I’ve been asked all sorts of questions about Ariadne's Tribe, but the most common one is probably also the most fundamental: How do you do it? In other words, how do you actually practice this spiritual path?

To start with, I’d like to point out that Ariadne's Tribe is an inclusive tradition. It's open to people of any gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and so on. If you're interested in Minoan spirituality and are respectful of the diversity of the human experience, you're welcome in the Tribe.

Tribe spirituality is very much an orthopraxic rather than orthodoxic tradition. In other words, we have practices that we share. They're pretty basic, and within that framework, you can explore and individualize to your heart's content. And you're welcome to believe whatever you wish about the deities - we're not the Mind Police.

So you start with the basics: the Minoan deities and their stories. Then you approach them in the way that feels right for you.

The simplest way to start is to set up an altar to whichever deity or deities call to you. Archaeologists have found many home shrines at sites in Crete, so we know this is something the Minoans did.

There are no rules about what has to go on your altar or where it should be positioned. Do a little research, sure, but also use your intuition when you’re deciding what to include. I believe the gods understand that the world changes with time, so you don’t have to replicate an ancient Minoan altar. Create something that works for you and that helps you connect with the deities.

Like many other cultures of the time, the Minoans made offerings at their home altars as well as at the temples, peak sanctuaries, and cave shrines. They set out fruit, flowers, bread, and incense and poured libations of wine and probably also milk, beer, water, and mead. These are things that are easy to do at your own altar. 

Though we don’t know for sure exactly how the Minoans connected with their deities, it’s a good bet they did something along the lines of prayer and meditation. Talking to deity is something people have done practically forever. How you do it is up to you, but as long as you’re focused and respectful, you’ll get through.

The most important thing you can do is listen and let the deities lead you. They're still there, waiting for us to turn our faces towards them.