From Hammam to Mary Magdalene : Refugees, Religion & Right relation.
- Lisa Li
- May 9
- 5 min read
Updated: May 11
Full Moon May 12th 2025
So finding myself flying to Montpellier for 10 days of rest... I heard somewhere along the way about the landing point of Mary Magdalene, onto the coast of south France, as a refugee running away from persecution for her beliefs. I looked it up & just an hours drive away, I decided a rough plan that I should go.
Not sure of the full purpose just yet - I had heard of the Magdalene codes : how her energy carries something healing & close to God.... I mean she must have had something special right -- to be a women remembered and even scorned from so long ago.
So my journey began in a very arabic part of Montpellier... I had been here many times before and had never felt any threat, but this time here alone, I did find myself staying in at night... choosing not to walk alone, and this is for no delusion.
Perhaps in any inner city alone I might come under some problems walking as a women at night, but for sure the huge influx of refugees to Europe has made things a little more sensitive. Mostly I hope there is perhaps uncalled for fear -- but media tells us that things have happened so I guess being cautious is important.
If most are genuinely coming to escape war and look for a better life - could it be that the media is just causing us to be defensive around these people? -- I do not know.
So I found myself contemplating a lot between the refugees from Jesus times, fleeing their home, losing everything, fear of death, the trauma, to the refugees now - and how after all this time we are still killing each other, over politics and religion. Have we learned nothing?
Media I guess just amplifies everything -- as we hear every story, feel so connected but have never been more separate. We dont ask these people where they are from... we dont hear their stories, we dont learn about their beliefs... We just walk amongst each other and hope for the best.
I visited a Moroccan Hammam like a mute - with no french I fumbled my way through to the bath house in the basement... surrounded by women of different cultures, they would chat & scrub in the steam to their friends in mumbled tones, but I just spent my time contemplating.
Contemplating the differences yet the similarities between early christian refugees and those now coming from the Middle east & Africa... Contemplating the differences yet the similarities between muslims and christians - and how they are both perhaps speaking about the same God, same spirituality.

The world certainly feels as though it's in a bit of a steamy fog... Where so many things are bubbling to the surface but nothing is yet truly clear. So many clashes of opinion - so much violence.... Surely everybody is feeling it on some level especially if you are connected to media.
So yesterday - I picked up a car and began to drive to Saint Marie de la mer, passing many wild looking horse ranches, flamingos dipping their heads in the lakes and even the odd romany style gypsy trailer.
After exploring the area I found my way to a beach where I lay in the sun and also dipped my feet in the still cold early May Mediteranian... Imagining this is where they would have landed.

As I sat on the sand I let my mind wander around how scared they might have been to arrive here, how trecherous a journey - having had her partner crucified, terrified, hungry.... We can only imagine it wasn't the most pleasant of trips.
My ancesters too refugees from Poland, how many of us must come from bloodlines refugees at some point in our history... all travelling to find refuge.
And to be hated for your beliefs, sharing the word of God or goodness, or however that you want to explain it... being attacked and misunderstood.
Now this I can personally relate to.
A sort of no mans land this area in France - with swamps and marshes and baron wetlands i would imagine.... A little like my life at the moment... A no mans land - literally.... Let go of my van... in a little limbo.... Away mostly from society & feels like noone can hear my message.
Misunderstood often -- Mary was remembered as a simple prostitute - a women who had sinned... who knows the actual truth.
So this is where it resonates for me -- As a women, bringing a message and a way of being that quite often falls on deaf ears or the rare few.... As women do, often have a certain connection to the spiritual - yet who can hear me? (it often feels) and I am sure I am not alone.
As women we are carrying so much, so many centuries of persecution for faith, for politics, for being a women.... Slaves of war, slaves of men, slaves of god even in some cases... Could Magdelene represent freedom? Freedom to let go of it all - to start all over again - to rest in a cave for the rest of her life and just do her work.... allowing the right ones to come to visit her.... perhaps.

This weekend so far I have just cancelled tomorrows Queer Spirit Ceremony.... only 2 booked on -- it doesn't cover travel let alone the room space.
Nottinghams new event in West Bridgeford -- not sure will even happen... and Monday a meagre few -- It feels again and again that numbers are dwindling and group work seems less and less popular, more people preferring to do the work alone or in privates perhaps...?
This full moon is huge -- I know because I am often processing it early so that I am ready to hold space for you all.... A huge shedding and realignment going on my end. Total foggy no mans land... but I am starting to see the shore.
So if you are feeling called, get in touch fast - as I am deciding to cancel rather than hold for small numbers - I may offer you a private instead, because I never like to turn those wanting to do the work away - this world is desperate for it........
But the winds are changing and only God knows what is happening, as I prepare to do a lot more inner work for myself this summer, behind closed doors in my own cauldron.... but do reach out if you want me to put something on........
After full moon I might be taking a little break from the space holding.... so it might be your last chance.......
Privates continuing as normal -- for now xxxx


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