In the footsteps of Mary Magdalene

At the end of our journey, after a wonderful day in Toulouse and Albi, we as a group got together one last time to exchange our personal experiences, inner processes, insights and observations of the last 9 days. It is just incredible to see what has changed in such a short time and what profound transformations we were able to witness. The presence of the spiritual world was particularly strong during our final meditation. I channeled messages from Mary Magdalene and her most important companion for the group. After dinner we said goodbye in the hope that our paths will cross again soon.

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Where the Cathars once lost their lives at the stake

Today we said goodbye to Couiza and set off for Montségur, the ruins of a Cathar fortress which went down in history. In 1244 about 200 Cathars took refuge here from the troops of the King and the Pope. However, after a long siege, they had to give in to the superior power of their enemies. As they remained faithful to their belief, it cost them their lives at the stake.

Since it was raining today and there was a cold wind, only four participants of our group made their way to the former Cathar castle. The energy of this place and the feeling of being in such a spiritually historically unique place left imprints on their hearts.

After the descent, our journey took us to the little medieval town of Mirepoix. Its colourful half-timbered houses fascinate all visitors. In the Middle Ages an important Cathar council took place here. We had lunch here, and a leisurely stroll under the arcades of the main square. Afterwards we visited the Gothic cathedral. We admired the elaborate ribbed vault, and impressive presentations of Mary Magdalene and her close family members. The stained glass window, showing different situations of her life, is particularly beautiful.

On our way to Toulouse, we stopped at the little rock church of Vals. It is so captivating that you have to pay it a visit. Although there is no direct link to Mary Magdalene, this place belongs to the most impressive sights in the area, and besides, it is a strong power spot, like a vortex.

After returning back to our hotel in Toulouse I could channel a druid who transmitted interesting information for our group. Mary Magdalene also spoke to me to remind us that it was not the first time our group was travelling together in her name.

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Myths and legends in “Mary Magdalene Land”

Wed, May 18, 2016: Here in the land of Mary Magdalene you hear numerous stories, myths and legends about Mary Magdalene, her companions and the impact she had. The rumor mill went into overdrive indeed with the village priest of Rennes-le-Château, at that time, finding himself with unexpected wealth. According to legend, he supposedly found a treasure beneath the church of Mary Magdalene.

The first settlements in the area of Rennes-le-Château and Rennes-les-Bains, which we visited today, go back to the time of the Romans where they already used the hot springs to cure disease. The small village is more than tranquil and it seems like the time had been standing still. Together with our guide Stephanie, who knows her way around here very well, we hiked up a hill to view the legendary stones and a source containing iron. For those in our group who have read Kathleen McGowan´s “Expected One” it was a great pleasure to visit the historic castle in Arques afterwards.

We spent today´s evening in a beautiful winery where we indulged in delicious French cuisine. Tomorrow we will leave our hotel to continue on towards Toulouse.

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About Cathar Caves and Rose Villages

Tue, May 17, 2016: One of the absolute highlights of our Spiritual Journey through the South of France was today´s visit of the caves close by Tarascon-sur-Ariege that not a lot of people know of. There is proof that the Cathars used to live in the Pyrenees region, where these caves are located.

We had the unique opportunity to embark on a private tour through the cave systems with an expert on the Occitans, the descendants of the Cathars, as our guide. Amongst the Cathars there were Ininerant preachers that travelled through the country to preach the original teachings of Jesus Christ. All the preachers had been taught and prepared for their ordinations and their practices in special Cathar initiation Caves for several years. There was also Cathars that lived in caves where they held their divine services among other things.

On the way back from the Pyrenees to our castel hotel in Couiza we passed through a village where the Rose Festival had been held two days before. The small village was decorated with thousands of climbing roses, many of which smelt wonderfully. We just had to capture that magnificent floridity on camera.

Like the days before we rounded the day off with an evening channeling. I received messages from Lady Gaia and Archangel Uriel for the group. Last but not least, we again enjoyed a deliciuos dinner in “our” Cathar castle.

 

 

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About Cathar castles and the treasure of Rennes-le-Château

Here in the Languedoc area (Southern France) Cathar castles are lined up on the mountaintops like pearls on a string. Today, we first headed south to visit the half ruined medieval Cathar castle of Quéribus. During the Albigensian Crusade, directed against the Cathars from around the commune of Albi, many desperate people found refuge in the isolated and impregnable castle.

