Spiritual Growth - Morning Star Institute -- Journey1 99

Montsegur, known as the Sun Temple

Day Five: Wednesday, August 11, 1999
(Day of the Total Solar Eclipse)

Dawn comes with clouds in the sky and rain in the forecast. Remember that dawn still happens even if clouds obscure the sun cresting the lip of the earth, and so too, the Sun will marry the Moon even though the clouds may veil the Moon walking down the heavenly aisle. We break our fast in silence, humbled by the power of the day. A circle is cast and Merlin and the Faery Queen offer each Pilgrim a drink from the Grail (spirit) and a piece of honey sweetened bread (matter). We partake in this ritual to consecrate this sacred day. We gather our few belongings and head for the hallowed window.

All have come prepared with wedding attire. We dress for the sacred marriage. This was an occasion beyond mortal description. In the words of the Guardian Angel, the glory and power could “cast a shadow where there should be none” and it could “create a blinding darkness.” As the Moon united with the Sun, it cast a shadow across the farmlands and we witnessed a hush fall across the world.

A blue window in the sky above blessed us and the eclipse was unveiled as the clouds parted. The marriage crested in heavenly harmony. The eclipse displayed the power of light and the power of dark. In darkness waking life goes to sleep and in light sleeping life awakens. When the Sun was eclipsed by the Moon, the Grandmother Ocean’s swell was lulled then stilled, the wind lay down, the birds sang their evening song, human powered twi-lights emerged, sheep and cattle rested, night critters came out and we were all wrapped in darkness.

With the power of this complete union, our own divinity and humanity, male and female within were united and charged by the heavenly energies of the Total Solar Eclipse. We married ourselves in conjunction with the marriage of the Sun and Moon. From this place of totality, we each had the choice to purify ourselves by fire with the returning light. Like the phoenix who burns itself before rising, we too could symbolically die, be purified by the alchemy of fire and be re-born with our souls shining brighter.

As the first stroke of light returned when the Moon slipped across the Sun, we lit a white candle. This symbolic act represented our light within ourselves and that which we shine into this world of Middle Earth. The essence of this ceremony under the Grand Cross will resonate within each Pilgrim for years to come. Our hearts experienced an alchemical union, which no earthly presence could duplicate.

Day Six: Thursday, August 12, 1999
(Journey to Alet les Bains, France)

A spirit-ship flew us from the United Kingdom to the European Continent. We landed in Toulouse, France and were greeted by the passionate young Joan d’Arc. Our final destination was the Lanquedoc region, where many spiritual and esoteric traditions flourished, such as the keepers of the Holy Grail, medieval alchemists, the Knights Templars, the Black Madonna and the Gnostic Cathars. Plus, there was the wellspring of the romantic age of chivalry, the troubadour tradition and the courts of love.

“In times of freedom and peace, a stream of learning and wisdom flowed through this land, refreshing its people with beauty and joy. In times of oppression (and spiritually forgotten times) it flowed still, quietly, subtly, beneath the surface, an underground stream nourishing the observant and persistent seeker.”

As we entered the town of Alet les Bain, we crossed the singing, babbling river (oh the stories it could tell!) and passed two stone pillars before we glided under the heavenly carpet of the massive, ancient tree’s canopy. The shelter of its branches and leaves whispered and quieted thoughts.

Night had fallen and the air was thick. This was our place of refuge at the Bishop’s Palace. Under that ancient tree, nearing hundreds of years old, we were seated to our first meal of French cuisine: green salads, breads, cheeses, trout and local red and white wines.

Day Seven: Friday, August 13, 1999

As a group we settled on the dewy grass by the running river. The Capt’n taught, “The purpose of your soul is to reach its destiny. This is a great mystery. Your spiritual journey on earth is to connect you with the essence of the mystery that transcends our minds.” Once the heavenly and earthly gates are open (seventh and first chakra), and then you want to move your energy from these two realms to marry at your heart and burst forth your essence.

In order to achieve this spiritual strength, you must allow you body to experience relaxation. We were offered the simple, yet timeless exercise of sitting with the earth. We were to connect to her energy by feeling her essence at our root chakra and letting that powerful energy flow through our chakras as the heavens energy poured in from the crown chakra. This day we were to focus on the earth element: smelling, seeing, tasting, touching, and hearing all.

During a previous journey to the ‘Dragon Isles,’ the Capt’n came across one of Elizabeth Van Buren’s works in the town of Hey on Wey: Refuge of the Apocalypse, The Doorway to Other Dimensions. He and the Faery Queen made Elizabeth’s acquaintance the next autumn and were invited to share in a bottle of wine, which was the beginning of a new friendship. Elizabeth has dedicated her later years to the research of this rich region.

We were lucky to be able to cross the doorstep into her secluded space, where she served us mint sun-tea on the back patio. She handed around a beautiful pamphlet, which had been distributed in the very town it was written about: The Dragon of Rennes-le-Chateau. She authors that the dragon which Michael appears to be slaying wants to be loved, and Michael who "thinks with his heart…transforms the Dragon with love” and the tomb of dense matter is purified.

Day Eight: Saturday, August 14, 1999

The sun rises into a cloudless sky and we too rise to the Cathar fortress of Montsegur, known as the Sun Temple. Before ascending the actual path to the pinnacle, the Capt’n and the Faery Queen teach about the element of fire. We are traversing towards the heavens, the place of the flaming sun. At the peak we can enhance our connection with the fire element by focusing on the second chakra and then by envisioning the flames within to grow and strengthen.

Archangel Mikael and the Dragon at Esperaza
near Rennes-le-Chateau

We are instructed to do appropriate prayers. Do Pilgrims remember to honor the Archangel Michael, The Prince of Light (Sun)? The wind picked up from stillness when prayers were offered. Even if Pilgrims do not believe in this way, if they have no fears or doubts and if they remain open, the sheer vibration of the journey will affect them. It is one of the secrets.

Day Nine: Sunday, August 15, 1999
(The Holy Day of the Archangel Michael)