Mary Magdalene is one of many symbols representing the feminine energy. This inaugural pilgrimage will explore the manifestation of her energy in Paris and Chartres in the north, then following her footsteps in the south of France. A pilgrimage is a call to surrender and commit to the process of learning from the journey. Every step is an opportunity to grow and to receive. Within our pilgrimage we will walk the labyrinth at Chartres, in itself a call to surrender. Circles within circles. The cyclical nature of the feminine energy calls to us, again and again. The Divine Feminine calls us all in different ways. She calls softly in the night and cries loudly in moments of disconnection from our hearts and the truth of who we are. She beckons us to surrender to all we are and all we ve known, and to open ourselves instead to all we can be. It may not be an easy call to follow; it is even more difficult to ignore. The Shift in Consciousness relies on our willingness to embrace the wisdom and lessons of the Divine Feminine. This is a feminine defined by our hearts and our innate connection to the Earth, our bodies and the rhythms of life. It is not defined by the old structures which have become distorted through time to express as a watered-down version of the feminine designed to make others comfortable. This is the call to break our hearts open and live as embodied versions of the Goddess. Join us this September for this chance to explore the Mary Magdalene energy with us. Page 2 of 16
Your Trip Facilitators: Ariana Brackenbury Ariana has been feeling the call to the Magdalene energy for several years after first reading about the early life of Mary Madgalene in Claire Heartsong s books, Anna, Grandmother of Jesus and Anna, The Voice of the Magdalenes. Ariana is a facilitator, inspirational speaker and heart centered leader who is deeply dedicated to inspiring others to listen to the whispers of their heart and step more fully into what is calling. Her mission is to be a catalyst for changing the paradigms of money and aging that keep people from living the life of their dreams. Ariana offers mentoring programs and spiritual pilgrimage journeys to those who want to live a more fulfilling life and discover a deep connection to spirit and themselves. Jenny Griffin Jenny is an Earth Goddess, intuitive empath, messenger and mentor at The Power of Change. She channels Divine Love energy and through her connection with the Earth taps into the Heart of Creation to bring messages of healing and expansion. She has a great relationship with her inner child, who often designs her daily activities. Jenny s relationship with the Divine Feminine started with surrender and a commitment to following her heart. The first indication she was hearing the call was that she fell apart. It was a painfully beautiful opening that began the search for deeper meaning through an 18-month process of grieving and release. Since then, her fascination with catharsis, transformation and the Divine Feminine has led her on incredible adventures through a wide array of experiences with amazing people all over the world. Jenny speaks English and decent but not perfect French. Bonnie Vanechuk (Guest Facilitator) Bonnie had a spiritual awakening at a young age. This deep connection to spirit has remained with Bonnie throughout her life. Making mini pilgrimages and bringing offerings to the shrine of our Lady of Guadelupe in Cape Breton, N.S deepened her connection to the love and guidance of Mother Mary. It was through these regular visits over many years that she truly felt the continued presence of the Divine Feminine in her life. Over the past twenty five years, Bonnie has received certifications in Yoga, Meditation, and the Healing Arts, and has been both a practitioner and teacher in these realms. Teaching Yoga and giving treatments in her home community as well as leading Yoga Retreats to Mexico, France, the Maritimes and upcoming in Costa Rica has given her the opportunity to share her passion of bringing women together, to deepen and explore the connection to the Feminine. Gratitude is her daily mantra. Page 3 of 16
