Dayle in Limoux – Day #85

Au revoir.

❀

Dayle in Limoux – Day #84

L i m o u x   ℒℴve

‘I’ve been lately thinking about my life’s time
All the things I’ve done, how it’s been
And I can’t help believing in my own mind
I know I’m gonna hate to see it end

For though my life’s been good to me there’s still so much to do
So many things my mind’s never known…’

-j. denver 

À bientôt. 

☆҉

Dayle in Limoux – Day #82

R O A D   T R I P ❗️

French Villages, castles, and an amazing memory in Montsegur at La Maison Sous le Château. Manual Citroën is the best. Always secure the smallest car you can and practice accelerations. :)

Puilaurens

‘Immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of Puilaurens Castle, an impregnable fortress in Cathar Country, at the top of the sheer rock face. The walls and towers have been marked by time and are filled with history and legends. Can you find the “secret” passages leading to the giddy panoramas?’ We did!

[https://www.visit-occitanie.com]

Beginning the hike up to the castle ruins…

Annie Glenn in awe and loving Languedoc.

Michael inspired on his first journey out of the United States and ready to return.

The Square Tower dates from the time of the Crusade against the Cathars. The so- called “White Lady” Tower, where Blanche de Bourbon, granddaughter of Philip IV, was reputed to have stayed on her way south to her ill-fated marriage with the cruel Peter of Castile, has a duct through the wall that acts as a speaking tube.

Aged just fourteen in 1353, after three days of marriage, Peter abandoned her in favour of Maria de Padilla, imprisoning poor Blanche in various places in France and Spain, until the age of twenty two, when he had her murdered. Legend has it that  when mists surround the castle,  Blanche is wandering the walls in her misty veils.

https://anglophone-direct.com/cathar-country-chateau-de-puilaurens/

Montségur

Montségur Castle is a fortress built on the ruins of a previous Roman settlement in the Occitanie region of Southern France. In 1204, Raymond de Péreille, the Lord of Montségur, decided to rebuild the Castle which had been in ruins for 40 years. The refortified Castle immediately became the epicentre of an important Cathar community. Catharism was a Gnostic movement which deviated from the teachings of the Catholic Church and which spread like wildfire in the 12th and 13th centuries. Amongst other tenets, the Cathars believed that Jesus was not the son of God but merely an upright prophet and scholar. They believed that men and women were both essentially equal and that money and physical trappings were not important in life. Even though they lived lives of poverty, it is believed that the Cathars amassed great riches, since many members, who were people of ‘substance’, donated their property on joining and many well-wishers and patrons donated money to help the cause as well. On the other hand, at the time Pope Innocent III, as well as the Kings of England and France, were struggling with financial difficulties caused by investments in the Crusades in the Holy Land. A theory states that this was one of the main reasons why the Cathars, a peaceful Order, were branded as heretics and hounded to their deaths with such cruelty, even prompting the setting up of a special Inquisition for such a purpose. At the time, all their assets and lands were seized and divided between the Pope and the King of France during what became known as the Cathar Crusade or the Albigensian Crusade. Whole cities and villages were destroyed by the Inquisition, which targeted both nobles and peasants alike. Ironically, the supposed ‘treasure’ of the Cathars was never found, or at least, no one has reported its acquisition.

https://castles.today/en/france/montségur/legends/

The hike up…

…and reverence for the bon hommes and bonne femmes who were murdered in the pyre because of their beliefs, and the greed and evil of Pope Innocence III.

From the book, The Manuscript. ☉

The Cathars considered themselves to be the true Christians. Part of their learning rested on primitive Christian, Gnostic, Jewish and Islamic ideas, which at all decisive points different from the Roman Church. 

The daily bread was for the Cathars the spiritual bread, and both women and men could become priests, perfect, in their community. The Cathar movement had wide support amon the Languedoc population and when this support tended to spread to all of France the Pope, Innocence III, sent a monk, Bernard of Clairveaux, to preach against the heretics. He saw, however, that their services and morals were far more Christian than those of his own corrupt Church. He also admitted that he could find no fault with the parfaits of the Cathars. They only practiced what they preached. This was not to the liking of the Pope and thus he implemented the crusade resulting in the massacre of Montsegur.

[…]

‘A common legend which had been retold for generations by the descendants of the Cathars, was told by a shepherd from Montsegur as late as 1929:

“When the walls of Montsegur were still intact, the Cathars, the pure ones, guarded the Holy Grail there. Montsegur was in danger. The armies of Lucifer lay in a circle around the walls. They wanted the Grail, so that they could mount it in the emperor’s tiara, from where it had fallen to the ground when the angels were banned from Heaven. When peril was at its highest a white dove descendde from Heaven and split the mountain in two with its beak. Esclarmonde, the female guardian of the Grail, threw the precious, holy treasure into the mountain. It then closed again. In this way the Grail was saved. When the devils forced their way into the fortress, they were too late. Filled with anger they burned all the pure ones at the foot of the cliffs under the fortress on the camp des cremate, on the field where where the state was built.”

More than 200 hundred Cathars, men, women and children, chose by their own free will to be burned at the stake. According to an oral tradition, they had promised to return after seven hundred years [pp. 39-40].’

In memoriam at Montsegur.

Ani Williams is world-renowned harpist and singer, and has recorded more than two-dozen albums of original sacred music based on ancient spiritual traditions.

[aniwilliams.com]

The back side of the castle ruins where remnants of the Cathars living quarters and community gathering sites for work and living.

Folks honoring the Cathars at Montsegur with dance and song.

Then in the chill of fall and winds, it was time to head back down, imagining…trying…the 200 + Cathars holding hands and singing their hymns as the fires from the pyre burned below them and their wicked fate to a tortuous death.

R E X   M U N D I

Evil forces always swirling about.

And then it was a short drive down narrow lanes to the Village de Montsegur to stay the night at La Maison Sous le Château. Sadness. The museum was closed. Next time. So wanted to visit.

J’adore the village of Montsegur, almost as much as Alet-les-Bains and Limoux.

Cathar crosses everywhere and history whispered in the winds.

Up the stairs to our private room and bath and a warm meal with local vegetables, soup, pain, and vin…

…at the foot of the Pyrenees.

You must stay with Fred and basque in his warmth and hospitality, his cooking (!), as well as his knowledge of the Occitanie region, the Cathars…and Mariam.

I wanted to linger longer in this ancient village in Southern France.

Can’t wait to return. Thanks be to Gaia.

la maison sous le château

You must read this book!

Car returned and ready for a very hot bath. Fall has landed in Languedoc.

