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From Genesis to Revelation:
Chartres, Story and Sacred Geometry
Join Roi Gal-Or (International School of Storytelling co-founder),
Daniel Docherty (SAOG Studios co-founder and senior tutor) and guests, for this pilgrimage- course to be taught at Emerson College, UK.
The culminating six days of the programme will be taught
in and around the Cathedral of Chartres.
21 September - 2 October 2022
We invite you to join us on a unique pilgrimage, a quest of marrying the timely with the timeless; a journey where the incredible and ancient stories built in stone and shining through stained glass will be re-enlivened.
Since its ancient pre-Christian roots, Druidic Black Madonna revering, through Fulbertus' cathedral and its destruction by fire in 1194 - its miraculous rebuilding within the next half century - to our times where humanity has somewhat lost connection with the subtle dimensions, this sacred centre remains a source of revelation and inspiration. The wisdom school of Chartres, underpinned by the seven liberal arts, made a conscious effort at reconciling the ancient Pythagorean/Platonic stream with the Christian mystery teachings through the inspiration of luminaries such as Bernardus Silvestris,
Thierry of Chartres, John of Salisbury and Alanus ab Insulis.
Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the globe
arrive at Chartres annually seeking spiritual nourishment,
sensing hat this sanctuary holds essential teachings
vital for deepening understanding of our true nature.
On this course, as a group of philosophers (lovers of wisdom),
a caravan of seekers journeying the highs and lows of soul-spirit terrains, we will endeavour to participate consciously, to explore and to understand the many levels of meaning and wisdom
this place offers.
Our call is to realign ourselves and to discover how our personal story - our golden thread - is harmoniously woven into
the Great Tapestry ...
Reflections from Chartres, Story and Sacred Geometry 2019 course/pilgrimage:
"This explorative journey was a mystical experience - a process of gentle yet inspirational transformation. With simple geometrical tools we explored the mystery of number, the language of philosophers and poets, the wisdom of stories, the artistry of sculpture and the songs of mystics to deepen our insights into some of the spiritual laws that would open our hearts and minds to the wonder of Chartres, a book of life. Walking this journey from the seen to the unseen world, through the visible to the invisible via the material to the immaterial with fellow seekers was a journey of healing, reweaving the dust-covered tattered remnants of Lady Philosophia's imperishable gown into a sparkling garment of radiant new life. It was a journey where each participant contributed to a wholesome web of intimate, mutual relationships sharing insights and wisdom and reconciling change and timelessness so that the intelligence that has fallen from heaven to earth, as depicted in the majestic architecture of Chartres Cathedral, can be penetrated more deeply and offered back, renewed with radiant life, to the gods. It was a journey I am deeply grateful to have walked.
Thank you for such a joyful experience."
Heather Peri
Following arrival, welcome and meeting each other, we will embark on our journey of discovery,
beginning with an overview of the manifold Stories that interweave to reveal the mysteries and wonders of Chartres. Participants will be invited to choose and craft a Chartres related story to accompany and enrich the journey. We will be introduced to skills and ways of crafting these stories for an oral sharing together in Chartres, endeavouring to seek the deep wisdom and inspiration within the stories to guide our personal and collective journeys. Alongside this work, through the practice and philosophy of sacred geometry and related craft practices, we will develop an appreciation of the profound and sacred patterns that underlie and inform
the very fabric of the Cathedral - this House of Mary - and symbolic representation of
the 'Heavenly Jerusalem' here on earth.
During our 2019 trip we had a few vehicles driving from Emerson College to Chartres; please advise us if you would be interested in this lift-share option or intend to drive. Ferry/fuel costs will likely be around £90 p/p each-way.
Train travel is another good option and if booked in advance comes in around the same cost and travel time as car and ferry.
When Eurostar open their September/October bookings we will advise course participants wishing to travel 'en masse' which trains to book!
Accommodation/meal options will soon be available to book directly via the Emerson College website;
there are also many local B&Bs, Airbnbs and hotel options within a 5-15 minute walk of SAOG Studios/Emerson College.
We are renting a couple of lovely apartments very near Chartres Cathedral which offer a number of single/double/twin share room options ranging in price from £35-£75 p/night. These rooms will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Please contact us for further details.
A list of alternative accommodation options in Chartres will be
provided on request and receipt of course deposit.
21 September - 2 October 2022
(21 - 26 Sept. at Emerson College; 27 Sept. - 2 Oct. Chartres)
£970 Full course fee incl. all tuition/materials
(Board and travel to be booked separately)