Life is like a box of chocolates...

This morning, a line from the movie, Forrest Gump, popped into my head. "My momma always said, "Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."  "Hmmmm," I thought to myself, "Is that true? Do we really never know what we are going to get?"  Have you ever had a Whitman's Sampler?  You know, one of those big, yellow boxes of chocolates with the box top printed to look like a cross-stitched cloth?  Inside the lid they have a cheat sheet, a diagram of the chocolates and their flavors.  You could overlook or even completely miss this guide and be surprised - in a good or bad way - by the chocolate you choose.  Or you could look at the map of chocolates and choose according to your own preferences.  You wouldn't know exactly what they tasted like unless you actually picked it up and ate it, but you would have a heads-up as to what's awaiting you inside that luscious, sweet morsel.  Now that I've made myself hungry, I will finish my thought about life.  If we had a roadmap to our life, one that had some hints to where we are going, would we enjoy it more?  In my "work," and I use that term loosely because what I do is never a chore, my passion is to help others re-member their path and their connection to the divine.  I used to do that through readings, but am now called to help others see the roadmap for themselves, to teach them to read the signs that mark their path.  We don't always read the signs even if we see them, but we have a choice, free will, to decide how we want to proceed.  Do we eat the chocolate, or go for a different flavor?  Do we skip them all together and eat cake instead?  So life may be like a box of chocolates, but if we know what we are looking for, we may just know what we're going to get.  

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Keep your eyes open!

I have started this blog entry many times over the past few minutes, waxing poetic and sounding all fancy and knowledgeable.  I decided to backspace over all that and start again, this time in a more casual voice.  Not that I am not poetic, fancy, or knowledgeable.  I like to think I could run in those circles if I chose to.  Today is not a fancy day and instead I grace you with my random thoughts on 2012.  You know you have thought about the 2012 jibber jabber and prophecies that run rampant out there.  I have.  To me, the crazy energies of 2012 started about mid-2011 and will continue until the year finishes out.  It has been and will continue to be a roller coaster, with ups, downs, loop-de-loops and hairpin turns.  Hint about roller coasters, which I promise has a point:  Keep your eyes open when you go upside down.  I used to be scared out of my mind by those until one time I decided to try it with my eyes open.  Om My God!  (The Om was a typo, by the way, but I like it.  Perhaps it was God's way of inserting humor...) What a difference!  Keeping your eyes open the entire time is the way to go!  So to the point.  This year, don't close you eyes when you get tossed upside down by the crazy energies.  Keep them open because you will see where you are going AND where you have been.  What an opportunity for learning and growth! This year is all about YOU.  Not about your significant other, your best friend, your children, your cat.  It is time for YOU to re-discover who YOU are and why YOU are here.  Selfish, you say?  Not a bit.  Like the flight attendants always tell us, "Put your oxygen mask on first, then help those around you." Think of it this way.  If you are taking care of yourself, learning more about what makes you happy and finding your joy, won't everyone who matters to you in your life be happier?  Your happiness will make them happy, but more than that, it is INSPIRING to them as well.  We are meant to live in joy.  We are meant to share joy.  Find your joy this year, despite the ups and downs that will come your way.  Be the inspiration for others and never close your eyes to the miracles that are awaiting you around the hairpin turn.

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Nothing is too good for you!

Yesterday, I was re-introduced to the writing of Florence Scovill Shinn by a dear friend.  She posted a quote on her Facebook page that I happened to see.  It was exactly what I needed to "hear' at that moment.  Quintessential divine guidance. I just "happened" (an accident?  I don't think so...) to have Shinn's book in my bookshelf and began re-reading it.  It was like I had never seen her writings before.  I have changed so much since buying the book last year that I was looking at it with new eyes and a new heart.  I want to share the quote that was shared with me yesterday.  "Nothing is too good to be true, nothing is too wonderful to happen, nothing is too good to last; when you look to God for your good." - Florence Scovill Shinn.  You may be more comfortable inserting Spirit or The Universe or something else for God, but in any case, you are looking beyond your human ego self and toward a Higher Power.  Then, be open the miracles that come because you are declaring that nothing is too good for you.  And that's powerful!

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The Pieta of Saint-Sulpice

Saint-Sulpice stands at the corner of two small rues in Paris, not far from the Seine.  Her towering exterior, although lovely, pales in comparison to the mysteries and beauty inside.  There are gorgeous sculptures, paintings and stained glass wherever you look.  There is even a copy of the shroud of Turin in one chapel.  There is one piece of sculpture that caught my attention and continues to frequently occupy my thoughts. 

Pieta in Saint-Sulpice

Pieta in Saint-Sulpice

This piece is located in the Chapel of the Souls in Purgatory.  Purgatory, by the way, no longer exists, as decreed by the Pope. It is no longer a place, so much as a state of being. Wonder what happened to everyone who was there? The official guide book just lists it as "Pieta by Clesinger (1868).  Masterpieces of Saint-Sulpice, another book put out by the church, says, "Over the altar was set a stone Pieta between two angels, Clesinger's work." No sign. No plaque.  The books don't even have a picture, but they do dedicate about four, large, color pages to the church organ. Come on!  I am appalled by the obvious disrespect that is paid to this magnificent sculpture.  It is purposely overlooked for obvious reasons.  Look at the way Mother Mary is embracing both Mary Magdalene and Jesus.  Really take in the facial expressions of the Mary's.  It moves me to the core whenever I look at it.  Notice Mary Magdalene's hand under her beloved's.  It is both beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time.  It brings up so many layers of thought and emotion in me.  Human mortality. Nature of Love.  Types of Love. Death. Life. Mother-in-laws. Church doctrine. Heresy. If I could find one, I would buy a reproduction of this for my home.  It is that powerful.  And it just one of the many wonders of this church. 

