Author: Hettienne Grobler

Posted on by

A month of walking with Mary

Walk with Mary for thirty days



When you pray to Mary, mother of Jesus, you pray, without knowing it,
to the World Mother in her many forms. –  The Mists of Avalon
You are invited to join me and the Temple of Mary in a 30 day practice with the metaphor, Sacred Presence and iconography of Blessed Mary.  
We will start on Friday 11 January 2019 on my birthday and continue till Monday 11 February, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes.
Sunday 3 February 2019 is the start of the Art Novena to Our Lady of Lourdes whose feast day we celebrate on Monday 11 February and it will be included in these thirty days.
You can participate wherever you are and you can spend as much time as you can afford to on the daily practise.  The month of Walking with Mary will include special prayers, contemplation, spiritual exercises and tools to uncover your own Sacred Heart and strengthen your relationship with 
the Blessed Mother Mary.
This is a free event and open to everyone
Over the next few days I will share here a few items that you have to collect and prepare beforehand.
If you own the Mysteries of Mary tarot deck and/or the  Amulets of Mary Healing Oracle,
you can bring them to this event.  
We will consecrate our decks and we will set up a special Walking with Mary altar.  

Subscribe to this blog on the right hand side under the tab ‘subscribe by email’ and you will receive weekly blog posts setting out the teachings of Mary and her many roles;  I will share sacred healing practises with you and you will receive instructions on how to do the Silent Heart meditation and how to receive the Sacred Heart diksha which you will practise on a daily basis.
You will experience the flowering of peace and joy and you will see the changes in your personal life unfold as you walk these thirty days with Mary.
The outline of these thirty days are :
Week 1 Friday 11 January to Thursday 17 January 2019

Mary as Virgin and Temple Priestess


Week 2 Friday 18 January to Thursday 24 January

The Sacred Heart of Mary 
and the archetype of Mary as Bride in the Sacred Marriage


Week 3 Friday 25 January to Thursday 31 January

Mary as Sophia, Our Lady of Wisdom, Shekinah


Week 4 Friday 1 February to Monday 11 February

Mary the Immaculate Conception 
Our lady of Lourdes


blessings
Hettienne
Posted on by

Priestess of the Dove



Mary has her own folk mythology unrelated
to the mainstream Christian myth.
In the mythological sense she is like the goddesses
in all cultures of the world.
The legends about Mary illustrate that Mary
is a force in people’s lives.

 –  extracted from The Breath, the soul, the Divine female
by Rasa Luzyte

Mary’s presentation in the Temple of the Dove
from the Suit of Vessels
Sacred Mysteries of Mary Tarot
www.hergracesacredart.com

My card from the Mysteries of Mary tarot deck 
depicting the young Virgin Mary as
Temple priestess in the Temple of the Dove
as told in The Mystical City of God:
Joachim and Anne set out from Nazareth, 
accompanied by a few of their kindred and bringing
with them the true living Ark of the covenant,
the most holy Mary,
borne on the arms of her mother in order
to be deposited in the holy temple of Jerusalem.
They arrived at the holy temple, and the blessed
Anne, on entering, took her Daughter and Mistress
by the hand, accompanied and assisted by Joachim.
All three offered a devout and fervent prayer
to the Lord, the parents offering God their daughter,
and the most holy Child.
She heard a voice saying to her :
Come my Beloved, come my Spouse,
come to my temple where I wish to hear they
voice of praise and worship.
The mystical city of God 
by venerable Mary of Agreda
If you want to read more about the Mysteries of Mary tarot deck
and the Black Madonna tarot deck (work in progress) please
read my blog at www.hergracesacredart.com.
Please visit and spread the love
blessings
Hettienne
Posted on by

