The Beehive Cenobium:
The Flowering of the Monastic Tradition From Egypt to Iona
The Cenobium (a word which is connected to the early Christian community gatherings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers of Egypt) is an inner level of the Beehive that is by invitation for those who have been immersed in studies of mystical traditions or those who feel they have received a strong call to follow Mary Magdalene's path of contemplative Christianity and are ready for a commitment to deepening both study and practice. Cenobium members will attend (or watch) the same core curriculum course as the Auditors in the Beehive. In addition, they will belong to a small cohort group that will meet for in-depth discussion sections on assigned readings and creative and spiritual practices once a month.
Over five months, we will explore the spreading of the Contemplative Tradition from the 4th - 9th centuries as we journey from the deserts outside of Alexandria to the Shores of Gaul and the Celtic Islands. We will weave together ancient texts with the study of dreams, symbols, chant and art to awaken our mytho-poetic imaginations as we reclaim the treasury of wisdom and healing of the Desert Elders, Alexandrian philosophers, John Cassian, Brigid and Celtic saints as they carried forth Mary Magdalene's legacy of "turning to the Good" and uniting our heads with our hearts.
Each month will have one 90 minute seminar (held on the first Mondays, January-April plus May 27) and one embodied, experiential chapel of contemplation, chant and creativity that will offer seeds of inspiration for your own spiritual practice (tied to feast days within the Celtic liturgical year).
All programs are recorded for downloading and streaming later in case you are unable to participate in a live session
Beehive Calendar 2025
Seminars: First Mondays, 10 am -11:30 am Pacific
Monday, January 6: Epiphany, Egypt and Dreams of the Desert
Monday, February 3: The Caves of Wisdom and Wonder: John Cassian and Tales of the Desert Elders
Monday, March 3: Christ the Druid: Atunement with Nature in Celtic Christianity
Monday, April 7: The Flourishing of the Mythopoetic Mind: How to Hold the Tension of the Opposites
Monday, May 27: The Garden of Awakening and the Celtic Path of Beauty
Chapels, 10 am, Pacific
Sunday, January 5: Feast of The Desert Mothers
Saturday, February 1: Imbolc and Feast of Saint Brigid: The Unquenchable Light
Tuesday, March 25 : The Feast of the Annunciation and the Call to Birth the Divine in Art, Poetry, and Music
Saturday, April 12: Rituals for Holy Week and Writing Psalms of Lamentation and Exaltation
Friday, May 1: Beltane and the Fires of Transformation
Cenobium Gatherings:
Cenobium Cohort 1: Third Monday of each month, 10 am- 11:30 am
Cenobium Cohort 2: Fourth Monday of each month, 10 am- 11:30 am
Both Cohorts will join together for our final May gathering on Monday, May 27.
Reading for Seminars:
The Forgotten Desert Mothers, Laura Swann
Oasis of Wisdom, David Keller
How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill (first and last chapters)
The Celtic Way: The Recovery of Religious Imagination, Esther de Waal
We will also read selected excerpts from the works of Philo of Alexandria,
John Cassian, Origin and Celtic authors which will provided as attachments and links. Throughout the course, optional supplemental readings will be suggested for those who wish to explore particular topics in greater depth.
As important in our curriculum as texts will be the development of tools of contemplation: Visio Divina, Lectio Divina, chanting, psalm writing, Centering Prayer, body prayer and illuminated manuscripts. These practices were transmitted from the Desert Mothers and Fathers of Egypt to the Celtic Isles by way of Gaul (Southern France) and will help awaken the "eyes and ears" of our hearts.
Tuition for the five month course: A single payment of $600 via zelle or venmo to [email protected] or (707)304-0767 due by December 1, 2024.
If you do not have zelle or venmo, please contact me to make other arrangements.
Over five months, we will explore the spreading of the Contemplative Tradition from the 4th - 9th centuries as we journey from the deserts outside of Alexandria to the Shores of Gaul and the Celtic Islands. We will weave together ancient texts with the study of dreams, symbols, chant and art to awaken our mytho-poetic imaginations as we reclaim the treasury of wisdom and healing of the Desert Elders, Alexandrian philosophers, John Cassian, Brigid and Celtic saints as they carried forth Mary Magdalene's legacy of "turning to the Good" and uniting our heads with our hearts.
Each month will have one 90 minute seminar (held on the first Mondays, January-April plus May 27) and one embodied, experiential chapel of contemplation, chant and creativity that will offer seeds of inspiration for your own spiritual practice (tied to feast days within the Celtic liturgical year).
All programs are recorded for downloading and streaming later in case you are unable to participate in a live session
Beehive Calendar 2025
Seminars: First Mondays, 10 am -11:30 am Pacific
Monday, January 6: Epiphany, Egypt and Dreams of the Desert
Monday, February 3: The Caves of Wisdom and Wonder: John Cassian and Tales of the Desert Elders
Monday, March 3: Christ the Druid: Atunement with Nature in Celtic Christianity
Monday, April 7: The Flourishing of the Mythopoetic Mind: How to Hold the Tension of the Opposites
Monday, May 27: The Garden of Awakening and the Celtic Path of Beauty
Chapels, 10 am, Pacific
Sunday, January 5: Feast of The Desert Mothers
Saturday, February 1: Imbolc and Feast of Saint Brigid: The Unquenchable Light
Tuesday, March 25 : The Feast of the Annunciation and the Call to Birth the Divine in Art, Poetry, and Music
Saturday, April 12: Rituals for Holy Week and Writing Psalms of Lamentation and Exaltation
Friday, May 1: Beltane and the Fires of Transformation
Cenobium Gatherings:
Cenobium Cohort 1: Third Monday of each month, 10 am- 11:30 am
Cenobium Cohort 2: Fourth Monday of each month, 10 am- 11:30 am
Both Cohorts will join together for our final May gathering on Monday, May 27.
Reading for Seminars:
The Forgotten Desert Mothers, Laura Swann
Oasis of Wisdom, David Keller
How the Irish Saved Civilization, Thomas Cahill (first and last chapters)
The Celtic Way: The Recovery of Religious Imagination, Esther de Waal
We will also read selected excerpts from the works of Philo of Alexandria,
John Cassian, Origin and Celtic authors which will provided as attachments and links. Throughout the course, optional supplemental readings will be suggested for those who wish to explore particular topics in greater depth.
As important in our curriculum as texts will be the development of tools of contemplation: Visio Divina, Lectio Divina, chanting, psalm writing, Centering Prayer, body prayer and illuminated manuscripts. These practices were transmitted from the Desert Mothers and Fathers of Egypt to the Celtic Isles by way of Gaul (Southern France) and will help awaken the "eyes and ears" of our hearts.
Tuition for the five month course: A single payment of $600 via zelle or venmo to [email protected] or (707)304-0767 due by December 1, 2024.
If you do not have zelle or venmo, please contact me to make other arrangements.
