SONG OF ANATOLIA PILGRIMAGE
Sing With The Goddess
At Ancient Temples In Turkey
MAY 23 - JUNE 1, 2026
If you have a song within you, a knowing that you are here for something beyond what the eye can see; if you remember a time where earth is the temple, voice sacred and wisdom lived, then this initiation is for YOU.
Explore the Aegean coast, dance and drum your way on sacred lands and connect with the Mother Goddess in ceremony. Come ready to free your song, be a part of a safe & aligned sisterhood, and return home re-centered and reminded of your true purpose as a woman with a clear path forward.
A 10 Day Retreat in the land of the Mother Goddess
From the sapphire coastline of Phokaia,
to the breathtaking ruins of Ephesus
this experience is an invitation to
reconnect with the Divine Feminine,
honor the ancient wisdom of the land,
receive sacred songs from the Earth.
Join us on a journey of a lifetime in Turkey guided by a daughter of these lands.
The first half of our 10-day experience is designed to be a peaceful retreat in Phokaia by the Aegean Sea. This lovely fisherman town surrounded by islands will give us the opportunity to land softly after long international travels and take it all in. Here in Sema’s hometown we will stay at the historic old-town surrounded by local beauty. For the next 5 days we will explore the vibrant village, hidden beaches and coves; indulge in fresh-caught seafood and enjoy the peaceful lifestyle on the Aegean. We will hold ceremony at the Temple of Cybele, mythological Siren Rocks, the Bird Tribe Peninsula, iconic windmills and an undiscovered womb temple on the hills.
The last half of our time is designed as a pilgrimage to ancient sites such as Ephesus, Temple of Artemis and Mother Mary’s House. We will spend 4 nights at a lovely boutique hotel surrounded by roses, fountains and gardens in a quaint wine-village on the hills of Sirince. We will visit the world renowned Artemis of Ephesus and anchor the Goddess lineage back down at Artemision, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Here we will get to sing, drum, dance and feel the ancient priestesses working through us as we tap into their memory kept by the land.
Through ceremony, song and prayer, we will walk the path of the ancient pilgrims, communing with the profound energies of Mary, Artemis, Cybele, Muses and Sirens.
Our program brings retreat and pilgrimage together. It not only offers yoga, ritual, devotional singing and drumming, dance and storytelling, but also the vibrant culture, natural beauty and delicious cuisine of west coast of Turkey.
It is designed to be both an anthropological study and a home-coming, bringing ancient mythology and herstory alive here and now.
Sacred Sites & Mystical Experiences
This pilgrimage invokes the essence of the Divine Mother through sacred sites, ancient rituals, and the power of song.
Şirince: 4 night stay at a charming boutique hotel in the quaint wine village
Ephesus: Visit the ruins of the ancient city, Milk & Honey ritual at the ancient church of Mary
House of Mother Mary: Pilgrimage to the shrine, communion with Mary, sacred spring water blessing and prayer ties
Ephesus Archaeological Museum: Homage to the bodies of Artemis, the Muses, the reliefs of bulls and frame-drumming priestesses of Cybele
Temple of Artemis: Frame drum, dance and song ceremony; initiation
Phokaia (Foça): 5 night stay on the coast of the Aegean Sea
Turkish Bath: Rejuvenation in the marble hammam and massage
Temple of Cybele: Ancient open air temple harbor sanctuary, story time, Maiden to Mother Ceremony
Islands: Sea immersion, enjoy the Aegean coast, Sirens of the Sea Ceremony
Cybele’s Hill: Henna ceremony at an undiscovered hill temple
Sea Bird Peninsula: Hike and sunset, sacred music
Turkey Is Calling Me!
The journey takes us to…
Ephesus
Once a thriving metropolis and a center for worship of Cybele and Artemis, Ephesus is now a UNESCO world heritage site. We will witness the city’s grandeur in its Library of Celsus, grand theater, ancient temple of Cybele and breathtaking architecture.
Milk and Honey Ritual
The ancient church of Mary, the first church dedicated to Mother of God was built on the ruins of an earlier basilica known as the "Hall of the Muses”. It will the ritual grounds for our offerings to the Goddess.
House of Virgin Mary
Nestled in Mount Nightingale near Ephesus, the stone house was discovered following the descriptions of Anne Catherine Emmerich’s visions. It is believed that Mary was brought here after the Resurrection of Christ to live for the remainder of her earthly life. The site emanates profound peace.
Rose Ceremony
As pilgrims we will commune with Meryem and her sacred heart at the shrine and do a ritual water blessing at the sacred spring and prayer ties - a long lasting tradition of the sacred site.
Temple of Artemis
At its day Artemision was the grandest sanctuary under the sun.
