Rhapsodia-Keepers Of The Mysteries

By Patricia Hajifotiou

Rhapsodia – Keepers of the Mysteries is the story of Ia, a young girl with the gift of prophecy living just before the dawn of recorded time. On her sundrenched island she tends her olive groves, is inducted into the Mysteries (here revealed), and visits the pleasure tents; her world does not recognize the concept of sexual possession.

A cataclysm threatens all Ia loves and she almost loses the thread of her people. She turns to her gift of prophecy to whisper a vow to always remember.

Woven throughout Rhapsodia is also the journey of two modern women, descendants of Ia, who seek to restore the Mysteries in their own lives, as they move towards healing, wholeness, and loving beyond possession.

Rhapsodia is a song, a verbal poem sewn together to transport the reader to life on a Greek island in 3,500 BC where villagers sing their stories and live in the daily splendor of natural abundance. With vivid and sensuous prose, American author Patricia Hajifotiou, who lives on her own Greek island, draws on her years of study and intimate knowledge of ancient Mediterranean culture to offer insight and new-found wisdom.

For the last sixteen years, Patricia Hajifotiou and her husband Manolis, have led specialized and acclaimed tours to the ancient sites of Greece, Italy, Turkey, and France. She wishes her readers “Na pas sto kalo!” (Greek for “Go to the good!”).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patricia Hajifotiou
• Release date: Mar 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9780986343414

Patricia Hajifotiou

American author Patricia Hajifotiou spends most of her time on the island of Evia, Greece where she resides with her husband, Manolis. Travel Like You Mean It! is her second book. A different kind of travel book with insider tips and pinch yourself moments. Included are hilarious travel fails along with the authors #1 way to make sure your next trip is the best it can be!

Book preview

Prologue

1 Inside the Pleasure Tent

Village of Halkis- 3531 B.C., Middle Aegean-8th Moon

He paused to ask her softly if he may enter her and when she nodded, he placed two fingers inside of her edion. Ilias, his oiled hand the texture of a warm wet ocean, rubbed her inside pleasure circle. Ia, no longer able to maintain eye contact with her dark-haired be- loved, threw her head back into the pillows, lost to her elation. Soon, she motioned him to climb on top of her and this he did. As he introduced himself to Ia in this way, she shivered with delight.

After riding waves of pleasure, he withdrew back to sitting between her legs. With his dark eyes taking in all of her beauty, he lightly touched her outer pleasure spot. Pausing to stroke other parts of her body he would return to the spot over and over again, never dropping his sparkling eyes from hers.

Ilias was younger than her, less experienced but no less of an ardent lover. In their nest of flax linen sheets, on top of a grass stuffed mattress, they took turns thrilling each other. Ia lay back as Ilias spread her body out on the bed. Sitting between her outstretched legs, he ran his hands over her unresisting body. Just like the majestic sea being whipped by the gentle yet powerful wind, Ia's excitement expanded as Ilias moved his hands onto her breasts; caressing them while playfully stopping to pinch her nipples with his fingers. He softly fluttered his fingers over her outer pleasure spot again and again, releasing spasms of ecstasy all over her body.

Ia was glad that the people of Halkis were no strangers to the pleasure tents. With the upheaval and her flight from Minos, many moon cycles had passed before she could take refuge in a lover’s arms again. Although the men of Halkis were quieter, their hands less skilled on a woman's body, Ia had taken several lovers in the first months she had arrived. Her lover of choice, however, had become Ilias, her fellow prophecy seeker from the is- land of Minos-an island so close to her former home, she could not think about it without crashing waves of grief. Now those thoughts were pushed away as she dove into her bliss.

In the cool afternoons while her child, Mare Ia, was playing with a group of children watched over by village elders, Ia took to the pleasure tents. She had been given herbs by the healers of Halkis. Ones that would stop her eggs from dropping. A pang of sadness found its way to her heart when she remembered mixing the same formula with her Thea Mare on their former home, the round green island of Mu.

The release of her ecstasy brought on salty tears of joy. Ilias held her until her shuttering ceased. Recovering slightly, she maneuvered on top of him. Sliding on top of his rigid peos, she saw that he had given himself up to her. Working to push his pleasure to the limit she, in turn, made her own pleasure limitless. As she hovered above him, her soul levitated out of her body. There she stayed until his quaking burst of rapture brought them both back into their own bodies.