The Journey Day 1 Paris Day 2 Chartres Cathedrale Day 3 Chartres Labyrinth Day 4 Aix-en-Provence Day 5 Saint Maximin-la Sainte Baume Day 6 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, Nîmes, Béziers Day 7 Béziers, Aigne, Minerve, Luc-sur-Aude Day 8 Carcassonne Day 9 Rennes-le-Château, Rennes-les-Bains Day 10 Limoux, Alet-les-Bains, St Salvayre Day 11 Pic de Bugarach Day 12 Luc-sur-Aude to Toulouse Page 4 of 16
Day 1: Wednesday Sep. 19 Paris (D) We assemble in Paris to begin this powerful pilgrimage. We are staying in the Hôtel de Flore - Montmartre, close enough to take time to visit some of Paris many landmarks. Today is a fairly open day allowing for flexibility in arrival times. Towards the end of the afternoon, once gathered, we will visit the Eglise de la Madeleine (more popularly known as La Madeleine). In 1492 Charles VIII protected the first sanctuary and installed a brotherhood of St. Mary Magdalene. Over the years it underwent multiple changes until its demolition in 1799. Napoleon commissioned a temple in its place to commemorate his armies. After the fall of Napoleon, Louis XVIII gave the building its religious status with final inauguration July 24, 1842, the day of Saint Mary Magdalene. Currently under restoration, it is an impressive monument to our lady. Dinner will be in the Montmartre district with free time afterwards to explore. Days 2 and 3: Thursday Sep. 20 and Friday Sep.21 Chartres, including Cathedral and Labyrinth. (BD) After breakfast, we will catch a train to Chartres where we ll stay for 2 days at the Inter-Hotel Les Poèmes de Chartres. We ll have two days to explore the holy places and energy of Chartres, long associated with the Divine Feminine (millennia before Christianity). Chartres is said to be on ley lines which link Glastonbury, Stonehenge and the Pyramids in Egypt. Chartres is well-known worldwide for its magnificent cathedral and labyrinth. The Cathedral is filled with imagery, sacred geometry, carvings, stained-glass windows and sculptures of feminine figures, offering a glimpse into the feminine aspect of God. Page 5 of 16
We will be joining Malcolm Miller, a prominent expert on Chartres Cathedral and its history for a guided tour. Malcolm has been guiding at Chartres since 1958 and has been honored by the French government for his incredible service with two of its highest civilian awards. We will gather at the 18 th century botanical garden, Jardins de l'évêché, behind the Cathedral, for an exploration and an introduction to the labyrinth before dinner with the group. We ll have a ceremony here to set our intentions for the pilgrimage. On Friday the labyrinth in the Cathedral is open for public walking from 10am to 5pm. We will gather early to walk as a group solidifying our intention in the presence of the divine feminine energy of the Cathedral. After the labyrinth walk you are free for lunch and exploration. We will meet again in the botanical garden before dinner. We invite you to take the time to explore other places of worship in Chartres to feel into the feminine energy as it manifests in a variety of ways. A couple of suggestions are: l Église Saint- Aignan de Chartres and l Église Saint-Pierre de Chartres (many people have reportedly received miracles here). Day 4: Saturday Sep. 22 Chartres Aix-en-Provence (BD) We will be staying overnight in Aix-en-Provence at Escale Oceania after a long day of travelling. Arriving at about 3:30, we ll have time to gather our thoughts. There is a pool at the hotel and spa nearby. We ll meet for dinner, and the rest of the time is for relaxation or exploration. Page 6 of 16 Aix-en-Provence is well-known for its fountains and its architecture. A walk around the city will reveal many gems. Cézanne spent part of his life here and was inspired to paint many of his later works. This might also be an excellent opportunity to book your reading with Jenny or schedule a massage at a local spa. (Optional on your own explore the town, Aix Cathedral (Cathédrale St. Sauveur) Atelier de Cézanne, Musée Granet and many others).