Feast Days, Holy Days and Prayers

Feast Days of Mary
January 1 Solemnity of Mary
March 25 – Annunciation
May 31 – Visitation
August 15 – Assumption
August 22 – Queenship of Mary
September 8 – Birth of Mary
September 12 – The most Holy name of Mary
December 8 – Immaculate Conception
Prayers for Holy Cards – Apparitions of Mary
Our Lady Star of the Sea
Feast Day : September 27
Hail, Queen of Heaven, the Ocean Star,
Guide of the wanderer here below,
Thrown on life’s surge, we claim thy care,
Save us from peril and from woe.
Mother of Christ, Star of the sea
Pray for the wanderer, pray for me.
Our Lady Full of Grace
Feast day 31 May
I turn to thee, O Mother Dear
Asking that I follow Thee
You are my inspiration
May I always walk with thee
For the remainder of my days?
Our Lady of Lourdes
Feast Day : 11 February
Oh Mother of Mercy, Health of the Sick,
Comfortess of the Afflicted, you know my wants, you know my troubles, my sufferings.  When you appeared in the
Grotto of Lourdes, you made the earth hallowed ground,
You blessed the waters and you infused all those who
Enter with healing and peace.
I thank you for the miracles that you grant me
Ave Maria
Our Lady of Perpetual Help
Feast Day : June 12
Patron saint of Italy
Oh Mother of Perpetual Help,
Grant that I may ever invoke They
Most powerful name,
Which is the safeguard of the living
And the salvation of the dying.
I shall never cease to call on Thee
Ever repeating thy sacred name Mary, Mary
Oh what consolation, what sweetness,
What confidence, what emotion
Fill my soul when I pronounce
Thy sacred name
Our Lady of Good Counsel
Feast Day : April 26
Beloved Daughter of the Eternal Father,
pray for us.
August Mother of God the Son,
pray for us .
Blessed Spouse of God the Holy Ghost, etc.
Living temple of the Holy Trinity,
Queen of Heaven and earth,
Seat of Divine Wisdom ,
Depositary of the secrets of the Most High,
Virgin most prudent,
In our doubts and difficulties,
In our tribulations and anguish,
In our discouragements,
In perils and temptations,
In all our undertakings,
In all our needs,
At the hour of death,
By thine Immaculate Conception,
By thy happy nativity,
By thine admirable presentation,
By thy glorious Annunciation,
By thy charitable Visitation,
By thy Divine Maternity,
By thy holy Purification,
By the sorrows and anguish of thy maternal heart,
By thy precious death ,
By thy triumphant Assumption
Our Lady the Eastern Gate
Prayer :
On this day, O Beautiful Mother
On this day we give thee our love.
Near thee, Madonna, fondly we hover,
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.
On this day we ask to share
Dearest Mother, thy sweet care.
Aid us ere our feet astray
Wander from thy guiding way.
On this day, O Beautiful Mother
On this day we give thee our love.
Near thee, Madonna, fondly we hover,
Trusting thy gentle care to prove.
In the name of the Father,
and of the Mother, and of the Son,
and of the Daughter and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Tarot Card : Our Lady of the Eastern Gate – Six of Holy Rood
Meaning :  initiation, new insight, new journey, the end of suffering, feelings of being persecuted, be aware of pitfalls ahead
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Am I not here, I, who am your mother?  Are you not under my shadow and protection?  Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, the crossing of my arms?  Am I not the source of all your joy?  What more do you need?  Let nothing else worry you, disturb you.” – The Virgin Mary, to St. Juan Diego at Tepeyac Hill
Tarot Card : Queen of Roses
Meaning :  miracles, healing, healing of the land, unity, friendship, healing in family relationships,


Magnificat
My soul doth magnify the Lord.
And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden: For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations.
He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath helpen his servant Israel :
As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Posted on by

Resurrection and regeneration


In the light of the opening of the Lionsgate, I am re-posting an earlier post here.

Resurrection, Regeneration and Re-birth

These are words and images desired by all and often pursued with great intent and focus. But, alas, this part of the journey implies a preceding destruction, dissolution and death – something which the human mind would rather deny or avoid at all costs.

Nothing can be created without destroying something else. Anyone who is consciously creating art, will know this principle well. Often one becomes paralyzed at the thought of breaking down that which seems to be serving you well and that which has proven a worthy vehicle, but you cannot build without breaking down. Even if it only means that where previously there was an empty space of land, and you now create a new building, you still have to destroy the empty land.

And this also holds true for the self. Leaving the old behind invites that you step into the unknown, into a new part of the adventure, without a map and without a clear detailed plan. This calls for great courage and action – both characteristics of the heart chakra. Action as in an inner attitude, a willingness to do things differently, a willingness to let go of who you think or believe you are. For instance, it is no use telling your partner or your family, that ‘you are not an emotionally demonstrative person’ when you know that he/she is yearning for some display of affection from you. It is about reaching out, taking the risk, becoming vulnerable, and doing that which your heart calls for. This can be something really small – look at it as a pebble on the surface of a lake – the smallest pebble creates many circles and ever-widening circles – the same as love in action.

The human resists change, but life is an ever-changing flow, with nothing permanent or ‘absolute’. Everything depends on your perspective, your beliefs and your paradigm. Many sages have set out to demonstrate this reality to seekers, but the power of the mind and its fear of change and the unknown is very strong and this is seated in the lower parts of the brain, known as the primitive or reptilian brain and the limbic brain (more about this in further blogs).