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Chartres - Not just another pretty façade

With breathtaking towers that reach toward heaven, Chartres Cathedral sits as a living monument to love.

Chartres Cathedral

It is truly a living, breathing embodiment of eternal love and divinity, as it was built by people who imbued each stone and piece of glass with these ideals.  One of the only places to withstand assault by revolutionaries and war and survive intact, its beautiful stained glass and intricate carvings tell stories of the devoted that laid the foundation of faith.

Chartres Cathedral

At first glance, one would think that Chartres was just another pretty church, but upon closer examination, you will find layers upon layers of stories woven into the stone, beseeching the pilgrim to go within and investigate his truth.  It was this way for me when first arriving in Chartres.  Entering through the north portal, overseen by the wise Saint Anne, I literally caught my breath when I stepped into the body of the church.  The glow from the windows coupled with the sheer size put me in sensory overload.  I began to walk from chapel to chapel, trying to take in the statues, pictures, and information.

Chartres Cathedral - Look who greets you above the door!

Some of the church is being restored, so a portion is covered in scaffolding and shielded from public view, which is probably a good thing for me since the I was already at maximum information capacity.  The first evening, I made my way around the cathedral, experiencing and feeling the energy.  I saw amazing statues (A Black Madonna!) and Mother Mary's Veil.

Black Madonna, Chartres

Notre Dame sous la terre

Mother Mary's veil

Tomorrow, we were going to walk the labyrinth, and I didn't want to be distracted by all the things Chartres had to show me. 

On most Fridays, the Chartres labyrinth is cleared of the blemish of chairs, and pilgrims are allowed to walk its path.  I was a labyrinth virgin, having saved myself for Chartres.  For years, I have wanted to build a labyrinth even though I had never walked one.  Past life memories, I think, were pulling on me to remember the magic and sacredness of The Walk. I knew the first time needed to be in Chartres.  I felt like I was coming home when I stepped inside the cathedral Friday morning and prepared to enter the labyrinth.  Giving a nod to Mary Magdalene in her window, I began my journey to the center.  Each person will have a different experience when they walk the labyrinth.  I had unique experiences each of the four times I walked it that day, with deep reflections and personal epiphanies.  It was interesting to watch people walk it as well.  People walked slowly, quickly, absentmindedly, purposefully.  Children ran down the paths.  One adult did cartwheels.  Some stopped every few steps to contemplate, while others were in a hurry to reach the center.  I wondered if the way they walked reflected the way they lived.

labyrinth, Chartres

My time in Chartres was not long enough to discover the sacred secrets that she holds, but did give me a brief introduction to the mysteries that have yet to be solved. 

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Vezelay!

The drive to the north of France was lovely.  We passed chateau after chateau as we wove our way down country roads and through small villages toward Vezelay.  Our mission:  another church with mystery!  Vezelay is a small town with a quaint main street that leads uphill to the church.

Vezelay

This town is very much steeped in the Mary Magdalene traditions, with sea shells (one of her symbols) on buildings and embedded in the street.

The church has interesting carvings above the imposing doors and even small rats carved into the foot of one column!

Inside, the inner portal to the main body of the church has an intricate carving of Jesus along with the astrological symbols.  Unexpected and fabulous!  Who would have thought Jesus would share space with a Capricorn?

There is a chapel to Mary Magdalene across from the crypt.  She is holding the alabaster jar against her abdomen.

Mary Magdalene, Vezelay

Imbedded in the pedestal is a piece of her thigh bone.

Mary Magdalene reliquary, Vezelay

In the crypt is a beautiful reliquary containing a larger piece of her thigh bone.  Don't you think the reliquary looks Egyptian?

Mary Magdalene reliquary, Vezelay

The Crypt, Vezelay

There are beautiful statues of saints throughout the church, as well as some painted saints on the columns.  In addition to the Mary relics, one of the most fascinating things was something that wasn't on display.  It is the "host holder" that holds the sacred communion host for adoration.  It caught my eye on a sign in the church.  I think my jaw dropped open when I saw it.

Ankh, Vezelay

The holy Catholic sacrament is displayed in an EGYPTIAN ANKH!  LOVE IT!  In many of the shops in town, there are references to the Church, Egypt, Freemasons, and paganism.  What a unique and mysterious combination!  I love Vezelay!

After  brief visit, we left and made our way west to Chartres...

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Montsegur

Montsegur, or safe mountain, sits a top a strangely shaped mountain.  It was the last hold out in the Albigensian Crusades, with the Cathars being burned at the foot of the mountain in March of 1244. 

Montsegur from parking lot

Montsegur from monument

Most of the group took on the challenge of hiking to the top.  It is a very steep climb through a small forest which then opened to a rocky path to the summit.  We stopped first at  monument to the Cathars who were murdered at the base.

Cathar Monument, Montsegur

Half way there...

Half way there

The fortress at the top of the mountain is not the Cathar stronghold.  It is a fortress build after the Cathars were driven out.  The king must of thought it was a great place to set up shop after the Cathars held out for so long. 

fortress at Montsegur

The original building was made from stone and wood.  The outline of some of the small rooms the Cathars used can be seen below. 

Cathar rooms at Montsegur

I got a strong sense of peace here and had visions of laughing children running through these rooms while adults worked and taught.  The view was spectacular.  Except for a few cow bells in the distance, we experienced a silence that was blessed and magical.  Besides a sense of accomplishment from making it up and down the mountain without dying, I felt overwhelmed by the love and peace of this place.  It is so interesting how many of the sites we visited had such atrocities committed in their midst, yet the energy is peaceful and loving.  It is truly a testament to how love conquers all and the way in which these beautiful Cathar people lived. 

I left southern France the next day and drove up north to visit Chartres and Paris.  First stop on the way, Vezelay!

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