Bonne nuit.

♥

Dayle in Limoux – Day #80

St. Salvayre

When your girl needs to find a signal to connect for a virtual work meeting while exploring ancient ruins in a little hamlet in France called St. Salvayre.

Finds it…

Then…

Cue the sheep. :) “Wait. Annie, are those cow bells???”

One year ago today, Annie Glenn was notified of her new job offer to a new company! And today, a massive promotion announced.

She came down to my room to share the news! No one…no one…has worked harder. 4.0 through high school, all four years of undergrad at DePauw University, Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s most prestigious honor roll society, graduating summa cum laude. Same for her master’s degree from Georgia Tech…4.0. Her diligence, her discipline, her sense of self. No one could deserve this more. Her maman’s le coeur is bursting with happiness for her success. Thank you, Coronado School District in California, Blaine County School District in Sun Valley, Idaho, and DPU, and Grace Hopper, and Honeywell Aerospace, and now, KSG.

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Très bon, sweet girl. Très bon. Not too shabby for 26❗️

And, in F R A N C E!

Celebrate good times, gratitude, and g r a c e.

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~

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❗️❗️❗️

Annie Glenn and her maman, Sun Valley, Idaho.

ℒℴve ❥

À bientôt.

Inhaling grace, exhaling gratitude, dear Gaia, Mariam, Sophia, Joan and Catherine, Bobby D, Alma Evalo Latta, and Darrell Lee. Thanks be to y o u. jai

Dayle in Limoux – Day #78

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Always. Now. Especially. Register.

Thank you, Valerie Kaur.

“All our votes together? A R e v o l u t i o n.”

https://iwillvote.com

There’s my girl (!) back in Limoux doing her virtual work and exploring Languedoc with her maman. ღ

The bridge into Limoux with her guy.

Lunch in Alet-les-Bains!

Michael and Annie in Alet-les-Bains at L’Eviche for lunch under the trees and the abbey.

Waiting for the bus. Always. :)

A peek at the bridge and some random ancient stairs, most likely to connect to an old rampart. So want to know their story…

Found another old barn in Alet.

Great structure.

And another great find in Limoux. An old church from about 780 C.E. Beautiful.

Roman architecture.

I miss you William Henry.

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Bonne nuit.

♡

Dayle in Limoux – Day #72

Limoux’s waning moon.

By asking “Whom does my soul serve?” we learn to turn our attention to the deeper purposes of what we do. We enlarge our vision of what’s possible and gradually learn to root our actions in soul.

Bill Plotkin

︶⁀°• •° ⁀︶

Could it be that this earthly realm, not in spite of but because of its very density and jagged edges, offers precisely the conditions for the expression of certain aspects of divine love that could become real in no other way? This world does indeed show forth what love is like in a particularly intense and costly way. But when we look at this process more deeply, we can see that those sharp edges we experience as constriction at the same time call forth some of the most exquisite dimensions of love . . . qualities such as steadfastness, tenderness, commitment, forbearance, fidelity, and forgiveness. These mature and subtle flavors of love have no real context in a realm where there are no edges and boundaries, where all just flows. But when you run up against the hard edge and have to stand true to love anyway, what emerges is a most precious taste of pure divine love.

Cynthia Bourgeault, author, ‘The Meaning of Mary Magdalene’

︶⁀°• •° ⁀︶

From author and scholar Jean Houston:

Once you answer the call to a larger life, there is no turning back. Indeed, each of us might usefully consider where we find ourselves right now on the cycle of our own particular journeys. Have you heard a call to the larger life? Have you refused it, and if so, why? Have you accepted the call but then met with monsters of recalcitrance who refused to let you pass across the threshold to your own deeper capacities and possible life? Did you finally outwit these monsters and get across? Are you caught in the belly of the whale through despair, depression, or just plain sloth? Have unusual allies or helpers shown up? A telephone call at the right time? A book falling open at an important passage? Do you find yourself in the midst of the road of trials, and if so, do you experience it as full of adventures or as just one damn crisis after another? Is there awaiting you a sacred marriage or a transformational friendship? Do you feel the yearning for the inner beloved of the soul? Are you seeking atonement or attunement with your father or mother . . .? Are you finding a boon, an insight, a project that may bring some healthy solution to your own and the world’s problems? . . . Or perhaps you find yourself, like the rest of us, in several different stages of the journey at the same time.

From the Center for Action & Contemplation, ‘experience a version of this practice through video and sound.’ Turn it up so you can hear the birds. :)

Being in a different country, immersed in a second language and culture, the grail journey is seemingly more acute…magnified. Yet, these journeys are available to us anywhere…time or place. The calling is profound. Listening, imperative. And then, time seemingly elongates…expands…where the stories we once carried seem so much quieter, smaller. Maybe it isn’t that life is short, but that we live it fast…choices and consequences and ‘next.’ As Cynthia shares, it’s the ‘density and hard edges’ of this iteration in time that gives us the grace and possibility…mercy?…to examine the most exquisite dimensions of love within the constructs we create with fear, rage, and violence, the dimensions of

• steadfastness
• tenderness
• commitment
• forbearance
• fidelity
• forgiveness

As Cynthia reminds us, “That’s our business down here. That’s what we’re here for.”

Saint-Martin’s in Limoux, for Ukraine.

À bientôt.

🌻

Dayle in Limoux – Day # 70

Travel day full of trains and bus back two Limoux from Rouen.

First leg a little over five hours, to Marseilles. Much easier this time, maneuvering platforms and screens in the Marseilles terminal. Then, a three hour plus train ride to Carcassonne. It’s so interesting to me how I only have to say, “Bonjour,” and the first typical response is, ‘Oh, English.’ Almost feel like I should apologize. How do they know? Yes, I think it’s because my French pronunciation is really quite that bad. Not giving up. I so want to speak this beautiful language. I try. In the Rouen museum, I think I was pronouncing the painter Poussin, as ‘poisson,’ which is ‘fish’ in French. So the musée attendant was seemingly perplexed when I asked for directions to the Poussin exhibit and thought I said, “Where is the fish exhibit?” We finally figured it out together, both were laughing.

Leaving Hotel Cardinal early in the morning, the quiet of the cathedral square, the majesty of The Rouen Cathedral.

The cathedral a religious monument constructed in two phases with two distinct styles: starting in 1030 for its Roman-inspired section and in 1145 for its Gothic-inspired one. It was completed in 1506. It houses the remains of King Richard the Lionheart lie in the Cathedral.