As they lay still, floating in their mutual pleasure, a small earth tremor was released from the surrounding mountains. Ia tried to jump to her feet but she fell, madly swinging her arms in an effort to rid herself of the sheets. The terror from the past was still with her- when moving earth had brought the loss of her home and so many loved ones. She tried not to remember, but like the sea’s never ending lapping of the shore, her memories had never dried. It was as if they were still fresh and happening right then.

2 Memories

3 years earlier

Island of Mu- 3534 B.C., Middle Aegean Sea -1st Moon

The baby’s cry startled Ia awake. It had been six moons since the birth of her child, but the cry of the baby could still put Ia’s heart to flutter. She had always been a deep sleeper but since the baby was born, she slept, it seemed, with one eye open.

Ia’s pregnancy had been easy. Thea Mare had helped with the herbs and the potions in order for the baby to grow and be strong. Thea was careful to also give the herb formula of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), broom (Ruscus aculeatus), and red raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus) in the last several moons of the pregnancy in order for the delivery to be easier. Evyenia, her mother, and Mano, her uncle, had also helped to prepare a place for Ia and the baby, in a newly built separate room attached to the four room rock and wood house they had all lived in. Even though her living quarters was a quick walk down the stone path, Thea had spent most of the last six moons sleeping in the living area right outside of Ia and the baby's room. She was enchanted with the baby and would take her with every day to the herb workshop so that Ia could do her outside work of gardening and tending her groves. Some days there were other women at the herb workshop where Thea worked that had milky breasts to feed the baby. Other times, Thea Mare would walk to find Ia wherever she was working that day, as Ia was just now regaining her strength.

Ia remembered the delivery. Even though the pregnancy had been easy, the birth was not. She had never experienced such sharp and searing pain. It could not even be compared to cutting your arm or a rock falling on your foot. It was a whole body pain that enveloped her even to the outermost edge of her aura. She sometimes still got a stab in her womb when she thought about it. She was thankful that her mother and Thea Mare were present at the birth, along with several other villagers who were versed in delivering babies. The energy they provided with their hands helped her to prod the pain away just enough to breakthrough and push out the baby.

All during the delivery her favorite lover, Alexis, was near. He spent the course of the delivery giving her encouragement and soothing her with their own love language, but behind a special partition setup for the birth. No men were ever allowed to see the actual birth, only to hear the cries and the whispered agony.

After Mare Ia was bundled up by Evyenia and Thea Mare in a hemp cloth decorated by circles representing the endless circle of life, Alexis was able to enter the room. He entered with flowers that he had picked from his garden plot, placing them across Ia’s hips, signifying the birth of her own flower. He massaged Ia’s legs under her hemp covering and kissed the baby as she fed at her breast. Then he kissed Ia’s cheeks that were covered in an endless stream of tears.

Ia could not stop crying. Every time she picked up the baby to stroke her or someone else did, she would find herself in tears. Thea Mare had said, It is natural, Ia. Women who give birth to children or ideas or allow a man to enter them, will often find themselves filled with tears. These joyous, salty reminders are of the sea we came from and the powers we have. We should not forget them.

Ia’s favorite time was holding her daughter and feeding her. To see her latch onto her nipple and greedily suck made her stop crying and laugh. When she thought of being able to give her daughter food from her breast, she was nearly overcome with the beauty of it. When the baby was resting next to her, she spent much of the time just looking at her and gently kissing her. Sometimes Evyenia would swoop in and take her away to see neighbors, nearly offending Ia. But Evyenia, as the grandmother, knew that the baby needed other stimulation, too.

Their spirits found joy in the everyday, and they spent their time being grateful for it. Many nights were spent sitting around on the balcony, under the shower of stars, watching the baby and cooing when she did the smallest thing.

Peace was reigning. Until the ground started to shake under their feet.

3 All Fall Down

Island of Mu - 3534 B.C., Middle Aegean Sea-2nd Moon

The singing grew louder as they approached the clearing. The high keening voices of the mourners nearly made Ia’s knees buckle. She made herself stand firm. She was holding Mare Ia and could not fall.

