The Magdalene Holy Gathering in Avalon

The Magdalene Holy Gathering in Avalon is a four-day spiritual retreat held in Glastonbury, England, in honour of Mary Magdalene's Feast Day. It is led by Ana Otero, a mystic, author, dancer, yogi and meditation teacher, and takes place at Glastonbury Goddess Hall and St Margaret's Chapel. It suits anyone drawn to the Magdalene–Christos Tradition, Christian mysticism and devotional practice in a shared circle, and the retreat is non-residential.

What to Expect

The gathering comes from The Desert Rose Sanctuary, which offers retreats, holy gatherings and festivals where people pray, chant, drum and dance together in one sacred circle. That is the spirit of these four days: practice done together rather than watched from the sidelines.

Ana's teaching holds that spirituality should be lived as well as contemplated. Creativity becomes prayer, movement becomes meditation and the voice becomes a sacred instrument. Her practices include contemplative prayer, Aramaic chanting and guided meditation, and you can expect the days to draw on this way of working. A fixed daily timetable has not been set out, so the exact order of sessions is best confirmed with the organizer.

About Ana Otero

Ana Otero is a mystic, author, dancer, yogi and teacher, and the founder of The Desert Rose Mystery School, a school of embodied mysticism rooted in the wisdom of Mary Magdalene and Yeshua. She is based in Mijas, Málaga, in southern Spain, and for more than two decades she has devoted herself to studying and embodying the world's great mystical traditions.

Her teaching weaves together the Magdalene–Christos Tradition, Christian mysticism, Aramaic, Hebrew mysticism and Sufi spirituality. At its centre is The Magdalene Rosette, a contemplative framework of six pathways that guides students toward what she calls the Magdalene–Christos Heart.

The Setting

Glastonbury, long associated with the name Avalon, is the backdrop for the retreat. Sessions are held at Glastonbury Goddess Hall and St Margaret's Chapel, the chapel also being the place where Ana has offered an Aramaic healing concert. Because the retreat is non-residential, you would arrange your own accommodation in or near Glastonbury and come to the venues each day.

Before You Go

This is a four-day, non-residential retreat, so plan lodging and travel to Glastonbury yourself. Ana's work combines chanting, movement and prayer, so come ready to take part with your voice and body as well as your attention.