I was asked if I was English (I guess so?)  on the second train by a young man sitting next to me. He is from Ft. Collins, Colorado–my son’s age. One of my most favorite things traveling is meeting someone and talking with them as if we’ve known one another for a long while. His name is Hopper and we talked about everything from absolute truth, to ashrams in India, to the transgender movement–for three solid hours until the train stopped in Carcassonne. He wants to leave the United States, too. He’s going to work on a farm in France for a while, and then move to the Czech Republic, before finally landing in India. It was a lovely conversation. I haven’t spoken that much English in a long while.

I met with two women this morning, one who had been living in Portugal, now in Limoux and originally from Boston. The other women I had met earlier after I arrived. Learning so much about life in Limoux, their experiences, and future plans.  La crème à café on the Place de la Republique. The best. l o v e

À bientôt.

🚉

Dayle in Limoux – Day # 69

Place du Vieux-Marche’, Old Market Square, where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. Apparently, Joan’s body was burned three different times, and her burning was prolonged by the sadistic executioners to lengthen her pain and torture.

From The Guardian:

‘What is generally agreed is that Joan’s body was burnt three times by the English and ashes from the foot of the pyre were supposedly discovered in 1867, lurking in the Paris loft of an apothecary .

French scientists, who have been studying those ashes, confirmed (in 2006) that a piece of cloth found among the remains may have been a fragment of Joan of Arc’s gown. A new series of DNA tests of bones and tissue found among the ashes is expected to confirm that they belong to a female.

The most exciting discovery by his 18-strong team at the Hôpital Raymond Poincare near Paris was in the carbon-dating of the piece of cloth. ‘It is linen of high quality and we can confirm that it dates from the 15th century. It could have been a robe or a bag.’

According to historians, Joan of Arc was 19 when she was burnt at the stake in Rouen by the English on 30 May, 1431. She died of smoke inhalation. The Cardinal of Winchester is recorded as having ordered her to be burnt a second time. Her organs still survived this fire, so a third burning was ordered to destroy the body completely. Her cinders and debris were to be thrown into the Seine.

However, in 1867 ashes that were said to include remains of Joan of Arc were found in the Paris loft of an apothecary. These were transferred to a museum in Chinon where they are still kept. 

I spent the entire morning at this sacred spot in the Old Market Square. I started at the Rouen Cafe, and then settled closer to where she was burned.

A massive crucifix is placed in the exact spot where Joan was burned alive. Reportedly, Joan asked to be able to see the cross as she was being executed. The last word she screamed was, “JESUS!”

(The bells of the cathedral are ringing now. Sometimes, not knowing the reason, they just ring and ring in these magnificent harmonies. So incredibly beautiful. Those deep, melodic, bellowing tones. Many bells surround the square. Inspiring. And to wake up with them in the morning, ethereal. This is first light today from my window…

Back to Joan. :)

This is the base of the giant crucifix, with the Joan of Arc church and her statue just behind.

And these are ancient stones from Joan of Arc’s time that were left in place at the Old Market Square.

Here’s the tree where I sat under for prayers and meditations this morning…I could see the crucifix through the branches.

So peaceful. Tranquil. It’s Monday, and after the many tourists left from the weekend, the locals were out and about on their bikes; on Mondays, many establishments are closed, I learned brokenheartedly. Still, able to see and explore so much.

When I finally pulled myself away from the Old Market Square, I trekked to find a historical monument where Johanne was tried and convicted, imprisoned, after being betrayed by her country and king, Charles the VII. Supposedly there’s this interactive virtual thing we can take part in, not typically my thing, yet, rave reviews. I found it! Sadly, one of the establishments that are closed on Mondays. Next time. I was able to linger awhile and take in the historic splendor, knowing Joan was there, her energy, her eloquence, your loyalty, and her truth. History shows her arguments were pure in logic, and forthright, often beleaguering the m e n trying to convict her. Their minds were made up, if not, she would have walked free.

Look at these ancient standing stones! Made up for the fact the historical establishment was closed. :) They are placed on each side of the door.

This is the courtyard right next to the historical site. Legal hearings? Council? Not sure.

And these are the two ancient plaques, explaining what transpired with Joan. After her execution, it is here Charles VII said, whoops, our bad. She was declared innocent. Sorry about the burning thing. And in 1920, of course centuries later, not unlike Mary Magdalene, her virtues and faith and historical contribution were recognized, and she was canonized as a saint.

From here, knocked out to learn that at the art museum in Rouen, there are three original paintings by Nicolas Poussin!

Poussin was actually from Normandy, and Rouen is the capitol of Normandy. There’s a statue of him outside the museum…

If you’re following the Dayle in Limoux posts, you know he painted ‘Et in Arcadia Ego’ which is based on the sacred geometry in Languedoc and Renne-les-Chateau…the Cathars.

This is a capture from 2019, visiting the site of the ‘tomb,’ no longer there because the owner of the property was tired of the visitors. He destroyed it. Tragically. This photo was taken in Languedoc, aligning with the sacred geometry.

Everything Sir Henry Lincoln wrote about with his co-authors in the book that started the intrigue all over again.

Here’s a couple of YouTube reviews.

Pousinn’s French Baroque style was also considered French Classical tradition. He was a major inspiration for such classically oriented artists as Jacques-Louis David, Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, and Paul Cézanne.

This later version of Et in Arcadia Ego has a far more (sacred!) geometric composition, and the figures are much more contemplative. The mask-like face of the shepherdess echos the Classical “Greek profile”. And! It’s in the Louvre. Someday, when I get back to Paris. Can’t wait. If I lived in Paris, I would go the Louvre every weekend. I would!

From thegoodlifefrance.com:

Joan of Arc claimed to have communicated spiritually with saints at a rural location some two kilometres from her home. She identified them as Michael the Archangel, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret of Antioch. The last two saints were virgin martyrs who had refused to take orders from men and, when leading the French army into battle, Joan dressed as a man to avoid prejudice. The spot is well marked. An extremely grand and prominent Basilica was built at the location as late as 1881. Masses are held there every Sunday and great mural artworks portraying her military capacity surround the walls. In the grounds around it, visitors will find impressive sculptures and statues of Joan, the saints that communicated with her and her pious father Jacques, who shaped her childhood. The Basilica is impressive, features a vast spire and can be seen from miles around amongst the local countryside.

Joan of Arc was captured in the city of Compiegne, Picardy at the start of May, 1430. She was held by the conspiring Burgundians who sold her to the English for 10,000 Francs.