She stood by Thea Mare and held onto her. Both of them swaying with grief, for on one of the funeral bowers lay Ia’s mother, Evyenia. They had lovingly washed her broken body and wrapped her in the fine linens produced for these occasions. They had often paused to lay their hands on her and weep, occasionally stopping to cling to each other in an attempt to bring themselves back into their bodies. Several other villagers that had not lost loved ones had circulated among the clearing in silence, while pouring potent valerian tea in clay cups and helping to restore calm.

Many people in their village and other villages on the island had lost loved ones. There had been chaos in the moments after the ground had shook. Trees had fallen, houses caved in, and walls that had stood for generations fell to the ground. Many people had been trapped in the debris. One of them had been Evyenia. Ia had just left with the baby to go the garden and was outside of the walls when the earth started to move. She had fallen on top of the baby in order to protect her when she was showered with flying debris. A quick look to herself and the baby revealed only minor cuts. As soon as she had understood that the baby was all right, she rushed back to the house. What she found there was utter panic.

Thea Mare had arrived first followed by Theo Mano. They began digging but as soon as they found Evyenia, it was obvious to them all that she had already passed to the next plane. The screaming of Ia and Thea Mare terrified the baby, and Theo Mano took it upon himself to take her away for a walk to his garden. He knew that neither Ia nor Thea Mare would be able to tear themselves away from the rubble and their lifeless beloved one.

They had no time to look at the other villagers who were also digging out their loved ones, but they could hear the din of crying and shocked voices. They took their time feeling the enormity of their loss, while they cleaned Evyenia with water from a nearby spring. Digging through the debris from the house, they found one small olive oil amphorae. Rubbing oil into her skin and hair, they wept over her lifeless body before wrapping her in her hemp robe that Ia had scavenged from the ruins.

Today they had gathered to say goodbye to all those who had passed on. Ia could feel the hovering spirit of Evyenia. With her feet still in the sorrow on the ground, her mind could see the clean, bright and joyful spirit of her mother’s soul singing around her. This kept her from losing herself to grief. That and the fact that Mare Ia could not understand what had happened and was fretful and nervous. Ia had to keep calm in order to soothe her baby.

Ia barely had the energy to also say goodbye to her best friend Irini. She and her child had been lost when the roof of their house had collapsed. Irini and Ia had lived through so much together in their young lives, not so long ago breaking the rules of island and causing themselves so much pain. Now all for nothing. Soon Irini and her child would turn to ashes, mixed with the dust of eternity.

The fires were lit and the ritual of saying goodbye had begun. One by one, family members rose up and recited the rhapsody of their loved one. Starting with their birth and their creations, their loves and their music. Each one a song, a poem. Voices rose with the grief. Momentary relief was found in the songs that they all knew. It was in the singing that they could reassure each other that life continued. Above it all, Ia could see the shimmering pure love of the departing souls.

4 Crossing the Sea

Island of Mu-3534 B.C., Middle Aegean Sea-3rd Moon

Under the ancient mulberry trees, near the clearing where all public life took place, Thea Mare was trying to explain to the council of island elders that this was the best way. She was nearly begging. She was trying to persuade them that the only course of action was to abandon the island and go to nearby Minos. Everyone at the council, in fact, everyone on the island had grown up with small movements of the earth from time to time. However no song, no rhapsody had ever talked about such a damaging quake. Since this last tremor, the shaking of the earth had continued non-stop. Sometimes they had as many as three a day. A crack was beginning to show at the very top of the mountain, near the camp of the prophecy seekers. Everyone was worried.

Ia was at the edge of the council meeting. She and Thea Mare kept catching each other’s eye. They knew what would happen to the island, for they had seen it in the prophecy. So had the other seekers. Their code had forbidden them from telling anyone. Now the entire island’s peoples were at risk.

Thea Mare took charge. I want to bring Ia into our council. She had seen what will happen to us in a prophecy. If she would, I would like her to tell you what she has foreseen.

Ia was startled to be asked, but she maintained outwardly calm as she approached the group. Here were the elders that she had learned from and sought council from her entire life. She was overwhelmed with the enormity of what she was going to suggest. She was going to tell them that their beautiful round island had to be abandoned. At that instant, she felt a faint tremor under her feet. Looking around she could tell that everyone had felt it also, and with this she was able to gather her courage.

What I have to tell you will not be easy for you to hear. In one of my prophecies I have envisioned the near total destruction of our island. I did not tell you before so as not to panic everyone. But I did tell Thea Mare, and she had confirmed it. As you all know with prophecy, one can have a vision, but one has no idea when it is to happen. Just like the earthquake that killed so many of our loved ones, my mother included, we could not know when it was going to happen. Prophecy allows us to see many things and then to guide others. It, however, does not allow us to see everything.

