9:41 AM
Susan Marek
Oh, where to start today? Another chateau. Yawn. Another gorgeous view. Sigh. Just when I thought that the events of the day before were life-changing, another day came and additional miraculous places and experiences presented themselves. We started the day in Arques chateau, the beautiful remains of another Languedoc castle. This place is extremely special energetically. There is a lovely, divine current of energy that can be felt on this property. The views from the tower are stunning, and the inside is cozy and light. I am feeling somewhat selfish today with my experiences there and won't be sharing every detail, but here are some pictures which will help convey the beauty of the place.
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| Arques Castle |
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| Arques Castle |
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| view from Arques Castle |
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| Arques Castle |
Next stop was the Gorge of Galamus, a magnificent gorge near Bugarach mountain. Built into the side of the steep rock walls is a hermitage, which houses a grotto dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
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| hermitage in Gorge of Galamus |
The hike into the gorge was not terribly difficult, but the rocks on the path were slippery due to the thousands of shoes that have polished them to a shine. With a small river bubbling in the background, I made my way to the entrance of the hermitage. It was pleasantly cool inside and above, someone rang a bell, which at one time, probably called people to prayer. Today, it beckoned me in further into the sacred space, which opened into a surprisingly large grotto. It was breathtaking, with the high ceilings and soft candlelight. After the requisite picture taking, I settled into a natural stone seat in the back of the grotto. Mary Magdalene is said to have taught the Way of Love here, and from the energy that is imbued in this space, I truly believe that.
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| Mary Magdalene Grotto |
There is a palpable softness and feeling of love that emanates from the stone. I had a powerful, personal experience here, which I am not ready to share, but it has left me changed. This is a place of heaven on Earth with all of its human-ness and divinity expressed together.
And for all you orb lovers, look closely at the last picture. There are a few that joined us in the grotto.
Alas, tomorrow there will be no chateaux. But the mysteries keep coming!
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2 comments:
Did you say large grotto? It looks small in the picture. I guess I am comparing it to the other grotto pictures that I see more often. The one which is said to have her skull. That one looks huge. But this is the grotto that captured my heart, because this is where I saw her in my meditation, or at least it was another cave that looked and felt like this one.
Oh no...not fair that you don't want to share your life changing experience! :-) This is what I had waited for ever since you wrote on FB after visiting, "I am changed". :-))) But I am happy you had such a wonderful wonderful experience. So happy for you!!
What hermitage is this? Whose is it? Is it the Dominican nuns?
Lol, Swati! I was hoping you weren't going to call me out on that one. The Franciscans may be in charge of it right now. I am not sure. As for my life-changing experience, I am still processing it and may blog about it in the future. Guaranteed it will be in my book in some form. Sorry to be such a tease. :)
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