We were rewarded for the half-hour climb up to the ruins with an impressive view over the area of Languedoc. We could see all the way to the peaks of the Pyrenees, the range of mountains forming the boarder between France and Spain. And we truly enjoyed the fantastic panoramic view.

The ruins still show why it was impossible for attackers to storm the castle. This is the place that used to serve as a refuge to the Cathars during the Papal persecutions. With its energetic and historic spots that offer wonderful views of the country it nowadays attracts many spiritual people and avid travelers.

After an excellent lunch in our castle hotel in Couiza we ventured out again. Our afternoon´s destination was Rennes-le-Château, which is located on a hill near the village we are staying in. This town should be well known by all of you who have read Kathleen McGowan´s “The Expected One”. It is considered the stronghold of the worship of Mary Magdalene in the Languedoc region. One of the main reasons was the legendary priest Bérangere Saunière who allegedly found the Cathar´s treasure in the 19th century gaining big fortune. It is a fact that he did not only renovate the church and was responsible for its unique design, but also owned the Villa Bethania and Tour Magdala, which are still the focus of interest for visitors of Rennes-le-Château. We allowed sufficient time to explore this legendary place and also visit the museum. The evening concluded with an energetically strong channeling for the group and a wonderful dinner.

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In the land of the Cathars

Sun, May 15th, 2016: Today we arrived in the Cathar heartland; the region that many readers of Kathleen McGowan´s bestselling “The Expected One” are familiar with. We started off by visiting the medieval castle town of Carcassonne. In the Middle Ages it served as a refuge for thousands of the Cathars, which fled from the murdering and destructive troops of the church. Yet they could not escape death. Nowadays, 40 million tourists visit this World Heritage Site each year. So you can imagine how busy the narrow alleyways inside the fortress were.

In the Abbey of Saint-Hilaire dedicated to Saint Hilarius it was much more tranquil. You could very well feel his energy in the beautiful cloister. We also showed the participants of our journey the mid-relief, which appears to show Jesus with Mary Magdalene.

The stunning basilica of Notre-Dame de Marceille in Limoux was where we felt a tremendous amount of female energy. Every time we are there we are again impressed with its colorful walls and gorgeous floor mosaics. It is very rare to find this much lightness and harmony in a sacred building.

Back in our castle hotel Anna and Mary Magdalene spoke to me during our evening channeling and I channeled their messages for the group. We ended our first day in Languedoc, the land of Mary Magdalene´s descendants, with a delicious dinner.

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Mary Magdalene, Martha, Sara-la-Kali, Mary Jacobe and Mary Salome

SAT, May 14th, 2016: Today´s trip to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer was most definitely a highlight of our spiritual journey. It was special because according to a legend this was the place Mary Magdalene and her companions went ashore. Also, Mary Magdalene´s sister Martha is said to have lived in Tarascon around 2,000 years ago. Learn more about it below the photos.


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Visiting Mary Magdalene´s Grotto

Fri, May 13th, 2016: The weather did not cooperate with us today – the weather god was definitely not in a good mood. It rained throughout of the entire first day of our spiritual journey. Even if it wasn´t heavy rain, the beautiful basilica in Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume was not glistening in the sun as usual. Also, the grotto, in which Mary Magdalene supposedly lived, was entirely dark today. Nevertheless, we did not let the weather dampen our mood. It was a wonderful day filled wit impressive energy and messages from Mary Magdalene, which I was able to channel for the group. They will continue to have a positive affect on us for a long time to come. If you want to learn more about the place that Mary Magdalene lived in and is allegedly buried in, you should continue reading below the photos.

Today we have been guided and accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Maximinus. He was the first Bishop of Aix-en Provence. Legend tells that he was so close to Mary Magdalene that he was also her confessor, and she received the last rites from him. (It remains to be seen whether she was really in need of this…)

In the morning we went from our hotel to Saint-Maximin. Allegedly, Mary Magdalene’s remains, which had been hidden to prevent them being stolen, were found here again in 1300. They were buried in a stone sarcophagus in the crypt in front of the high altar of Saint-Maximin.

The church is a devotional complex, representing Mary Magdalene in different ways: in paintings, sculptures, on the high altar, as a brass figure, carved or as a painted medallion. The golden ‘rose altar’ is particularly remarkable. It contains several scenes of the life of Mary Magdalene, and the carved pulpit. Only one side chapel is dedicated to Maximinus, where he is represented with Mary Magdalene and Martha on an altar.

