Dancing in the Dark - December 2021

Dancing in the Dark

Happy solstice, friends! Over the past few days, I’ve been reflecting on the Winter Solstice and the inevitable dance between dark and light. 

I recognize my own resistance to prolonged darkness, cold, and the slowdown the winter season not only encourages, but simply requires of me.

My mind’s eye continues to return to the image of a candle flame illuminating the darkness. Such as in the above image, which is a picture I took at the Church of Santa Maria dell’Orto in Rome during Easter Holy Week 2019. 

In some traditions, the candle flame represents the soul as an individual emanation of the Divine. Meditation on such an image reminds me that the candle flame is brightest, strongest, and most beautiful when dancing in the dark. And more so still when the candle flame burns bright among a sea of likeminded flames.

It reminds me that no matter how dismayed I may be by the state of the world, I am surrounded by so many luminous souls who are each doing their part to—in the words of a dear friend—“be a part of the healing of this world”. 

That brings me to the many illuminating conversations I have had the great pleasure to facilitate on Journey to the Goddess TV. This year I spoke with activists, authors, dancers, scholars, and artists on a wide variety of Goddess-related topics. Some of these women include: Artist Lisa Levart and the debut of her Goddess on Earth Oracle deck (including my portrayal of Mary Magdalene); Indian classical dancer and Success Coach for women leaders, Dr. Vena Ramphal on the Yoga of Dance; as well as my Everyday Goddess collaboration with activist and soon-to-be-author, Natasha Thomas.

Most recently, I was honored to have eco-activist, Zoë Tryon, join me live from the Ecuadorian Amazon, where she works as a cultural liaison with a handful of Amazonian communities, helping them fight international corporate corruption and ecological devastation of their territories. 

I am blessed to have such incredible women who inspire and uplift me on my show. Each of their lights shine bright.

Where do you find meaning and beauty in the dance between the light and the dark?

🌺 Annalisa, PhD

P.S. Every year I also aim to support and amplify a woman-centered organization. This year it is: WomenSpirit Coalition: Sta’ni Shay’i, or Washington State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. Because of many complex issues of colonialism, racism, sexism, treaty violation, environmental degradation, and geopolitics, Indigenous women around the world are one of the most vulnerable human populations on Earth. This is not because they are weak—quite the contrary—instead, it is more often because so many Indigenous women are on the front lines, willing to put their lives on the line, fighting for ecological, community, and personal justice.

For more info: Native Hope, Native Women’s Association of Canada, A Modern Trail of Tears.

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IN THIS NEWSLETTER:

Recent Journey to the Goddess TV Episodes

What I’m Reading

Feature: In Memoriam

Upcoming Interviews

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Latest Episodes:

I’m excited to feature my conversation, “Entering the Heart of the Amazonian Womb” with eco-activist, #ZoëTryon. Join me for this riveting and timely conversation where we discuss:

🌳 What #ecoactivism is and how it is rooted in Divine Feminine / Goddess consciousness.

🌳 Some of the indigenous women on the front lines to save their communities (and by extension, the whole world), from corporation lead environmental devastation.  

🌳 The fight to hold oil companies such as Chevron accountable to ecologically restore the #AmazonRainforest and its communities.

🌳 The best ways to support Indigenous communities 

🌳 What each of us as individuals can do to be a part of the solution.

WATCH

In “Regent Women Powerfully Stepping into Midlife”, Dr. Andrea Slominski and I dive deep into the #REGENT archetype. This emerging archetype encompasses the #spiritual, psychological, biological and cultural significance of women’s midlife. In particular, Dr. A reframes and affirms peri-menopause, #menopause, and post-menopause as a time for women to step most fully into their own. In other words, aging is a woman’s superpower.

WATCH

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What I’m Reading

I know, I know…I am probably a little late to the party on this one. After learning I had not yet read “The Red Tent”, my friend Toni insisted that I read it. “The Red Tent” is a remythologzation of the Genesis story of sisters Rachel and Leah, as told by Leah’s daughter, Dinah. If you’ve ever read this story in Genesis, like me, you may have felt heartbroken by the rivalry depicted between the two women. This re-imagining remedies this rift and offers a nuanced, affirmative (albeit sometimes challenging) perspective on life, love, and sisterhood.

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Feature: In Memoriam

(Image by: Liza Matthews on lionsroar.com)

bell hooks

Feminist scholar, author, activist, and professor.

bell hooks—a feminist scholar and author, an activist, and a professor—transitioned on December 15th, 2021. Though I have only encountered bell hooks’ work through the works of other feminists, I have long admired her from afar.

Her impact on feminism and feminists, women and men, is undeniable and palpable.

Of the many bell hooks quotes I’ve seen posted to social media platforms since her death, this is by far my favorite:

“The one person who will never leave us, whom we will never lose, is ourself. Learning to love our female selves is where our search for love must begin.”

