France - Rennes Le Chateau and the Movie Bloodline

Here is some startling and controversial information that we will be exploring during our Sacred Journey to France, September 18 - 27, 2008

NEWS FLASH!
From http://www.bloodlinethemovie.com/

What if the greatest story ever told was a lie?

A discovery that could prove to be one of the most explosive
and controversial of the century!
- Elizabeth Snead, The Los Angeles Times

"A remote mountain tomb and a wooden chest of relics from 1st century Jerusalem have been discovered in southwest France by the Bloodline film team. Among the relics are, a simple pottery drinking cup, and a small ointment vase that were said to have been used at the wedding of Jesus and Mary Magdalene over 2000 years ago. "

"According to the priest Berenger Sauniere, who is believed to have hid them away a century ago, they have been passed down from generation to generation as sacred relics - the true Holy Grail - which symbolized this secret wedding. The tomb contains a mummified corpse lying under a shroud which bears the distinct red cross of the Knights Templar http://www.GnosticTemplars.org. Initial DNA testing of a strand of hair taken from the corpse by Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada, has revealed it to have a Middle Eastern origin. These discoveries were found from clues in papers left behind by the French priest at the end of the 19th century which were shown to the filmmakers. When the priest’s hand-written and signed confessions were discovered inside wax-sealed, glass bottles near his village last year, they revealed that he had discovered a tomb of such importance that it compelled him to break with his Church and faith."

"These finds, and the remarkable story that led to them, can be seen in a new documentary film, BLOODLINE, which follows a three year investigation by 40 year old, English documentary maker, Bruce Burgess into the so-called Bloodline conspiracy in which Jesus married Mary Magdalene, had children and then fled to France."

"Bloodline will premiere theatrically on May 9th at the Village East Cinema in New York City, and then on the west coast on May 16th at the Laemmle's Sunset 5 Cinema in Los Angeles."

For more information about the movie, visit http://www.BloodlineTheMovie.com Join us on this Sacred Journey during which we'll explore this controversial theory proposed in Bloodline, and more!

We hope you will join us on our Sacred Journey to France, September 18 - 27, 2008 to explore more of this exciting mystery!

Blessings,

Andrea

England - Stonehenge Private Entrance with Divine Feminine Initiation and Meditation

Art Work: http://www.aboutstonehenge.info/

During our Sacred Journey to England July 10 - 26, 2008, we will have a private entrance for our group inside the circle at Stonehenge - a very special offering that not many tour companies are able to offer to their clients!

There is much debate as to the age of Stonehenge, as well as who built it. According to many archaeologists, the builders of this magnificent site were the Ancient Britons. History says that the site was begun in the agricultural Neolithic Age and was completed in the Early Bronze Age by Beaker Folk, so called because of beakers, drinking vessels, found in their grave goods.

Around 1500 BCE some disaster or systems collapse progressively brought the impressive Megalithic Age to an end, not only here, but throughout the whole of Britain and Ireland. Although we can never know exactly who the architects were who planned Stonehenge, the face sculptured into the side of trilithon stone 54 does give us cause to wonder if he or she was so influential that his/her facial features were placed here to be preserved forever as a representation of the Divine Marriage, the concept of Sacred Marriage between an Earth Mother and Sky Father, that was universal in early or primitive agricultural and Goddess-oriented societies.

Those who are sensitive to this massive temple claim that the megalithic blocks are constantly radiating tremendous amounts of energy. Some say it is because the ancient Druids turned themselves into the stones, while others assert that they hold the power of innumerable Druid ceremonies held there in the past. One legend maintains that the massive blocks were brought from Ireland and set into place by the greatest Druid of them all - Merlin!

Our tour's Featured Speakers Andrea and Mark Pinkham will facilitate a Divine Feminine Initiation & Meditation among the magical stones and their powerful energies. Perhaps ancient secrets will be revealed. Perhaps Gifts of Spirit will be received. For those that open their heart, mind, and soul…and receive!

Please come with us to receive your unique Blessing from the Divine Feminine Energies during our private entrance inside Stonehenge on our Sacred Journey to England July 10 - 26, 2008

Goddess Bless,
Andrea

Peru - Lake Titicaca

On our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia, June 2008, we travel by motorcoach bus south along the sacred Urubamba River, through the altiplano, or high plains. In the previous three blogs, I've written about the visits to The Temple of Wiracocha, the colonial town of Andahuaylillas, and the stop at Pukara to visit the local musuem. Today, we arrive at Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world, situated in both Peru and Bolivia.



