Paris and Brittany

Dear Community,

Wishing each one of you a season full of warmth! I am recently back from Paris and Brittany and am feeling nourished and transformed by my journey. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with ancestral lands.

Traveling in a conscious, grounded and intuitive way is one of my passions. Place teaches us. If I listen to a place, I listen to the soul of the world, sharing in her joys and sorrows. For me, sacred places are the cornerstone of a trip itinerary. These places serve as beacons and ground all the lovely shopping and eating in a spiritual context! Celtic sites and places of power for the ancient Goddess serve as my signposts - leading me toward deep discovery and remembrance. A trip begins with a calling to one of these places.

This journey began with a calling to the Carnac Alignements ~ the largest gathering of megalithic stones in Europe, standing for at least 6 thousand years.

The map evolved, leading me to the Forrest of Broceliande ~ home to ancient stories of King Arthur, the Lady of the Lake, the Faery folk and Druid magic.

Finally then to Mont Saint Michael ~ The island home to an ancient Abby and before that...a Celtic Giant. I wanted to come here to connect with Archangel Michael to whom the Abby is dedicated. I love Archangel Michael and I’m always drawn to places that celebrate him as a spiritual archetype.

What historical figures or archetypes intrigue you and pop up in your life?
What places and stories call you and stir your soul?

What are some ways you connect with your intuition and ground your intentions as you travel?

I like to draw a tarot card in the morning and notice how that image or archetype shows up during the day. The image also serves as a reminder of how to open to the day's unfolding. My therapist gave me the wonderful poem that follows. During the journey every time we transitioned to a new place we paused and read this poem together. We were amazed to see how the poem changed throughout the journey. The words acted as a sign post for the soul.

For the Traveler

Every time you leave home,
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.

New strangers on other paths await.
New places that have never seen you
Will startle a little at your entry.
Old places that know you well
Will pretend nothing
Changed since your last visit.
 
When you travel, you find yourself
Alone in a different way,
More attentive now
To the self you bring along,
Your more subtle eye watching
You abroad; and how what meets you
Touches that part of the heart
That lies low at home:
 
How you unexpectedly attune
To the timbre in some voice,
Opening in conversation
You want to take in
To where your longing
Has pressed hard enough
Inward, on some unsaid dark,
To create a crystal of insight
You could not have known
You needed
To illuminate
Your way.
 
When you travel,
A new silence
Goes with you,
And if you listen,
You will hear
What your heart would
Love to say.
 
A journey can become a sacred thing:
Make sure, before you go,
To take the time
To bless your going forth,
To free your heart of ballast
So that the compass of your soul
Might direct you toward
The territories of spirit
Where you will discover
More of your hidden life,
And the urgencies
That deserve to claim you.
 
May you travel in an awakened way,
Gathered wisely into your inner ground;
That you may not waste the invitations
Which wait along the way to transform you.
 
May you travel safely, arrive refreshed,
And live your time away to its fullest;
Return home more enriched, and free
To balance the gift of days which call you.
 
~ John O'Donohue ~

In case you too are called to this part of the world…Here are a few of my favorite things:

My favorite place for dinner in Paris: Josephine Chez Dumonet
My favorite place for shopping in Paris: Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen - Europe’s largest flea market.
My favorite place for relaxing in Paris: By the fountain at Le Jardin du Palais Royale
My favorite place for tea in Paris: Marriage Freres Rive Gauche. Try the gold cake!

Favorite place for plant/food magic and alchemy in Brittany: Le Coquilage ~ a five hour exploration of the sea and the land through taste and smell. More than just lunch!

My favorite medieval town in Brittany: Dinan. If you go you must stay at la Maison Pavie, the most charming hotel right in the heart of the historic town center.

If you go to Mont Saint Michael recommend staying overnight so that you can walk the island in the evening in the early morning when it is quiet and almost deserted. My favorite Airbnb of all time (so far) is located on the island. Le Tete Noire is simply charming and will infuse you with a sense of history. This sweet couple will serve you an incredible breakfast and if you’re lucky show you around their incredible home.

We also enjoyed some wonderful private guided tours through Localers Tours in Paris.

Enjoy!