The answer lies in the higher functions of the brain – illumination and ‘enlightenment’ is a function of the higher brain and accessible to all human beings! The activation of higher neural pathways in the brain, is the goal of all energy healing, mystical traditions, practices and very importantly, the goal of meditation. Activate the higher pathways of the brain and you will be re-born into a new reality – one where it is possible to live with the tension of the opposites; where you will know, as the Shaman, that it is possible to live in your own reality, beyond the laws that govern the world created by the lower mind, artist and creator of your own life – albeit always as a part of the whole. Entering the domain of the artist/creator/shaman does not equate the status of ‘God’/Creator/AllThatIs. We are a spark of the Fire and we are both nothing and everything, mortal and immortal, of no consequence and of every consequence. This is part of the paradox that will become clear to you as you step into direct encounters with the ‘mystical’ world. (I place many of these words in apostrophes as they are all words laden with belief and conditioning. The way in which I use them will only become clear to you if you continue to read my words and gain a deeper understanding of the meaning that I am trying to convey to you).

By activating the higher pathways of the brain, the old recording and habitual (mostly negative) thinking is erased. The gates are opened to a peaceful existence without fear and anxiety rooted in the cellular memory and generated by the primitive and limbic parts of the brain. The entire energy structure of the human being is transformed. The luminous body grows and expands and the higher chakras become active. A large and powerful energy field is created, radiating compassion and tolerance and others are attracted to this Love.

A new way of understanding and thinking will become natural and this is available to everyone as part of their evolution into a ‘spiritual divine’ being. But in order to activate these higher centres, you have to do the work and above all, you have to allow the changes to take place. You have to die to the old, spend time in the cave of death and the Underworld, going through the pain of loss, and face the fear of death, before you can be resurrected into a new you. This is a physical and real initiation. Undergoing energetic and mystical initiations cannot replace the physical initiation. They can prepare your mind and test your willingness, but ultimately, you have to walk the talk and you will be given the opportunity to be tested. You will undergo this initiation many times until you finally face the final initiation, that of mortal and physical death. Should you pass these initiations, and grow ‘wings’ as you return from each one, it is said that you will retain knowledge of your personal essence and you will not be re-absorbed into the river of unconsciousness after the final death of the body.

Often one starts with a spiritual practice and changes (as promised) will arrive on your doorstep. However, because these do not fit in with your paradigm and your ideas of who you are and where you are going, you ignore these messengers. The spiritual traditions are all vulnerable to distortion to suit your own, or your spiritual leader’s needs and agenda. Everything that looks like gold, is not always gold. The shadow is a powerful adversary and a wonderful instrument in service of the fearful self. When the self fears change and the unknown, it will employ the shadow self as a servant in the game of keeping you in the dark. We have many tools to our disposal, such as rationalisation, justification, postponement, sloth (the lack of courageous action, the lack of integrity), and others. The shadow is a master of distortion and will use well-known spiritual terminology and concepts to hold you prisoner. When fear is present, love is absent.

That then, is the test. Am I in fear or am I in Love? There is no other choice. If you are not in love, then set about discovering why you are in fear. Ask the questions and live the questions. Be patient. Eventually you will live the answers.


Posted on by

The Golden Light of Resurrection

 
The past few weeks have been intense for many people.  I have seen posts about ‘feeling stuck in the Underworld’ and I  myself have become intensely aware of seeing an increase in distraction around me.  So much so that I decided to decrease all my creativity and I even felt called to suspend my research on the Black Madonna tarot deck and to rather focus on the practical activity of packing my bags for my upcoming pilgrimage.

My dreams have been intense and vivid although the core message remained unclear. The Golden Light has been increasing and becoming more and more intense.  I tried to manifest and make visible to the world the intensity of the golden light.






Contained within this Light is the balance between mind and heart; soul and body. On a physical level it inspires you to bring the health and welfare of your body into alignment with your soul.  Emotionally it asks that you clear out, in other words, that you forgive the past, cut the cords and let go of all the old baggage.  The more you can let go of, the more beautiful will the resurrection (more on this) be.



Then the Diamond Light started to become more and more visible.  A certain clarity and also a ‘cold light of day’ started to enter.  You may have experienced this as seeing things more clearly all of a sudden and you may be pleasantly surprised by new perceptions.  But mostly, you will feel the squeeze of being pushed to decide what it is that you really want.  You will feel the intensity of having to decide when actually all you want to do is to hide you head under the blankets and shout ‘leave me alone’.  A re-balancing of the mind and heart is happening.  The sacred marriage is being called for, over and over.  Is the feminine present?  Do you know what your heart wants or is your mind so dominant that you can no longer feel the yearning of your passion and desire?  Have you given up hope and do you feel that you cannot get what you want?



Maybe being born under the sun sign of Capricorn and being a visionary artist (one that sees the imaginal in the physical) my body is my biggest interpreter of cosmic consciousness and the changes in the Divine Cosmos.  This can be quite tough at times and on my ordinary life, but maybe that is the idea!  



