Make Your Own Magdalene Circle Altars
Posted by Joan Norton at 8/1/2009 6:58 AM 
Categories: Magdalene Circle altars
Tags: Mary Magdalene 14 Steps To Awaken the Sacred Feminine Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene
Categories: Magdalene Circle altars
Tags: Mary Magdalene 14 Steps To Awaken the Sacred Feminine Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene
Quilting groups have the quilt in the middle, of course, and that's a spiritual center for the gathering. Goddess has always been symbolized by spinning, weaving life together, sewing together the pieces to make a whole. Feminine energy is the glue that holds life together. A circle begs to have a center, it's from the circle's center that Sacred Union is created. In our Magdalene Circles it just seemed obvious to have the altar on the floor in the middle of the circle of chairs so we could all stare at it when we talked and listened. Women very soon began bringing little meaningful objects and artwork and special candles and put them on the altar I had set up to reflect the day's theme story. Start with a pretty cloth, it can be as small as a linen napkin. At last I have a use for all those ones I can't resist from the thrift store! I have a crescent shaped basket that my mother Betty made and it seems to play many parts in my Magdalene story themes; such as the boat for her journey to France, and the cave for the descent to the tomb . Flowers of the season, or leaves if it's autumn, and always a stone or crystal for the deep earthiness of the feminine.
Dear Mary Magdalene, love incarnate,
Sacred Vessel, Holy Grail,
Chosen were you from all women,
And blessed is your union with Jesus,
Dearest Bride and Beloved of Christ,
Show us the Way of the heart.
That's a wonderful drawing of the famous Kilmore stained glass window in Scotland, the one which says "Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her". An artist in Ireland named Nicola Sedgwick made it and Finbarr Ross told me he's making them available through him at www.CelticMysticalJourneys.com.
This one has a picture of the altar at the church in St. Maries-de-la-Mer in France, some "pearls of great price", a little jar , and one of the roses from Jennifer Reif's magnificent altar from last weeks' Magdalene Feast Day.
These altars are ones I made just to give you an idea of how I start one.... you'll probably embellish them with more treasures and even more pictures of Magdalene and Jesus. There are two thistles here, ones that grew in my backyard this year. I was startled because there are thistles on the cover of the Magdalene Circle book . I think of the Scottish Templar tradition when I see thistles. You can see the Grail Family medallion of a loving couple holding a baby on my rosary in the front of the photo.
These little altars are just a bare bones outline, a beginning of what you can do in your group or your home to "be in circle" with Sacred Union.
Rites of Passage, A Prayer
by Ruth Thompson
The spiral
The circle
Darkness
Then light
Hunger
Then fullness
Blindness
Then sight
The cycle is holy
The roundness of earth
The mating of nature
God's love, then the birth
In this beginning
Help us remember the end
The holy two-ness
Completion- Amen
This weekend is a traditional celebration of First Harvest, a time of reaping, and of ripening, and of recognition of summer's waning. It's one of the many, many times of recognition of the fundamental pattern of life called "cyclic renewal" which our spiritual stories of Sacred Union represents. The fire energies of life burn bright right now, perhaps as a first meeting between Jesus and Mary Magdalene in the Garden of Life.
Hi Joan...so enjoyed the pictures of the alters...and now have many ideas!..just wanted to comment that I always have the most creative energy in the autumn and winter, love both seasons.. and just dont know why..finishing up the seven legendary mysteries of Mary Magdelene.. should be available on my website, paintyourphotograph.net, in a few weeks.. have also added your link...blessings..have a fun and creative week ahead!...
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Hi Sheila, I'm glad you liked the altars and I know you'll do ones of your own which are especially you and which reflect your feelings about the Sacred Couple. Can't wait to see your paintings of the legendary Mysteries. I'm happy you are painting those ones because that's the completion of the story as told in the Gospels and we need to know it, see it, and feel it.
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oh, joan,, what a coincidene! or synchronicity...? my birthday is november 29th...: )...blessings..
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So! The autumn is a natural time for you to feel creatively energetic. xoJoan
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Hi Joan,
Your altars are wonderful. I love to see the individuality, the reverence, the view into another person's sense of adoration. Your altars are so personal, like making the invisable, visable to everyone. Its magic! Thanks for sharing your beautiful touch, in these great visual images.
Love, Jen
Jennifer Reif
"The Holy Book of Mary Magdalene"
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That is so sweet of you, Jennifer, thanks. I's love to see photos of the altars other people make, wouldn't you? If anyone wants to email me some.... that'd be great. We are bringing church into our own circles. xoJoan
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That's a great idea, Joan, I hope that people are inspired by your altars and your suggestions and that they create altars of their own, and do send you photos. It would be really wonderful, a great way of getting to know each other.
Love, Jen
Jennifer Reif
"The Holy Book of Mary Magdalene"
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Thanks for your creativity in creating the magnificent Magdalene tower of candles altar to use with your Magdalene Feast Day ceremony. I think the altar making part of ceremony is so enjoyable, so much fun, and such an individualistic expression of love for the sacred world and our sacred spiritual story. xoJoan
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I attended newly developed Magdalen circle last night at Soul of Yoga hosted by Marcia and Suzanna. There where 12 women and 1 man in circle. The altar was arranged with fresh roses, images of the Magdalene and rose and strawberry quarts. Marcia created fabulous little notebooks for us with Mary's picture on the cover. We started with meditation, read from Joan and Margaret's book, read from I remember Union, and the Magdalen Manuscript. We then shared our thoughts on the Magdalen. This group will meet the second Monday of every month for 14 months. Happy Mag to you!
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Hi Natalie, Thanks very much for sharing the story of the new Magdalene Circle in Orange County (California). I love the idea of little notebooks for people to write their thoughts or poetry or inspirations. Your altar sounds beautiful, it's such an important part of allowing in the living presence of Magdalene. And the rosaries are a help too. I hope you'll share your circle experiences with us now and then.
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