goddess, women's empowerment
Annalisa Derr
The Pilgrimage Begins

The Legend of Mary Magdalene post crucifixion is sort of a “choose your own adventure” story. However, what is commonly held as truth, in the South of France at least, is that Mary Magdalene, along with Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe were set assail in a boat belonging to Joseph of Armithea. They were in exile, fleeing the Roman Empire, and . . .

The Pilgrimage Begins
Annalisa Derr
Lessons in Regeneration

Last weekend I enjoyed a magical Journey to the Goddess at the Marian grotto shrine and grounds in Portland, OR. I had begun my journey feeling particularly disheartened by the state of the Amazon . . .

Lessons in Regeneration
Annalisa Derr
Walking the Labyrinth

Spent a lovely afternoon exploring Bainbridge Island with friend and colleague of all things matristic and goddess-oriented, @jessicaspringweappa The secret Labyrinth was definitely a magical moment. The journey to the goddess often takes us

Walking the Labyrinth
Annalisa Derr
Journeying to Empress Theodora

So this week, I took a journey—not to the goddess—but to the Byzantine mosaics depicting Empress Theodora in Ravenna. Theodora was married to Emperor Justinian I, who ruled the Eastern Roman Empire during the 6th c. Due to her intelligence . . .

Journeying to Empress Theodora

divine feminine

Is it time to re-enchant the world?

Is it time to re-enchant the world?

Right now, I’m looking into the ancient mystery traditions. The ancient mysteries were secretive rituals. Their purpose was to give people a profound experience of the nature of existence. The central concept? Life and death are two sides of the same coin; death and birth are the same event. 

We don’t really know what happened in these rituals because initiates were sworn to secrecy. And most people didn’t break this vow. 

We do know that these rituals changed people to their core.

In ancient Greece, the goddesses were central to this ritual.

Mythic Living

Mythic Living

As far as this outsider-looking-in can tell, there is nothing more uniquely Greek during the holiday season than Christmas themed pomegranate ornaments, amulets, and table toppers. Simply put, pomegranates are so ubiquitous in Greece during this time of year that they might as well be synonymous with Christmas! Adding to the Christmas spirit, the fancy decorative pomegranates even come with an Evil Eye at their center. Nothing quite evokes the warm and fuzzy feeling of Christmas like the omnipresent gaze of the Evil Eye! 

All jokes aside…

Diwali abundance from the Goddess Lakshmi! 🪔

Diwali abundance from the Goddess Lakshmi! 🪔

As darkness begins to consume the Northern hemisphere of the world at this time, the veil between this world and the world of the spirits—including those of our ancestors—becomes ever thinner. But what is it that we are supposed to see, or unsee, or perhaps even to see-through, at this time?

Do these celebrations encourage us to live and experience life more deeply and profoundly?

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International Women's Day - March 2022

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International Women's Day - March 2022

Years ago, I found myself sitting in a tiny, dark performance venue in NYCs Lower East Side. I was super excited to see the famed Living Theatre perform live! In the 1960s and 70s, the Living Theatre had become known for their experimental and avant-garde style and productions that were anti-war focused and critical of capitalist greed. They were, and remain, theatre for social change.

After their performance, they held a Q&A with the cast. I distinctly remember one of the younger cast-members who, through clenched teeth and shaking fists . . .

Dancing in the Dark - December 2021

Dancing in the Dark - December 2021

Happy solstice, friends! Over the past few days, I’ve been reflecting on the Winter Solstice and the inevitable dance between dark and light.

I recognize my own resistance to prolonged darkness, cold, and the slowdown the winter season not only encourages, but simply requires of me.

My mind’s eye continues to return to the image of a candle flame illuminating the darkness. Such as in the above image, which is a picture I took at the Church of Santa Maria dell’Orto in Rome during Easter Holy Week 2019.

In some traditions, the candle flame represents the soul as an individual emanation of the Divine. Meditation on such an image reminds me that the candle flame is brightest, strongest, and most beautiful when dancing in the dark. And more so still when the candle flame burns bright among a sea of likeminded flames.

It reminds me that no matter how dismayed I may be by the state of the world, I am surrounded by so many luminous souls who are each doing their part to—in the words of a dear friend—“be a part of the healing of this world”.

That brings me to the many illuminating conversations I have had the great pleasure to facilitate on Journey to the Goddess TV. This year. . .

Finding Mary Magdalene

Finding Mary Magdalene

Seeing the fortress high above me, I parked my car and prepared myself for the ascent. The path was rocky and steep, but I felt encouraged by fellow pilgrims. Along the route I could hear the melodic ringing of cow bells, dangling from the necks of cows, far off in the distance. As I approached the summit I turned to look out among the sea of mountain peaks, and was rendered nearly speechless. “This must be what Heaven looks like,” I whispered. For as far as the eye could see, were voluptuous green mountain peaks, extending outward past Spain, and reaching what I imagined to be, the Atlantic Ocean . . .

The Fortified Medieval Castle of Carcassonne

The Fortified Medieval Castle of Carcassonne

Continuing on, I toured the contours of the castle. I explored the Basilique of Sainte Nazaire, discovering a magnificent life-size marble engraving of a Knight Templar, supposed protectors of the Cathars. At the right of this knight, stood a statue of Saint Anna, my patron saint, sitting with her young daughter, the Virgin Mary. Stained glass windows seemed to contain the symbols, and messages, of a suppressed wisdom . . .

Saint Sara’s Final Procession to the Sea

Saint Sara’s Final Procession to the Sea

This time, we came face-to-face with the same head priest who had lead the procession the day before. As before, he was blessing the pilgrims along his processional route. He was followed by men riding atop beautiful white horses. The men on horses parted the crowds, allowing the statue of the Two Marys to pass through, toward the sea. I thought this curious that the third Mary, Our Lady Mary Magdalene, was not represented as well . . .

The Procession of Saint Sara

The Procession of Saint Sara

Celice and I awoke in excited anticipation for the day’s events, as if children on Christmas morning.

We quickly readied ourselves for the walk into town. The streets were lined with parked campers and horses stood in stalls awaiting riders.The outskirts of town were calmly buzzing with the hum of gypsy music. As we approached the center of town, we entered the festivities. There, it was packed with people: tourists, gypsies, free spirits, photographers, and those anticipating a little piece of magic . . .

The Gypsy Festival of Les Maries

The Gypsy Festival of Les Maries

As Provençal legend has it, Mary Magdalene arrived on the shores of Gaul with Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe, and possibly Joseph of Armithea. The mystery and intrigue of this legend involves a woman named Saint Sara. Some claim she was a native of Gaul who greeted the party fleeing the Roman Empire. Others say she arrived on the boat with the Marys, either an Egyptian handmaiden to Mary Magdalene, or better yet, the secret daughter of Jesus and Mary. Either way, Saint Sara has become the patron saint of the Romani people the world round, and I was headed there for the annual festival in honor of Saint Sara . . .