Here is a photo of Manco Capac and Mama Ocollo, founders of the Inca Empire. Taken on one of the floating islands in the Lake.

We stay at the Taypikala Hotel, located on the Pan-American highway, in the little colonial village of Chucuito, about 10 miles south of Puno.


Across the road from the hotel is this ancient Fertility Temple. The tip of the roof of the hotel is located on a leyline that runs from the center of the altar in this temple out into Lake Titicaca, continuing across the Lake to the valley of the Monastery of the Seven Rays.

The Bolivian apus, or sacred mountains in the distance.

Mark Amaru Pinkham, cleansing one of his mesa power objects in the Lake.
For more about Mark and his work,
visit www.SerpentsOfWisdom.com

One of the children from the Uros Islands in a reed boat.

A Fire Rainbow!
Formed in the high altitudes, these spectacular displays are believed
by the local shamen to be a great blessing to those that see them!
We see a lot of them over Lake Titicaca.

Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia, June 2008 Join us and experience this and more!

Pachamama Blessings,

Andrea

Peru - Pukara

On our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia, June 2008, we travel by motorcoach bus south along the sacred Urubamba River, through the altiplano, or high plains.

In the previous two days blogs, I've already written about the visits to The Temple of Wiracocha and the colonial town of Andahuaylillas.

Today, we continue south and cross the divide of the Andes at La Raya, at 14, 150 ft.! Whew! Take a very deep breath!

As we drive through the high plains we see herds of llamas, alpacas, and other South American cameloids. The pre-Incan and Incan cultures used cameloids for their nourishment and clothing.


We stop in Pukara and visit the Pucara Stone Museum, with its great selection of anthropomorphic monoliths, zoomorphic sculptures, ceramics, and other objects from the Pucara pre-Inca Culture (original and replica pieces).

Bookmark our site and come back for our next installment about Peru and our journey to Lake Titicaca during our June 2008 on our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia

Pachamama Blessings,

Andrea

Peru - Andahuaylillas

On our Sacred Journey to Peru & Bolivia, June 2008, our 2nd stop on the way from Cusco to Lake Titicaca is at the small town of Andahuaylillas.

Meaning of the Name: The city’s ancient name during the Inca Empire was Antawaylla (anta= copper and waylla= grassland). The invading Spanish changed it to Andahuaylas. However, since there is a province in the Apurimac region with the same name, it was changed to the diminutive form in order to distinguish the two.

The Church of San Pedro of Andahuaylillas is known as the “Sistine Chapel” of the Americas because of the quality of the artworks found inside it. The church was built on top of important Inca shrine, or Waka. The bases of the church were made with carved andesite which was often used in the architecture of the Incas. Built by the Jesuits at the end of the century 16th century, its architecture combines both Arab and Christian elements, especially near the High Altar. Photos are not allowed inside the church, so I only have this one of the exterior.

Outside the church (to the right of the photo above) are these interesting pieces of art.

Bookmark our site and come back for our next installments about Peru - Pukara, and Lake Titicaca. All places we'll visit in June 2008 on our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia

Pachamama Blessings,
Andrea

Peru - Temple of Wiracocha

On our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia, June 2008, we travel by motorcoach bus south along the sacred Urubamba River, through the altiplano, or high plains. We stop at Raqchi at the Temple of Wiracocha, believed by some experts to be one of the most important of Peru's ancient temples! Here we pay homage to the namesake of this sacred site, the God of the Andean people: Apu Kon Titi Wiracocha.

One of the most mysterious constructions in the Cusco area, the temple is a unique complex of cylinder-shaped columns and four naves. It’s believed by some archaeologists to been the biggest building in the whole Inca empire. On the site we also find a great wall, ceremonial fountains, sphere-shaped buildings and rectangular houses. Enjoy the photos below.

Bookmark our site and come back for our next installments about Peru - Andahuaylillas, Pukara, and Lake Titicaca. All places we'll visit in June 2008 on our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia

Pachamama Blessings,

Andrea

Tibet - Lhasa: Potala Palace and Drepung Monastery

During our Sacred Journey to Tibet and Nepal in August/September 2008, our group will visit Lhasa and two of the most important attractions in that ancient city.

The Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was named after Mount Potala, the abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. It's considered one of the most famous architectural works of Tibet and a world wonder.

The Potala Palace was the current 14th Dalai Lama's home and chief residence until the Chinese Invasion and failed uprising in 1959, when he fled to India.

Today the Potala Palace has been converted into a museum by the Chinese. It's one of the most spectacular buildings in the world. Inside are the Dalai Lama's quarters and huge, golden tombs of past Dalai Lamas.

The Drepung Monastery, the largest in Tibet, and formerly the largest monastery in the world, housing 10,000 monks. It was named the "Rice Heap" Monastery because when seen from afar, its large white buildings look like a heap of rice. Today the monastery, which is located on the outskirts of the city, has less than 500 monks in residence.


This monastery was modeled after the Classical Buddhist monasteries in India - Nalanda and Vikramalashila. In ancient time, the focus here was intense study of the traditional Buddhist arts and sciences, with its training program requiring twenty years of intense academic study. The Geshe Lharampa degree, the most prestigious honor in the Tibetan Buddhist world, was bestowed on those that passed the tests. Drepung was one of only three monasteries in Central Asia with the authority to award this degree. In 1059, when the Chinese Communist took over Tibet, the Drepung was closed. Most of its monks were either killed or imprisoned.

Today the monastery is open to the public, with its buildings organized on the caves and temples, as well as two huge white pagodas, that are the center for the major buildings: Ganden Potrang, Coqen Hall, the four Zhacangs (or Tantric colleges), and Kamcuns. Housed here are many cultural relics: Statues of Manjushri Bodhisattva, rare sutras, and a sacred conch shell.

If you'd like to explore these places that are so important to the spiritual heritage of Tibet, we invite you to travel with us now, as Tibet may be experiencing its final days as a spiritual mecca. Join us for this pilgrimage before it is too late, and the Tibetan culture is squeezed into oblivion.

Sacred Journey to Tibet and Nepal in August/September 2008

Blessings,
Andrea

England - Avebury

During our Sacred Journey to England in July 2008 we will explore and experience the ancient mysteries at Avebury World Heritage site, one of the world's largest and most complex monuments of the Megalithic Age. Avebury is part of a wider Neolithic landscape that includes: West Kennet Avenue, an 'avenue', originally of around 100 pairs of prehistoric standing stones, raised to form a winding 1/2 mile ritual link between the pre-existing monuments of Avebury and The Sanctuary. This extraordinary assemblage of sites formed a huge sacred landscape, whose use and purpose can still only be guessed at. With our Featured Speaker author Mark Amaru Pinkham, we'll explore the theories that surround this mystery.

We begin our exploration of the area at the enormous earthwork of circles in Avebury, an ancient Druidic initiation site of immense standing stones. Two stone avenues of about 100 megaliths run out from Avebury. Today its mysteries are still being explored and solved by multi-disciplinary scholars in archaeology, science and ancient religion. As there are lunar and solar ley-lines that cross in this area, we will connect with these powerful energies as our Featured Speaker Andrea Mikana Pinkham, leads a meditation to balance our own masculine and feminine energies

These ancient mysteries await you at Avebury on our Sacred Journey to England in July 2008!

Blessings,
Andrea

Bolivia - Islands of the Sun and Moon

Our Sacred Journeys group will visit Bolivia during our Spiritual Pilgrimage to Peru and Bolivia in June 2008. We cross the Peruvian/Bolivian border at Desaguadero and continue on to Copacabana, on the shores of Lake Titicaca (where Barry Manilow will NOT be waiting for us!). We'll have time to enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the town as we take an evening stroll after dinner or sit on the lake shore and take in the stars.

A visit to the local cathedral is a must! To experience the Black Madonna!

Take some time to meditate with La Virgen de Copacabana, the Virgin of Copacabana. She is also called the "Dark Virgin" like many of the Black Madonnas in Europe, and is also reputed to have miraculous healing powers. The original statue was carved from cactus in 1583 by Francisco Tito Yupanqui, nephew of Inca Huayna Capac.

Her presence here has made the church Bolivia's most revered pilgrimage site. You'll find out why if you spend any time with Her! Her energy is VERY powerful! The first time I sat to meditate with her I instantly went into deep meditation...all time and place faded away as I immersed myself in the joy and peace of the Unconditional Love that I accessed!

