Sanctuary of Light in Viana do Castelo

Where Two Become One

Let me take you to a place that deeply moved me,
A place that inspired such deep and profound awe,
That it moved me to tears
It filled me with such bright light,
It felt I could beam across the oceans and lands
And you could feel me beaming back home.

This place that we biked to, to spend just one day
The name of which was whispered in my ear by a dear friend
Who had never heard of it before

Magic does indeed happen

This place is located on top of wooded heights
Right where ocean and river meet
In an overflowing dance
Two become one

Let us go, together

Surrounded by fragrant Eucalyptus and Cork Oak trees
A path of 660 steps takes us up
Slowly, steadily
Listening to the song of the birds
While meditating on the light

When we emerge from the forested staircase
 Initially blinded by such bright light
We can't quite make out our surroundings

​But we move closer
​and closer

As we approach the imposing building
we notice a pillar

Then
​
Two pillars capture and hold the view
Preventing you
from ​being swept away

Turning around, we take in the building
Slowly and quietly we enter
​deeper 
into
sacred space

We are greeted by a Priestess
​- disguised as a nun -
In the midst of an old ritual
Delivering words to us in a language we don't speak

Our eyes focus on the center red door

She disappears - oh no, don't go - 
Ah, she emerges again
Singing us a soothing, sacred lullaby

~

The afternoon sunlight comes through the South Rose window
Below, Nossa Senhora da Abadia greets us
​
Our eyes follow the sun to the North
Just in time to see
Playful rainbow dots kiss Santa Luzia's neck, cheeks and eyes
Bringing her back to life

Our hearts connect the missing pieces

Finally our eyes raise up
To be greeted by the Eye of Horus
Filled with bright light rays of Christ
Merging - fully breasted - 
Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine
Become One

As above, so below

The mountain view 
Brings a stunning dance of dark and light
Creating intimate moves with the ocean

While back down town
We are greeted by a double rainbow
Reaching to the moon and back

Blessing us all
with Love and Light