I T I N E R A R YI T I N E R A R Y EXPERIENCE THE ONENESS WHERE MARY MAGDALENE, THE CATHARS AND KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HONORED HEAVEN ON EARTH IN SOUTHERN FRANCE September 8-16, 2019

Day 1 – September 8, Sunday You will be picked up at Blagnac airport in Toulouse at 11:15 am for our 11:45 departure for the Chateau Des Ducs de Joyeuse where we will be staying for the next 4 nights. It is located at the foot of the famous hilltop village of Rennes Le Chateau. We will stop for lunch (our main meal of the day), in the small village of Alet

Les Bains, once a walled city with its own abbey and moat, built by the Benedictines in 813. An earlier Jewish community of Cabbalists and scholars once thrived here, and it is said to be where Nostradamas’ grandparents once lived, when it was known as “the

chosen place.” We explore briefly the ancient town center and medieval houses, and then visit the church, where a mysterious Black Madonna, not written about, is available. Then we’ll continue to the medieval castle where we will be staying, Chateau Des Ducs de Joyeuse, situated at the joining of two rivers, once considered a

strategic location when it was the site of an ancient Gallo Roman settlement. The royal Joyeuse family built the chateau in the mid 1500s, at the same time as the Rennaissance. This beautifully renovated castle will gift us an experience of comfort and beauty. After we

arrive there we can settle in, relax – maybe even take a swim in the pool - before having a brief introduction about the area. Most of our group will want to retire early to catch up from their long flights, but there is a

restaurant available for those who want to eat something. Our welcome dinner will be the following night. Day 2 - September 9, Monday Breakfast. We begin our journey on the beautiful grounds with a group centering and sharing about what has called each of us on this sacred pilgrimage. We will create a circle of support and then set individual intentions and a group intention. Nancy will be enhancing this journey with visits to some mysterious places she refers to in her new book, A Magdalene Awakens, Hidden Temple Secrets, that hold ancient wisdom from high sources that flow through them. These are places we can have an experience of Oneness, doorways between the above and below, or “Heaven and Earth. As we begin our new quest for truth and deeper wisdom, it may be time to empty the old stories and limitations from deep within ourselves, before we can fill up with a renewed focus for our life journey. We may focus on the

Holy Grail: what it symbolizes, where it is located, within, without and how Mary Magdalene, the Cathars and Knights Templar are connected with its mysteries. The question is: what are we each questing for? Then we’ll begin our first day’s journey in Rennes Les Bains, to experience the many different sources of sacred waters

including thermal ones. This ancient place was once inhabited by the Celts who lived in the stone villages high above these waters, within a cromlech circle. In fact the area is known to contain many secrets and dimensional portals. Our experience begins as we walk to places where magical beings have always gathered, including the eternal Priestesses, who have honored and kept sacred not only an ancient temple doorway here, but the rhythms and cycles of nature, attuning them to the celestial movements above. This is a place of surrender, where we will ceremonially receive an invitation to drop our veils so we can receive the sacred energies emanating from the earth and waters around us, to trust our Divine knowing within. Nancy will then guide the group to a place where specific ancestors are waitingto be remembered – and perhaps seen by some – as they reveal more information of who they are and where they come from.

Our path then weaves us to a favorite café in the center of the village, in La Place, for lunch, before we walk along the winding river. It will lead us onto a magical path up, to find a 5000 year old stone seat many call, the Seat of Isis, next to her sacred spring.

Each person will have time for quiet reflection and a personal attunement as the powerful ley lines pass through the placement of this Seat. It will offer a uniquely different initiatory experience for each person. Then we will have a special presentation in Rennes Les Bains, by a Danish couple who have written about and done important research in the area, before we return for our welcome dinner at Chateau Des Ducs de Joyeuse. Day 3 – September 10, Tuesday Breakfast. We will gather and create our circle for sharing

and updates each experience so far, before we depart for the famous hilltop village of Rennes Le Chateau to experience the Magdalene Church and famous Tour Magdala, both full of timeless legends. We’ll have a

