This paper builds on the theme of ‘Ithaka’, a poem by Constantine Kafavy, and the personal experience of the author over a lifetime's practice in group relations. It uses the motif of journey to illustrate a series of realizations about the nature of small and large group life, and about dependency and its relationship to religious institutions. While ‘society’ has been conceived as a small group, it may be better thought of as a large group with passions and violent dynamics. It is noted that similar behaviour is found in the very small group (family size), and that this congruence is potentially significant. A further key topic is dependency. This is more complicated and subtle than is often allowed. Examples are drawn from Turquet and the funeral of Princess Diana. Finally, in a brief note, Odysseus is suggested as a patron to succeed Oedipus.