THE WISDOM OF

S O P H I A

    &

THE BIRTH OF THE

G O T H I C

A pilgrimage
with the

JUPITER TRUST

Saturday 13th September - Wednesday 17th September 2008

We invite you to join us, with Dr Karen Ralls as our guide, as we move on from our recent exploration of the archetypal primitive darkness - as expressed by Romanesque architecture - into the light of the extraordinary birth and development of the inspirational (and aspirational) Gothic style in France, which in turn led to a flowering of the great Gothic Cathedrals of the High Middle Ages.

Far from a mere "Dark Age", the 12/13th century peak of Gothic architecture did not occur in a vacuum, but was part of a much larger cultural flowering emerging from the seven liberal arts and the study of the sciences in the new schools and universities of Europe. It was the age of the guilds; a dramatic rise in pilgrimage; the writing of the Grail romances; the troubadours, Cathars, and Knights Templar; and the Black Madonna shrines (the "dark places of Wisdom"). This cultural flowering involved increased awareness of symbolism, number and geometry, and was indebted to a major infusion of scientific and medical knowledge from Muslim Spain into Western Europe.

Our journey leads inevitably to a meeting with Sophia - one of the key forms of divine Wisdom personified as feminine, the female within the godhead. Wisdom, a much-beloved figure of ancient, biblical and medieval philosophers, theologians and alchemists, remains a powerful inspiration for many. As the "muse of the philosophers" since ancient times, Sophia continues to inspire us on our perpetual Quest, as we fully acknowledge the underlying Consciousness that never changes, the perennial Wisdom of the ages.

Based in Chartres, with its magnificent cathedral, crypt and labyrinth, we will spend time in Paris - including La Sainte-Chapelle, with its world-renowned stained glass; the many glories of Notre Dame Cathedral; and the Musée Cluny, home of many medieval treasures, including the enchanting "Lady and the Unicorn" tapestries. On our homeward journey we will visit the curious town of Laon, home to one of the oldest Gothic Cathedrals in France. We will enrich our study with specialist talks and an optional flute meditation with Dr Ralls, and also hope to be given a time for private meditation for our group in the Crypt of the Cathedral at Chartres.

We have booked a 4-night stay (1 day more than our usual time in Chartres), leaving on Saturday 13th September and returning on Wednesday 17th September. We begin early on the 13th, travelling by coach from Studio Barn, Clifton Hampden (where you may leave your car; we can also advise on local B&B if needed) and arriving in Chartres in the early evening. Our French accommodation will be at the Maison St. Yves, the traditional pilgrim guest-house next to Chartres Cathedral. Rooms are simple, attractive and en-suite. We include the cost of 3 evening meals in Chartres, but lunches will be taken independently; we may organize an optional Sunday lunch at an attractive restaurant next to the river. There will also be an optional visit to the specialist glass museum in Chartres. On our day visit to Paris, you will be free to find lunch on or near the Ile de la Cité, and find a bite to eat either on the way home, or in Chartres that evening. On the return journey we hope to stop at Laon for a lunch-break.

There are twin rooms (why not bring a friend?) and limited double rooms as singles available, and we estimate the cost per person will be £375 in a twin room, and £425 for single occupancy of a double room. This price includes all coach travel, 4 nights bed and breakfast and 3 evening meals in the self-service restaurant at the Maison St. Yves, our lecturer`s fees and most entrance fees. (Some 2008 rates are not yet known).

We invite you to join our group, which is always open and friendly. All activities are optional, and you may choose to join in or not just as you wish. We look forward to hearing from you (for contact details, and link to booking form, scroll down to the bottom of this page).

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Karen Ralls, PhD, FSA, is a medieval historian, religious studies scholar, and author. Since 2001 she has tutored, lectured and continued her specialist medieval research at Oxford University. Formerly she was a Postdoctoral Fellow and lecturer at the University of Edinburgh. An international lecturer, conference presenter, professional art consultant and former curator, Dr Ralls' recent books include The Knights Templar Encyclopedia (2007), The Templars and the Grail (2003), Music and the Celtic Otherworld (2000), and, as editor, the SOAS Musicology Series volume, Indigenous Religious Music (2001). Her website is www.ancientquest.com .

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Any Questions? Please contact:

Jane May, "Briarwood", Long Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4QW
Telephone: +44 (0)1865-407680       Fax: +44 (0)1865-407996
Email: janedmay@btinternet.com

or

Marigold Hutton 01865 407490

Finally, to open a booking form, which you can print out, click here.

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