Though I’ve always been fascinated by religion and spirituality from a young age, I’ve never considered myself a strictly religious person. Like many on their own journey to deeper self-understanding, I’ve had times when I felt strongly against organised religion. Before coming to Italy, I leaned more toward spirituality, resonating with Buddhist and Taoist philosophies—a natural path, given my yoga practice and passion for Ayurvedic medicine. But Italy offered me a newfound respect for the energy of Mother Mary, Jesus, and the beauty of religious traditions.

I’ve come to see how all these philosophies interweave, creating a tapestry of wisdom and reverence. There’s a unique beauty in stepping into a space where respect for each tradition exists, recognising how they complement and enhance one another.

Since my Kundalini Awakening two years ago, I’ve developed a deeper interest in exploring the dual energies described in various traditions—like Ida and Pingala in Vedic teachings, or Yin and Yang in Taoism, which speak to the interplay of masculine and feminine energies. This understanding has drawn me to archetypal energy embodiment meditations, opening new doors for personal growth and connection with the divine energies within and around us.

For those of you wondering, archetypal energy embodiment is the practice of connecting with and embodying universal energies or archetypes that represent fundamental aspects of the human experience, such as the Warrior, the Lover, the Creator, or the Sage.

Each archetype carries unique qualities, strengths, and lessons, providing a mirror for different parts of ourselves that we may wish to understand, develop, or heal. By consciously embodying an archetype—through visualisation, meditation, movement, or intention—we tap into its energy, allowing us to explore aspects of our psyche and bring forward qualities that we may need in a particular moment, like courage, compassion, or wisdom. 

In my journey, archetypal energy embodiment has been profoundly transformative. It has guided me to reconnect with my inner power, balance the masculine and feminine within, and integrate the shadow and light that make up my wholeness. This practice has deepened my understanding of myself and the world around me, opening doors to personal growth, healing, and heightened self-awareness.

I’ve found that archetypes tend to appear when we are ready, often through a dream, meditation, an intuitive pull, or a quiet yet undeniable knowing. Several years ago, Mary Magdalene first introduced herself to me, along with the sacredness of the rose. She appeared in my dreams and would surface during healing sessions—whether in reiki, massage, meditation, or yoga. At the time, I didn’t realise it, but I now know this was an invitation to explore the mysteries of the Sacred Feminine and the transformative power of unconditional love.

Following my Kundalini awakening, Shakti energy came into my life. Shakti, embodying the divine feminine power and all goddesses, guided me on a path toward greater awareness, spiritual transformation, and a deeper connection to my higher self. Through Shakti, I embraced creativity, healing, sensuality, and the vast potential for growth that lies within.

Not long after Shakti awakened within me, Kali Ma made her powerful entrance as the fierce destroyer of ego and darkness. I’ll admit, this was an intense experience. The “Kali era” was like a whirlwind, urging me to confront boundaries and release what no longer served me. There were moments when it felt chaotic, and I was hesitant to let go of my defenses, but I came to respect her fierce love and protection. I know now that Kali is always there when I need her, a force of profound transformation.

After a year of navigating Kali’s stormy energy, the wolf spirit entered my dreams about three months ago, a symbol of wisdom, power, and leadership. I believe the wolf arrived to guide me out of the wild chaos of Kali’s intensity and help me find my way back into balance. The wolf taught me to come out of my head and into my heart and soul, and over the last few months, I’ve focused on aligning my mind and heart, working toward a divine union of thought and feeling.

It seems only natural that now, during my visit to Italy, Mother Mary has come into my life. She embodies forgiveness, trust, and unconditional love—a calming, nurturing energy that feels like a gentle balm, inviting me to heal and rest in a deep sense of peace.

While in Italy, I found myself spending a lot of time in churches, drawn to their quiet, sacred energy. These spaces became places of healing for me, a sanctuary where I could simply sit and connect. Not long ago, I might have felt anger at the wealth poured into these grand structures, especially knowing so many people struggle with hunger, homelessness, and hardship. But as I journey deeper into balancing my head and heart, I have begun to understand the gift within life’s polarities.

Instead of feeling anger, I allowed myself to embrace reverence for the artistry and devotion in each church, feeling the presence of the divine within those intricate details. Sitting on a pew, gazing up at statues of Mother Mary, paintings of cupids, and scenes of Jesus, I realised something profound: without the beauty and creativity held within these sacred walls, perhaps fewer people would feel drawn to explore religion, spirituality, or a connection with the divine. The beauty within these churches, I saw, is a gateway for the soul, a place where art and devotion inspire something timeless and transformative in each of us.

But it was Mother Mary who unexpectedly drew me in. In every church, I felt an undeniable pull toward her paintings and statues, as if she were speaking directly to me—calling me to dive deeper, to come home to my own wholeness. Often, I would catch the scent of frankincense, myrrh, and other sacred resins, whether I was in a church or somewhere entirely unexpected. I later learned that this fragrance is closely linked with Mother Mary, embodying devotion, purity, and a profound spiritual connection. It felt like a gentle reminder of her presence, guiding me quietly on this journey back to myself.

"In the gentle presence of Mother Mary, our wounds are met not with judgment, but with boundless compassion, reminding us that healing begins with acceptance and love."

