Missão | Conferência da Deusa

What is the Portugal Goddess Conference?

A cultural, spiritual and devotional event with both national and international scope, held bilingually — in Portuguese and English — with activities primarily taking place indoors, but occasionally extending into open-air spaces.

Organization and Coordination

The event is organised by the Jardim das Hespérides Cultural Association, based in Óbidos, and chaired by Maria Luiza Oliveira Frazão, who serves as the General Coordinator of the Conference’s activities.

Vision and Purpose

This project is primarily dedicated to the revival of the pre-Christian Sacred Feminine traditions in Portuguese territory, as a pathway to peace — honouring our archaic roots, particularly Celtic, and reclaiming a cultural heritage linked to the mythical dimension of the Garden of the Hesperides.

Although the theme reached us through Classical Greek culture, it closely resembles the myth of the Isle of Avalon, a Celtic Otherworld.

Like Avalon, it is a land of Apples, and as affirmed by several Portuguese authors — from António Quadros to Dalila Lello Pereira da Costa — this region of the Iberian Peninsula has been viewed as the physical counterpart of that paradisiacal realm, where the renowned Western Sisters guarded the Golden Apples of Immortality, a theme undeniably rooted in Celtic culture.

We believe this rich and legitimate cultural heritage holds profound potential to inspire us in the present — in the creation of more peaceful, harmonious, sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive societies.

The purpose of this event is therefore to bring together researchers and practitioners of the pre-Christian Sacred Feminine — both endogenous and exogenous — from Portugal, Europe, and beyond. The aim is to deepen knowledge of our cultural roots and to promote appreciation for the preservation of Portugal’s spiritual and cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, as part of the shared legacy of humanity.

Furthermore, the Conference seeks to nurture the arts and crafts, recognising both their roots in tradition and their capacity for innovation, well-being, and the generation of value — for individuals and for communities.

Themes Explored

This Conference draws upon themes from archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, and theosophy, with a focus on the Sacred Feminine traditions in Portugal and abroad. Other key areas include eco-feminism, permaculture, sustainability, human development, health and well-being.

Performing and visual arts, along with both traditional and modern crafts, are also welcomed and encouraged as part of the programme.

Type of Activities

The activities offered include talks, workshops, performances, ceremonies, music and dance. A processional walk by participants to a specific location near the event site is also part of the programme.

The Conference space also hosts a market, where handmade, artisanal products are sold. A percentage of the proceeds, as defined by the Jardim das Hespérides Cultural Association, is donated in support of the Association’s ongoing work.

Human Resources

The event is supported by nine Ceremonialists, Priestesses or Priests of the Goddess of the Garden of the Hesperides (trained by the Temple of the Goddess of the Garden of the Hesperides, in Óbidos, Portugal), or by the Avalon tradition (Glastonbury, England).

These Priestesses are supported by another group of nine Priestesses or Priests, known as Circle Priestesses. This group is primarily composed of Priestesses trained by the Temple of the Goddess of the Garden of the Hesperides, Óbidos, Portugal.

A further group of collaborators, known as Melissas, is responsible for tasks related to the organisation and operation of the physical space, translation, or multimedia activities. The number of Melissas may vary. The overall coordination of this group is entrusted to a person appointed as the Mother Melissa.

Material resources

Large hall, kitchen and dining room, external gardens, artifacts related to the cult of the sacred feminine, video projector, market tents.

Duration and periodicity

The Conference currently runs for three days and is held on a biennial basis.The first edition took place in 2019, in Sintra, followed by the second in 2022 and the third in 2024, both held in Várzea de Sintra.

Target Audience

The event welcomes women and men, both Portuguese and international.
Children and adolescents are also included in specific activities designed for their age group.

Financial Resources

Participation in the event requires the purchase of a ticket, the value of which is intended to cover costs related to venue hire, travel, accommodation, meals and other expenses, as well as to generate funds to support future activities developed by the Jardim das Hespérides Cultural Association.

Sponsorships

Sponsorships from entities that develop activities related to the topics presented

are accepted.