 🌺 Goddess Blessings on your journey, bell.

About bell hooks: bell hooks Institute

A few of her more well known books:

• “Ain’t I a Woman?”

• “The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love”

• “All About Love: New Visions”

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Upcoming Interviews:

Dr. Lisa Skura

Speaking on “The Feminine in the Tarot”

The Angel Sanctuary of Alet-les-Bains

On day two, I awoke with anticipation for the day’s events. My plan: to rent a car and drive to the famous Mary Magdalene pilgrim site, Rennes-le-Chateau.

Well, that didn’t happen. I couldn’t get a car, so decided to postpone the trip for the following day. Annoyed, but not defeated, I decided to take a day trip by bus to nearby town, Alet-les-Bains. After much difficulty trying to figure out how to get there, how to buy the bus ticket, and where to catch the bus, I finally arrived in the peaceful hamlet of Alet-les-Bains. Reminiscent of a village straight out of Grimms’ fairytales, Alet-les-Bains lay at the foot of the Pyrenees. For centuries, it has been a destination for its natural springs and healing waters, perfect for the skin and digestion. Excellent! Who couldn’t use some special healing water after seven years living in NYC.

Enchanted by its picturesque perfection, I crossed over the ancient stone bridge that stood high above the swift-moving waters below. I made my way to an “island” between the town and the main road where I ate my picnic lunch. Meandering down to the river, I ran my hand along its waters, ceremoniously dipping my feet in its fresh stream.

Happiness filled my heart. I crossed the little pedestrian path back into town and came face-to-face with The Angel Sanctuary. Curious to see the sign written in English, I wondered what could be beyond the gates. Cautiously, I walked through the garden of The Angel Sanctuary and up the steps. As I looked around for where to go next, I noticed a few people sitting in chairs while sipping tea and coffee. 

I walked through a non-descript door into The Angel Sanctuary, and was welcomed by a variety of colorful paintings and an Irishman named Eugene. Suddenly, I felt as if I had come home, fully at ease and welcomed in this serene space. Eugene and I spoke for some time about The Angel Sanctuary: How it came to be and why he and his companion, Lorrie, were there. The Angel Sanctuary was at one time a natural spring and spa. Cultivated by the Romans centuries ago, the spring had been used to remedy many physical conditions.

Lorrie and Eugene had come on vacation to Alet-les-Bains seven years ago and never left. They took over the spring grounds, which had stopped functioning as a spa a few years prior, and transformed it into The Angel Sanctuary, home to Lorrie’s visionary paintings.

Overcome with emotion, I began to cry as I told Eugene why I was in France, and what a miracle it was that I had serendipitously showed up on their doorstep. As some as you know, I don’t believe in coincidence, especially in a case, such as this.

Eugene encouraged me to step next door so I could experience the heart and soul of The Angel Sanctuary. Once next door, Eugene pointed to a tiny enclosed space at the center of the room. It was in fact, an alter, and at the center was a spout that dispensed the special healing waters. He warned me, “You’ll see. The water runs off and on at its own discretion.”

I slowly peaked around the corner and respectfully entered the alter space, as not to disrupt the divine flow. I stood before the water spout, in awe of its simple yet extraordinary abilities to bring about renewed life. Suddenly, the spout gurgled, and sacred water sprang forth from its mouth. In my fragile state, tears fell from my already moist eyes, and I gladly took part in its healing waters.

Taking my leave from the alter, the first painting that caught my eye was, Angels of Love:

“When one calls deep from one’s
own heart, 
and deep from one’s soul,
to meet one’s eternal Love,

The Heavens Sing.

For not only has a true Love been
born,
but a great Love,
to grace the earth.
At that moment the heavenly Angels 
are sent forth 
to unite the eternal ties of Love,
where two truly become one.

And the link from heaven and earth
are bound together 
To give birth to the true essence of
Love.”

Entranced by the serentiy of the space, I hypnotically sat before each painting, reading its inscription, and receiving the grace imparted by the angels of the sanctuary. There, among the paintings, immense love, like I have never known before, filled my heart. Deep-rooted pain dislodged itself from the darkest corners of my psyche, and I felt completely free and taken care of. “This must be what Heaven feels like,” I thought to myself.

After some time, I withdrew from the inner sanctuary and returned to the gift shop next door. It was difficult knowing I would have to leave soon. “I never want to leave this place. Never,” I thought. I went over and over in my mind, trying to figure out how I could stay, how I could remain there in the little sleepy town of Alet-les-Bains, close to the sanctuary, immersed in that deep love for the rest of my life.

I thanked Eugene and promised to stay in touch. For me, a bond had been forged. He told me that year after year, many return to The Angel Sanctuary. Some of whom, like myself, are on the Magdalene quest.

