4th annual
Mána Yí Crete Retreat
8-15 May 2025
Crete, Greece
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We gather in an intimate immersion of 9 women
to reclaim the power of sisterhood & ancestral ways
in a sacred container of love, trust, consent & communication
we dissolve the distortions & reclaim the sacred
through the study, honoring & embodiment of:
drumming, dancing, singing
ritual with sacred sites & ancient temples
grief & rebirth ceremonies
ancestral veneration
menstrual mysteries
intimate soul connection practices
traditional arts such as weaving & playing with clay
leadership empowerment
Cretan & Egyptian wisdom teachings
sisterhood community living
hand poke tattoo ceremony
daily movement
walking barefoot & nourishing deeply
𖦹 all ages from teen to crone are welcome 𖦹
Mána Yí // Mother Earth
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This annual gathering was founded in 2022 upon my return to my ancestral home, as guided by my then recently transcended grandfather.
After pulling the curtain back on new age spiritual distortions and recognizing the inherited patterns within myself, I began experiencing a transformative momentum home, deeper, truer…
to the literal bones of my ancestors, the roots of the olive trees, to the desecrated ruins of ancient matriarchal temples.
It was here that my years of training, remembering and initiation with earth arts & law of love ministry came together, with the unwavering support and collaboration of my beloved, to birth a multifaceted template of slicing swords through illusion, reconnecting to our primal & cosmic truths and cultivating the trust for ourselves to embody, anchor & broadcast our unique blueprint - stepping into the fullness of our multidimensional identity in a rooted, practical way.
I welcome you with the blessing of my ancestors and direction of my spirit guides to this sacred, primal, nourishing, activating and celebratory rite of passage. it’s an immense honor to gather in reverence for all life and realigning with inter-dependence as women and stewards of earth, devoting higher to our heart’s intelligence & soul’s mission.
καλώς ήρθες, αδερφή
welcome, sister
“Mana Yi is not a retreat. It is an initiation into the lost arts of woman and sisterhood.
It’s the class for maidens and mothers that the government-ruled schooling system banned. There will be laughter and feasts and dancing in long skirts long into the night. There will also be ceremony, silence, deep teachings, grief and pain.
The grief and pain, the triggers and discomfort, the desire to run or avoid, the places within us that are crunchy or caked in shame, they were already there within us.
Mana Yi helps to bring it out and into the light.”
what’s included
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From the moment of your arrival to the moment of your departure,
all is taken care of to support you in feeling held & safe upon this sacred soul journey.
included are:
-arrival & departure airport rides
-3 fresh, nourishing meals from our beloved chef a day, meat included, veg available
-fresh herbal teas & coffee
-all activities & excursions of the itinerary
-pre pilgrimage preparation calls
-post pilgrimage integration calls
the flight to & from crete is not included in admission
“Every ceremony was crucial. Had purpose, dynamic, deep connection to ancient ways of honouring life itself that we have covered up with superficial conversations. Thank you Paulina and Zin for showing me that I can choose differently.”
our sanctuary
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sits where the mountains meet the sea in omnidirectional nature views & privacy
an inter-generationally inherited haven, stewarded by women devoted to cultivating connection, community & the preservation of cretan culture
accommodations
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primitive // €1,900
(1 spot left)
We’re happy to have primitive camping available this year. pack your tent and pad, and choose your nook of the land amongst the olive trees to set up your sacred space. sleeping bag & towels provided,
shared // €2,400
(2 spaces left)
cozy up with 1-2 roommate(s) in one of the beautiful, spacious rooms of the sanctuary. this is often where some of the most meaningful relationships develop.
private // €2,900
(1 just added)
one incredibly spacious master suite with attached bath is available for resting in privacy.
we are honored to be guided by the land, animals and ancestors each year.
“Unmatched integrity, discernment, respect, and love. An alignment that is curated by your own internal guidance because of how supported you feel.”
Paulina Melissas
Paulina is a decolonial mystic based in her maternal home of Crete, Greece and raised on the limestone land of current day Florida, with ancestral roots which run through Egypt.
Over the past 10 years, she’s been training and practicing in the arts of elemental ceremony, dissolving disempowering imprints, 13 sign astrology, working with animal guides, resurrecting ancients crafts of plant weaving, ceremonial tattoo marking, along with creative and spiritual mentorship, soul song and being an advocate of our restoring organic blueprint, as guided by her inner remembrance.
Reclaiming the native soul heritage and empowering women into their authentic voice is her passionate mission that she’s honoured to share upon this magnificent and reverent quest into the ancient mysteries of our cosmic and matriarchal ancestry, in her ancestral home.
feeling the call?
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We welcome applications from sisters truly ready to embark on this journey.
thank you for pursuing the calling to this magnificent co-creation.
You’ll receive a response within 4 days.
Once your application is approved, the deposit to secure your space will be due within 5 days, as space is limited to 8 women.
