A Black Madonna

 Black Madonna at St. Baume

While reading The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd, I became curious about the Black Madonna image she used in the novel.  I googled "black madonna "and read what seemed like endless sites on this icon which dates back to the 11th century and was really popular during the Middle Ages. Also,in some circles (!), she is considered the alter ego of the Virgin Mary.

Some accounts even trace her back to Mary Magdalene who  was said to have been Jesus wife and bore him a  son, the heirs of which became Kings. Eventually, she migrated with her son  to Saintes Maries-de-la-Mer and  then lived in a cave in St. Baume  in the French Alps for the rest of her life. There is a Black Madonna icon in a chapel there today.

There are over 300  sites for  making a pilgrimage to a Black Madonna throughout Europe, When I learned this,  I decided I had to go - at least to France.

Then, I began to read Traveling with Pomegranates, also by Sue Monk Kidd. In this novel, written somewhat as a diary, mother and daughter travel to Greece, Turkey, and France. One chapter is from daughter's perspective, the next from mother's perspective, alternatively throughout the book. (As an aside, I might add that they are both in the process of unfolding the future of their lives as writers.)

The account describes how Sue came to use the Black Madonna as the symbol on the honey jars in The Secret Life of Bees - from their encounter with Black Madonna sacred sites on their journeys.

Their descriptions of the sites was so real to me, I have, in essence, now been there along with them, taking my own inner journey on the way.

A dear colleague has been a Black Madonna in my life.  Mary was her name, as the truth would have it. She was the one and only friend  and colleague, up to the time I got to know her,who awakened that center in me where loving myself became real. Her continued affirmation of the Self that I am, made it possible for me to have the confidence to  reach into the bottom of my own heart and pray - yes PRAY - for what I really want - for the first time in my life. I was 46 at the time I had that experience.

Mary passed into the next realm the same day as my brothers and I were burying my mother's ashes. I was going to visit her on my way back to New York City, but couldn't get hold of anyone.  I found out soon, why.

Later in the year, I received a black necklace that had been Mary's. Her husband, Rob, and sons were sending them to people according to Mary's wishes.

As I thought, today,  about making a pilgrimage to France, to St. Baume, especially, I remembered that black necklace. I remembered Mary's ability to affirm life as it is and experience the gift that the moment has given.

I don't have to go to France. My life has been blessed with a Black Madonna. She has performed her miracle in my life. I took the black necklace out of its place in the jewelry box. I will keep it closer to me now. It will remind me that I have been  able to reach into the bottom of my heart and ask  for what is now coming to be, slowly, but surely.

Most of the time, no one would ever catch me saying "pray". I would say "standing in the victory", or "claiming a promise", or "creating a new reality". These are all very meaningful phrases to express the same reality. But,  "praying' is appropriate as well.

 Cave is located in this mountainous area

 

As you reach into the bottom of your heart, what is it you want - really want? Ask a Black Madonna for it to come to be now. When it does what will you give her in return?