brief overview of Rennes Le Chateau inhabited thousands of years ago first by the Celts, then the Romans the Visigoths and then the Merovingians. In fact an early Merovingian Chateau still stands here. Interestingly, Rennes Le Chateau is located within a natural pentagram pattern in the landscape, and is situated on one of the five points, while the other four are visible from here. The Danish couple will join us here (who gave the

presentation in Rennes Les Bains) and give us insights about the mysterious layout of the church and the hidden symbols. (Talked about in their book). We’ll have lunch in a lovely restaurant, the Jardin de Marie, before we continue to the

museum, which gives much of the history, before we climb the spiraling stairway up to the top of the Tour Magdala. Here we are invited to co-create a brief ceremony,

Both the Tour Magdala and the church have been dedicated to Mary Magdalene. Curiously, there is legend of an ancient Temple of Isis hidden deep within the earth below these buildings. This is the church that the famous Abbe Sauniere was renovating when he discovered hidden coded documents, which he took to Paris, returning with a great amount of money (its source still unknown today) with which he built the Tour Magdala and continued to renovate the church. There has always been a quest for treasure here, both hidden coins and elusive monies, as well as for the spiritual treasure of the Holy Grail. The Magdalene energy is very present here and it is believed that she walked and taught in the area, within this natural pentagram, or Venus Temple, where as legends say, the Essenes and the Holy Family once lived. Each

person will have personal time to walk around and experience the grounds. Before we leave Rennes Le Chateau, we have an invitation to step into the Visigoth Chapel inside the Merovingian Castle, for an inspiring inner journey piano meditation dedicated to the Divine Feminine, and Mary Magdalene.

Then we leave our sacred experience in Rennes Le Chateau to go to a place where we’ll have dinner, but will first experience a small cave near the ancient village of Arques. It is located on the other side of Pech Cardou Mountain, where we spent our first initiatory experience in Rennes Les Bains. Outside of Arques, the actual tomb existed from the famous 17th century painting by Poussin called, The Shepards of Arcadia,

which possibly also marks a place some refer to as a “doorway to Atlantis”, visible in the distance for us to see. Arriving at a small cave opening, we’ll get out to explore. It marks an energetic portal to other dimensions, where many have experienced gentle blue beings - of an angelic

presence - that may stand with us as we honor them and receive messages they wish to bring us.

Deodat Roche, the chronicler of the Cathars, thought to have also been a Cathar in his lifetime (late 19th, early 20th century), was born in Arques and his house now serves as a Cathar museum in the town square. Finally, we stop to have a scrumptious dinner at a restaurant in the small village of Serres, next to Arques. Here there is an important metal plaque that marks the Rose Line that comes down from Roslyn Chapel in Scotland, (where the Knights Templar were said to have left many of their treasures). Its energy then crosses the top of Pech Cardou Mountain and arrives at Rennes Le Chateau. There are legends that propose possibilities of a connection between Jesus and this mountain. A book was written about it, titled, The Tomb of God proposing that Jesus or some powerful artifact from him, is buried deep within it. This is an invitation for each person to have another experience as the energies emanating from this mountain are powerful. Then we return to the Chateau. Day 4 – September 11, Wednesday Breakfast. After gathering in our sacred circle to update and share our latest experiences, Nancy will facilitate an inner journey to meet your inner

male and female selves for an inner marriage, related to our visit to the Fountain des Amours (Fountain of Lovers) - our last stop of the day, Our day continues with a visit to the Holy Mt. Bugarach, which sits on one of the pentagram points in the landscape temple here. It is also known to be a place where an Essene community once lived, maybe the Holy Family.

