Matriarchal societies were common in ancient times. The feminine was worshipped everywhere, also on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. At the museum at Kibbutz Ginosar, where a first century fishing boat known as the Jesus Boat is exhibited, I came across a female figurine of clay pottery there. This Divine Feminine figure was found south of the Sea of Galilee at Horvat Minha (Munhata) and is dated neolithic, 6^th millenium BCE.

Crossroads of Jewish and Christian history
It is the feminine that called me to explore Israel’s sacred sites. It is New Moon and a rainy afternoon when I visit the excavated ancient town called Magdala. This place is the crossroads of Jewish and Christian history, for according to tradition, Mary Magdalene (Mary from Magdala) lived here before she started following Yeshua on his walks around lake Galilee. The entire site is imbued with the feminine.

Pilgrims from all over the world travel in busloads to Magdala. I am lucky, and apart from a few people, I have the entire excavation site to myself. The pouring rain must be keeping visitors away.

First century synagogue
Franciscans started excavations in the old city centre of Magdala in the 1970s. The University of Mexico and the Israel Archaeological Service conducted further archaeological research. In 2009, the remains of a first century synagogue were found next to the market. A coin from the year 29, when Yeshua and Mary Magdalene lived, was found here. Therefore it is thought they would both have visited the synagogue at Magdala.

After the coin was discovered, the Franciscans took immediate action and started investing in the excavations at Magdala. The site now has a Roman Catholic Spiritual Center, which is open to all religions. It is called Duc in Altum, Latin for Draw into the Deep.

A hotel has also been built next to the excavated synagogue, to host the pilgrims. When I was there, this building was still under construction. Duc in Altum, the impressive ultramodern spiritual center, was already in use. It feels extremely feminine, unlike any church. The building is dedicated to Mary Magdalene and all other biblical women, each represented by a pillar. The countless, gorgeous mosaics and majestic works of art take the visitor straight to the atmosphere of the first century town.

An olive tree calls me to halt
After visiting the synagogue and Duc in Altum, I decide to walk down the site to the banks of lake Galilee. It’s the end of the afternoon, it is starting to get dark, and the rain intensifies. An old olive tree calls me to halt. It offers me, out of the blue, an essence vibration. As my heart is receiving it, I suddenly feel another beam of energy penetrate my heart. I turn around to see its source, and witness it coming from a service taking place in Duc in Altum. When I look back at the tree, I hear the name of the essence vibration: ‘Oneness’.

I then notice that I am standing exactly between Duc in Altum and the wise and biblic olive tree. On my right hand side, the path stretches to lake Galilee. There, on a sign next to a fence, the excavations of the old harbour are explained. On my left hand side, the lane streches to the entrance of Magdala. I realise I am standing in the centre of a cross.

It is more than that. This spot is sacred. It symbolises the centre of the crossroads of Jewish and Christian history. The olive tree behind me connects me deeply with Mother Nature. The ultramodern building in front of me links me to the Christian heritage of Yeshua and Mary Magdalene. The old Jewish harbour on my right side connects me with the feminine waters of Lake Galilee. And to my left, the excavations of the town and its synagogue link me to Jewish history.

This is a sacred moment on a sacred site. As I breathe in and out, meditating in the pouring rain, my heart soaks all the energies up, right to my very core. I feel profoundly grateful and fulfilled. The circumstances could not be more feminine, as the New Moon energies draw me deeper into my essence and the Heavens bless me with an even more abundant shower of the yin (feminine) element of water. I feel at one with myself, the environment and the Divine Feminine. Oneness.

Did you know that your body is cross-shaped?
Did you know that your body is cross-shaped? When you stand up, your legs and head are in a vertical line, and when you stretch your arms sideways, you create a perfect cross. In the very centre of this cross lies your beautiful heart. This organ is where you can find inner peace. Here, self-acceptance makes you one with yourself.

The essence vibration of Oneness helps you:

• To reach the very centre of your heart from a place a of deep self-love.
• To become whole, by connecting you deeply with the missing link in humanity: the feminine within and without. The feminine without is Mother Nature, Mother Earth, and The Mother of All That Is.
• To reach the state of oneness.

May the essence of Oneness allow you to experience that all creation is one and that you are an important aspect of it.

May you experience Oneness.

Mantra to go with your essence
The following mantra was given with the essence vibration of Oneness. Speak it out loud, each time you take this essence vibration.

I allow myself to be whole
I allow myself to be one with nature
I allow myself to be at one with the Divine Feminine
– within and without

With my heartfelt love,

Harriët Kroon