I have shared some of my painful and enlightening experiences before, such as the spider bite and the wasp sting.  Each one of these have opened up energetic centers in my brain which has allowed me to download vivid visions and understanding as to what is happening in the Cosmos.  I share these with you as it is an integral part of life and it reminds us of the bigger picture and not to sweat the small stuff.  It has become the mainstay of my life and the ground of my being and I invite you to firmly root yourself into the Tree of Life which spans heaven and earth. Pay attention to what is happening around you.  Free your mind from mental clutter and on-going conversations and rather keep the screen blank so that your senses can wake up.  We are part of a much bigger story and lots of what is happening around us is just entertainment and advertisements for others’ selling their wares.  You have a special mission and purpose and you are receiving communication from the Cosmic every moment of every day.




This week my garden was invaded by bees – thousands of bees.  They churned around in my sacred Mary garden outside my bedroom.  During the years I have held many rituals and group meditations here in this sacred space.  The biggest Mary leyline also runs through this space.  I did not connect the dots as I observed the bees crashing themselves against my windows and trying to find ways to enter the house.  The doors were left open and many had found their way in already.  Google was summoned and I read again about the dire plight of the bees and that they probably are in need of food.  I put out raw honey (which they were not interested in) and maple syrup which they loved.  I moved these further and further away to try and lure them away from the house. But alas, none of this helped.  For three days they stayed and in that time, in short succession, three bees stung me.  One on my left foot on exactly the same spot as the wasp a few months ago and two others found their way in under my dress and stung me on my left leg.  I had once again received bee medicine! And it is intense and painful and impossible to ignore!! And the first words I hear were : ‘resurrection, resurrection, resurrection’.

My previous life changing vision which identified the opening of the Lionsgate also included the words  ‘resurrection’. 

Here is the Lionsgate in this card from Mysteries of Mary
Do you see the two lions?

Here is the vision from a previous blog post :

‘We were all gathered in the courtyard.  The light had the luminosity of the Otherworld.  In the centre of the courtyard grew the Tree of Life, its trunk twisted and gnarled, housing an entire city of light.  The sound of the heavens played in its leaves.  I was below, at the base of the trunk, in my role as healer.  I blessed those that came up to me.  A man sat down in front of me, asking for healing.  As I placed my hands on him, I felt the healing power coursing through my body and flowing down my arms and hands.  I was familiar with this transference of healing energy and was unperturbed.  The next moment he jumped up, amazement on his face.  He shouted out “look at that beautiful being!!”.  Before I turned around I was aware of the pillar of light behind me and as I turned around I said ‘oh yes, that is Serapis.  I saw a beautiful light being in intense white light.


As I was looking at this pillar of light which my Self recognised as Serapis, the vision expanded.  A lion appeared from the branches of the Tree of Life,  facing the East and the rising Sun.  She growled and her mane shook and reverbated and the hair became one with the branches of the giant tree.  She roared into the sky, ‘Osiris!!!!’ resurrection, resurrection.

As I was watching the scene in awe, my lips formed the word FORTEZA and I continued chanting this word as I returned to consciousness.


 It was clear to me that the message from the bees was connected to the previous lion vision I had but I was not yet sure how.  However, in both cases the core message was ‘resurrection and regeneration’.  I sat down and ‘looked’ within my inner book chamber for the connection between the bee and the lion.


‘And Samson turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcass of the lion’ – Judges 14:8.

The bee is a symbolic insect in Egypt and the theology of that era identified the lion with Sekhmet, the Lionness Goddess and the bees came forth from the Lion Sekhmet.

The goddess Asherah is also associated with the lion and the bee and you can read more about her symbology in my guidebook to The Mysteries of Mary.  Here is the link to a previous blogpost that I wrote a few years ago on the vision of Serapis, the Lion and the Tree :   
http://bookofmarysacredheart.blogspot.com/2013/08/asherah-lady-of-wisdom-queen-of-heaven.html



Three bees around Her head

Both these two cards symbolise alchemy and transformation

as does the bee. The bee has been regarded as a sacred being as far back in time as we know.  Without the bees humanity will not survive on this planet.  The ancient goddesses have all been worshipped as the Queen Bee and the metaphors are abundant.   A bee alchemically turns pollen into golden honey, also known as amrit or sacred food of the gods.  The sting of a bee is exceptionally painful, but healing at the same time.  It boosts the body’s immune system and is a known therapy for many diseases.  Honey is known as one of the greatest natural healers and healing food on the planet.  In Egyptian and Judaic lore we are told that all we need is milk and honey.  In the 3 of Distaff, the three swords that pierce the Great Mother’s heart, has been replaced by three roses.  This is based on the story of the apparition of the Rosa Mystica.  The healing power of love and forgiveness, transform the pain of betrayal, hurt and rejection into the sweet fragrant rose blooms, symbolising the Soul in her natural state of beauty, truth and love.

The bees are regarded as the tears of the goddess Sekhmet; the great mother who cries for her children’s suffering.  But wisdom teaches us that through mortal suffering our hearts are opened and we come to taste absolute love and joy.