Numerous caves are found deep inside the mountain that not only Cathars used when they were being persecuted and pursued by the Church, but others as well, because it served as an inner route so people could move easily from one place to another, unseen. While enjoying this magical place we will do a meditation next to the lake, underneath the large Buddha figure that seems to have been carved out in stone and looking down on us from his volcanic mountain seat. Curiously, Mt. Bugarach has also been called an intergalactic doorway and many have imagined that Acturians come into a place deep within the mountain. In fact,

Jules Verne once lived nearby when he wrote one of his famous books, “Journey to the Center of the Earth”. Then our day of pilgrimage takes us to climb the famous Cathar Castle, Queribus, set high in the terrain, and once a part of the Catalan region of Spain owned by the Kings of Aragon. As we behold the undulating Dragon lines defining the landscape here, we are reminded of the dragons who are the true guardians of the mysteries and treasures of this land. Are they

ready to reveal to you what they know? This magical place, Queribus, has been noted to be where timelines from many realities converge. The castle, once inhabited by Cathars, was the farthest out in their known territory, where they were never captured, while at others, they were being rounded up and burned during the Catholic

Inquisition. Queribus may have been an important solar temple that existed long before the Cathars or Essenes came here. We will have lunch at a nice café in the small town in the village at the foot of this castle. Finally, we continue to the Fountain des Amours an ancient place where salt water flows from an unusual source high above. We walk down between a line of trees on each side before arriving at an ancient place of

the guardian Goddess. Here legends say that beings from all dimensions, seen and unseen, have been known to join together for an experience of love, whatever that may be. Because Nancy facilitated a meditation in the morning so everyone could meet their inner male and female selves that then united to became one within, we may decide to co-create a ceremony here. Whatever we decide, we will

honor and give thanks for this final moment of standing together in this magical Venus Temple. We then return to the Chateau for dinner and to pack, before our morning departure. Day 5 – September 12, Thursday Breakfast. We will spend two days in the special town of Collioure on the Mediterranean Sea but stop first to visit a famous Abbey, founded by the Benedictine Monks about 840 AD, called Saint

Michel de Cuxa. It is located at the foot of the famous Mountain, Canigou, known to some as an “ascension mountain”. This abbey is one of the most important ancient monuments in southern France, in fact, the Cloisters in New York City now house some of the medieval carvings

from its pillars that had fallen down after a large flood. This Abbey hosts a temple to the sun and one to the moon inside, as well as an ancient Madonna. An early ceremonial stone nearby, known to be a‘

sunstone’, may go back to the time when Mithras was worshipped or even earlier. It may have been placed upon the telluric energies here that facilitate the powerful sense of wellbeing one experiences in this Abbey. The Benedictine monks were said to be the last monks to understand and know how to work with telluric energies. Each person will have a chance to experience this magical stone. We will have lunch here. We continue to the Mediterranean village of Collioure where we will spend

the next two nights and sit leisurely on its soothing beaches. It is situated a short distance between the French and

Spanish border, where once Celtic tribes settled, before the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans arrived, who each used it as a special port for trading. Then the Visigoths took it over in the 7th century. There may even have been an ancient Temple dedicated to Isis located here thousands of years ago. The town hosts a Royal Palace, a Castle, owned by the Kings of Aragon, and then a large Templar fortress associated with the Knights Templar, who passed through it on their crusade routes to the Holy Land. They used the ancient fortress during the 12th century, leaving behind much

mystery about their “elusive treasures”. It is used today by the French military for special “seals” training. Collioure is also famous for its very intriguing light, which inspired the early Fauve Painters to begin their “movement” here. Among them were Derain, Braque, Matisse, Picasso, to mention a few. Our stop here in this peaceful, beautiful town offers us an opportunity to relax and explore the beach walkways, the church, observe the castle of the

Aragon Kings in the distance and explore the Templar fortress situated on the rocks elevated from the beach. We might also experience a mermaid connection, as they have resided in the deepest waters here, with the safety of the fortress above, for millennia. In fact at a small hotel, Les Templiers, the bar

has been carved to resemble a wooden ship, with a mermaid on the bowsprit, holding a human child in her arms. While experiencing the many possibilities here and watching the painters by the water, inspired by Collioure’s special light, it is a good moment to explore the beautiful wonders here, relax on the beach or shop in the many superb places. We will have lunc and dinner in town on our own or together at one of the many wonderful restaurants by the water. Day 6 – September 13, Friday Breakfast. We gather on the beach on this auspicious date, Friday the 13th, the famous day when the Knights Templar were arrested in 1307 by the king of France, and their order was supposed to have been disbanded.

