Sophie's Occitania
Your gateway to the mysteries of the Langue d'Oc
Mary Magdalene and her teaching in Occitania today
Mary Magdalene and her teaching in Occitania today
Mary Magdalene was regarded as an honoured disciple by the early Christian Gnostic church. She later became muddled with harlots, wealthy ladies and other random females in the Gospels. This phenomena left believers with a foggy understanding of the Magdalene's role in the story of Christ.
The Magdalene is a subject of critical, creative and mystical thought in Occitania.
It is believed within the Catholic church that Mary Magdalene spent her mature adult life, after her flight from Palestine, in southern France.
Occitania today hosts an assembly of healers, practitioners and teachers who share the belief that Mary Magdalene has a strong presence here still. Some live locally and others come on pilgrimages paying tribute to special sites and often 'feel' her. Theologians and academics feel her less but are drawn to the genuine gnostic tradition here. Mary Magdalen surfaces like nowhere else in the region.
The discovery in the 20th century of a gospel believed to be Mary's helped to restore her gravitas. The early Christian church was more embracing and less fearful of 'feminine' qualities in human nature. The less patriarchal belief structure of Gnosticism has attracted the interest of liberally orientated historians and theologians.
There exists a hub of rich and divergent beliefs and practise that does positively transform people's lives.
A light shone on the mechanisms and misconceptions of mainstream Christian assumptions can be an enlightening experience at least, and a life transforming deliverance for some.
The archetype of Mary as a lover and wise friend is also used to understand, articulate and heal unhelpful conceptions of intimacy and love.
The Mary Magdalene creeds avoid dogmatism. It sometimes feels like a little bit of a step back in to the seventies and an innocent age where mysteries are believed and the unknown is embraced. The growing interest in the teachings of Mary Magdalene is affectionately referred to by locals as ' Magmania'.
Some practitioners lead chanting, Some channel, some meditate and practise Yoga. Some just fill themselves up with the beauty of visiting the sites associated with Mary Magdalene.
Magmania is a joyous collection of enthusiastic and curious people sharing practises and intuitions that have worked for them.
The solid historic possibility of Mary Magdalene's flight to the Languedoc gives an authentic bedrock both to the Glastonburyesque gathering of teachers and visitors and the growing academic focus on the Gnostic tradition of Occitania..
The rationalists may call these magical legends and practises a' cacophony off rudderless beliefs' . The truth is that if Mary Magdalen was not ever here in the foothills,of the Pyrennees, she is today.
Sophie can guide you to the right Mary Magdalen encounter to match your interest.
Whether you want a hardcore rational look at the evolution of gnosticism in the Languedoc, inspired yoga, or connection with a channelling or chanting teacher or practitioner let Sophie guide you. Take advantage of Sophie's 20 years on the ground in Occitania to guide your choice of experience.
Whether you want a hardcore rational look at the evolution of gnosticism in the Languedoc, inspired yoga, or connection with a channelling or chanting teacher or practitioner let Sophie guide you. Take advantage of Sophie's 20 years on the ground in Occitania to guide your choice of experience.