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Festivals! Initiation and the Brilliance of Eternity

The Emerald

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Ancient Greek festivals centered around various rituals and dances

Ancient Greek festivals were rich in diverse rituals and experiences, including snake handling, prophesying, self-mutilation, trance, pain, joy, exhaustion, rapture, focus, grief, catharsis, solidarity, and connection. Each god or goddess had their own festival, sometimes aligned with celestial events or specific stories, all anchored with dancing. Dancing was a central element, with solo acrobatic, communal, ecstatic, and performative dances performed across the Mediterranean. For example, the maidens of Artemis danced the bear dance, and the followers of Dionysus danced until they reached a state of rapture.

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