The Black Madonna Speaks

Mont Saint Michel is the fairytale island castle with a UNESCO World Heritage Site status. Off the coast of Normandy, Mont Saint Michel is the most visited heritage site in all of France, which is saying quite a bit. With a history as turbulent as the rugged coastline it is part of, Mont Saint Michel is a fascinating testament to the evolution of the mysteries contributing to human consciousness t...

The Columbian Voyage produced epoch shattering results. In the midst of it all, a Black Madonna came to prominence in the New Worlds as a symbol of hope, solidarity and resilience. Our Lady of Regula had her origins in Africa, traveled to Spain and was introduced into the far realms of the Spanish Empire. This episode explores her unique history and influence during the time of exploration.

In the spirit of American Hispanic Heritage Month, this episode will explore the history and cultural influences of one of Spain's most beloved Black Madonnas. Not only has this Madonna been a healing influence, she figures prominently in The Age of Discovery.

Carlos Nieto III is an animator with credits ranging from The Simpsons to King of the HIll. His current project is a graphic novel exploring the history of the Iberian Peninsula along with the Americas in an epic tale of discovery. Along the way, The Black Madonna and Virgin of Guadalupe figure prominently in Nieto's discoveries about how art affects culture.

Our Lady of Las Lajas is a lesser known, but equally miraculous Virgin Mary of the Americas. Like her sister The Virgin of Guadalupe, she appears to Natives, offers healing and inclusion and imprints her image on earthly substance. Nestled in a beautiful canyon, Las Lajas is a shrine of hope and endurance, one of the most visited shrines in all of South America. 

Many of the worlds most beloved Black Madonna's of the European Continent have their origin stories involving St Helen of the Cross. Helen or Elena as many call her, was the mother of Constantine the Great. She is directly responsible for the establishment of churches and shrines across the Holy Land and surrounding areas. This episode will explore the connections between Helen, the Templars and T...

Loreto, Via Lantinni and Primo The Black Madonna of Italy and Croatia says it all! This episode explores the connections a Black Madonna has woven between Palestine, The Balkans and Italy. The Black Madonna of Loreto has had quite the journey, and is the Patron Saint of Aviators, for good reason! Enjoy!

Hettienne Grobler is best described as an artist of the Divine Feminine. Through her writings, pilgrimages and artistic creations she has dedicated her heart, soul and art to The Virgin Mary. Hettienne's creations can be best viewed through her website Her Grace Sacred Art at https://hergracesacredart.com/ and also through her blog at http://bookofmarysacredheart.blogspot.com/. Hettienne's most re...

Our Lady of Antipolo is beloved to the Filipino community across the globe. Her story is common with Black Madonnas in the Americas and the Pacific Islands, and weaves together Christian and Native belief systems. Our Lady is featured in the United States Catholic Shrine, as well as Catholic Churches around the world. Our Lady is an inspiration for all who voyage on this journey of life, the journ...

Our Lady of Le Puy en Velay is a fascinating image that reflects the evolution of the mysteries from ancient Egypt and Israel to our modern era. Her shrine is a major gateway to The Camino de Santiago de Compostela, and has been the location of sacred ritual from the dawn of time. 

Our Lady of Kibeho is an inspiring and timely story of how The Virgin Mary appeared to High School Students in Kibeho, Rwanda. The apparitions continued for years, resulting in the first approved Marian Apparitions in Africa. The image of what the girls witnessed in their ecstasies became a collaborative work of art between Rwandans and a Polish art school. This episode explores the unique story o...

La Negrita is a miraculous image of A Black Madonna in Costa Rica. Inspiring centuries of Pilgrims to flock to her shrine, this Madonna has a unique origin narrative in a lush nation dedicated to peace.

The Mother and Child of Soweto is a modern Black Madonna that inspired countless oppressed souls during the darkest days of apartheid in South Africa. The story behind this image is a fascinating narrative on how differing interests can come together to help heal a deep wound in culture. Weaving history and spirituality, The Mother and Child of Soweto reflects a model of culture, a template for Th...

DeźMon Omega Fair - Interdisciplinary Artist and Poet is this episodes honored guest. Listeners will be treated to a reading from his inspirational poetry, and learn more how DeźMon uses popular culture as a medium for the many artistic endeavors they share with the world. Visit  https://dezmonomegafair.com/ to see  DeźMon's creative gifts. 

The Black Virgin of Rocamadour is known by several names: The Black Madonna , Our Lady of Rocamadour and Our Lady of the Poor. This French Black Madonna has a fascinating history that leads back to the time of Christ in Palestine. Rocamadour has been a pilgrim destination on the Camino de Santiago de Compostela since the 12th century, boasting visits from Elinor of Aquitaine, Bernard of Clairvaeux...

The Black Madonna of Trinidad is known by many names, all reflections of the multicultural past and present of this island off the coast of Venezuela. The Miracle Mother is one, mainly because whatever one's tradition is, she is sought out because of her proven record of facilitating miracles. This episode explores the rich history of the Caribbean and the hope that peaceful, joyful coexistence be...

The Black Madonna of the Germanic People is called Our Lady of the Dark Forest. The image has a long history, and a unique apparition story during the 9th Century. If you can visit the Shrine located in the Swill Alps near Zurich, it is worth the effort.

Our Lady of Jasna Góra is more commonly known as The Black Madonna of Częstochowa Poland. This Madonna has a fascinating history shared with many other Black Madonnas, tracing her origins back to the time of the Apostles. This image has inspired countless people throughout the centuries, especially the Polish who have suffered much at the hands of various empires throughout their tumultuous histor...

Considered the Patroness of Catalonia and Spain, The Dark Virgin of Montserrat has inspired generations of seeing souls. Her origins are similar to many Black Madonnas, and her journey throughout the sands of time is a testament to the hope and love from the Spiritual World. This episode will explore the art, history and surroundings of Our Lady of Montserrat.

Chartres Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, and for good reason. Due to the collective efforts of over a thousand years of stewardship through wars, revolutions and plagues, Our Lady of Chartres is one of the best preserved Gothic Cathedrals in Europe. A sacred site since neolithic times, Chartres has always been associated with a dark goddess. This episode explores ancien...

One of the key features of host Stephanie Georgieff's research into the Black Madonnas of Europe is the placement of these beautiful images along the Camino de Santiago de Compostela throughout the continent. This episode will explore some interesting and often overlooked history of the Camino and how it relates to The Black Madonna.

The Knights Templar are a mysterious order of warrior monks born of the Crusades. Within a century, the Knights were the main organizing force in European Civilization, employing a majority of citizens through various endeavors such as farms, textiles, banking and their greatest achievement, the guilds of artisans who created the Gothic Cathedrals we still enjoy to this day. Their influence and pa...

We are told in Isaiah that we will be given the treasures of darkness. As darkness is often considered as a negative, this episode looks at the color Black as a nourishing, relational, generative and positive quality. The Black Madonna's color has deep mystical symbolism which is purposeful and healing.

This episode explores the artistic aspects and symbolism of what makes The Black Madonna such an important expression of Divinity. Considering the color and visual expression, host Stephanie Georgieff gives her insights based on years of research in various schools of thought on The Black Madonna as a messenger from the spiritual realms.

The History of The Black Madonna is an introduction to how The Black Madonnas became a phenomenon in Europe. From the times of ancient Christianity which spanned three continents, to the Crusades to modern authors and artists, the Black Madonna has captured the imagination of countless seekers on the Journey of the Soul