About faith, belonging, power and myth

The Secret of the Temple

Solomon’s Temple – Then and Now. The center of the universe and a political hot spot. 

Jerusalem is the holy city of three religions and the old site of the Jewish temple, the Temple Mount, where the Muslim’s Dome of the Rock is now situated, a political hot spot. Crusaders, freemasons and many others have been preoccupied with this site the historical, religious and symbolic significance of which is unsurpassed. 

We will go back in time and follow the development of places of worship at the site, which, according to the Bible, was first purchased by King David. We will examine how Jews, Christians and Muslims have related to the mount – and to one another – and we will visit the famous monuments: Solomon’s temple and later houses of worship. We will also talk about the hunt for the temple treasure, freemasonry and the present conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. 

Jewish Pictures: About art and the Jewish concept of art. 

For centuries it was believed that Jews had not concerned themselves with the visual arts. Judaica – Jewish ritual objects – were, of course, well-known, but Jewish art was not acknowledged as a concept until the end of the 19th century and especially in the first half of the 20th century.

This is due not least to the major breakthroughs made by archeologists, particularly the unearthing of ancient synagogues like the Syrian Synagogue in Dura-Europos but also the development of modern art in the Holy Land – both before and after the establishment of the Israeli state – as well as in the diaspora, with Chagall probably being the most famous artist. We will closely study the prohibition of pictures in Mosaic Law and examine significant motifs on the basis of the Holy Land, the annual cycle and the question of Jewish identity.

The Sepulchre and the Fountain of Life. The most holy site of Christianity. 

Situated in the center of the ancient city of Jerusalem is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre with its chaotic confusion of chapels leading to the most venerated site in the Christian world: The Holy Sepulchre. The Sepulchre and the chapel surrounding it is still a meeting place for, among other things, an important candlelight ceremony in celebration of the message of Easter: the death and resurrection of Christ.

We will visit this magical place and follow its developments from the time of Jesus to today. We will also take a closer look at how the whole idea of the Sepulchre has inspired western artists and architects, not least in light of the fine relics which the pilgrims brought back home together with ”holy sand” or ”holy oil.” The Sepulchre merged symbolically with the Fountain of Life as can be seen in Medieval art.

The Forbidden Picture

About the usage of pictures in Judaism, Christianity and Islam

Why do pictures of the prophet Muhammed cause a scandal? Why is it that the Jelling Stone – a famous memorial stone from the Danish Viking age – depicts the victorious Christ instead of the empty cross that we normally see in much early Christian art? And why were ancient synagogues lavishly decorated with biblical figures on their floors and walls in contrast to the synagogues of the present day?

What significance do pictures actually have for the three so-called monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam? And in what ways have they allowed themselves to be inspired by one another? We will thoroughly examine the Holy Scriptures and take a closer look at the significance of pictures, including the interior design, decorations and symbolism of synagogues, churches and mosques.

The Cosmic Temple. Paradise in the center of the world.  

The idea of the sanctuary as the center of the world and the Garden of Eden is ancient and can be found in many cultures. We will take a closer look at this temple cosmology with a particular focus on how it manifested itself in Medieval Europe and incorporate the astronomical view of the world of the time.

The temple cosmology is interwoven with the popular visions of the Holy City as described in Revelation and include holy gems, mountains and numbers. The shrines of the Medieval age enchanted their congregations with gorgeous colors, scents, crystals, flickering candles and liturgical processions, all of which was meant to help one’s journey toward God. Our point of departure will be a unique church in France where a synthesis of Jewish, Christian and Islamic temple cosmology can be found.

The Holy Land: About faith, belonging, power and myth

We will visit the Holy Land in words and pictures and tune in to the many diverse interpretations regarding faith, belonging, power and myth the roots of which can be traced back far in the past. Our point of departure will be present day Israel and its many voices as well as its relationship to the outside world. 

We will take a closer look at the development it has undergone in recent years, including the threat scenario in the Middle East. We will also look at how history has left its mark on the cultural development and identify some of the principal narratives, particularly reproduced in art in which Jerusalem has a key position. Film recordings with interviews, etc., are from my many trips and can be shown during the lecture or course, depending on how much time we have at our disposal. Come with an open mind and love in your heart!

Pillars of faith. About trust and surrender.

Father Heaven and Mother Earth, Creation and sacred Marriage.

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see, says Paul, and he continues: By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. What does it mean? And how do these words harmonize with today’s societal concepts?

The good discussion is about revealing spiritual principles that awaken our souls and raise our consciousness, giving us eyes to see and ears to hear, so we can say YES to what makes our harp strings vibrate and NO to forces that suppress and enslave us. Let’s create beautiful music together! There is a difference between light and darkness. Everything is not of the same value or multi-good. Good and evil exist, and you know it by discerning between what makes you blossom and what makes you shrink. We will look at the pillars of faith – in art and culture.

