Olympus

Non secular, or religious pilgrimages are believed to be practices par excellence for experiencing transcendence and supernatural intervention. Accordingly, religious pilgrimage centers are often considered unique places to see and be seen by the divine.

Of particular interest to our investigation are those mountaineous formations that, since time immemorial, purportedly serve as an axial link between heaven and earth. Standing landmarks of order and stability to the world, such places reveal a deeper and more meaningful reality contrary to the fairly recent attitude of redefining mountains simply within the context of land management plans.

As anyone practicing Mountaineering will attest to, each memorable climb can be effectively described as a pilgrimage:

• There is a personal identification with a sense of fullfilment that comes through devotion and active endeavor.
• The process onwards depends on mental, as well as physical, strengths and weaknesses.
• Willingness to undergo physical deprivation is repaid in spiritual wealth.
• Novel viewpoints  can lead to feelings of personal transformation and rebirth.

Tradition, normative authorization, or narrative force play an equal role in characterising a course of action as a pilgrimage. In our case, the myths surrounding Mount Olympus are all – one way or another – essentially true.

It is as good a place as any to attempt a ritual transformation of daily life.

Non secular, or religious pilgrimages are believed to be practices par excellence for experiencing transcendence and supernatural intervention. Accordingly, religious pilgrimage centers are often considered unique places to see and be seen by the divine.

Of particular interest to our investigation are those mountaineous formations that, since time immemorial, purportedly serve as an axial link between heaven and earth. Standing landmarks of order and stability to the world, such places reveal a deeper and more meaningful reality contrary to the fairly recent attitude of redefining mountains simply within the context of land management plans.

As anyone practicing Mountaineering will attest to, each memorable climb can be effectively described as a pilgrimage:

• There is a personal identification with a sense of fullfilment that comes through devotion and active endeavor.
• The process onwards depends on mental, as well as physical, strengths and weaknesses.
• Willingness to undergo physical deprivation is repaid in spiritual wealth.
• Novel viewpoints  can lead to feelings of personal transformation and rebirth.

Tradition, normative authorization, or narrative force play an equal role in characterising a course of action as a pilgrimage. In our case, the myths surrounding Mount Olympus are all – one way or another – essentially true.

It is as good a place as any to attempt a ritual transformation of daily life.