The Way of Love
Magdalene Women's Retreat
21-28 June 2025
‘I am the first and the last, I am she who is honored and she who is scorned.
I am the whore and the holy woman, I am the wife and the virgin’
― from 'The Thunder: Perfect Mind' - Nag Hammadi Scrolls
It was the 21st of June 2021 and the church bells in the village of Rennes-les-Bains rang for 12 o’clock.
I had sat down on a stone chair in the forest that emanated a magical and wise energy, the sort of wisdom that only ancient stones can have, and so when I sat down, I decided to close my eyes and meditate.
In the stillness, I started seeing a circle of women in red robes in my mind’s eye. They circled as sisters around me and one of them walked up to me with a crown made of roses. She walked towards me, looking at me with power and kindness as she put the crown on my head. Then she took a sword and like a knight’s initiation, she laid it upon both my shoulders one after the other.
She did not share any audible words, yet by the feelings I had I understood that this was a remembering. It was an initiation I had experienced many lives ago, one that was alive in my soul until this very moment. It reminded me of the sacredness of all of my being. It helped me embrace all that comes with being human, whilst honouring my eternal essence at the same time.
This is a warm invitation to dive into the Way of Love: a path of remembering your essence, in the mystical French Pyrenees from June 21-28, 2025.
Mary Magdalene & The Way of Love
The Way of Love is a spiritual path walked by Yeshua (Jesus) and Mary Magdalene, based on the principles of unconditional love, compassion, and sacred union. It is a mystical path that invites inner transformation and the embodiment of love. The teachings of the Way of Love originate in early gnostic Christian thought, yet transcend religious boundaries and embrace a wider understanding of spirituality.
According to local legend, Mary Magdalene fled Judea after the resurrection and arrived at the shores of Saintes-Marie-de-la-Mer in southern France together with several of her family members. She then journeyed onwards to the Pyrenees where she taught and baptized the local people. During the retreat we will visit sacred sites in the land, such as healing water sources, mountains and chapels connected with Mary Magdalene.
Mary Magdalene's courageous life path inspires women today to trust and follow their inner truth, daring to stand out by following their unique soul path. The Gospel of Mary highlights her role as a teacher and leader, illustrating that becoming fully human involves recognizing a spirituality that is intertwined with and not separate from human experiences and emotions. This is the powerful invitation she, and the land she walked, hand to us: to fully accept our humanity and thereby open up to a divine, eternal love to be the leading force in our lives.
Cathar Country in the Pyrenees
The Cathars were an alternative religious group that emerged in the 12th century; they translated the Bible into their local Occitan language, and took a liberal approach to the interpretation of the texts that opposed traditional Church ideas. Women were considered equal to men and held positions of spiritual power in Cathar culture. Cathar communities flourished widely in the Pyrenees, just as legends and sites of Mary Magdalene did. In the 13th century, the Cathars were almost completely eradicated by the cruel practices of the church inquisition, yet their mystical teachings, castles and power places remain.
Cathars were deeply connected to nature, to the ancient wisdom held in the valleys and mountains of Aude and Ariege. During the Way of Love Retreat we will visit sacred Cathar sites such as Montsegur Castle and Lombrives cave, guided by the inspiring stories of Cathar women who, despite an often threatening environment, stood up for what they believed in.
Daily schedule
08:00 - 09:00 Breakfast
09:30 – 13:30: Way of Love Morning: outdoor visit to a sacred site*
14:00 – 17:00: Lunch ~ Rest ~ Free Time
17:00 – 19.00: Way of Love Afternoon: onsite integration workshop
(e.g. writing, yin yoga, sound journey)
19.00: Dinner
20.30 – 22.00: Dance ~ Singing Circle ~ Fire Evening ~ Free Time
*On some days we will take lunch with us and only return to the Domaine around 5pm,
after which there will be free time until dinner.