Day 5: Sunday Sep. 23 Aix-en-Provence - Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume (BD) We leave Aix-en-Provence after breakfast to arrive at the Hotel le Couvent Royal in St. Maximin la Ste. Baume. This beautiful hotel is in a Gothic building which in its previous iterations has served both as a monastery and as a fortress during the French Wars of Religion (between the Catholics and the Huguenots). One of the main reasons for our visit to this area is its association with Mary Magdalene. She is said to have lived in the Grotto at Sainte-Baume for up to thirty years. Her tomb was discovered here in 13 th Century. The grotto is a moderately challenging, yet very doable (maximum) 45 minute walk uphill from a parking lot, located approximately 35 minutes from the hotel. (Of course, this means it is also a 45-minute walk back down!). We will be back from the Grotto in time for lunch. Then we will explore the Basilica of Ste. Marie Madeleine. If anyone is unable to do the walk, they can take their time exploring the Basilica of Ste. Marie Madeleine, the Royal Convent of the Dominicans with its beautiful cloisters and gardens. The Basilica is on the site of a much older crypt built to house the skull and other relics of Mary Magdalene. When not exploring the town and the surrounding area, we ll have time to relax in the wonderful grounds and spacious common areas. It will offer us a place to integrate the energy of the past few days and prepare for the days ahead. We are in the powerful energy of the Fall Equinox at 3:54 am (CEST) on the 23 rd and the Full Moon at 4:52 am (CEST) on the 25 th. The energy of the fall equinox very much supports a time of inner reflection. Page 7 of 16
Day 6: Monday September 24 Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer Nîmes - Béziers (BD) We travel today to a charming historical village on the ocean where the three Maries are reputed to have come ashore along with their uncle Joseph of Arimathea, Maximinus and other followers. The three saints Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary of Clopas are believed to be the women who first witnessed the empty tomb at the resurrection of Jesus. On arrival, we will visit the Church of Saintes- Maries-de-la-Mer which was built as a refuge and fortress to protect the villagers from invasions from the sea. The Sanctuary is the site of one of the first places of pilgrimage in Provence, to honor Sarah, who is the black Madonna. Ste. Sarah is known as the Patron Saint of the Gypsies and was said to be a slave girl from Egypt who accompanied the Maries on their voyage. Many people have reportedly received miracles here. Through the years, the village has become popular with artists. The history and scenery are woven into songs, paintings and books. Vincent van Gogh, Picasso, Tori Amos and Ernest Hemingway are just a few of the artists associated with the village. This speaks to the deep connection between the Divine Feminine and the passion of creativity. We will stop for lunch here before traveling on to Nîmes for a brief visit to the Temple of Diana. According to some literature, the sun god, Helios, has been equated to Jesus, and Helios companion Artemis (Diana), has been equated to Mary Magdalene. The Greek goddess Diana (Roman goddess Artemis) is the goddess of the hunt, the moon, childbirth and women. This will be another good spot for some quiet contemplation or meditation. Page 8 of 16
Day 6 (con t.) Béziers Arriving here in mid afternoon, we have some time to explore before dinneer after checking into our apartment hotel, Zenitude Béziers Centre. Béziers was a stronghold for the Cathars in the Languedoc region (12 th 13 th C). The Cathars were a Christian sect who rejected much of the formality and structure of the Catholic Church, and as a result were branded heretics. There are suggestions that these views appealed to a more liberal population in this region, and aligned with the beliefs of an existing, popular cult dedicated to Saint May Magdalene. The Cathars may have equated her to the feminine aspect of the divine. Whatever the true beliefs of the Cathars, much has been lost over time. On July 22, 1209 (the Saint Day of Mary Magdalene), 20,000 men, women and children were massacred at Béziers by order of the Catholic Church (Pope Innocent III). The people of Béziers stood together in the face of death. The city was burned to the ground during the massacre. This marked the beginning of the 20-year Albigensian Crusade, which would wipe out the Cathars across Languedoc. Participants may feel connections to past life experiences as a Cathar, including vows of poverty and purity, a fear of creating, a fear of being seen/heard. This is an excellent opportunity to explore healing your energetic connection to the Divine Feminine, and to rebalance the connection between masculine and feminine in yourself. Spend the evening exploring the city or relaxing with a glass of local wine preparing for the next day s visits to local landmarks. Page 9 of 16