He then directed me to the community fountain, another healing water outlet, direct from the Pyrenees. Once upon a time, people would bathe and wash their clothes in the fountain. Now, it is used exclusively for drinking purposes. To my delight, I discovered people came to collect the water with empty bottles and jugs by the arm-full. “How pure and simple,” I thought to myself. “This is how it is meant to be, direct from nature herself, withouthuman intervention.”

Later, I realized it was the sancturay, the sacred space facilitated by Lorrie and Eugene, that I craved. Not necessarily Alet-les-Bains. The truth is that I can not live the rest of my days only in the house of angels. So the question became, (and still lingers), how do I bring that same feeling, that sense of ease, love and wholeness with me into the world, wherever I am and whomever I am with.

This is my challenge. For I am not meant to meditate it a cave high above the world. Not this time. Now it is time to bring the message of love and grace and light outward, into the world.

With a sadness in my heart, I left Alet-les-Bains. I could not forsake the remainder of my journey, and that which I had come so far to see. In the morning, I would head for the infamous Rennes-le-Chateau, to uncover the secrets of Mary Magdalene.

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Post Script: During a recent conversation with sage and dear friend, Hippie Lou, I began to realize that all of the books I’ve read, the lectures I’ve listened to, and the never-ending philosophical conversations I’ve been a part of, hold little weight until I transform that wisdom into action.

I finally understand the true meaning of a yogi, as described by my dear Indian teacher. A yogi is a person who puts her words in to action, who lives just as she speaks. Words are not mere concepts to a yogi, but an actual moment-to-moment daily practice. And this is when life becomes a meditation.

And my mode of action is the play itself. It IS the Pilgrimage. The transformation comes in how I choose to actualize this wisdom I’ve gathered.

READ NEXT BLOG: Languedoc Part 3: Finding Mary Magdalene

Lessons in Regeneration

🌺Last weekend I enjoyed a magical Journey to the Goddess at the Marian grotto shrine and grounds in Portland, OR. I had begun my journey feeling particularly disheartened by the state of the Amazon. Although I already had plans to visit her, it suddenly felt vital to reconnect with the goddess. After all, Regeneration is the primary principle of the Great Goddess and each goddess form she takes on represents an aspect of the regenerative cycle. 🌺Regeneration is the principle of life that cycles thru birth-growth-degeneration-death-rebirth. According to ecofeminist Vandana Shiva, “regeneration lies at the heart of life” and the ecological perspective honors all life as intrinsically valuable. Ecology sees living systems as inherently co-collaborative, self-organizing, naturally diverse, self-sustaining, and self-healing, hence fundamentally regenerative. If given the opportunity to regenerate, nature will do so. This will also take courage, and perhaps humility, for us humans to remember our place within the regenerative cycle as one system co-existing within the whole Gaian-Earth ecosystem. 🌺I see this Marian image to exude the life-giving and life-sustaining symbolism of the cycle of regeneration. Her shrine, deeply embedded within a cave—another feminine symbol connected to the womb—is a remembrance of the vital connection between ecology / environmentalist and the manifestation of the feminine principle in the world. Perhaps if we genuinely remember and nurture the feminine principle of Regeneration, we too can be a part of the healing of the Amazon. 🌺”Biopiracy: The Plunder of Nature and Knowledge” by Vandana Shiva. 🌺Photo cred. to the lovely Amber Revoir. #thegrottoportland #regeneration #divinefeminine #journeytothegoddess#ecology #mary #healtheamazon #vandanashiva #earth @ The Grotto Portland

Walking the Labyrinth

Spent a lovely afternoon exploring Bainbridge Island with friend and colleague of all things matristic and goddess-oriented, @jessicaspringweappa The secret Labyrinth was definitely a magical moment. The journey to the goddess often takes us through the unknown, seemingly nonsensical, winding pathways of the labyrinthine womb. Despite the moments in which I have desired to give up (on writing my dissertation), the wisdom of the labyrinth gently reminded me: Keep going, keep generating, keep growing. Thanks for the adventure, Jessica!😘#labyrinth#womb #goddess #goddesswisdom #bainbridgeisland @ Bainbridge Island, Washington

Journeying to Empress Theodora

So this week, I took a journey—not to the goddess—but to the Byzantine mosaics depicting Empress Theodora in Ravenna. Theodora was married to Emperor Justinian I, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire during the 6th c. Due to her intelligence and political savvy (and legend has it, her beauty as well), she held considerable power for a woman at this time. This particular mosaic is placed opposite her husband’s and next to the central image of Jesus at the head of the Basilica. My experience there was awe-inspiring—not only because of the timeless beauty of the sacred space itself, but also because I felt as if I was somehow in the presence of Empress Theodora. #empresstheodora #ravenna #byzantine #divinefemininepower#femaleleaders @ Basilica di San Vitale