Her trial took place in Rouen, the capital city of Normandy. She was convicted of witchcraft and heresy by the English and Burgundian authorities and sentenced to death by burning at the stake in the centre of Rouen on May 30^th, 1431. The English executioners apparently went to much trouble to ensure that her death was as slow and distressing as possible. She was just nineteen years old. Twenty years later, a retrial took place in the same courtroom and found her innocent of all charges.

Her exact place of execution is marked by a vast concrete cross. Right next door rests a contemporary church to commemorate her. Digital son et lumiere dramatically presents features of Joan’s life on the face of the city’s Notre Dame Cathedral. The vast Excel walk round cinema on the banks of the Seine River flowing through Rouen, features a similar, stunning feature. The courtroom where she was tried twice, houses an ultra-modern, active digital museum that almost brings her back to life.

Joan of Arc was canonised in 1920 and is the patron saint of France. More than 20,000 books have been written about her. Her persuasion, untaught military skills and undoubted faith in her religious beliefs were extraordinary achievements by one who lived such a short life. 

I was able to research and study the Poussin paintings for awhile with the complimentary WiFi in the museum; beautiful structure.

They have a hall dedicated to ‘Heroines,’ too.  Many sculpture’s and paintings of Johanne. I’d like to have one of these, please.

And then, from here it was back to the Cathedral to sit in front of Joan of Arc’s chapel. I lit two candles, one each for my two children, William Henry, and Annie Glenn, to keep Joan’s fierce protection surrounding them, and her compassion guiding them.

Look at the light from the stained glass panel.

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Some photos from today…captures…and the Cathedral…Rouen is beautiful, ancient medieval architecture with splashes of contemporary color.

Here comes the sun…see it right at the top? 🌞

The clock! From the 1300’s. It still rings at 9:00 at night to signify what was once, ‘curfew.’

And, at night. Tres jolie.

And then, preparation for the light and music show with the cathedral as the giant canvas…on the tallest cathedral in France…✧        *    .    *    ✧     .   *   .   *
 .  *   .    * .  for the magic.     .   ✧        .
 ✧  ✧   *    .   *        .       .     *.     .   
✧   *    .     .     ✧     .     * .  *   

This is the Rouen Cathedral of Notre Dame. This year the light and music show runs June 3rd to September 17th. It’s spectacular. Folks say it’s a ‘must-see summer event.’ No doubt. It shares the story of Joan of Arc and the Viking history.

Here’s about 13 minutes someone posted on youtube from this summer. The presentation is about 50 minutes in total. I wish everyone could see it. Incredibly inspirational. We need lots of inspiration on our planet right now. Tell the stories, share the history. Feel what is possible. Thanks be to those who create these beautiful messages when we need them most. Love watching the younger spirits, enthralled, wondering how they will be inspired, what they too will create, sowing those tiny seeds of promise and possibility.

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https://youtu.be/JFq26L0m5ek

J’adore Rouen. Find the light.

Bonne nuit!

Dayle in Limoux – Day #67

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Jeanne d’Arc

Early train from Limoux to Carcassonne to make the connection to Marseilles and then on to Rouen, France, where Joan of Arc was tried and convicted, betrayed by her king and her country, and burned at the stake for being a heretic, that is, a w i t c h. The guys also didn’t like the fact that she wore armor and men’s clothing, which she donned, especially when in prison, to protect herself against sexual assault. (There’s a new play in London called ‘I, Joan’ about a gender non-conforming hero who uses them/they pronouns. It’s playing at Shakespeare’s Globe. Hard pass. I revere her history, and this isn’t it. She is sacred. Leave her be.)

Very long day of train travel to get to Rouen, which I loved. Train travel is the best; and it’s so doable in this country. And not very expensive. Taking the bus is basically a euro in the region of Languedoc.

Waiting for the train in Limoux.

Waiting for the train in Carcassonne.

And the bread of life.

Pain au chocolate. ღ

The Mediterranean heading into Marseilles, where Mary Magdalene landed in Gaul (France) to begin her apostleship to the villagers in the region. (Read, ‘The Manuscript!’)

Marseilles found my stress threshold. B i g station. Had no idea what I was doing; our train was delayed in Carcassonne which put us late into the station. I couldn’t find the right platform, or a screen to tell me which platform it should be. I had 15 minutes to figure it out. A woman with a child was asking people for €’s, as I was hurrying past I gave her the 4 €’s I had in my pocket. Then she started following me. She wanted 10. Impressive. I finally found the platform with minutes to spare…and lots of perspiration.

Another great thing about France, they even grow trees inside.

🌳 🌳 🌳 💚

The first thing I saw when I disembarked from the train…

I have no idea what it is, no markings…I just love it. So old. And the air smelled like flowers. Seriously! It really did. So fresh. Maybe because I was finally able to remove my mask after five hours. :)

[Train station in Rouen.]

When the taxi dropped me at my hotel, I thought I was in a fever dream.

WHAT. IS. HAPPENING.

The Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen was awash in bright colors and pulsating music. It was incredible. My hotel is right across from the Cathedral. So when it was over, I grabbed my bag to go check in. Door locked with a note in English. I think for me. Finally the proprietor comes downstairs to inform me the hotel is overbooked…staff error…and found me another hotel. Drag. So tired. So, I trekked to find it. Got lost. A sweet young Norwegian couple who spoke English (!), helped me find it. It’s a trip. I can only possibly explain it by suggesting you think 60’s, Batman, Pop Tarts, and Bowling.

Oh, and fluorescent orange and blue lighting. The whole night feels like a fever dream. Toto, we’re not in Limoux anymore. Only have to stay one night and then I can return back to the Hotel Cardinal for the rest of my stay.

On the way to find the other hotel found this tower/obelisk structure…ancient…no markings…and not really cared for. It almost looks like it was burnt at one time.

And the full la lune in Rouen. Here’s what Power Path has to say about this month’s full corn/harvest moon.

This is a good window to focus on spiritual and emotional wellness, what that means to you, and how you can better support it in your life. Any spiritual searching and intention in this area will bring good results. This is also a time for gratitude for what is ending or changing in your life. Completions can be powerful catalysts for driving much needed resets. If a recent crisis has opened up the field of flexibility and creative problem solving, see it as a gift instead of an obstacle.

Almost full before I left Limoux.

Tomorrow, exploring!

I traveled to Rouen to be with Joan. I had thought about this journey so much while still in the states. I so wanted to be here, and here I am! I had hoped to visit the town where she was born and where she first heard the voices instructing her what she needed to do for France; she was only 13/14. The town is called Domrémy-la-Pucelleyet, it’s another five hours and about five transfers. Very remote. I think another time. Folks can visit the church where she worshiped, as well as the home where she lived.