We take a private launch out onto the serene waters of Lake Titicaca to visit the Island of the Sun, the birthplace of the Inca Empire. Legend says that darkness covered the land and the waters. From Lake Titicaca rose Father Sun, Taytay Inti, to bring life to Mother Earth, Pachamama. When Father Sun saw that humans were living no better than animals he sent his son, Manco Capac (Aramu Muru, the sage from Lemuria), and his daughter, Mama Ocllo (Arama Mara, consort to Aramu Muru), to rule and teach the people. These two became the founders of the Inca royal dynasty.

When we arrive on the Island we find small farms. We hike through a series of gateways that are part of an ancient pilgrimage route. We follow the Inca steps where water from a natural spring runs through three stone channels. The sacred water is said to cure ailments and bring longevity. Bring your water bottle to gather some to take home if you like! The three stone channels represent the three commandments of Inca life: Don't Lie, Don't Steal, and Don't Be Lazy.

We end our walk at the Sun Temple Complex, a powerful and amazing sacred site that includes the remains of a labyrinth structure, a ceremonial table, and the Puma Rock. Here we have time for meditation to connect with these powerful energies.

We continue to the Island of the Moon, a very peaceful island surrounded by clear aquamarine water, with views of the snow-capped Cordillera Real mountain range, and the powerful Apu Illampu in the distance.

We visit the site of an Inca temple, the Acllahuasi, the cloister for Chosen Women, or Virgins of the Sun. This sacred site is one of the most powerful centers of feminine energy on the planet today! We have time for meditation to connect with our Inner Female and her qualities of love, allowance, compassion, and forgiveness.

All of this, plus a visit to Machu Picchu and other powerful sacred sites in Peru awaits you during our Sacred Journey to Peru and Bolivia in June 2008.

Pachamama Blessings,
Andrea

Turkey - Ankara and Pessinus

During our Sacred Journey to Turkey, October 15 - 28, 2008 we will visit Ankara and Pessinus. In Ankara we have a full morning to explore at the UNESCO award-winning Anatolian Civilizations Museum. With its crown of ten domes it was once a covered bazaar where cloth made from angora wool that was traded. In 1951 it was converted into the now world-famous museum, also known as the Hittite Museum.

The collection, divided into 10 departments, comprises an enormous number of exceptionally impressive archeological finds from the Paleolithic period to classical times. There are many artifacts from Çatal Hoyuk.

In Pessinus we will visit the Temple of Cybele, the Phrygian Mother Goddess who was also venerated by the Greeks and Romans.


Discovered by Belgian archaeologists in 1967, it is surprisingly small, though it was once the most important temple in the area. Next to the sanctuary was a theater, which also served as the stairs leading to the temple, a combination that was unique in the ancient world.

These and other impressive museums and sacred sites await you on our upcoming Sacred Journey to Turkey, October 15 - 28, 2008

Blessings,

Andrea

France - Rocamadour - Black Madonna

During our upcoming Sacred Journey to France: Sacred Sites of the Divine Feminine, September 18 - 27, 2008 one of the highlights of the trip will be our visit to the cliff-hugging medieval village of Rocamadour, about 100 miles north of Toulouse. Built on a limestone cliff rising 490 feet above the Alzou Canyon, the buildings scale sheer cliff walls in unbelievable architectural splendor. Its Black Madonna, among the oldest in France, has produced miracles for seamen, prisoners, children & travelers and granted fertility for women seeking to bear children for over 1,000 years.

The town is also known for producing Rocamadour, a small goat's milk cheese that was awarded AOC status in 1996. We enjoyed it with our lunch when we last visited in October 2006; it was definitely yummy and deserved that award!

In ancient times Rocamadour was known as the site of worship of the triple Goddess Sulevea, Iduenna, and Minerva, as well as the home of women archers called Dianas who it is said excluded men but "had relations" with fairies.

Legends say that Rocamadour began with the arrival of Zacchaeus of Jericho, husband of St Veronica, who legend says wiped the face of Jesus as he made the arduous journey to his crucifixion.

One ancient legend says that driven forth from Palestine by persecution, Amadour and Veronica embarked in a frail skiff that was guided by an angel. The landed on the coast of Aquitaine, where thy met Bishop St. Martial, another disciple of Christ who was preaching the Gospel in the southwest of Gaul. Amadour journeyed to Rome, where he witnessed the martydoms of Sts. Peter and Paul. After Veronica died, he returned to France and withdrew to this wild spot where he built a chapel in honour of the Blessed Virgin, where he later died.

