The Magdalene Awakening Provence, France 2015

The First Day – The Death

Saturday – Outside the Basilica in St. Maximin where the sarcophagus and relic of Mary Magdalene rest in the crypt. The group stands in the plaza at the gigantic wooden doors before entering this beautiful and enormous basilica with its soaring nave and vaulted ceiling.

For the next two evenings after dinner, we held candlelit meditations sitting at the doors of the basilica.

We arrived in the basilica to have our first sacred meditation above the sarcophagus of Mary Magdalene, who lay in the crypt below where we all sat. As the scent of frankincense allowed the mind to let go, as the chamber of our hearts opened up to the energy of the serpent and the dove to awaken us to the truth of the energies which we all carry, written in ancient texts.

The energy of Mary Magdalene embraced the whole group, the spirit of the white elephant entered this process, known as Tathagata, which means “enlightened one”. The white elephant represents the truth, symbolising strength and wisdom and devotion. To awaken the land of the blind and those who listen, the Tathagata will possess the energy of truth and awaken others. Tathagata will understand all the factions, all the faiths, all the schools, which are in possession of parcels of truth.

The Second Day – The Transformation

Sunday – Visit to Notre Dame de Graces in beautiful Cotignac where we joined the “holy family” who run the sanctuary perched on a hilltop, with amazing views. The lunch on the terrace with Pedro was a highlight of the retreat – the finest, simplest food enjoyed outdoors with the intoxicating scent of the wild yellow brooms and love.

As we sat together around the table at Our Lady of Graces Sanctuary in Cotignac, Spirit explained that going into the light today was a gift to all of us from Mary. A birth of your light was to be born, as the Sunday bell rang out, we connected with our own power centre. We all felt something resonate within as we were singing – choir angels filling our heart.

As we released the suffering through her body, connecting to the spirit of Mary Magdalene, who holds us strong. The choir of angels then sang through the holy light.

The group energy was now expressing love and togetherness. A beautiful flowering of release filled our hearts. In the afternoon, we sat at the sanctuary and joined in for the day. Her dancing eyes expressing the energy between joy, Bridget and Magdalene.

An energy of profound peace at St. Joseph’s Monastery as we enter the chapel. Released and completed from the previous day’s energy, we gathered outside for group as we gathered outside, sitting on the steps – a silent opening within us.

The Third Day – The Ascension

Monday – The pilgrimage to St. Baume to visit Mary Magdalene’s grotto – a large cave where she lived above a forest. As the group prepares to set off you may be able to pick out the small ‘dot’ of the summit chapel (marked by the arrow) on the top right of the mountain – 2,700 feet above sea level: that is where we are going!

At the beginning of our pilgrimage, the energy level opened with violet – the energy of St. Germain and Merlin, to support the group in preparation for the ascent. We drank from the Druid well to refresh our soul and during the walk the energy held us in Grace.

As we walked along the stone and gravel path which twisted up through the forest floor still saw hundreds of ‘nails’ in the sand and gravel as we walked. They were in fact broken stones that had this shape, reminding us to break at the ‘knuckle’ of the twig, making them look like nails – the nails of the cross – and as we walked, we took our nails of suffering.

As we ascended to visit Mary Magdalene’s home (grotto), we were inspired to ask to remove many of these nails and the child in Magdalene captivated us. As we sat in meditation, the energy rose around us and we felt our transformation. The Magdalene bent down and washed all of our feet in gratitude and honour. We were truly blessed.

As we left to ascend to the mountain summit a silence came over the group and when we reached the summit we saw all Provence below us and had our last meditation on the mountain-top. Later, the pink and the red sacred wine in celebration of the Goddess. Our empowerment was awakened.