Day 7: Tuesday September 26 Béziers Aigne - Minerve Luc-sur-Aude (BD) After breakfast there is some time to explore before we are picked up by our tour bus to go to Aigne. During the siege, many of the inhabitants took refuge in the churches. This didn t stop the invaders, who burned them to the ground. Our private tour bus will arrive late morning and transport us throughout the day and for the rest of the trip. We will arrive Domaine de Castillou in Luc-sur-Aude in the late afternoon, where we will spend the next six days. You may want to check out the spiral staircase to the roof giving magnificant views of the city. Saint-Nazaire Cathedral The original construction, dating to the 10 th Century, was burned by the invaders during the Crusade (with thousands of people inside). Very little of the original Romanesque church still stands. Rebuilding began almost a century after the Crusade and lasted until the 15 th Century. Eglise de la Madeleine A simple church rebuilt after the fires. We leave Béziers about noon to visit Aigne, a village consciously built in a spiral which reconnects us to the labyrinth at Chartres. We will enjoy lunch here and enjoy the energy of the town before heading to Minerve. Page 10 of 16
Day 7 (con t.)minerve We ll spend a few hours exploring this ancient fortified city where 120 Cathars took refuge after fleeing from Beziers in 1209. They were rooted out and burned at the stake by Simon de Montfort. You may choose to walk the Martyr s Way which follows the route the Cathars walked to their death. There s also a walk around the town to follow the river (Cesse) that goes underground in naturally carved tunnels. While we re here, you can also visit the Church of Saint-Etienne, an 11 th Century Roman church with an altar dating back to 450 AD. Luc-sur-Aude We will arrive Domaine de Castillou in the late afternoon, where we will spend the next six days. Here we will enjoy tranquility, community and incredible organic meals at a stunning 120-hectare country estate. Fields of lavender, sage and olive trees encircle the property. We ll branch out from here to explore the surrounding area. This will include trips to Pic de Bugarach, Alet-les-Bains, Rennes-le-Château, Rennes-les-Bains, Carcassonne, Limoux and other local spots for contemplation and exploration. Page 11 of 16
Day 8: Wednesday Sep. 26 Carcassonne (BD) We will spend the day exploring this magnificent walled city. It has been a major site in the Languedoc region for many centuries. Traces of early Gaul, Roman and Visigoth settlements are still visible throughout the city and fortifications. Carcassonne played a major role in the Albigensian Crusade. The city held against a siege for 14 days in August of 1209. Eventually the Catholics surrendered, and the Cathars, refusing surrender, were expelled from the city with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. The invaders, after Béziers, decided they d benefit from not destroying the cities and all the wealth they provided. The Cathars fled to the surrounding countryside, where they were eventually rooted out and slaughtered. It is a well-known spot for visitors to explore the fortified walls and their 52 siege towers, as well as numerous churches, the castle and La Porte Narbonnaise, a gate on the fortifications dating back to 1280 (much of the city was rebuilt in the 19 th Century after falling into disrepair). It s worth a visit to the Basilique Saint-Nazaire, which combines Romanesque and Gothic styles and is well-known for its stained-glass windows. The city and its past have inspired works by a number of authors and historians, including Kate Mosse, who wrote a fiction trilogy centred on the town and its environs. It has also inspired a popular strategy-style board game. This is a free day for exploration. We meet at the end of the day for dinner together. Page 12 of 16
Day 9: Thursday Sep. 27 Rennes-le-Château (BD) There is powerful Earth energy here and in nearby Bugarach. According to some sources this is the 2 nd (sacral) chakra of the planet. We begin the day at the St. Mary Magdalene church, which has much to explore. Historians have suggested there has been a church on this site since the 8 th Century. It has been rebuilt several times. The current structure was renovated in the late 19 th century by the controversial and wellloved Bishop Saunière who had a deep love for Mary Magdalene. One of his many gifts to the town was the construction of the Magdalene Tower. Following the church visit we move on to the Bérenger Saunière Museum. Entrance to the museum also provides access to a number of local sites including the Magdalene Tower, The Oratory, and Saunière s home and gardens. All of these can be explored at your leisure prior to departing for nearby Rennes-les-Bains for lunch. Rennes-les-Bains After lunch you are free to explore the town and the famous thermal hot springs. The hot springs have been a popular attraction with bathers for thousands of years and are reputed to heal rheumatism and certain skin disorders. There are also other sights to explore before heading off to dinner. Page 13 of 16