When a perfectly preserved body was found in a grave high up on the rock in 1166, it was declared to be Zacchaeus, who became St Amadour, the village's namesake, which means "love of rock". In this setting, one of the most extraordinary in France, we have time to stroll the narrow streets of the quaint village.

In the Chapelle Notre-Dame we will find its famous Black Madonna, the statue of Our Lady of Rocamadour which has been dated as being from the 9th century. Some legends claim that St. Amadour brought the statue with him from the Holy Land. This relic, along with his tomb, made this cliffside church a major pilgrimage point in the Middle Ages. Famous people who visited Rocamadour include St. Bernard, St. Dominic, St. Louis, King Louis XI, and possibly even Charlemagne, who legend says stopped off on his way to battle the Moors in Spain. Benedictine monks took over the little Chapel of Our Lady of Rocamadour in the 11th century. In 1166 when an ancient grave and sepulcher containing an undecayed body was discovered in the cliff of Rocamadour, near the Chapel of Our Lady, the locals believed it to be the remains of St. Amadour. This "good news" brought many more pilgrims to the site over the next few centuries. Then in the 17th and 18th centuries the town declined when the the number of visitors taperd off. It was restored in the 19th century and today receives over 1.5 million visitors yearly.

In the chapel immediately adjacent to the Romanesque-Gothic Basilique St-Saveur from the 11th to the 13th centuries, we will take time to meditate in the chapel with the Black Madonna of Rocamadour, to sit with Her in silence and receive the blessing of Her powerful Divine Feminine energies.

Heaped at Her feet in gratitude are are metal shackles shed by former prisoners. Standing under Her altar is one of the many dolmens, menhirs and druid stones sacred to Sulivea, Goddess of the Alders (thought to be a form of Cybele).

Come with us to France in September 2008 on our Sacred Journey: Sacred Sites of the Divine Feminine to meet this powerful Black Madonna in person!

Blessings,

Andrea

Ireland - Tuatha Dé Danann, The Shining Ones

The Tuatha Dé Danann (People of the Goddess Danu/Anu), the Ancient Ones, or the Shining Ones, were one of the mythical races of deities and heroes. They were skilled in art and science, poetry and magic.

Photo Credit: Art: Riders of the Sidhe - John Duncan, Oil on canvas, 1911,
Dundee Art Galleries and Museums

Legends say they were a were a branch of the ancient seafaring Danaans of the Mediterranean, who, beginning in the 2nd millennium BCE, abandoned some of their coastal territories in the Aegean Sea and Asia Minor coast to conduct a series of migrations to the windswept regions of northern Europe.

Danu's son Dagda was their most powerful leader. He came to Ireland with Arch Druids and Arch Druidesses. Upon reaching the shores of Ireland the magical Danaan cloaked themselves in mist, appeared unexpectedly to the current residents, conquered them, and spread throughout the land.

Eventually they were conquered by the Milesians from Asia Minor. They then retreated to Tir na n-Og (Land of Youth) or continued to lived on the land with the Milesians. Their homes, subterranean palaces entered solely thorough the sidh-mounds, the "hollow hills", were hidden by magic from the eyes of mortals. Their homes were called Sidhe (síd or sídh - pronounced shee) or the Otherworld. Another name for the Tuatha Dé Danann was the áes sídhe or the "People of the Sídhe".

They subsequently became a magical population of subterranean dwellers and are still today known as the "Fairy People". These fairies are not the ones with tiny pixie with wings that are found in folklore and children's fairy tales. Rather they are human-like, with supernatural powers.

During our Women's Sacred Journey to Ireland, May 24 - June 3, 2008 we will meditate to connect with the energies of the Sidhe.

Blessings from the Shining Ones,
Andrea

Turkey - Istanbul Sacred Sites: Blue Mosque, St. Sophia Museum, Archeological Museum, Chora Church

During our Sacred Journey to Turkey: Sacred Sites of the Goddess, October 15 - 28, 2008 we arrive in Istanbul. The city, a huge metropolis divided into two continents by the Bosporus, is home to eleven million people and is one of the greatest business and cultural center of the region. A city of wonders, Istanbul far exceeds the words that can be used to describe it!