Accommodation
We will be staying in the beautiful Domaine de Mournac in the Aude region of the French Pyrenees. Surrounded by mountains and vineyards, Domaine de Mournac is a place of deep peace and natural beauty. The Domaine consists of a fully renovated farmhouse with a large dining and living room, a terrace with stunning mountain view, a large garden with swimming pool and spacious bedrooms in rustic style. Mealtimes will be enjoyed in the dining room or outside on the terrace when the weather allows. Our indoor activities will be centered in The Activity Room, a luminous space with many windows and a wooden floor, with plenty of room to move, meditate and create. In the garden and by the swimming pool you can find many peaceful corners to sit down and read a book or simply enjoy the view. Domaine de Mournac offers different shared rooms with an ensuite bathroom, all with their own special twist.
Retreat Team
Jeska Onderwater
Jeska Onderwater is an artist, singer-songwriter, yoga teacher, creative workshop & ceremony leader. Fascinated by the beauty of the natural world, the magic of creative expression and the mysterious journey of life she creates her offerings from and for the heart.
In 2020 she started receiving dreams about Roses and Mary Magdalene which lead her on a pilgrimage through England, France & Scotland. Her journey brought her to magical power places and meetings with soulmates amongst which her life partner. It inspired her to start writing a book, create new songs as well as include the magic of the Rose Path in her offerings.
Jeska has been sharing her music and creative guidance in yoga classes, festivals, retreats, workshops, concerts & ceremonies all over Europe for the last 10 years. In deep attunement with the whispers of the Earth and those of her own heart she creates safe, loving spaces for deep remembering and creativity to flow through.
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Caroline Frederix
Caroline has always been fascinated by good food.
From her childhood home she inherited an interest in baking traditional sweet pies and other good stuff from the oven. In her mums kitchen, delicious, healthy and responsible eating came naturally. Food from the garden, local and seasonal products, fresh and home-made.
Caroline still enjoys baking and cooking and has been able to gain a lot of inspiration during her worldwide travels. From a RAW chef course in Australia, getting inspired by the Ayurvedic cuisine in India to working on food truck festivals throughout Belgium: food is her passion. As Caroline gained more experience, she also began to find the healthy aspect of food increasingly important and this is where her focus is now. She chooses to cook vegetarian or vegan, working with organic, local and seasonal products as much as possible.
More info via: https://njamaste.one/
Romain Gauthier
For the past 15 years, Romain has been involved in social entrepreneurship in various domains (education, health, inclusion) and various countries (France, Belgium, Quebec, Cambodia, Egypt, and more recently in Luxembourg).
In 2021, after 6 months of pilgrimage on the Santiago Way in France, he decided to start a positive media platform to highlight transition stories and inspirational experiences and called it: Réenchantons la Terre. With this platform, he is supporting people and projects who offer alternative solutions to living in harmony with each other and the planet. He also facilitates ceremonial gatherings with Jeska (singing circles, concerts, retreats) and other creatives.
Romain will be assisting with all things practical during the retreat, he will mainly be helping Caroline in the kitchen and offer practical support where needed. We know the presence of a man in a women's retreat can be sensitive, yet you can trust in the discrete, kind and respectful presence of Romain in the background of the retreat.
What other women say:
about retreats with Jeska
The retreat was magical and has created a new opening for me. A connection to the rose which fuels me with softness, femininity, and courage. I feel inspired, emotional, seen, and carried. I found back a part of myself in Avalon, the thing I probably came for. Jeska guided us softly, strongly, and lovingly. You knew it was more important to listen to the needs of the group rather than following a strict program. The program was perfect, not too much, not too little. The sacred spaces you chose and the guidance of a different colour rose/ascended master each day allowed for a smooth flow, letting Avalon carry us from one magical place to another. I loved your music and your invitations for us to sing intuitively together.
~ Lynn (The Netherlands) on the Avalon Women's Retreat 2024
It was profoundly deepening, enriching, relaxing, enhancing, expanding , magical divine meets human and human meets divine ceremonial priestess healing!
I passed through a portal towards a so much more expansive world of the divine feminine that felt so deeply grounded and can only recommend this retreat to other women.
