JOIN ME FOR THE BLACK MADONNA TOUR 2021
Itinerary:
August 4th:
Arrival at Rome's airport to go to Castellammare di Stabia, near Naples.
We will visit the following places and Black Madonnas:
August 5th
Black Madonna della Neve, Torre Annunziata
spectacular feast along the sea near Sorrento/Pompei on the Amalfi Coast. In the late afternoon we will watch the re-enactment of the fisherman fishing the Black Madonna found in a large cage in the sea. It is spectacular and very moving as she is connected to the Goddess Aphrodite. We will also do a ritual chant on the beach at sunset, a Medieval prayer to the Black Madonna.
August 6th
Visit to Black Madonna of Positano, also by the Sea, a beautiful Byzantine Icon, also connected to Aphrodite. Positano is one of the most beautiful towns of the Amalfi coast, and we will spend the day there. As last year I will lead a beautiful ritual of purification in the sea, with white flowers, drumming and chants, all dressed in white and blue we will honor the Madonna del Mare, Aphrodite/Yemanja in the Afro- Brazilian tradition.
August 7th
A visit to Pompeii -Led by writer/archeologist Armando Mei.
The Temple of Isis is a testament to Egyptian influence over Roman religion. In Pompeii is preserved one of the most important temples dedicated to the Goddess Isis, in south Italy. Armando will focus on the connections between the origins of the Great Mother Culture and its evolution along the millennium. A travel through Ancient Sumerians and Egyptians Myths, among the ruins of the most famous ancient town of POMPEII.
Night of August 7th
We will meet the well-known tammorra maker Raffaele Inserra from Gragnano and the young one Gianfranco, for a great feast at the great restaurant il Vigneto where we will play and dance, and people will have a chance to learn the authentic tammorriata, a very sensual and erotic dance done with castanets to the large drum called Tammorra, playing a powerful 4/4 rhythm.
August 8th
We leave for the Black Madonna of Montevergine,
also known as Mamma Schiavona (Serving Mother) a spectacular sacred Mountain near Avellino - (in the beautiful mountain region called Irpinia). This is the most important of the seven sisters, an ancient site and temple of the goddess Cybele, Black Mother Earth Goddess from Anatolia. We will go the famous throne (a special rock in the mountains called Seggia della Madonna) where healing miracles happen, where last year many people had a very powerful mystical experience. Up in the sanctuary we will play the tammorriata and sing for her. We will also enjoy the great local food and wine, as we rest in the restaurant up the mountain.
This region is called Irpinia and we will visit several powerful sites here:
August 9th
Black Madonna in Moiano, near Benevento
The powerful, beautiful MADONNA DELLA LIBERA, the one I am most devoted to and have personally received a miracle from. She is the most magical! This is also an ancient site of worship to the Goddess Isis. Last year I had an incredible break down and felt reborn after asking her to free me from sad moments of the past. Many people had the same experience! In the chapel we will also chant her traditional songs, that I learned from the old women of the town during the procession.
August 10
LA MADONNA NERA INCORONATA DI FOGGIA (Puglia, land of the tarantella!) We will travel to the famous Tavoliere delle Puglie, a beautiful landscape of agricultural land, to the Sanctuary of this mysterious Madonna Nera with the GOLD CROWN who appeared in the year 1001 in a very magical way. While shepherds were working in the field 2 bulls ran away to a tree and knelt down, as lightning and fire appeared for a long time. Suddenly a voice was heard saying I AM MARY MOTHER OF GOD! And I want my temple built here! And the beautiful statue of the Madonna Nera appeared right in the tree. And she made many miracles, including with a special anointing oil that always burns at her image and never goes out.
August 11
LEAVE FOR CALABRIA!! My favorite land!
We will stay in the beautiful town of Tropea, in a hotel with great food and a breathtaking view of the beach and active volcano STROMBOLI! There we will finally have a couple of days of rest on the beach, swimming in the turquoise sea very similar to Hawaii. In Calabria we will meet and feast with my good friend and tarantella teacher Vittorio de Paola and have dinner and party in his beautiful restaurant on top of the mountain with a great view of the sea. This one of the highlights of the tour!
August 13
We will honor the Black Madonna del Tindari
This is a magical place, where the Madonna del Tindares (Ethiopian name) was found in cave under the mountain, which we will visit, by enchanted lakes of salt water, and a beautiful turquoise sea, where we will do a purification ritual. The Madonna looks like an African totem and is inside the church on top of the mountain, with the inscription Nigra Sum Sed Formosa (I am Black and Beautiful). Next to the church we will visit the archeological site that has the temples of Demeter and Cybele and drum as we watch the most spectacular sunset over the sea.
August 14
We will go to the feast of the Black Madonna di Seminara, Madonna dei Poveri, celebrated with a wild drumming ritual, reenacting an ancient fertility rite, and giant Puppets that dance to the fast 6/8 rhythm of the tarantella (Giganti). Last year everyone was enchanted by the powerful rhythms of African origins, and seeing the giant puppets of the African King Courting the Italian Queen, thus bringing together these two cultures.
August 15
on the Day of the Assumption, the feast day of the Madonna, we will follow a beautiful procession of the Madonna of the Sea on a boat along the stunning coast of Tropea.
August 16
Morning departure for Rome's airport or Station from La Mezia, Calabria.
A great feature of this tour is the local folk traditions, the music of the tarantella the dancing, and the fantastic food, all fresh prepared according to the regional traditions, and the most amazing wine!! As we enter the favored land of Dionysus, god of Ecstasy and Wine!
I am also blessed to bring my old friend and teacher of tamburello, tammorra maker Raffaele Inserra from Gragnano. We will spend an unforgettable night with him as we dance, drum, eat, and drink fantastic wine from Gragnano - some of the best in the world!
The cost of the tour is $2,900. Additional cost for a single room - $400
This does not include airfare and lunch as we will be moving around during the days. but includes:
1) Hotel accommodations, double occupancy, 4 star hotels,
2) Breakfast and wonderful dinners in very good restaurants and hotels
3) Tour bus
4) Ferry boat back and forth to Sicily
5) My work as the guide to the pilgrimages with some lectures on site, leading drumming ceremonies, chants and rituals in appropriate locations.
Please note registration fee of $150 is needed upon sign-up to ensure your participation and to have the tour operator secure the hotels.
The tour deposit is due by April 15
and the remaining of the total amount due June 30