While in Istanbul we visit the famous Blue Mosque, with its mighty dome, the only mosque in Istanbul with minarets, and built on the site of the Great Palace of Byzantium, in the early 17th century. Today it is a working mosque and is therefore closed to non-worshippers during the five daily prayers. The interior, with its lightness, spatial effect and color, is one of the finest creations of Turkish architecture.

Next is the St. Sophia Museum, formerly known as the Hagia Sofia (Holy Wisdom), a former Greek Orthodox church that was converted to a mosque in 1453 by the Ottoman Empire and today is a museum. The supreme achievement of Byzantine architecture, it is the city's most celebrated monument. Large numbers of columns were brought to Constantinople from temples in Asia Minor, Lebanon, Greece and Italy, and the finest marbles and noblest metals were used. We also visit the Archeological Museum, which contains an important collection of prehistoric Greek, Roman and Byzantine antiquities. In the courtyard is the graceful Tiled Pavilion, one of the oldest surviving Turkish buildings in Istanbul (from 1472).

We also visit the Chora Church, with its mosaics from the 12th century depicting the role of Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, with the emphasis on Her being Mother rather than Jesus being the God - a profound thought to ponder!

I hope you will join us for our Sacred Journey to Turkey: Sacred Sites of the Goddess, October 15 - 28, 2008

Goddess Blessings,

Andrea

France - Orleans and Joan of Arc

On our Sacred Journey to France, Sacred Sites of the Divine Feminine, September 18 - 27, 2008 we will visit the town of the Maid of Orleans, Joan of Arc. When we enter the large Gothic Cathedral of Sainte-Croix that was built on an ancient Goddess site by the Knights Templar and their masons, although the cathedral has undergone great alterations since its original construction, we will be able to feel presence of the Divine Feminine. It's still very palpable here.
Pagan and Roman temple remains have been excavated under the Cathedral. On the Merovingian floor in the crypt is a font that was created from ancient stones that were carved in honor of Venus.

As we walk through the Cathedral we have time to admire the life-like statue of Joan of Arc, as well as her life story that is pictured in the stained glass windows around the interior of the building. During our meditation time we will focus on harnessing the potent energies available in this sacred site of the Divine Feminine to enliven our energies of personal power and creativity, which this Cathedral enlivens.

After lunch on your own with the group, we the house from the 15th Century where Jacques Boucher, general treasurer of the Duke of Orlêans, welcomed Joan of Arc during the siege of the English, May and April 1429.

I do hope that you will join us on our Sacred Journey to France, Sacred Sites of the Divine Feminine, September 18 - 27, 2008. Many Gifts from the Goddess await you in Orleans and the other sacred sites on this awesome journey!

Many Blessings,

Andrea

Peru - Machu Picchu, Modern Seven Wonders of the World

Enjoy our photo tour of Machu Picchu,
one of the Seven Wonders of the World,

& known in the Inca Spiritual Tradition
as the City of the Condor.
Explore its ancient energies during our
Mystical Journey to Machu Picchu,
June 2008

Famous Wayna Picchu ("Young Peak")
in the background

View of the site taken from the Caretaker's Hut

Sunny afternoon in the Crown Jewel of the Andes

Temple of the Sun,
the ONLY round structure in the Sanctuary

Resident Llamas, sentinels of Machu Picchu

View of the City of the Condor from top of Wayna Picchu
The city is laid out in the shape of a Condor!

Light shining on the City of Light

Our August 2005 Sacred Journeys group
meditating at the Pachamama Rock

Late Afternoon and a Llama

View of many of the surrounding Apus (sacred mountains)

Later afternoon at the Sanctuary

Apu Putucusi, whose name means Flowering Joy

Temple of the Moon

(underneath the Temple of the Sun)

Hitching Post of the Sun

Temple of the Moon

(on Wayna Picchu)

Our Spiritual Tour Guide

Dr. Jose (Pepe) Altamirano

Join Pepe and Andrea on our Mystical Journey to Machu Picchu, June 2008 (As of today, we are already half full for our trip, so if you're interested in joining us, reserve your space soon!)