She was only 19 when tried, convicted, and burnt at the stake as a heretic, or as the men liked to call women they didn’t like (and still do), a witch.

I read Mark Twain’s book about Joan of Arc while deep in our COVID isolation, so surprised to learn he had written about her.

It’s excellent. Deep research and reverence for her passion and loyalty for France and her king. Johanne listened to the guidance of her angel spirits, Archangel Michael, Saint Margaret, and Saint Catherine of Alexandria. (St. Catherine of favorite of mine, too.)

Twain wrote:

“It furnished me seven times the pleasure afforded me by any of the others; twelve years of preparation, and two years of writing.”

[https://www.worldcat.org]

[https://www.gender.ed.ac.uk/witches-of-scotland-a-campaign-to-right-the-historic-wrongs-done-to-women/]

More on witches about an original text:

The Malleus Maleficarum, first published in 1486–7, is the standard medieval text on witchcraft and it remained in print throughout the early modern period. Its descriptions of the evil acts of witches and the ways to exterminate them continue to contribute to our knowledge of early modern law, religion and society. Mackay’s highly acclaimed translation, based on his extensive research and detailed analysis of the Latin text, is the only complete English version available, and the most reliable. Now available in a single volume, this key text is at last accessible to students and scholars of medieval history and literature. With detailed explanatory notes and a guide to further reading, this volume offers a unique insight into the fifteenth-century mind and its sense of sin, punishment and retribution. 

Found a great short podcast about the thousands of women who were persecuted, tortured and killed after being accused of witchcraft. The Scottish Parliament is set to clear their names. The host, Annette Young, meets the two women who are behind the campaign to get Scottish authorities to pardon the accused.

“At a time when women were not even allowed to speak as witnesses in a courtroom, they were accused and killed because they were poor, different, vulnerable, or in many cases just because they were women … I extend a formal, posthumour apology to all those accused, convicted, vilified or executed under the Witchcraft Act of 1563.”

On the 9th of March 2022, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon formally apologised for the persecution of people accused of witchcraft in Scotland, calling it an “injustice on a collosal scale.” The persecution started in the 1500s and lasted over two centuries, during which nearly 4,000 – the vast majority of whom were women – were accused of witchcraft. And this same brutality caused tens of thousands to be persecuted and murdered in Languedoc in the 11th and 12 centuries.

FRANCE 24

Exorcising the ills of the past: Scotland set to vote on pardoning ‘witches.’

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-51/id1055024600?i=1000578178243

Plus demain! (More tomorrow.) 🗡 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________

💭 “It should have been my mum.”

Dayle in Limoux – Day #65

1926-2022

I think this is just about my favorite capture of Queen Elizabeth, before her reign. WWII, 1945.

France 24

Text translated: “Elizabeth II, a life for the crown.”

From the BBC with the announcement of Her Majesty’s passing.

15 prime ministers served Queen Elizabeth beginning with Winston Churchill. She also met 13 of the last 14 U.S. presidents. LBJ was the one president she did not meet in person.

I read this evening Elizabeth reigned as Queen for 30% of U.S. history. 30%. In the UK, an astounding 80% of the residents have only ever known one monarch – Elizabeth II.

Hers was truly a remarkable life, well lived in service and duty, serving until the very end.

These captures are from the day this week she welcomed Liz Truss as Prime Minister, about 48 hours before her death. It would be her final public appearance.

Dame Helen Mirren shared her memories of the Queen. Mirren was awarded the Oscar for her performance portraying Elizabeth II in the 2006 film,‘The Queen.’

As the news was being received the Queen had died, a rainbow appeared over Buckingham Palace and London.

🤍

[Getty Images]

I was finishing (!) the book, ‘The Manuscript,’ on the little French balcony when I received a push notification about the Queen’s passing.

It became eerily quiet very quickly. It almost felt as if we were suddenly in a vacuum. Nothing. Silence. Even the sassy ducks stopped their incessant quacking for a bit. Then I heard someone across the river start playing the British National Anthem. The sound carried across the water.

So much to share about the powerful final pages. This book has become almost a sacred text for me. I’ll post more tomorrow. This evening, with the quiet, a feeling of reverence in the streets of Limoux, contemplation for a woman who lived her life in dignified service for her country and people for 70 years, beginning at the age of 27.

“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.”

This speech was given on her 21st birthday, 21 April 1947, while on a tour with her parents and sister in South Africa.

‘In a speech broadcast on the radio from Cape Town, the Princess dedicated her life to the service of the Commonwealth.’ [Royal.uk]

In six years, she would honor her promise.

As  the new British Prime Minister remarked speaking to the parliment:

“The whole house will agree never has a promise been so completely fulfilled.”

Tomorrow’s front page.

Bonne nuit.

🖤

Dayle in Limoux – Day #64

Captured today walking the old streets in Limoux. ℒℴve ♡ 

In France, particularly in the Languedoc region, buildings…structures…exteriors…are not allowed to be altered. Interior renovation work must be approved. They protect their history in these sweet villages. No tearing down. No added balconies or windows. Simple upgrades as needed. And you know what else they preserve? Trees.

They don’t cut them down…kill them…to make room for more concrete. They actually build around them. I recently witnessed a construction sight where two mature trees were left standing as a new structure was being built on vacant land around them. Where I lived in Sun Valley, Idaho, trees were an afterthought…worthless. In the way.  What did the candidate in Georgia say…”Don’t we have enough trees?” Lord.

Great story today I found about trees and one person making an effort, over his lifetime, to make a difference. 37 years. Remarkable. His beautiful passion and commitment to Gaia.

Posted on social media by ‘How Things are Manufactured.’

“In 1979, Jadav Payeng began planting a tree every day for 37 years — results are stunning.”

Green Matters

Jadav Payeng is the subject of a short documentary called Forest Man, and when you read his story, you’ll understand why. Payeng is basically the living embodiment of the philosophy that one person can make a difference, and the difference he’s made is incredibly inspiring: since 1979, Payeng has been planting a tree everyday on the barren sandbar island in the Brahmaputra river. In that time, he has built a forest reserve covering 1,360 acres, which is now the home to wild animals, birds, and plants that before withered and died on the sandbank.