The entrance through the hidden gate 
 Last night the next stage of the Lionsgate opened and a higher reality has become available to us.  For those who live with awareness and in the present moment, many changes are awaiting. 

Resurrection, resurrection, resurrection.

In the goddess temples of Diana, Artemis and other Black Goddesses, the bees were regarded as souls of the dead.  In Egyptian lore the bees were regarded as the tears of Ra, similar to the tears of the Great Mother who weeps at the suffering of her children.

But transformation awaits to those who are willing to change their minds;  be prepared to see beyond what you believe;  be willing to see where you are stuck in the dark corner of your mind;  open your heart and do what your mind fears most!!! 
I regularly read Marcia of StarSister Astrology’s updates.
Here is the link to her site : http://starsisterastrology.com/

and she writes the following : (copied from her facebook page)

Our Messenger (Mercury) has begun a 25-day vision quest through the heart. He’s searching for what you’ve lost, forgotten, or haven’t noticed about the part of your life that’s ruled by Leo, the sign of our solar system’s Great Heart.
Beginning on the eve of this century’s longest total lunar eclipse, this realignment of mind and heart will take the Messenger through territory he’s been exploring through four different retrogrades since 2000. For 18 years, he’s been helping you see the power of the heart.
2000 was the last year that Luna made the deep shadow dive of a total lunar eclipse in Saros cycle 129. The next eclipse in that cycle is the one taking place tomorrow — both of them the longest eclipses in their centuries.
Since it began at the North Pole in 1351, the height of the Italian Renaissance, Saros cycle 129 has been winding its way towards the South Pole, eclipse by eclipse. Every 18 years it’s brought revelations about the stunningly destructive and brilliantly creative ways it’s possible to use the radiant power that’s live-streamed to us from the Sun every minute of our lives.
The lunar eclipses of June 1964, July 1982, July 2000, and July 2018 are the strongest ones in the 1,262-year Saros cycle. Tomorrow’s eclipse is the last peak in this wave. And Mercury has turned retrograde to make sure we get the message.
And that’s not all. The starting point of this year’s retrograde vision quest is the same degree where he and the Sun created a new way to see with the heart in August 2011. Just three months later,the great star Regulus left the sign of the King for the sign of the Goddess. Retrograding through 0 Virgo into Leo, the Messenger was looking for openings in our awareness to re-member the star power of the Divine Feminine. That 2011 Mercury retrograde ended in 18 Leo 42 — in the exact- to-the-arc-minute location of next month’s third and final eclipse in this triple-eclipse, multi-planet retrograde Summer of Re-alignment and Re-set. The Messenger was already preparing us. You’re more ready than you think. When that solar eclipse in 18 Leo occurs on August 11, the Messenger will be one of seven planets on retrograde vision quests. As soon as that last solar eclipse re-set occurs, Mercury will turn around, and head to the future. He’ll be seeing everything differently. And the more fully you accept his invitation — to re-think, re-view, re-conceive, re-imagine, and re-create the power of the heart in this part of your life, the more you will be too.

I am departing on the Black Madonna voyage to Southern Italy and Sicily on 4 August and will be visiting the Seven Sisters during the time of the solar eclipse in Leo and while seven planets are retrograde!!!

If you would like to read more on Asherah and the Lion Goddesses, here is the link to an old blog post of mine :   https://bookofmarysacredheart.blogspot.com/2013/07/29-july-2013-as-above-so-below.html


Shrines from the Black Madonna tarot work in progress



Blessings

Hettienne
all images are my own and from my tarot decks The Mysteries of Mary and The Black Madonna.
Please link back if you do share.
www.hergracesacredart.com
Posted on by

The Amulets of Mary Blessing Set



Blessing Amulets of Mary Oracle Set
The Amulets of Mary Oracle is a two-fold oracle, blessing and healing set incorporating various ancient traditions including the Benedicaria, the sacred path of the pilgrim and priestesshood in the Temple of Mary and the sanctification of the ordinary through the blessing way.


The Amulets of Mary Oracle and the Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck are a culmination of my own conscious spiritual journey of the past 25 years.  It incorporates the practise of Sacred Altarmaking, the devotion of the pilgrim to sacred places, the use of holy waters and relics, the creation of sacred oils and elixers and my work as Diksha giver (Blessing giver) and Guru in the Shaktipat tradition of the Great Mother and my devotion to the Blessed Mary.
Recently, through various books (all listed in the Bibliography of the accompanying booklet) 
I learnt about the ancient tradition of Benedicaria and the work of a Benedetta.  Although I am not born into the Italian culture, my journey as pilgrim did start in Italy with the call issued by Archangel Michael to visit his grotto in Mont Sant’Angelo and I see myself as a modern Benedetta, continuously uncovering more.
The Amulets can be used with and alongside the Mysteries of Mary Tarot cards.