To reach Machu Picchu we travel from Ollantaytambo, alongside the wild Urubamba River deep into the mountain valleys of the high jungle surrounded by the snow-covered Apus and arrive at Aguas Calientes, the small village at the base of Machu Picchu. We walk to the bus station and board a park bus to take us up to this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Pepe will guide our group through the site to visit the Temples of the Sun & Moon, the Temple of the Condor, the Temple of the Three Windows, the Hitching Post of the Sun, the Pachamama Rock and more... explaining not only the historical, but also the esoteric significance of each one. In an out of the way temple, away from the crowds, he will offer an optional ceremony to further open your Third Eye, Inca style!

Full of the sacred energies we will take a break and enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at the on-site hotel, perhaps accompanied by the joyful music of local Andean musicians. Pepe leaves to return to Cusco after lunch. You have free time to re-enter the Sanctuary to explore on your own. Find the spot that calls to you and take time to sit and meditate among the powerful energies. Still your mind and listen with your heart to what the Ancient Ones have to tell you! They have a unique gift for you if you are willing to receive it!

In the late afternoon, as the sun sets on the sacred apus, we return to Aguas Calientes and our hotel. You have free time this evening for dinner and to perhaps take a leisurely soak in the local hot springs, or sit out in the hotel garden and commune with Mama Quilla, the Moon.

The next morning we will return to Machu Picchu in the early morning to greet the sun in our special Sunrise Ceremony just as the Incas did each day in the ancient past. We gather in an area that is not visited by many tourists, where we will be able to see Taytay Inti (Father Sun) as He peeks over the surrounding Apus. We will remember ourselves as one of the Intic Churincuna, Children of the Sun!

Afterwards at one of the nearby sacred shrines, you can "fly with the Condors"! Then you have the rest of the morning and early afternoon free. Maybe climb the towering peak of Huayna Picchu to look down on the City of the Condor from above. Or, hike half way up and then around the side of the peak to the Temple of the Moon, a powerful feminine energy vortex, to meditate in the small cave, the womb of the Pachamama.

I have led over 25 Sacred Journeys to Peru since 1994. I can promise you that Peru NEVER disappoints and that Machu Picchu will offer you more Gifts of Spirit than you can imagine!

Andrea

England - Stonehenge UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Stonehenge and Avebury landscapes, in Wiltshire, England were listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1986 because of their outstanding prehistoric monuments.

Why is Stonehenge a World Heritage Site? Because the site itself, which is dated at 3000-1500 BCE is one of the world's most famous prehistoric stone circle. With its shaped stones, lintels, unique jointing and perfect geometry, it is one of the most sophisticated stone circle in the world.

The Site, covering 6,500 acres of chalk downland and mixed arable fields, includes a dense concentration of archaeological remains, including a processional avenue leading to the stones, hundreds of Bronze Age burial mounds, and many other important monuments that represent an incomparable testimony to prehistoric times.

The ownership of the Stonehenge World Heritage Site is shared between English Heritage, the National Trust, the Ministry of Defense, farmers and householders.

During our Sacred Journey to England, July 20 – 26, 2008 we will offer our usual private entrance inside the circle at Stonehenge for our group, an auspicious opportunity and one that most people do not get to experience when visiting there.

Stonehenge is one of the world's most visited sacred sites in the world. There is much debate as to the age of Stonehenge, as well as who built it. According to many archaeologists, the builders of this magnificent site were the Ancient Britons. History says that the site was begun in the agricultural Neolithic Age and was completed in the Early Bronze Age by Beaker Folk, so called because of beakers, drinking vessels, found in their grave goods. Around 1500 BCE some disaster or systems collapse progressively brought the impressive Megalithic Age to an end, not only here, but throughout the whole of Britain and Ireland.

Although we can never know exactly who the architects were who planned Stonehenge, the face sculptured into the side of trilithon stone 54 does give us cause to wonder if he or she was so influential that his/her facial features were placed here to be preserved forever as a representation of the Divine Marriage, the concept of Sacred Marriage between an Earth Mother and Sky Father, that was universal in early or primitive agricultural and Goddess-oriented societies. One of the great trilithon stones has numerous axes carved into it and another has a Mother-Goddess type of image carved in relief.

We enter the sacred and ancient circle for our private meditation time among the ancient and magical stones and their energies. Those who are sensitive to these massive temples claim that the megalithic blocks are constantly radiating tremendous amounts of energy. Some say it is because the ancient Druids turned themselves into the stones, while others assert that they hold the power of innumerable Druid ceremonies held there in the past. One legend maintains that the massive blocks were brought from Ireland and set into place by the greatest Druid of them all - Merlin!