Jadav Payeng has created 1,360 acres of dense forest and is known as the ‘Forest man of India’  (Photos by Jitu Kalita) Payeng’s forest is now home for five Royal Bengal tigers, over a hundred deer, wild boar, more than a hundred vultures, and several species of birds.

https://www.greenmatters.com/community/2017/08/21/e7htk/man-plants-tree-every-day-for-37-years

“We are, as a species, addicted to story. Even when the body goes to sleep, the mind stays up all night, telling itself stories.” ~Jonathan Gottschall

Thank you Sally Kane from Community Radio for posting this quote. We need more stories. When we line-up on our sides and in our tribes, stories grow through the noise and communicate when interpersonally we can not. It’s how Mariam and Yeshua lectured and spoke to their various communities. And people listened. Still.

And this wall. How beautiful is this. What is its story? Left to stand in its history and creation. How fast this would be destroyed in the U.S., for something new.

And this gorgeous arch, and this abandoned building…the round window. What is their story. The renovation! Would love to tour, see the ancient interior, learn the history, listen to the story.

Saint-Martin’s tonight in Limoux.

Illustrated in the book, ‘The Manuscript.’ Close to 700 pages and I’m almost finished. It’s been a journey; taken so many notes and given so many bridges to my writing and research. And so many ‘You are kidding me’ moments. Radical Compassion. 💙 Here, Mariam is seen lecturing the King and Queen of Marseilles. She spent time here after her her boat sailed into to Gaul (ancient France) from the Holy Land. From the painting by Rene d’Anjou, 1408-1480.

’I felt my soul ascend and saw the first great bough which bears the fruit of Love and Compassion, the foundation of all things.’ -Μαρία ἡ Μαγδαληνή (Mariam Magdal)

Dayle in Limoux – Day #61

Today I left the city centre of Limoux and hiked about 30 minutes to the edge of the village to visit an ancient Basilica.

Notre-Dame de Marseille

Where a Black Madonna is found and has drawn thousands of pilgrims to the Basilica for her healing energy, and waters, along the sacred path.

This is the ancient path approaching the Basilica. Look at these inlaid stones, and the old water pump.

‘There are many legends and mysteries associated with the basilica. It is even called one of the most mysterious places in the region. Legend says that a Black Madonna statue was found on the site of the church.

The plowman, who discovered the statue while cultivating the land, brought it to his house three times, but it returned three times to its former place. Therefore, there was the decision to build a chapel here, which was elevated to the basilica rank on February 5th, 1905.’

Side note: Basilica, in the Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox churches, is a canonical title of honour given to church buildings that are distinguished either by their antiquity or by their role as international centres of worship because of their association with a major saint, an important historical event, or, in the Orthodox Church, a national patriarch. The title gives the church certain privileges, principally the right to reserve its high altar for the pope, a cardinal, or a patriarch, and special penitential privileges that remove the basilica from local geographical jurisdiction and give it international status. [Britannica.com]

Source: https://all-andorra.com/notre-dame-de-marceille-basilica/

Here is the source of the healing water.

The translation above the water alcove:

‘A thousand kinds of evil, the virgin, washed away with water.’

The water, reportedly, heals ailments…eyes particularly.

Although the historical marker lists the 14th century, it is, according to a pamphlet found at the Basilica,

‘it is impossible to date precisely the construction of the monument, but several writers believe it could have existed since the 10th century and might be due to Benedictine monks of St. Hilaire. A title dated from 1011 and reported in the History of Languedoc calls the place “Sainte Marie.” So, in one case or the other, this monument dates back from long ago.’

Look at the indentation on the entry stone. That’s a lot of feet!

Dutch doors, high above the regular doors. I wonder if they ever open them. Notice the ancient hardware.

Mary Magdalene, Joan of Arc, Cathar crosses, all very prevalent inside the Basilica. Even the stained glass behind and above the alter depict Yeshua and Mariam.

‘She rests at last beneath the starry skies.’ -Robert Langdon 

Saint Germaine, shown in the capture above,

St. Germaine Cousin was born near Toulouse in 1579. Her right hand was withered and paralyzed at birth. She lost her mother when she was only a child.

After the death of her mother, her father remarried and St. Germaine was treated harshly by her stepmother and was denied a real place of her own in the family home. She relegated to worked as a shepherdess for the family and slept in the stables. She was denied practically any contact with her stepbrothers and stepsisters.

While her homelife was horrible, her inner life was the opposite. She was a pure soul, in constant contact with God, daily praying the rosary and attending Mass. Germaine’s love of God spilled into her love for her neighbors and she would often teach local children the basics of the faith.

She died at the age of 22. Nearly a half century after her death her body was found to be incorrupt. When it was left exposed for a year it became the object of great veneration and the source of many miracles. In 1864, more than 250 years after her death, St. Germaine was canonized as patron saint of people with disabilities and those who have been abused or abandoned. She lived in the family barn, repeatedly refusing her family’s invitations to move into the house. She tended after her family’s sheep and preached the gospel to anyone who would listen.

Leaving the Basilica, pumpkins!

And, just learned France has a Labour Day, too. The holiday is celebrated annually on May 1st. In French, Labour Day is known as Fete du Travail, and traditionally celebrated by giving and sharing Lily-of-the-Valley flowers. Lovely. Along with Forget-Me-Nots, my favorite.

À bientôt.

❀

Dayle in Limoux – Day # 57

Matin à Limoux.

‘In the Talmud it is written, “During the times of darkest night, act as if the morning has already come.” When the world is chaotic we can find peace within our hearts. And then we can share our peace with each other. We can forgive, we can bless, we can love, we can create, we can make space for the new in ourselves and in the world. And miracles will follow. This is a moment of chaos, yes, but simultaneously it is a magic hour. It is the sunset of one world and the dawning of another. Day has turned into night, now the night is turning into day.’

-Marianne Williamson

Pour Guillaume Henri.

First light in Limoux this morning before catching an early train to Arles. So many sites to share, the ancient Roman ruins, and Van Gogh’s cafe. This capture, though, needs its own day. 

Bonne nuit. 

♡

Dayle in Limoux – Day #55

After picking up some items at the local supermarket in Limoux, I sat down at a cafe in the Place de la Republicque for a Perrier and a Blanquette and to read my latest Cathar/Languedoc book. I was there about 30 minutes when suddenly this massive wind squall descended on us, turning over umbrellas and tables, shattering dishes and glasses, some folks screaming–the scene turned chaotic in moments. I wanted to take some photos, but my phone was put away and I needed to find shelter. Walking back to my studio I could barely stay upright…intense wind…no lights…lightening…and right as I opened the main door to my place, the rain started. It was frightening. I found this report online.

[Image d’illustration) © Radio France – Cathy Vaxelaire]

by Manon Klein

France Bleu Occitanie

‘De violents orages frappent une bonne partie de l’ex région Midi-Pyrénées ce lundi soir. Une rafale de vent à 103 km/h a été enregistrée en Ariège.