~ Nathanja (The Netherlands) on the Iona Women's Retreat 2024
I have just returned from a magical and insightful week on Iona with Jeska as my guide. Her intentional and meaningful engagement opportunities, ceremonies and songs have left me feeling renewed, refreshed and showing up on this Earth with more love to share. Thank you Jeska. I adore you.
~ Cindy (United States) on the Iona Women's Retreat 2023
I just can say, thank you for this magical day. It was really great. I enjoyed every part of it. And my highlight is Jeska´s voice. She has a beautiful warm and strong voice. It goes through your heart, opens it and starts your healing process. I loved the singing circles and the rainbow came to join us in its beautiful colours of Life and especially the Roses. Our hugs and just being together lovingly. Thank you. ♥️
~ Anna (Germany) on The Rose Path: One Day Retreat 2024
Investment*
Option 1: 1999 euro (4 spots available)
bed in a twin shared ensuite room with mountain view
Option 2: 1888 euro (6 spots available )
bed in a triple shared ensuite room with mountain view
Option 3: 1777 euro (2 spots available)
bed in a smaller twin shared room with garden view
Deposit to reserve your spot: 444 EUR
Balance due by the 1st of June 2025
Payment plans available upon request
*Early Bird Discount*
When you book before March 31, 2025
you will receive a 111 euro discount on the accommodation option of your choice.
Cancellation policy
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If you cancel before the 1st of May, you will receive a 90% refund
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If you cancel between the 1st of May and the 1st of June, you will receive a 50% refund
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After June 1st, we're unable to give any refunds, but you can transfer your spot to a friend
What's included?
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7 nights accommodation at the beautiful Domaine de Mournac
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Three delicious vegetarian meals a day by Caroline
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Unlimited Rose Tea served throughout the day
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Full Retreat program with Jeska
The Way of Love retreat program*:
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Visit to the mystical Magdalene village of Rennes-le-Chateau
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Visit to Montsegur Cathar Castle & Lombrives Cave
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Local legends, Storytelling & Meditations
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Visit to the Throne of Isis & Forest of Wise Stones
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Ceremonial day hike up Bugarach Mountain
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Visit to sacred water sites: Les Fontaines des Amours, La Source Madeleine, Hot Springs
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Trip to the Esperaza Sunday market with local artisans & food
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Intuitive Dance, Singing Circle & Sound Journey
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Relaxing Yin Yoga with Live Music
And a whole lot of magic & nourishment!
*Note that the program may be changed or adapted
depending on the weather as well as intuitive guidance during the week
What's not included?
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Travel to and from Domaine de Mournac
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Additional snacks or meals in local restaurants
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Any other expenses outside of the retreat program
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Optional 1:1 massage sessions
How to get to Domaine de Mournac?
By train/plane/taxi:
Flying into or traveling from Carcassonne airport or train station is most convenient as it is closest to the Domaine. Dependant on the amount of people arriving at Carcassonne we will arrange a group taxi from the airport which costs between 50-15 euros per person for a 45 minute drive. Flying into Toulouse is another option, you will then have to take a taxi ride of 1,5 hours which will cost between 120-55 euros a person, prices are dependant on how many participants will travel at the same time. Once you register, Jeska will ask you for your travel details and organize the group taxis from both airports where needed. Another option is to travel by bus from Carcassonne station to Couiza/Montazels, from where we can arrange someone to pick you up.
By car:
Domaine de Mournac, 11190 Antugnac, France
You can park at the parking of the Domaine for free. Once you sign up, you can indicate whether you're coming by car and let us know if you wish to make yourself available to be one of the drivers to the sacred sites.
Fuel costs for these trips (between 10 minutes and 1 hour) will be discounted from your retreat investment.
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Questions?
Feel free to contact me directly for any questions or to schedule a call if you're wondering whether this retreat is for you. I'm happy to connect with you!
Mail: jeska.onderwater@gmail.com
Follow me on Instagram for more sharings on the retreat via stories & posts or sign up to my monthly newsletter here
With love,
Jeska