Day 10: Friday September 28 Limoux, Alet-les-Bains, St Salvayre (BD) Basilique Notre-Dame de Marceille, Limoux After breakfast, we will start our day in Limoux, which is famous for its vineyards and a sparkling wine called Blanquette de Limoux. We will visit the Basilica of Notre Dame de Marceille, a 14th Century Gothic church dedicated to Mary. The basilica is built around a Black Madonna and has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries. The spring located there is said to have healing powers. There are many beautiful statutes, stained glass windows and a garden. After the Basilica you are free to explore there is a Cathar museum, a garden of rare and scented plants, and lots of interesting architecture. Alet-les-Bains For lunch we head to the small charming village of Alet-les-Bains. You are free for several hours to explore the old Abbey, the spa waters, and the notable architecture throughout the town. St. Salvayre On the way back to our base we are stopping for a short visit at the tiny hamlet of St. Salvayre. The Church here, although small, has been on a pilgrimage path for centuries. There is reputed to be very powerful energy there and strong druidic influences. Page 14 of 16
Day 11: Saturday September 29 Pic de Bugarach We will be spending our morning in one of the most famous towns in France. The mountain here holds sacred energy; it is a major vortex and connects to a network of leylines. There was a popular story that the only people who would survive the shift of 21 December 2012 and the end of the Mayan calendar were the people in Bugarach. It is seen as a portal to other dimensions and was featured in the film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Another legend states that it is the burial spot of Jesus and Mary Magdalene. We will visit the small church dedicated to Mary and then spend time at a Celtic stone circle in the nearby forest. For lunch we return to Luc-sur-Aude for lunch at Le Fournil De Luc, a well known organic patisserie with incredible desserts, before returning to our base to integrate and to join together for the closing circle. Day 12: Sunday September 30 Luc-sur-Aude to Toulouse After breakfast we say our goodbyes and depart for Toulouse for onward journeys. Page 15 of 16
Tour includes: Hotel Accommodations at amazing properties along the route. Rooms are double occupancy if you are not booking with someone you will be introduced to and matched with someone prior to departure. Breakfast and dinner. A glass of wine is included at many meals. Transportation within France by Train, Taxi and Coach. Ceremonies and group processes. All activities described in this itinerary including entrance fees for places we are visiting as a group. During free times you are responsible for your own costs. Each participant is welcome to an optional intuitive reading with Jenny. These can be booked before our travel or as we travel when time and space permits. You are responsible for transportation to the Hotel in Paris on September 19 th and for transportation from Toulouse to your next destination on September 30 th. Our transportation from Luc Sur Aude to Toulouse on the 30 th will arrive mid morning. Additional nights can be added in Paris prior to the start of the tour for $270 per room double occupancy. This journey is a first for all of us. If you are up for a grand adventure and are okay with us finding our way together, then this trip will be perfect for you. Our pricing reflects this. Pricing in CAD Note GST will be added for Canadian residents. Cheque or etransfer Per person double occupancy* 4,850 *5044 Credit Card via Paypal Deposit in order to reserve your space non refundable 1,400 1,456 2 nd payment due by July 15, 2018 1,725 1,794 3 rd and final payment due August 15, 2018 1,725 1,794 Friend/Family rate per person in same room 4,700 *4,888 Deposit in order to reserve your space non refundable per person 1,400 1,456 2 nd payment rate due by July 15, 2018 per person 1,650 1,716 3 rd and final payment rate due August 15 per person 1,650 1,716 *Credit card fees will be waived for payment in full at time of booking. For Friend and Family rate both must be booked at the same time. *See the note about double occupancy above under items included. Page 16 of 16