Interestingly, we are sitting below an ancient Templar Fortress and maybe it is time for us to release any old beliefs, or qualities that we no longer need to carry with us, that are holding us back, our “dross”. Maybe it is time to review within ourselves if there are any keys we need to find so we can open any closed doorways. This might be a moment to recalibrate our lives to go beyond where we’ve been, and celebrate

ourselves, finally!! We will honor each other and maybe take a swim together. Dinner in town and then we pack for our next day departure. Day 7 – September 14, Saturday Breakfast. We depart for Les Saints Maries de la Mer, a small fishing village located on the Mediterranean coast near Marseilles. We will stay here our last two nights.

We will stop along the way for lunch at the medieval walled town called Aigues-Mortes. It is an impressive fortification carrying an atmosphere of the Middle Ages with seven doorways or entrances. This area was annexed by France to become the departure point of the 7th and 8th Crusade to the Holy Land, led by King Louis IX. The Knights Templar are associated historically with this town as well. We arrivie in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer by the afternoon, the town famous because it is where Mary Magdalene arrived by boat from the Holy

Land, with a small party of people, greeted by the Gypsies. The group included two other Marys, Joseph of Arimathea, perhaps Lazarus and then Sarah who was the patron Saint of the Gypsies and who many legends claim was the daughter of Magdalene and Jesus. Here we will explore the 6th century church

and the black Saint Sarah statue in the crypt, before we experience the sacred waters of the Mediterranean and the beach. After thousands of years of prayers and healings made in this place, especially during the Gypsy Festival each year to honor the arrival of Magdalene and Sarah, it is easy to lovingly accept a way of living from our hearts.

Having personal communication with the black Saint Sarah in the crypt can bring endless wisdom compassion and insight into our lives, if we listen to her. She is here to help each to let go of any lasting doubts, fears or limitation that might still be lingering from the past. We will then have two days to ceremonially purify ourselves in the soothing, healing waters of

the Mediterranean, which serve also as a way to activate the true gifts we each carry in our hearts. Les Saintes Maries de la Mer was also an ancient pilgrimage site for the Celts who came to receive healing from the Goddess, who they believed was very present in the warm spring waters located beneath the church. The Greeks once had a Temple to Aphrodite here as well. This region

is called the Camargue, and known as the cowboy country of France where hundreds of white horses once ran wild, until the gypies arrived and tamed them. There is wonderful shopping here, including aromatic products from Provence for gifts and personal

enjoyment. We can share lunch and dinner in town or on our own at one of the many wonderful restaurants. We are staying our last two nights here. Day 9 – September 15, Sunday Breakfast. We have another full day to enjoy the beauty, beaches and ancient history of the area. We will gather on the beach early in the day to share our experiences and honor each other, knowing that each in the group came looking for something. We will share what we have discovered, what “hidden codes” might have been unlocked within our temples and how we will be stepping forward, in a new way, in our lives. Then Nancy will invite everyone to join in ceremony to energetically complete our sacred journey, honoring Mary Magdalene, Mother Mary, the Holy Family, the angels and many unseen beings who have energetically walked with us and supported us. It will be a joyful celebration! Everyone will be free to talk with St. Sarah in the crypt, lie on the beach or swim This is also a good moment to integrate, individually, the more significant experiences that have touched our inner selves and helped us remember the Oneness. Les Saintes Maries de la Mer and other places along the coast are where Mary Magdalene, Martha and other members of the holy family taught Jesus’

teachings, The Way. It is these women who stepped out after leaving the Holy Land, and spoke their truth. It helped bring Christianity to this coastal area of southern France. We will then have our farewell dinner and celebrate before everyone packs to get ready to leave the following day. Day 9 – September 16, Monday We depart early for the Marseilles airport so

everyone can catch flights to their homes or to other destinations. We say our goodbyes until we meet again. Most of these photographs are the copyright of Nancy Safford. All the text is copyrighted to Nancy Safford.