Benedicaria, the Blessing Way, is an ancient
Catholic and domestic folk tradition practised by the Italians in Southern Italy.  This tradition is fast fading from modern society, but many of its practises are still part of syncretic worship and devotion.
One who practices the Benedicaria, is known as a Benedetta, or a Wise Woman and a Benedetto, a Wise Man .  Benedicaria is a private form of practising your religion and it blends with many domestic practises, such as the blessing of animals and herbs, infusing oils and elixers, creating an altar, using flowers and holy cards for blessings and wisdom.


Benedicaria is predominantly a woman’s practise.  A Benedetta has much in common with the goddess archetypes of Demeter, Hestea, Bridgit and even Athena.   She is the homemaker, mother, herbalist, gardener, chef and healer.  This role is not regarded as of any importance in modern society, but for one who is spiritually aware and who undertakes these tasks with great intent, she understands the spiritual force that is being wielded.  The preparing of food is not only a physical act, but a spiritual one.  If this is done in love it will bless the family;  if done in anger and ignorance, it will curse the family.  The motto ‘cleanliness next to godliness’ means much more than meets the eye.  When you keep your spiritual space, ie the home clean, you also keep your spirit and its physical space clean.
The physical life and its objects are manifestations and representations of the life and existence of the spirit.  Taking care of our physical life is a sacred task and when performed with intent and awareness we realise that the ordinary is indeed sacred.

Every Benedetta will have a home altar and a personal altar.  The Amulets of Mary Oracle set can be placed on your altar along with the Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck.

With the Amulets of Mary blessing set you will receive guidelines for
creating an altar, using coloured candles, how to use the casting cloth,
the holy cards and more.



The novena prayers are an important part of the Benedicaria.  A novena is a prayer that is said for nine days consecutively.  It is said that the first Apostles prayed for nine days between Jesus’ Ascension and the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost.  The number 9 is a very powerful number in numerology (the science of numbers).  Usually a novena is accompanies by candles, rosaries and ritual such as sacred shrine making (see my blog http://pathofdivinelove.blogspot.com) for my art novenas to Our Lady of Lourdes.  The ancient novena prayers are used in conjunction with all of the above as well as an image of the Saint and those who you are praying for.
It is also practise to include the colour of the Saint or Holy One that you are asking for help.
The Amulets of Mary Blessing set consists of a blessed casting cloth, a set of 54 charms in a small bag, nestled in a tin;  a set of holy cards in a linen scapular bag;
an accompanying spiral bound guide book; a small statue for the altar and other options.
Each set is completely unique and one of a kind and cannot be replicated exactly as I use vintage charms, hand cast silver charms and vintage holy cards amongst others.

There are various sets available :  some are dedicated to a particular saint or saints; others to Mary and Her apparitions or a specific apparition, etc. 
You will find more information on the various available sets at The French Madonna on Etsy.com or on my blog.



The casting cloth has been blessed by touching it to the second and third holy relics of Mary’s sacred chemise and roses from St Terese’s sacred garden, as well as roses from the garden of St Francis and other holy relics.  It has also been sprinkled with holy water from Lourdes and Ngome.
On the casting cloth is a hand drawn diagram.  

Hail Mary, full of grace,
The Lord is with thee
Blessed art thou among women
and Blessed is the fruit of thy womb
Holy Mary,  Mother of God,
oh Rose Queen
Bestow your Blessing upon us
Now and Forever


Blessings
Hettienne


The French Madonna
www.etsy.com/shop/thefrenchmadonna


Posted on by

Pilgrimage to Lady of Ngome Part 1

Five years ago I visited the grotto and sanctuary of Lourdes
in the Alps of France.  My direct personal experience of the sacred Presence
of the Lady, irrevocably changed my understanding of life and set me on a new path.
I returned and felt compelled to devote all my work and actions to Her.
I created a sacred Mary Garden   Under Her guidance I founded
the Temple of Mary and She imparted the two year initiation program to me.
I felt called to create shrines in the ancient sacred altar tradition and this led
me to creating the Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck.
Since then I have made four more pilgrimages to the grotto of Lourdes.
Last year I  did not travel to Lourdes and towards the end of the year
I had more and more dreams of Our Lady of Lourdes.  I felt a deep
calling to commune with Her in Her sacred place where She manifested.
But I could not see how I would be able to visit Lourdes till much later
the following year.  Still the dreams persisted and became more sensory.
Years ago I had heard about the apparitions of Our Lady of Ngome.  
I did add it to my bucket list and then it sorted moved to the background
of life.  At the time of the dreams I started doing research on Ngome
only to discover that it is called the Lourdes of Africa! 
Ngome is an ancient sacred site where seven streams meet to form a 
spring of which the water has healing properties. Mary as Lady of Ngome
had appeared ten times to a local Benedictine nun and the image of the Lady
 of Ngome, Tabernacle of the Most High, cured many miraculously.
The apparitions were kept secret for years after the death of Sr Reinolde –
but I will share the full story in my next post.
Our Lady of Lourdes shrine at Marianhill, Durban