End-time Prophecies and Visions

Eschatology in Jewish, Christian and Islamic art and tradition.

End-time prophecies have always fascinated people and given inspiration to numerous pictures, books, films.… For example, millions watch the most incredible scenarios on You tube. What do the Holy Scriptures in fact say about the final days and can we compare those claims with actual events happening in regard to the climate, as well as political and cultural events?

We will look more closely at the concept of eschatology and compare Jewish, Christian and Islamic texts against one another. What is their belief? What is the fate of humanity? And how will it all end? We will, among other things, meet the prophets of the Old Testament and look into the magical book, The Revelation of John, dealing with the apocalypse and salvation as well as gain an insight as to how Islam links it all up – only in reverse.

Notre Dame – Notre Drame. A spiritual wake-up call.

My heart was bleeding as the Virgin’s Cathedral burned. Everyone talks about it as a cultural-historical monument, the landmark of France, but the cathedral is much more than that. A spiritual center whose struggle to survive reflects the state of our time. In 2018 alone, more than 800 attacks on churches were reported in France.

We will visit the superb cathedral, which has been a landmark for all of France for centuries. I myself have had many deeply spiritual experiences in the church, which I will describe as one of the most spiritually elevated places I have visited. I will show you the beauty of the church and tell you about my experiences regarding the situation in France. From there we move into hot topics, which form the polarity field of our own existence on this planet and which are about faith and trust. God used silence before creation, and we should do the same.

The Serpent, the Tree of Life and Paradise. When east meets west.

Come and hear about how you can dance with the serpent, step into paradise and nourish yourself through the fruits of the Tree of Life. Clean out the old and make way for the new. Heal the pain of the past by connecting with the symbols and miracles that the serpent reveals to you. What is your reaction to that suggestion?

In the Christian tradition, the snake is often associated with Satan. The devil who must be trampled underfoot. And yet the Gospel of John states: And Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up. The symbolism of the serpent is deep and rich and one which you will hear more about. We will touch on the meaning of the cobra in ancient Egypt, examine the cabalistic Tree of Life in Jewish mysticism and delve into the deeper mysteries of Tantra and Kundalini (serpent power). Look forward to a mythological and spiritual journey!

The Magical Garden. Plants of the Bible.

A pilgrim’s journey to the Holy Land in pictures and fragrances.

”Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, I will go to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of incence” (Song of Songs 4:6). We will find inspiration in the beautiful texts in which trees, bushes, herbs and flowers are included in rituals and ceremonies, love and sensuality. And if you wish you can purchase an oil or two to take home with you.

Incense and oils were used for the anointing of kings and priests, just like the scent of sacred oils still fill present day churches around the world. The almond tree was the source of inspiration for the seven-branched candelabrum, Joseph’s brothers brought rockrose with them to Egypt, cedar wood and cypress were used for the king’s palace and temple in Jerusalem. You will have the opportunity to smell different fragrances and if you wish we can also perform an anointment ceremony to evoke the light and beauty in you and in the world.

Herbs and Alchemy. The cultural history of essential oils.

From the dawn of time humans have used their senses to enrich their lives and to experience pleasure. Cultures through the centuries have accumulated knowledge about beautiful scents and the healing powers of herbs. In this lecture you will hear about the cultural history of essential oils and be introduced to the perfume organ.

In Egypt, for example, cedar wood and myrrh were used for embalming corpses, and the Romans used essential oils in their lavish baths. In the monasteries, monks cultivated healing herbs and in Arabian gardens gorgeous colors and intoxicating scents enchanted the soul. All the religions of the world have used incense in their houses of worship and many use it in the present day as well. Exquisite scents have become a status symbol for the choosy consumer over the past centuries, and famous people have created their own signature perfume.

The Mermaid – Goddess of the Sea. The seductress of myths and fairytales.

The mermaid is a symbol of beauty and allure, femininity and fertility – but she also embodies dangers and temptations. With her vibrant tail, her naked breasts and her home in the sea, the Mermaid represents a woman’s connection to the Great Mother, a source for healing and the place to which everything returns: Death.

 You will be acquainted with some of the old fairytales about mermaids – and mermen – and we will try to move deeper into their mythology. The mermaid can help you to redeem love by diving into the sea of your subconscious and refine your body as an instrument for sexuality and pleasure. She represents high sensitivity as a quality of the soul, but she also alludes to a very glamourous aspect of role-playing in today’s consumer society. At the same time, she encourages us to distinguish between sensitivity and hyper-sensitivity which is primarily caused by an overburdening of the nervous system as when you’ve gone through a traumatic experience.