento to the valleys of Lucania, water has always been revered as sacred. Springs welling up from rock, grottoes breathing vapors from the underworld, rivers marking the edge of fertile plains - all were seen as thresholds between human and the divine.

Archaeology shows that people gathered at these waters many thousands of years ago. They left offerings beside sulphurous springs as part of a Bronze Age cult of healing. At Paestum and the Sele River mouth, Hera was honored with countless terracotta votives, prayers for fertility and safe childbirth. In Lucania, the goddess Mefite received dedications at pools and vaporing caves, where her healing and chthonic powers met.

Join us for a rare opportunity to enter the ancient current of Southern Italy’s sacred waters — to dream, pray and remember alongside the Madonna Guardians who still watch over these miraculous springs. This guided pilgrimage invites you to step into the living animist tradition of the South, where water is not only substance but spirit, where each fountain and grotto carries the breath of healing, and where the Earth herself continues to speak through her bubbling veins. As we journey from mountain to sea — visiting sanctuaries, shrines, and caves where the faithful have sought blessing for centuries — we open ourselves to the deep listening that our ancestors once practiced: the art of communion with the waters that heal, reveal, and renew.

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What our journey participants are saying:

“Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart, for sharing your beloved lands and Madonna’s. It truly was a fantastic trip and I feel so loved and nourished.  Loved it all.  My room and all the staff, THE FOOD, our driver, the plants, trees, ruins, healing waters, the procession, the ferry ride, the architecture, the dream temple, the sun, the rain, and your big beautiful loving, joyful heart.   It was amazing to see Italy through your eyes.  I am so touched.” Sherry

“For me, I feel like the journey keeps unfolding,  and the precious love of the Madonna surrounds me.  I’ve noticed that my intuition is much stronger.  I definitely feel renewed in a spiritual way and excited to move forward. Thanks again Gail, for guiding us on a sacred journey to your homelands, your beloved Southern Italy.  It was such a unique opportunity to experience it through your heart.  I’ll never ever forget it!” S. Ellefson

"I still carry that trip in my heart. It was so wonderful. Thank you Gail for showing us a really transformative experience." Judy P

"I had a wonderful time and congratulate you, Rosa and Adam for your hard work, long hours, and dedication. Everything you did was aimed at our pleasure and you sure hit the mark...this trip was exactly right and I treasure every minute of it." J. Cohen

"The Earth & Spirit Journey was exactly right, perfect, for me!  I registered with hopes of spending some contemplative time with Our Lady, feeling closer to my ancestors and ancestral ways, and being inspired to renew my journaling practice.  Mission accomplished on all three fronts!" L. King

"Your obvious love and enthusiasm as well as your incredible wealth of knowledge of this area, its people, history, culture, ancestral ways and the Divine Feminine all combine to make you a most outstanding guide. So happy to have come along with you!" T. Fleiss

"It's nearly impossible to plan a trip that will please everyone. Yet, with a small group like ours, it was possible to remain flexible and responsive to each participant.  You did that beautifully, effortlessly and I am very grateful. Thank you." P. Post

"We all agreed that the trip was the trip of a lifetime—no other way could we have stayed in the village without your family connections. To be so remote, without tourists around, and out in the hills and the very special Valley of Diana, was something none of us will ever forget. Also, we all agreed that you were the perfect guide to the sacred sites we visited—your enthusiasm, knowledge and delight were wonderful to be part of." D. Lightbody

"This has been a deeply soul nourishing, healing and life changing experience that I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life." L. Shaeffer

"Fantastic, amazing, fun time!  Came home inspired, renewed and spiritually restored. Thank you so much!" R. Roveto

"Every day I thought to myself, 'this must be the highlight'...only to be repeated the very next day. The places we visited were classic. I feel I touched the spirit of my ancestors in ways I had not anticipated and more than that, found a part of myself I did not know was lost." K. Foster

"My daughter and I had the most wonderful, soul nourishing time. In fact, we both grew in ways we are still astonished about. Thank you for all the work you've done to provide such a magnificent container for ancestral connection and spiritual growth."

"The itinerary was perfect—I loved every place we visited, and the slow paced, nourishing rhythm of it all." M. Melina

"Rave reviews for the place we stayed…absolutely perfect! Rave reviews also for our chefs — though the portions were daunting, the food was exceptional in both preparation and the fact that it represented dishes traditionally used. Wouldn’t change one iota of this entire experience!" K. White

"You have a magnetic personality and a very calming presence. Your village and its people are absolutely amazing and inspiring. We all had a fabulous time." N. Lovelace

"I had the most incredible, magical, life-altering trip. Thank you!" C. Perry