It was the religious center for the cult of the Great Goddess. Although there are only fragments left from the mighty temple,
it remains a powerful energetic grid and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Song Ceremony
Here we will remember her story and sing her song back to her. This is our initiation where we receive a secret mantra and bring back the teachings of the lineage through our voice and body.
Siren Rocks
These legendary cliffs are said to be where Sirens, mythical part-bird, part-woman creatures with enchanting voices, lured passing sailors to their doom with their songs. The caverns are also home for mating seals.
Sirens of the Sea Ceremony
The energy is quite eerie here. We will reach near the cliffs by boat to free our voice and reclaim our wild feminine power and all that has been misunderstood and feared about our true essence.
Temple of Cybele
Due to its accessibility by sea, the harbor sanctuary welcomed seafarers for blood sacrifices. A temple for Athena was later built on top of the site and then fortress walls.
Maiden to Mother Ceremony
Here we embody Great Mother's ancient symbols lion and mountain. It is the embodiment of her will for us. Here we will make intimate sacrifices - an ode to our maturation and creative power.
This pilgrimage is resonating with me!
Accommodation
Şirince
A charming boutique hotel nestled in rolling hills and vineyards, infused with the essence of rose, offering a grace-filled retreat.
Rooms available: Private room or shared room
Foça
A vibrant family-run boutique hotel in the heart of the old town with a swimming pool, serving fresh produce from their organic farm.
Rooms available: Private room or shared room
What’s Included
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Accommodation
2 local organic meals per day + drinks & snacks throughout the day
All ceremonies
Entrance to all sites
Boat tour
Turkish bath & massage
Transportation during the pilgrimage
Investment
Option 1: $7700
private lodging
Option 2: $7200 (per person)
shared lodging
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL!
(until Feb 30th)
What’s Not Included
Airfare
A 40% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.
Payment plan options available.
Cancellation policy: 50% of the deposit is non-refundable in case of cancellation. The 50% of the deposit is refundable if cancelled by March 1st, 2026.
Nourishment
Enjoy delicious Turkish cuisine. Prepared with love.
We will be nourished like Queens.
Brunch
Traditional Turkish breakfast featuring tea, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, feta cheese, honey, jams, eggs and specialty pastries such as simit (Turkey’s beloved sesame seed pastry)
Dinner
Home-cooked meals and local restaurant experiences, including fresh caught seafood, mezes (a selection of small, appetizer-sized dishes), and Aegean greens.
Please reach out for special diets.
Transfer
Ride from Adnan Menderes Airport (Izmir) to Foça on May 23.
Ride to the airport from Şirince on June 1.
Schedule
Phokaia (Foça)
Day 1: Arrival, Dinner, Rest
Day 2: Morning Practice, Opening, Brunch, Spa, Dinner
Day 3: Morning Practice, Brunch, Boat Tour, Sunset at Peninsula, Dinner
Day 4: Morning Practice at Windmills, Brunch, Temple of Cybele, Dinner
Day 5: Morning Practice, Brunch, Womb Temple, Dinner
Selçuk / Şirince
Day 6: Breakfast, Transfer to Şirince, Check-In, Village Day, Dinner
Day 7: Morning Practice, Brunch, Ephesus, Dinner
Day 8: Morning Practice, Brunch, Mother Mary’s House, Dinner
Day 9: Morning Practice, Brunch, Museum & Temple of Artemis, Dinner, Closing
Day 10: Breakfast, Departure
This is what I need !
What Makes This Retreat Special
Unlike typical retreats or tours, this pilgrimage is a remembrance.
A reclamation of the voice of the Goddess on this sacred land where she had long been revered.
We are weaving back together her song and rituals to make herstory; to anchor her power and prosperity back upon the Earth, where her memory has been purposefully erased.
A special circle of her daughters are called forth to do the work of remembering who we are at this time, and revive what’s been long forgotten.
Note from Your Guide
“For a long time, the voice of the Goddess and her many names have been buried beneath oppression, disrespect, and abuse. Her temples lie in ruins, but her spirit is alive in the stones, the waters, the fruits, and in us—her daughters.
My soul chose to be born and raised here this time around. This land is the soil of my bones. Yet I could not wait to see the world as a young girl. Called by the mystery, I left when I was 18. I had to journey across the globe to hear her and find my devotion.
Now it is time to return.
Not only for me—but for us.
This pilgrimage is my soul’s offering. A return to the Mother in my home. A ceremonial restoration of the songlines that once carried her voice across these hills and coasts.
My mission is to create change from inside out by being in our purpose. To stand in our power, confident and heart-led, and sing the song of the Goddess back to her. To restore her silenced voice and erased legacy of abundance.
This is my devotion to her.
If you’ve heard her too, you are being called home.”
Sema Ece Gündoğdu
