Journey in a Boat with No Oars
Posted by Joan Norton at 5/5/2010 5:14 AM 
Categories: The Magdalene Rosary, Seasonal festivals, Starting A Magdalene Circle
Tags: Magdalene Circles The Magdalene Circle Book sacred feminine empowering spirit of women Goddess spirituality Magdalene Rosary Women's Spirituality Mary Magadalene Magdalene 14 Steps To Awaken the Sacred Feminine Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene
Categories: The Magdalene Rosary, Seasonal festivals, Starting A Magdalene Circle
Tags: Magdalene Circles The Magdalene Circle Book sacred feminine empowering spirit of women Goddess spirituality Magdalene Rosary Women's Spirituality Mary Magadalene Magdalene 14 Steps To Awaken the Sacred Feminine Women in the Circle of Mary Magdalene
The Magdalene Mysteries "Journey in A Boat with no Oars" is an archetypal theme that is told in story in many other religions as well as ours. It's a universal truth that life gives us times when we have no idea what is going to happen next and we don't have a map. Or a rudder or an oar. That's the part of Mary Magdalene's story that we honor this month because we know that she and her family arrived in their new land on May 24. We keep celebrating it there every year.
Drifting has to be a part of this story of passage from "the known" to "the unknown". The gentle routines of the Mother always structure the day and night...and thank you for that. It might have been that that's all they could predict, that day would turn into night. How grateful they must have felt when they landed first at the island of the temple of the Goddess Cybele. We're always held in those arms. The landing is a momentous occasion spiritually, emotionally, psychologically; and with the most practical importance. What greets us first? Who is there?
At last weekend's workshop in Ashland, Oregon I led the group in the guided journey of this story, which is the one of Chapter 12 in the Magdalene Circle book.. I leave a good piece of time at the end of reading the meditation so that everyone has their own personal inner experience of "who's there" when the sea voyage ends. Who's there for the beginning of the new part of your story? Your own soul has come across the great water in great peril; and now someone is there for you. Who is it?
Many people in the workshop shared their inner experiences about this and I was not surprised that the experiences were so tender. We are always so deeply touched at knowing we are not alone, that the Mystery lives within us and always provides.
Of course it's different in each person's individual story, what one person perceives as "the companion I need right now" will not be the next person's. The important part is feeling the strength of the mysterious continuation of your soul's story as you arrive at the shore of the next chapter. It seems as though the guided meditation about Magdalene's journey cuts through the mind's constant "figuring it out" and gives an image of the heart's personal Way for us. People were so startled at who was there on the other shore. But that's how it always is with the inner journey, don't you think? For myself, I've never "figured it out". The only thing that works is allowing my Inner Mystery to bring me the next piece of my story.
The Brave Ones in the Boat
Just thank you with all my heart, Joan. Love Katja
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Thank you very much for being with us, Katja. I hope you join in the talk frequently. xoJoan
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Thank you. Yes, I will join in frequently! Love Katja
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hi joan,,,really loved and appreciated your article this week on "the boat with no oars"..information on how we drift emotionally was enlightening..just last week I lost a friend,,will miss her so..sometimes "up the creek without a paddle" is exactly how we feel..but life is a journey; sometimes when a door is suddenly closed,a window will open with fresh air and sunlight...: )..
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Dear Sheila,
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I am so happy to find other kindred spirits who are probably doing as I am this year and celebrating St. Sarah's days of 5/24,25,26. It is good to feel connected and to learn more each time I read about the Magdalene lore.
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