Once I had read up on Ngome I decided that I am being called
to visit Our Lady of Ngome and immerse myself in Her sacred waters
and energy.  Three of us decided to go on a pilgrimage to Ngome in 
the new year.  We did not have any specific dates in mind and decided
to buy the best airfare tickets available which happened to be
9 to 14 February.  Only when I made the booking for the guesthouse
near Ngome did I realise the incredible synchronicity : we had planned
to spend the Saturday in Ngome.  As it turned out it was
Saturday 11 February, the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes!!
We took a local flight to Durban, spend the day and two nights, then drove five
hours to Ngome – a story on its own as we dodged cows, goats
and potholes.  As part of our pilgrimage we visited the Lady of Lourdes
shrines at Marianhill Monastery near Durban.  The monastery is
outside Durban in the green rolling hills of Natal.
As we climbed the steps toward the shrine we were enveloped
in the most intense fragrance of thick sweet honey.  At first we did
not really pay attention as we were in the tropical and lush
Natal gardens and we had seen many tropical flowering trees
everywhere.  After a few minutes, as the pungent fragrance
persisted, unmoving, unlike the fragrance of flowers carried
on the wind, we all came to a standstill and exclaimed
‘what is that smell?’.  We all had previously been to Lourdes
and Lisieux (the shrine of St Terese) where we had experienced
the incredible honey-rose fragrance.  However, there we were
surrounded by roses and a rose garden, although we all did agree
that we had never smelled roses with such a potent fragrance!

We lit some candles and spent some time at the shrine and as we
descended the stairs, we could not resist the temptation to look for 
the source of the fragrance.  There were no flowers nearby, only
creepers and ferns and trees. We walked up and down and the
fragrance did not move, nor become any fainter.

We realised that we were once again immersed in the
honeyed fragrance of Our Lady of Lourdes.

This is a very real phenomenon found at places where the Lady
has either appeared or where She is revered.  It also appears
during healing sessions with the healing energy and Presence
of Our Lady or during times of deep meditation and bliss.

with love and blessings
always
Hettienne
 

Posted on by

The Miller’s Daughter

The Miller’s Daugher
V Holy Rood – Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck
www.hergracesacredart.com

We are shipping!  Fifty parcels are being shipped since last week
– you can expect your package to arrive soon!


A few fairytales are included in the Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck.  Some of them were chosen as they relate to a specific archetype in both the tarot and the stories of Mary.
The fairy tale of the Handless Maiden was chosen because Mary
appears in an Eastern European folktale version of the story. 
In some versions an angel or a being of light appears to help the 
Handless Maiden, but in this particular folktale, Mary herself appears
to help the maiden.
The story of the Handless Maiden and her powerful symbology is told over
three cards in the deck.  The V of Holy Rood (traditionally Wands) is the first
one.  This card is titled The Miller’s Daughter and we are introduced to
the young maiden, her father, the devil and very importantly, the apple tree.
The Miller’s daughter is standing next to the apple tree with a loaf of bread
(food produced by the miller) on her shoulder.  She, as well as the significant apple
tree represents feminine values and attributes.    Feminine qualities and attributes
live in both male and female.  The story of speaks of the ‘miller’ and not the maiden’s father.
This demonstrates that great importance is given to his occupation in the world, 
rather than his role as father.
From the start we see the focus and emphasis on masculine goals and values.
In our culture the masculine values and attributes are greatly admired and promoted.
The emphasis on the miller, his greed for money, his disregard for both the apple tree
and his daughter, reflects and highlights the imbalance which exists and
the lack of reverence for the less visible feminine principles.
The apple blossom is a symbol of fertility and sensuality.
In Celtic lore the apple tree is the Tree of Love.
At the top of the shrine are two hands.  These will take
you to the next part of the story which is further developed
in VII of Holy Rood,, where the Handless Maiden enters the forest.
Traditionally this card means conflict and in this deck it refers to inner conflict.
The really important questions in life you have to find the answers to
yourself. Do not rely on the opinion of others.  Do not rely
on ‘the done thing’ or the accepted way of doing.
In other words, do not make a pact with the devil for your most
precious feminine feeling  and earthy nature.
Dig deep and feel the discomfort of the inner conflict
and may you find peace.
This is an extract from the discussion of this card in companion book
to the Mysteries of Mary Tarot Deck
peace,
Hettienne
Posted on by