 

In Mother Mary's presence, I am embraced by a divine feminine energy that radiates unconditional love, comfort, and healing like nothing I’ve ever known. She embodies the soft, nurturing essence of the feminine—a sacred space where I am seen and held exactly as I am, free from judgment, expectation, or advice. People have turned to her for centuries in times of pain, seeking solace in her gentle presence, her unwavering acceptance, and her boundless compassion. Through her energy, I am invited to bring forward my sacred wounding, those parts of myself that feel broken, rejected, or unseen, and to offer them into her loving embrace.

Through her gentle presence, she also invites me to hold sacred space for those in my life who come with their own wounds, offering me the grace and strength to remain in the light rather than sinking into fear, judgment, blame, or control. With her, I learn the beauty of true compassion, unconditional love and unwavering presence.

 

"Mother Mary’s embrace is a sanctuary of peace, where we are held in the fullness of our humanity—seen, loved, and healed by the pure light of the divine feminine."

 

Mother Mary’s presence doesn’t demand that I change and she doesn't push me to “fix” anything about myself. Instead, she reminds me that I am whole as I am and invites me to simply show up with all that I carry—my fears, my grief, my shame, and my deepest longings—and to surrender them into her open, loving arms. She asks nothing of me but to be authentic and vulnerable, allowing her unconditional love to touch those parts of myself I often keep hidden. In her presence, I am reminded that there is no pain too deep or flaw too great that she cannot hold in gentle acceptance. Her pure, sacred energy of acceptance creates a space where healing can truly begin, for it recognises that I am already whole, just as I am.

Mother Mary doesn’t offer advice, solutions, or answers; instead, she offers a love so pure and complete that it softens the hardness I carry within. Her energy asks me to lean into my pain and hold it gently, without forcing it to disappear before it’s ready. She becomes a mirror for the divine within, showing me that my wounds, however painful, are not signs of brokenness but sacred openings connecting me more deeply to my own soul.

 

Through Mother Mary’s healing grace, we find strength in our vulnerability, discovering that true wholeness lies not in perfection, but in allowing ourselves to be lovingly restored."

  

When I approach Mother Mary with my sacred wounding, I open myself to the powerful, transformative energy of the divine feminine—a force that understands the value of patience, softness, and deep, unconditional love. In this surrender, I find freedom from the need to control or solve, releasing the pressures to “fix” myself. Mother Mary teaches me to trust the healing process and to embrace each step of the journey, knowing I am loved in every part of it.

In my modern life, it’s easy to lose touch with this kind of love, to overlook the simple power of acceptance. But in my encounters with Mother Mary, I have rediscovered a different way to heal—one that doesn’t push but rather cradles me gently in my humanity, in my sacred vulnerability. She encourages me to be kind with myself, to view my wounds not as burdens but as portals through which divine love can flow, filling spaces I once thought would remain empty forever.

To connect with Mother Mary, try creating a small ritual of stillness. Sit quietly, perhaps with a candle or soft music, and open your heart to her energy. Picture yourself bringing forward the wounds you carry, the hurts that weigh on your spirit. In your mind’s eye, place them gently before her, feeling her presence as a warm, radiant light that fills the room. Allow yourself to be seen, exactly as you are, and feel her acceptance wrapping around you like a soft, comforting blanket. She asks for nothing in return—just your willingness to let her love touch those tender places within you.

In her energy, we learn that our wounds, when met with unconditional love, can become gateways to deeper self-acceptance, compassion, and peace. Mother Mary shows us that we don’t need to be “fixed” or “healed” in order to be worthy of love; we are already whole, already cherished. Her presence is an invitation to rest in the arms of the divine feminine, to find solace in the knowing that we are enough, and to experience the profound healing that comes from simply being held in love.

All she asks from us in return is that we show this same unconditional love  and acceptance to the outside world - even amongst the chaos, manipulation, greed and darkness. 

Now, I can't write an entire blog post on deep healing in churches without mentioning Jesus. Truth is, that sitting in the quiet of the church, looking at the paintings of Jesus being crucified as Mary is by his side, I couldn't help but reflect on the divine masculine energy of Jesus and feel the depth of his strength, compassion, and unwavering purpose.

His energy is not about force or control, but about protection, humility, and the strength to act from a place of deep compassion and truth. Jesus shows me that true power lies in open-heartedness, and that masculinity is not about power over others, but about the strength to uplift, to heal, to lead and to connect in the most sincere way. In his presence, I find the courage to love deeply, to forgive fully, and to live with purpose and grace,

Like many women in modern culture, I’ve spent much of my life operating from a wounded masculine energy—over-striving, fiercely independent, and often resisting the idea of receiving. Our world has conditioned us to live too much in the head and not enough in the heart. But here, sitting quietly in this church, I feel Mother Mary guiding me toward a new way. She inspires me to lead with my heart, to let it be my compass and muse. Jesus, too, reminds me to use my mind not as a vessel for fear, but as a tool for service—service to myself and to others.

Together, the feminine grace of Mother Mary and the grounded strength of Jesus help me build a bridge to unify my heart and mind, inviting a deeper, divine balance within.

** View all my Tuscan journal entries >>>