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From MAJORCA to CALIFORNIA (Part 1)

In 1749, the Spanish Franciscan padre Junipero Serra (1713-1784), who had been born in the small village Petra in the northeast of Majorca and there had been trained for being a padre, went on a missionary expedition to the New World together with some fellow brethren. He went by ship from Cádiz to Veracruz, today’s Mexico. There he founded a number of missions, learned the language of the Native Americans and taught them – in a today highly controversial way – how to make vast tracts of land arable and how to work them. The pictures show his place of birth Petra, where a museum was built in his honour and other memorials were erected in a more or less artistic way.

For more photos click here!

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY 2014: The stake of Montségur

Montségur, which means “secure mountain”, is situated on the eastern edge of the Pyrenees, the border mountain range between France and Spain, on a steep and rugged knoll. The ruins of the probably most widely known castle of the Cathars sit enthroned on the peak. In the course of the crusades against Mary Magdalene’s successors, the Cathars, the castle was attacked time and again. The year 1243 is especially noteworthy in this context, since the fortress was besieged by nearly 10.000 crusaders for 10 months.

They tried to starve the Cathars and forced them either to renunciate their faith or be burned at the stake. Subsequently, 225 Cathars together with their bishop were burned, because they would not submit to the Catholic faith. Only a few could escape and those who managed to flee were murdered soon afterwards as well. We are going to visit this castle in the course of our spiritual journey.

You can find more photos on my homepage.

Mary Magdalene
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Mary Magdalene on Lanzarote (Spain)

It was a big surprise for me to find paintings of Mary Magdalene in a small 200-year-old church in the village of Tinajo (Lanzarote – Canary Islands/Spain), which only has 3,000 inhabitants. I did not expect to come across illustrations of Mary Magdalene on Lanzarote – the Spanish mainland (e.g. Barcelona) and the adjacent South of France (e.g. Marseille) are located about 2,000 kilometers from the Canary Islands – because the island’s inhabitants seem to be committed to upholding old traditions and are closely linked to the conservative direction of the Catholic church. Nevertheless, there appeared to have been people over the last few centuries who have had a close relationship with Mary Magdalene.

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY 2014 – Day 7: The cathedral of Albi – the culmination of our journey

“This cathedral is like an incredible book in which one could read for days or even months and never tire of it”. This poignant remark of one of my fellow travellers is by no means an exaggeration. On Friday, the last day of our spiritual journey – after a short tour through the historic district of Toulouse – Albi was the culmination of our week. This mighty, fortress-like building stands at the very place where the crusade against the Cathars was commenced many centuries ago. It is difficult to put its beauty into words, one has to see it and take it in leisurely.

In the evening, we took ample time to reflect on our personal experiences and adventures of the past week together. During our spiritual journey, the majority of us have been able to let go of or transform old burdens, to gain important insights into ourselves, and to start for home with new impulses for the coming months. In the course of an incredibly touching meditation, I channelled beautiful and very profound messages from Easa/Jesus, Mary Magdalene, and Judas. Our subsequent common supper concluded our intense and eventful week. Perhaps I can repeat this journey with another group one day – in any case, I look forward to September 2015, namely to our next spiritual journey through Tuscany!

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY – DAY 6: Montségur, Mirepoix and much more

To ascend the steep castle hill of Montségur is a sublime experience! You approach the foot of the mountain at a sea level of approx. 1 050 m, where you find the memorial stone which commemorates the 220 Cathars who held on to their faith and had to burn at the stake for it. On a steep and narrow switchback through a box tree forest you walk up to the castle ruins. In 1244 after a ten-month siege, the castle, being the last bastion against the Pope’s and the French king’s troops, finally fell into the hands of the attackers. We took our time to get into the spirit of the energies of Montségur and to enjoy the breath-taking view.

Afterwards, our journey led us to Mirepoix, a medieval townlet of the 12th century, the central plaza of which consists of nothing but half-timbered houses. The unique church is currently being renovated, so that unfortunately we could not admire the lovely side altar with Mary Magdalene, Martha and Lazarus. Nevertheless, we discovered Mary Magdalene in the Gothic stained-glass windows. After a small snack we moved on to a little rock-hewn church, which is built on an ancient heathen power place. Through a narrow rock crevice we entered the Roman-Gothic church interior, which immediately exudes comfort and security. It is only furnished scarcely, but it nevertheless radiates calmness and power.

In the evening we arrived at our hotel in Toulouse, which I have chosen very carefully. It has a very modern and appealing atmosphere and the kitchen treated us with a delicious supper. Earlier, we had had our evening meditation, which had included a live channeling, in the course of which I had transmitted new information from Simon of Montfort, Joseph of Arimathea, Mary Magdalene, and the Angel for Peace and Light-Heartedness to my tour group.