Here’s a translation I put together:

“The sky thunders in the former Midi-Pyrénées region.  Five departments are on orange alert to thunderstorms this Monday evening. At 8:30 p.m., strong gusts of wind were already recorded;  103 km/h measured by the station of Saint-Girons, in Ariège.  Gusts of wind, rain, lightning and outbreaks of fire: strong storms hit the former Midi-Pyrénées region.  North of Toulouse, in Labastide-Saint-Sernin, a fire in a field spread to a house under the effect of the wind. Firefighters are still on site at 8:30 p.m.  They managed to stop the progression of the fire which threatened two neighboring houses.”

I had lamps turned over in my place, windows slammed closed, papers scattered, some books soggy, and I think the loudest thunder I’ve ever heard…constant lightening. Then I heard the emergency responses. That was w i l d. No warnings or sirens. Quiet now.

I heard a re-cap about Bikes for Uvalde this evening. For those following the ‘Dayle in Limoux’ daily posts, you may remember I wrote about the fundraiser Lance Armstrong and his WEDU/The Move team put together during the Tour de France to purchase bikes for all the elementary school kids in Uvalde, Texas who witnessed and survived the horrific and tragic mass shooting at their school. The team raised over $250,000 from listeners/viewers to purchase bikes, helmets, and locks to give to the students. They distributed them this past Saturday in Uvalde. The kids and parents/families are so happy. Some of the families shared with the WEDU team that some of kids haven’t really spoken much at home since that awful day. On Saturday after they received their new bikes, they were smiling, laughing, and talking. They also shared how being a small community, people are seeing kids out and about and riding all over town after receiving their new bikes.

From radio station KURV News Talk Radio:

Around 800 kids in Uvalde received a free bike Saturday thanks in large part to the generosity of Texans. Around 270-thousand dollars was raised through efforts of the cycling community, as well as Lance Armstrong and Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop.

The goal was to give each elementary student a bicycle before the start of the school year to bring them a “sense of normalcy, freedom and fun.” Volunteers spent two weeks unboxing and building the bikes in Austin before they were shipped out to Uvalde.

From News 4 San Antonio:

Operation Get Out handed out bikes and helmets to the Uvalde Community earlier Saturday morning.

The organization funded over 800 bikes, helmets, and other gear for the kids in Uvalde at Winter Garden Produce.

“Operation Get Out is a non-profit organization out of Austin, Texas that provides equipment, resources, and events for individuals and agencies who have gone through trauma, stress, loss, or grief. We provide the equipment so they can get out on nature and water! Two months ago, we were planning and said what about Uvalde? Would they embrace it? Would they need it? A bike is a great tool to Get Out, Get Active, and Get Connected for positive mental and emotional wellness impact.” said Cindy Present.

Former Tour De France Champion, Lance Armstrong, also attended the bike giveaway. Armstrong teamed up with Operation Get Out to transport the bikes and gear to Uvalde, in honor of the lives lost at the Robb Elementary School shooting.

I screen grabbed some shots from Lance and the WEDU team when they were re-capping the Vuelta today. Big smiles and happy families. How wonderful to witness. Lance was getting a little emotional talking about it, in awe of the kids and their families…the community.

Beautiful. 

School starts again for the kids on September 6th, and according to some reports, many do not want to go back to school because they do not feel safe; many still traumatized and will be for a very, very long time. The bikes are a needed, and most likely necessary gift of freedom and encouragement. Deep collective gratitude to the team at WEDU and all the people who donated during the Tour.

Look what we can accomplish together, for each other, through kindness and compassion and service! ℒℴve. ☆҉

Reminds me of this Heineken ad being passed around again on socials called ‘Worlds Apart.’ It’s emerged after Robb Willer, sociology/psychology/organizational behavior professor at Stanford, posted a paper on strengthening democracy and reducing partisan animosity and anti-democratic behavior. He writes they tested 25 interventions to reduce these attitudes. “23 interventions reduced partisan animosity, often sizably, across survey and behavioral indicators. […] Overall, our results provide a toolkit of promising interventions for practitioners and shed new theoretical light on challenges facing American democracy.”

The video received 13 million views in the first month. The premise was, “We know we’re never going to agree on everything but there will also be common ground.”

From a posted comment on the Stanford study:

“The Heineken experiment is basically an argument for some kind of mandatory national service–its ‘ice break’ and ‘bridge building’ tasks show the power of doing something together as a foundation for connection, conversation, understanding.”

Jon Stewart is promoting this, too.

“There should be a draft where every young person has to do one year of something–military, public works–something so that we all feel invested in the same game, because that’s the part that we’ve lost.”

Found one more photo on my phone from Barcelona. This one’s for my dad.

♡

Bonne nuit. Go share a cerveza. :)

🍻

Dayle in Limoux – Day #54

H A P P Y

B

I

R

T

H

D

A

Y

A N N I E  G L E N N! 

❗️

It’s my girl’s 26th today! She’s back in France with Michael, her boyfriend, mid-September to celebrate with Blanquette and gâteau!

We need a birthday celebration in Languedoc! Hurry!

I miss you so much.

{xxoo}

Happy~Happy!

‘On the day that you were born the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust in your hair of gold and starlight in your eyes of blue…’

Dayle in Limoux – Day #53

Back to L i m o u x on the 4-hour BlaBla Bus O’ Fun!

Barcelona bus station.

B

A

C

K

to my beloved Languedoc. Next stop, Carcassonne!

Bonne nuit.

💤

Dayle in Limoux – Day #52

B A R C E L O N A❗️

From Alet-les-Bains in southwestern France to Barcelona in northeastern Spain to see my dear friend and sorority sister from DePauw University. A city of trees. So pretty.

And, of course, the architecturally and geometrically glorious Segrada Família. ♰

The Basílica | Sagrada Família is a large unfinished church building in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, and is currently the largest unfinished Roman Catholic church. Designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926), his work on Sagrada Família is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On 7 November 2010, Pope Benedict XVI consecrated the church and proclaimed it a minor basilica.

On 19 March 1882, construction of the Sagrada Família began under architect Francisco de Paula del Villar. In 1883, when Villar resigned, Gaudí took over as chief architect, transforming the project with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted the remainder of his life to the project, and he is buried in the crypt. At the time of his death in 1926, less than a quarter of the project was complete. [wikipedia]

✧        *    .    *    ✧     .   *   .   *
.  *   .    * .’ Light not only shines into the Sagrada Família through windows on the walls, but also through skylights in the vaults.’     .   ✧        .
✧  ✧   *    .   *        .       .     *.     .
✧   *    .     .     ✧     .     * .  *   .

