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Meeting the Melissae: The Ancient Greek Bee Priestesses of Demeter Paperback – October 1, 2023

by Elizabeth Ashley (Author)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings
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The Eleusinian Mysteries were the most prestigious initiation of the ancient world. The ritual’s secrets were protected by death vows and have been speculated about for more than 4,000 years. The nine-day festival was run by a group of women called Melissae, or “bees”: married women, second only in rank to the Priestess of Athena Polias, who presided over Athens. They amassed incredible wealth, fame, and political status. Temple accounts from the period reveal that it was the priestesses’ money that paid for Greece's glorious architecture. Fees were earned for sacrifices and granting access to divinity. In return, the priestess made Greece a magnificent place to live. Oracles, diviners, soul midwives and creatrixes of innumerable festivals, these women ensured that the city-state kept favour with the goddess. They achieved that by emulating the ways of the world’s most successful matriarchal community, a bee colony. Herbal textbooks speak of a relationship between these women and the Lemon Balm herb (Melissa officinalis). Journey into the past and into the enchanting dreamscape of the hive with aromatherapist Elizabeth Ashley. A delightful odyssey for anyone interested in herbal wisdom, ancient Greek history, female empowerment, and humankind’s greatest allies, the bees.

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  1. Print length
    360 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    O-Books
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 2023
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 1.1 x 8.4 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1803412496
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1803412498
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is a gem… a fascinating glimpse into the intriguing world of the MELISSAE an ancient and shamanic lineage of Bee priestesses linked to the god Demeter. Elizabeth Ashley leads us into a living world of ritual, sound and scent, which will delight anyone with an interest in plants and essential oils but also their links with mythology and history. Each chapter reveals secrets and mysteries, and the realisation that the wise Melissae along with the Bees still have much to teach and inspire us… I urge you to read this book, as I did, on a summer’s afternoon, amidst the dreamy sound of bees and the sweet smell of Lemon Balm, I can promise, you won't be disappointed.

-- Felicity Warner, Founder of Soul Midwives

About the Author

Elizabeth Ashley has almost 30 years' professional experience as a clinical aromatherapist, is the UK Director for the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy and an overseas speaker for the International Federation of Aromatherapists. As a professional speaker she has presented at trade conferences in Beijing, Utah, Budapest, and Sofia, and is a regular contributor to five professional trade journals. She lives in Shropshire, UK.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ O-Books (October 1, 2023)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 360 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1803412496
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1803412498
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.7 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1.1 x 8.4 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 8 ratings

About the author

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Elizabeth Ashley

Elizabeth Ashley

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Hi everyone, I am a clinical aromatherapist with over 30 years professional experience, the UK Director of National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists and an overseas speaker for the International Federation of Aromatherapy. I am also a regular contibutor to several trade journals.

I have a rather unique slant on essential oils in that I hear them as musical notes and they sing their wisdom for me.

The white books - the essential oil monographs - take the most recent clinical evedice from the laboratories and match them with the earliest mentions of the plant in history. Join me on mythological journies into the past and discover plant medicine in ways that you have never experienced them before.

My most recent book on Melissa encouraged me to become a bee guardian and Melissa priestess. That said, if you are looking for airy fairy information, look elsewhere. Less Titania, more Gimli Son of Gloyn, I only deal in real Down To Earth Medicine.

Feel free to check out my youtube channels:

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheSecretHealerElizabethAshley

https://www.youtube.com/c/HowToUseEssentialOilsforAromatherapy

and my website:

http://www.thesecrethealer.co.uk

Thanks for your interest and support. I look forward to getting to know you better.

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
8 global ratings

Top review from the United States

Red Bird
5.0 out of 5 stars A Brilliant and Beautiful Read
Reviewed in the United States on October 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
Meeting the Melissae is a brilliant combination of the depth of scholarship and research done by the author and the powerful story of these forgotten times that contained the beauty and profound practices of the Melissae Bee Priestesses of ancient Greece. In a time when we are reawakening to the ancient wisdom ways, this book is a significant contribution. The great importance and significance of the Bees revealed in these pages goes far beyond our current understanding. Beautifully written and evocative, we can all benefit in many ways by immersing ourselves in this wondrful book by Elizabeth Ashley, a modern master of aromatherapy and dedicated Melissae Bee Priestess.
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Top reviews from other countries

C. Powell
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2023
Verified Purchase
What an incredible book! Meeting the Melissae is well researched and engaging. Ashley's voice and perspectives are woven into the larger story and her knowledge of bees, aromatherapy and woman's mysteries greatly enrich the story.
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Teresa Wicksteed
4.0 out of 5 stars Really Fascinating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 20, 2023
Verified Purchase
I was looking forward to reading this, as I recently attended The Way of the Melissae Course. I already have a bit of knowledge of this subject, but learned many more interesting and deeply fascinating synchronicities from reading. Elizabeth writes fluently and with great passion and enthusiasm, which was delightful.
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