In a sarcophagus in the crypt there are the supposed remains of Mary Magdalene. Furthermore, her head is set up in a glass container behind the altar bar. The front of this container is decorated with a golden mask which can be removed. The relics are carried through the village in a large procession once a year. Next to Mary Magdalene’s sarcophagus there are four others, containing Maximinus’s and Nicodemus’s relics.

Our journey took us to the high plateau of Plan d’Aups next. On the way we came past an old shrine, which shows the last encounter of Mary Magdalene with Maximinus. First we arrived at the high plateau Plan d’Aups, which holds a pilgrims refuge and a small restaurant which are open for pilgrims and hikers throughout the year. The chapel of the Hostillerie, as the hostel is referred to, is decorated with wall paintings and glass windows, showing scenes of the life of Mary Magdalene.

From there the path leads us up to the grotto through a particularly mystic wood, with trees, hundreds and thousands of years old. Numerous kings, noblemen and Popes have walked this path before us because La Baume (‘the cave’) has been apopular pilgrimage place since the 5th century. The crucifixion scene, which we reached shortly before, was impressive as well.

In front of the entrance to the grotto you enjoy impressive views over the landscape of eastern Provence, the area around St. Maximin. Mary Magdalene is said to have lived in the cave for 30 years to do penance for her allegedly sinful life. At the end of her life ‘angels should have carried her down into the valley’ to receive the last holy communion from Maximin. All this is legend. Inside the grotto there are two devotional places as well as some beautiful stained glass windows, showing scenes of Mary Magdalene’s life.

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Final preparations for our Mary Magdalene journey

May 11th, 2016:  This afternoon the sky seemed to have opened the floodgates because it was pouring rain! Fortunately, we were able to visit the small town of Rennes-le-Château before all the rain started – perhaps the most important place for Mary Magdalene devotees. There we stopped by an esoteric shop to introduce them to my aura essences of Mary Magdalene, Isa, Sarah Tamar and the Ascended Masters. Within the next couple of days we are going to find out, whether the storeowner is interested in my essences or not.

Afterwards, we went to Rennes-les-Bains – the small town, which is known amongst spiritual insiders for the source or the baths of Mary Magdalene. In order to find these places that are associated with her, you have to take a very close look – even in a town like this. The spots are usually hard to find and you have to know exactly what you are searching for to be successful. In Austria you would probably find a bunch of souvenir stands in places like this 😉

Next, we visited the small town of Bugarach with its mountains Pic Bugarach and Le Bezu, which are world-renowned amongst esoterics. Every year in the night from the 13th to the 14th of October there are inexplicable  light effects, and sometimes even UFO movements. There are rumours highly-developed civilizations live in the tunnels and caves of the surrounding mountains, which can be compared with the American Mount Shasta, the Himalaya and the area between Equador and Peru.

Inside Pic Bugarach, a mainly unexplored area, engine sounds can be heard, and green lights can be seen, which cannot be explained. An access to this underworld is situated near a Stone-Age rock complex (like in Stonehenge), which can only be reached by people who are familiar with the area.

There are speculative opinions about an access to a parallel world, or a time window, which the respectable author Thomas Ritter has personally experienced. Whether there are connections to extra-terrestrial or ancient civilizations remains unanswered.

Tonight we are going to stay in Narbonne and tomorrow morning we will continue on to Marseille, where we will meet up with the participants of our Spiritual Journey. Tomorrow evening our journey together finally begins!

 

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France, here we come!

May 10th, 2016: In my next life I need to learn French or, even better, I will reincarnate in Southern France. Today I felt right back at home when Gerd and I got off the highway in Carcassonne to go to Couiza. Even though our Spiritual Journey following Mary Magdalene´s footsteps only begins in two days, we have decided to leave Vienna today. We traveled to Barcelona and then took the train to Narbonne. From there we continued on, in our rental car, and headed to “our” castle where we will be staying the first couple of nights together alongside our travel group. It was a gray afternoon indeed with clouds covering the sky, but as long as it doesn’t rain – we’re happy. Tomorrow we are going to check out a few places in the area, which we will visit together with the rest of our group next week. Right now, we are looking forward to dinner because this time there is some great vegetarian dishes on the regular menu 😉 (Clearly a lot of things can change within 2 years…). After dinner, we will head back to our medieval-style castle room, surrounded by pictures of unicorns, damsels and knights from the Cathar epoch. We are FINALLY back!

 

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