The Magdalene Awakening II, France February 2016

This was the second retreat of a trilogy which included visiting the medieval town of Carcassonne, home of the Cathars, the enigmatic Rennes le Chateau with its conspiracy theories, St Marie de la Mer where the ‘three Mary’s landed’, St. Maximin la Baume which holds remains of Mary Magdalene in the Basilica, and Grasse where everyone made their own fragrance at Fragonard, the perfume capital of the world, before flying home from Nice.

The journey traced the story of Mary Magdalene in France and visited the feminine energy to give birth to a new beginning within.

Carcassonne

One of the homes of the Knights Templar and the Cathars, protectors and followers of The Magdalene. A truly impressive medieval fortress with a mini-city within formidable walls.

A visit to the majestic Basilica of St Nazaire within the old city walls revealed two gigantic stained glass windows radiating the sacred Sophia, spreading colour and love on the ancient basilica floor. The rose is a symbol of the divine, reminding and connecting to the Rose Line which runs north-south through France.

As we entered, a deep meditation connected the energy of Magdalene and St Francis of Assisi flowing with the choir of angels. This presence supported the group to go deep through the levels of illusion.

Rennes Le Chateau

Journey into the darkness to find our light, in this mystical hilltop village steeped in the history of Magdalene and of conspiracy theories of hidden treasures. A quaint hilltop village with its magnificent vistas – we entered the sacred sanctuary of the Mary Magdalene chapel.

As Magdalene guided us into the crypt, a new joy rested in the presence of her energy, connecting our inner thread. There was a presence of darkness within the church compared to the bright sunlight outside, emphasising the element of confronting the darkness (we hold within) to awaken our light.

The village is steeped in history and stories handed down through the ages, and within the many facets of the village rituals connected to Mary Magdalene.

St Maries de la Mer

We journeyed to Saintes Maries de la Mer – a focal point of the Magdalene story where Mary Magdalene, along with Mary Salome, Mary Jacobe and Joseph of Arimathea landed in their flight from persecution in the Holy Land after Jesus’ crucifixion.

We sat on the rocks as the sea breeze cleansed and realigned our soul. The energy of the cosmic dolphin realigned with the Milky Way. The energy of the gypsies could be felt as we stepped into the cobbled streets. A sense of belonging and a new gateway to the unseen world.

We journeyed through the Camargue region and saw its famous wild, white horses and flocks of pink flamingos in the tidal marshlands beside the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The Camargue horses are born black and grow up white, out of the darkness into their light.

Arles

We journeyed to Arles, a Roman town which became a focal point for conversion from pagan to Christian by Mary Magdalene and her followers.

A beautiful Roman city and one-time home of Vincent Van Gogh, who produced many of his accomplished works here. The elegance and beauty of the city was evident everywhere.

Our meditations were in the sublime energy of the Church of St. Trophime, with its impressive sculpture of the Last Judgement.

St Maximin la Baume The 12th Century Basilica of Mary Magdalene where Mary awaited our arrival. We entered into what she calls her true home. With open hearts and open minds as we rested above her crypt.

The Holy Spirit entered the meditation process and the group entered into a deep clearing and transformational process. An amazing presence of grace was felt through every being. This was our second visit to the basilica within twelve months, as Mary guided us to return in service to the divine feminine.

Grasse

We journeyed to Grasse, with the sweet scent of the divine feminine. The perfume capital of the world, where the century-old perfumery of Fragonard instructed us in the skills of perfume-making to create our own individual scents.

Alchemy was present as everyone in the group entered into their own space to create their unique essence.

Closing Reflections

The journey of the Magdalene brought us deep within the barriers of conditioning and belief systems. An opening to the sacredness of who we are on a divine level, a re-connection to the tapestry of the divine feminine energy.

The retreat was a wonderful awakening experience for all, releasing separation and becoming one. This was an awakening of the senses – opening the eyes to see clearly, allowing the ears to listen deeply, the mouth to taste the sweet nectar and the fragrant smell of lavender to rest the soul.