“The book of nature.”

“The great book, always open and which we should make an effort to read, is that of nature.”

According to our docent, as architects and their creation continued onward after Gaudí’s death, some of the initial reaction wasn’t always positive. In particular, this structure shows a nude Yeshua, not, apparently, depicted before. Quite controversial.

And here, we see Judas kissing Yeshua. I thought about asking if it could possibly be Mary Magdalene. :) Re-considered the question after reading the room.

Antoni Gaudí’s obsession, dedication, and faith is fascinating.

All of the diversity of languages represented in this sculpture. Notice the A|G in gold, his initials. I purchased a book mark of this image; so beautiful.

Had to highlight…the Camino!

A plaster image taken from his death mask.

“Gaudí’s primordial soup, Langdon thought, again startled by how perfectly the city of Barcelona dovetailed with Edmond’s curiosity about the beginnings of life.”

—Dan Brown, Origin

In Barcelona, Sofia! Gnostic’s wisdom at every turn on this journey. Here, the name of my hotel.

The concierge headed us into the direction of a fabulous restaurant…I mean, truly fabulous food and service. It’s called ‘Green Spot Diagonal.’

The curry was a-MAZ-ing.

And for a starter, absolutely get the hummus. The best. Marc from Costa Brava, thank you! You made our night so fun. And for the blue bottle. :)

À bientôt.

❀

Dayle in Limoux – Day #51

Day #51 spent not walking, trying to heal the blisters from my 6 kilometer vertical climb yesterday to the magical space that is Saint-Salvayre. Also, keeping my feet in the pool water that is naturally fed from the healing waters in Alet-les-Bains, and the added sel (salt) in the water. I truly think it helped; I can at least walk this evening. And thank you to Rita and George who are staying here at Les Marguerites and brought me some bandages on their return from their day at Carcassonne. My two Bains-Aid strips I brought didn’t last too long. So sweet.

Just about finished with the book from Graham Simmans who lived at Rennes-les-Chateau for 15 yeas, researching, writing, and excavating ruins in Egypt. It’s antithetical to Pauline Christianity and many would consider heretical. Yet, we’ve learned ‘heretic’ means to choose. Many who chose the alternate from Roman Catholic ideology were burned or the heads were threaded onto spikes. Graham’s book has been one epiphany and ‘right on’ after another.

Maybe I’ll find a way to summa the contents. I think I’ve underscored every line in the book. Fascinating and connects so many thoughts throughout history, from the first century of gnostic teachings, and the fabrications of Pauline Christianity. Paul kinda did his own thing. And Graham’s writings, for me, was the thread through so much research and writing.

And Allysha’s book:

Read in tandem. :) Allysha’s book will be a trilogy.

On my balcony in Alet-les-Bains at the villa of Les Marguerites. Our sole mission.

If you explore this region of France, you must visit this magical oasis in Alet-les-Bains. Antoinette and Keith have created this tranquil and other worldly place of healing and refuge for 15 years.

https://www.les-marguerites.fr

Then you can explore Languedoc and find your own historical connections. Gnosis.

Catching an early bus from Carcassone to Spain to see my dearest friend from college who’s in Barcelona for a couple of days…only 4 hours away! Alpha Phi ℒℴve. J’adore living in Europe. Pictures tomorrow!

Bonne nuit.

ღ

Dayle in Limoux – Day #49

Being in France.

❀

I know. Nothing to do with France, right? But it F E E L S like this.

 ´*.¸.• .¸. ❥¸¸.☆¨¯ℒℴve.¸.¸¸.☆¨¯`❥

Exploring Alet-les-Bains today after a beautiful breakfast in the garden at Les Margarites with Antoinette, the proprietor. A lovely conversation weighted too heavily with all my questions.

Les Marguerites in Alet-les-Bains. It sat empty and unloved for 50 years. During WWI it was used as a convalescent home for veterans. Prior to that it was a holiday home for many who came every summer. Some have returned just to see it, with fond memories from their childhoods. Antoinette and Keith have owned it for 15 years now, raising their four children here. The trees in the yard deserve a historical plaque of their own. Majestic and magnificent.

Here’s a link to their website. https://www.les-marguerites.fr

The grass is brown from the extreme heat and the proprietors aren’t wasting precious water to grow it back. Letting it be.

The population in Alet is about 249, decreasing since the 2015 census. It somehow feels ‘bigger’ walking through the medieval streets. Spotted a tiny market today that the community pooled together to have some needed supplies for those who can’t make it to Limoux.

There’s a tiny post office at the tourist /abbey office. And had to go back to the abbey today, too. Original structure, most likely pagan, from the 800’s.

And in the church next to the abbey ruins, interesting stained glass. Typically, although this method of crucifixion was used as depicted, it isn’t the way Yeshua is depicted being crucified.

Église Saint André is the name of the church in Alet still being utilized for worship.

And images from the village…

River L’Aude.

Love this capture of the ancient fortifying wall, many sections still standing. Very little renovation can occur in this medieval village without the proper permission, especially to the exterior of buildings.

And found an old barn for sale!

Yep. A barn in france.

Demain. Tomorrow! The tiny hamlet of Saint-Salvayre.

Bonne nuit.

❁

Dayle in Limoux – Day #48

Leaving the lights of Limoux for the village of Alet-les-Bains. J’adore. The history, the energy, the healing water, and St-Salvayre. Hiking there this week, about 5 km away from the village. Last there in 2019, ‘before times.’

How will it feel this time? So much more knowledge since my last visit. Part of the sacred geometry, and the Roman road between Alet-les-Bains and Narbonne. Mary Magdalene traversed these roads in France.

Les Marguerites, where I’m staying while in Let-les-Bains. Tellement jolie. I’ll take lots more pictures of the village tomorrow.

Isn’t this a great symbol? Still used today by protestants in France.

The Huguenots were a protestant sect who numbered about 2 (m) in France circa 600 years ago. They burnt the Abbey here at one point because, you know, Catholics. Seriously, we should have stayed with Pagan worship…the sun…the stars…the earth. We’d be in a waaaaaaay different place now.

The best flag in Alet-les-Bains. 💛

Andandand…guess who lived here at one time for awhile?

Oui! Nostradamus! I’ll be at the Faire la fete on Sept. 10th. :)

And, a sweet message from the bed-side drawer in my lovely little room.

..•*¨`*.•

´*.¸.• ❥❥ Bonne nuit. .¸.