The Light Shall Return

The Light Shall Return
Mother of Consolation
help me to let myself be consoled.
I hold it all together, Blessed One.
I have convinced myself that it is up to me
to keep the airplane aloft with my own breath,
that I am the only one capable
of baking bread and scrubbing floors,
that it is my responsibility alone
to alleviate the sorrow
in the heart of every single person I know.
But I have forgotten how to weep, Tender One.
Teach me to reach out to the ones I comfort 
and ask for their comfort
Let me feel the tender touch of the Holy One
on my cheek when I wake in the night,
weary and frightened
Help me to be vulnerable and soft now,
broken open and free
                      – Mirabai Starr
Mary’s Gold

We are midway in Thirty Days with Mary and
here in the Southern Hemisphere the light rises
later and later, leaving us in the dark for longer every day.
As the light rises, we are simultaneously drawn to turn within
and without and a subtle tension gently opens the heart,
day after day.
Mary’s Halo
Can you bear the opening of the heart?
Can you stand the creaking of the bones as the
ribcage opens?
Can you be with the Light that pours from the
inner darkness?
Can you be with It All?
blessings
Hettienne Ma
Posted on by

Thirty Days with Mary Surya Yoga

Mary, the Sun
Surya Yoga or Sun Yoga, also kown as Sun Gazing, is a powerful
healing and enlightening practice of devotion and worship.
Sun gazing leads to healing of mind and body.
Omraam Mikhail Aivanhov wrote :’Surya yoga includes them all :
adoration, wisdom, power as well as purity, activity
and dedication, light and the sacred fire of divine love.
By the practice of Surya yoga you establish a link between yourself
and the power that governs and gives life to the whole
Universe: the sun.’
By ‘sun’ Omraam is referring to the spiritual sun
which the physical sun is but a reflection.

Sun gazing is still practised as a daily rituall called
Surya Namaskar by Hindus
and it used to be a daily practice of many peoples
throughout the world.

It is important to be barefoot whilst sun gazing and to
have the feet firmly on the ground or grass.
After the thirty days practice you may continue
to do the sun gazing or and then you can extend it into
the more advanced meditation techniques of employing
a rosary or thumb movements on the palms of the hands.
More about this later.

In the beginning it is best to keep it as simple as possible
and to stay open and  receptive to the spiritual sun’s, which is ‘behind;
our physical sun, energies.

The sun yogi Hira Ratan Manek taught the world everything
that he discovered about sun yoga and he also created a cd
and dvd which is available to purchse on line.
It is best to follow his instructions.

When you start to do sun gazing, do not combine it with
meditiation, prayer or any other spiritual techniques.
The best times to do sun gazing is for the first hour before sunset
and the first hour after sunrise.  The energies differ during these times.
Omraam claimed that prana is most intense twenty minutes before
and twenty minutes after sunrise.  Sunset is also a time
that is charged with energy and is conducive to meditation.
This has to do with the angle of the sun’s rays impinging on the
earth’s magnetic field at sunrise and sunset, charging the magnetic
field and affecting the magnetite in your pineal gland.

You merely gaze into the sun whilst sitting or standing barefoot,
with feet touching the earth.  You can use a UV meter to measure
the UV – it is best to do sungazing when the UV is very low.
You can also time your sungazing with a digital timer – it is best
to start off with twenty minutes per day.
Drink a glass of water before and after sun gazing because sun gazing
can be very cleansing and the water helps remove toxins.
If you wear glasses, remove them. It is okay to leave contact lenses in.
Gaze at the sun in a relaxed manner; dont strain.  It’s okay to blink the eyes.
If your eyes tear, dont rub them.  Sessions start at ten-second lengths, increase by ten seconds
a day.  If you find that too difficult at first, then gaze only five seconds
and increase by five.  If cloudy, then sun gaze but dont increase the time.
When cold, gaze indoors through a window or glass door.
It is important in the time of sun gazing to be passive and receptive
and to allow the sun to heal your mind.
Just be.

When you reach fifteen minutes a day you can sun gaze with
your arms outstretched to the sun, hands spread out
and facing the sun.
As you breathe in deeply, visualise healing rays of light coming
from the sun and entering your left palm and travelling to
areas of your body that require healing or
strengthening.
Visualise the light going to your heart.  Mentally affirm
that the light is healing or strengthening you on a cellular level.
Then as you breathe out, visualise the light returning to the sun
through your right hand.  Express love and gratitude
for your healing.  Establish a continuous flow of energy.
If arms get tired, lower them with elbows at sides and hands still
facing out.

Dont aspire or push or results will be delayed.
Be as a little child and just enjoy the beauty of the sun
without expectations or demands only with
love and gratitude.

If you wish to continue with this practise after the
thirty days, you can read up about the practise
in the works of yogi Hira Ratan Manek as well as
in the book The Splendour of Tiphareth by
Omraam Mikael Aivanhov for more information
on the power, the mudras and the advanced spiritual
practice of surya yoga.

– Extracted from a blog post by Wayne Purdin, with gratitude