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Mithraic Journey: Healing Gods & Goddesses Wangapeka Retreat


  • Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre 355 Wangapeka River Road Tapawera, Tasman, 7096 New Zealand (map)
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The Mithraic Journey is based on a series of symbolic, ancient mystery teachings from Roman times, helping people live better, more purposeful lives.

Mithras is one of the oldest known gods, having been contemplated for over 3,500 years, throughout a multitude of continents, by a number of pre-Christian religions. Many of Mithras’s symbols and rituals were eventually adapted into Christianity. 

Working with Mithras helps us to release blocked energy, empowering us to develop our psyches and step into our fuller potential as human beings.

On this retreat we will integrate the strengths and qualities of:

  • Mercury, the god of financial abundance, and remover of obstacles

  • The mirror-like wisdom of the goddess Prudence

  • The boundaries and fearlessness of the god Mars

  • The loving-kindness, tenderness and compassion of Aphrodite

  • The stability and steadfastness of Jupiter, and the healing energies of the warrior goddess Sekhmet

  • The friendship and fairness of Mithras

  • The god Saturn, who represents not having to struggle to survive

And many more gods and goddesses.

On behalf of the Wangapeka Centre, Mira Riddiford welcomes you to a week of immersion and practice in the tradition of Western Mysticism.

Encompassing archetypes, meditations and symbolism from Egyptian, Greek and Roman spirituality as well as Cabalistic, Islamic and Christian times, Western Mysticism is for those who:

  • have an interest in these symbols and tradition and wish to use them for practical healing in everyday life

  • are curious about esoteric, pagan and nature-based teachings

  • are looking for mindfulness practices and mantras that focus on western god and goddess archetypes

  • are looking to explore a deeper level of psychic awareness and spirituality

  • have a desire to learn the origins and evolution of ancient western god and goddess archetypes and their manifestation throughout different cultures

  • are looking to understand and integrate their divine feminine and masculine energies

About the retreat

With 20 years of Buddhist and Western Mystical study and practice with teachers around the world, Mira employs these esoteric teachings of ancient god and goddess archetypes and symbolism to support empowered, healing and mindful meditation practices.

She believes we all possess positive energies and healing powers within us. Her work focuses on identifying, awakening and being able to call forth these healing energies through:

  1. Recognition:Using mythology and visuals of ancient gods and goddesses through time, and exploring how their forms manifested and took different names throughout different cultures.

  2. Symbolism:Delving into the motifs and artefacts depicting gods and goddesses possess and what they stand for.

  3. Desired Traits:Understanding why ancient cultures focused on these symbols and archetypes – to raise the archetypes’ traits within themselves.

  4. Personified energies:Learning to call upon these energies or traits to overcome one’s own personal or emotional battles and fears.

  5. Integration:Call the above healing energies and integrating their powers to guide and aid you in your everyday life, by way of mindfulness meditation and mantras.

What can I expect to achieve?

  • A greater understanding of god and goddess archetypes

  • The opportunity to unplug from the busyness and demands of everyday life

  • An opportunity to reconnect with nature and your body and safely process your emotions

  • A way to sit with and heal the difficulties of everyday life

  • The ability to go deeper in your meditation and mindfulness practice

  • A takeaway kit of visual tools, practical mantras and texts to continue to heal and strengthen your practice

  • A deeper sense of mindfulness and personal empowerment

  • Initiation into the esoteric teachings and the opportunity to further study and pursue this spiritual path

What should I bring?

Whilst a more detailed practical packing list will be provided, we suggest that to get the most out of the workshop, bring:

  • an open, curious “beginner’s mind”

  • a genuine interest in western mysticism and esoteric teachings

  • a willingness to partake in the suggested exercises and activities

  • an open heart that’s ready to receive these energetic gifts

  • an inclusive attitude of all religions, backgrounds, genders and races

  • your meditation practice (all levels welcome)

  • your sense of humour

  • retreat etiquette – this retreat will be in silence other than class times, to encourage calm and clarity

Daily Schedule

7am – 8am: Breakfast

9am: Class

1pm: Lunch, main meal of the day cooked by Lily and helpers

3pm: For the most part this afternoon period will be personal time for practicing the meditations given in the morning, resting or gentle forest walking

6pm: Light supper cooked by Lily and helpers

7.30pm: Group meditation sit


Cost for the retreat

Date: 7 June 2019, 6pm– June 14 2019, 2pm

Investment: $676 (*plus dana)

Members discounted price: $606 (*plus dana)
If using Paypal please add 5% of the total cost and include with your payment to cover Paypal’s fees – many thanks.

To register please fill out our online registration form

*Please consider becoming a Wangapeka member – click here for details.


Plus Dana (donation) to Mira for her teachings.

These figures above include accommodation, food and a nominal contribution towards Mira’s travel costs. They don’t include any dana/donation to Mira for the teachings she will impart. So people from different income brackets can benefit from this retreat, no set fee is put on the teachings. Please give generously according to your means, taking into account Mira has a family to provide for and that meditation teachings are her primary income and support the further scholarship of Western Mysticism. You could use as a guide $20 – $60 per day (with the understanding that everyone’s circumstances are different). Please bring cash to pay for the Dana.