Click here for more photos of Montségur: http://goo.gl/Q8yXi1

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY – Day 05: A seminar day, a visit to Arques, and a relaxed evening

On my Spiritual Journeys, it has become a tradition for me to hold a special workshop for the participants in midweek. This time the setting was especially atmospheric since we gathered in the hall of knights of our castle hotel. The exercises, in the course of which we used the symbol cards of Mary Magdalene and her companions, were about the dissolution of ancient karmic blockages, which amongst other things also bear a relation to the Languedoc.

Afterwards, we visited the Château d’Arques, which earned some fame due to Kathleen McGowan’s novel on Mary Magdalene. We concluded the evening quite “unspiritually”, namely at a typical vineyard estate of the region. Tomorrow morning the Cathar castle Montségur is on our agenda.

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY – Day 3: In Rennes-le-Château and on the Cathar castle Quéribus

The weather angels smiled on us today … Shortly after awakening the wind turned and blew the rain clouds away from us. Thus, nothing got in the way of a visit to RENNES-LE-CHÂTEAU without getting wet. We enjoyed our walk through the sleepy town as well as the marvellous view of the land of the Cathars; we immersed ourselves in the energies, which were particularly strong near the Magdalene tower and then we went exploring … We found ourselves in the villa Bethania, which once was the vicarage of the former country curate Bèrengier Sauniére, who had it built in an outlandish style. We visited his former premises, the garden and the library tower, which has already been mentioned before, as well as his grave. Afterwards, we paid a visit to the church, which also contains a number or curiosities. For instance, the big colourful devil Asmodi at the entrance, the numerous pastel-coloured angels and figures of saints, and a number of depictions of Mary Magdalene. After all, she was a special figure of worship to Sauniére.

In the afternoon we drove towards the Mediterranean and the clouds became denser and darker. But – as by a miracle – the sky opened up during our way up to the Cathar castle Quéribus so that we arrived at the former fortress with dry feet and also were rewarded with a beautiful view. This castle, unlike most other Cathar fortresses, had never been conquered by the Pope’s soldiers, but was abandoned by choice for a promise of safe conduct. From up there one can see close-by castles and divine what kind of architectural master strokes have already been made in this region more than 800 years ago. As soon as we had left the bus after our return to the castle hotel, the sky clouded up again and now it is pouring with rain. We are going to end this day with another meditation and live channelings as well as a delicious supper.

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY – Day 2: From Carcassonne to Couiza via St. Hilaire and Limoux

To visit the world-famous castle town Carcassonne is a must for everyone travelling through the Cathar region. 4 million people visit it every year! Although we really liked this incomparable medieval ensemble, we nevertheless were glad when we could leave it behind us together with its touristic bustle and set foot in the heartland of the Languedoc.

We visited the small abbey Saint-Hilaire – which is nestled between rolling hills and vineyards – with its marvellous cloister and the remarkable church, which sheltered the Cathars, who were persecuted by the Pope and his army of mercenaries once. In the stillness of this building we could sense a lot of power and meditate.

Finally, we paid a visit to the charming Marian pilgrimage site Notre Dame de Marceille (near Limoux). Only few tourists come here. The inside is furnished in pastel shades, the ceiling is profusely decorated, which is characteristic for the whole country. Besides the Black Madonna the peculiar statues of Mary Magdalene and Sainte Germaine took our fancy.

Before the delicious supper in our castle hotel, we gathered in the castle’s hall of knights, which is going to serve us as a meditation and seminar room in the course of the next few days. There we watched a documentary on the Holy Grail before we meditated together. I got to transmit messages from Hilarion, Sainte Germaine, Mary and Mary Magdalene. Unfortunately, it started to rain in the evening, which probably means that we will have to change tomorrow’s schedule.

Click here for more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/122794387@N06/sets/72157648134683611/

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SPIRITUAL JOURNEY 2014: The caves in which the Cathars used to live

Mainly records of the Cathars which have been written by their persecutors and murderers have survived the centuries, but hardly any writings which have been produced by themselves. This is why this religious group, which probably dates back to the Essenes, a religious group to which Jesus and Mary Magdalene belonged as well, is often seen in a negative light. The Cathars lived in the South of France and in some other Mediterranean countries and were wide-spread during the Middle Ages. They practised their own “Christian religion”, which, however, deviated strongly from the institutional Church. This is why they were suppressed and nearly extinguished.

The Cathars used to ordain both men and women as priests. Before they could take the holy orders, they had to prepare themselves for this ritual in dedicated caves for years. Then the ritual was performed. In the course of our journey we are going to visit some of those caves.

Mary Magdalene
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Final travel preparations in TOULOUSE

Two days ago Gerd and I arrived in Toulouse (South of France) so that yesterday we could make another walking tour of the city in order to devise the ideal route for our tour party. With brilliant sunshine and 77 °F the town presented itself in its late summer light. We took enough time to visit the Basilica Saint Sernin, which contains a number of treasures. For instance, a statue of Saint Judas, whom one encounters only rarely in Catholic churches, or a power place in the crypt. We made up our minds what to show our group when we come here again on the last day of our journey next Friday. By the way, Toulouse is one of the biggest university towns of France and the streets are filled with life and ado.

More photos: http://goo.gl/ScXrRY

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