Ia paused and gathered her energy as small shower of stones loosened from the hillside behind them. I saw the destruction of our island will not only affect us but will affect peoples near and far. There will be a terrible period where things will be upside down for us. Our only hope for some of us to survive is to move off of the island as soon as we can.

There was absolute silence as the elders considered Ia’s words. An elongated tremor kept anyone from speaking right away. Elder Celini, Ia’s grandmother- a tall white-haired woman, rose to be the first to speak.

Ia, as the daughter of my beloved daughter, whom we all just said goodbye to, I consider your words carefully. I know that you, like Mare, have the gift of sight. We honor your prophecy and your warning to us, my dear child. However, for us to move away from our homes, our beloved trees, our most verdant hills, and our worked soil, means a change that is almost unimaginable for us. We, as she swept her arm around to indicate the white-haired elders, who have lived a long life, will barely have the heart for it. We will need several days in which to convene until we can find our course. If we need your help, we will call on you. The rest of us will meet tomorrow in the clearing. Be prepared for several days away from your everyday work.

Elder Sotiris, sturdily leaning on his staff, ended the meeting by saying, "Remember as we go around these days with heavy hearts, that love should guide us and keep us, Eros Anikate Mahan."

5 First Landing

Island of Minos-3534 B.C., Middle Aegean Sea-9th Moon

Ia held Mare Ia in her arms as they approached the island of Minos. The whole flotilla was heartened to see that the people of Minos were welcoming as if they were coming on festival. Banners were waving in the breeze, and children thronged the port to welcome them. Those arriving knew there would be no festival procession, but that did not matter. Their heavy hearts had been lifted by the kindness of the people of Minos.

If the winds were favorable, it was only several hours trip by boat between the two islands. Ia had been to Minos many times on festival, and she knew that her old home of Mu could be seen from its shores. She forced herself not to turn around to look back but instead set her mind forward. Ia motioned to her daughter, Do you see the flags waving and the people high up on the top of the houses? They are here to welcome us. This will be our new home, said Ia, trying to cover her sadness by speaking with a bright tone. Mare Ia, now three years on this plane, began to wave back, thinking that the shore people could see her. Ia hugged her close and buried her face in her neck. The milky smell was still there, although she was a little girl and no longer a baby. Ia sighed at the changes that had come upon them of late. In the earthquake she had lost her mother, her best friend Irini, and her favorite lover Alexis. The sadness in her heart rarely abated. If she did not have Thea Mare and Theo Mano beside her, she would not have known what to do. But the one thing that kept one foot in front of the other was her daughter, Mare Ia. She dared not let grief permanently reside in her soul.

Preparations for this day had lasted more than six moons. When the elders had decided that they would have to leave their island, plans had begun in earnest. A delegation of villagers left for Minos. There was no question as to whether they would be welcomed; it was just a matter to discuss the best way to do it. Each village immediately made room for the people of Mu. Land was given and gardens enlarged. The people of Minos welcomed the newcomers with open arms. They knew that abundance was theirs and sharing it would only bring more.

The first things the people of Mu packed were the amphora, which held most of their food goods. Casks of olive oil, pulses, and grain were loaded on ships and sent over. Next, they packed up all of the workshops into wooden crates and shipped them on the two-hour journey to Minos. Each workshop sent a group of people to unpack and setup the new work areas.

The weaving workshops were busy day and night in order to make rough woven carriers for the trees. The smaller cypress, olive, fruit and nut trees, the true wealth of the island, were all cut back and uprooted. After their roots were covered in burlap, before being sent over to Minos to be replanted. The people of Minos had put behind their own work in order to dig holes for the new arrivals; each one put straight away in the ground and watered vigorously. Afterward, the children gathered around each tree singing and welcoming it, while celebrating the new arrivals.

Larger cypress trees that could not be dug up were cut for timber. Window frames, furniture, and crates would be made on the new island. There would be plenty of wood left over for years to come. All the older olive trees would be left in place, as they were too large to move. For the people of Mu the olive tree had so many uses. However, they could never bring themselves to cut down an entire olive tree.

Villagers on the island of Mu worked quickly as