Philosophia
Our word ‘philosophy’ comes from the ancient Greek word philosophia, meaning ‘a love of Wisdom’, Sophia being the Greek Goddess of Wisdom
The Black Goddess Sophia’s divine wisdom flows down to us through the millennia from the original black Mother Goddess of Africa to Mount Sinai and thence to Sumeria in Ancient Mesopotamia.
The literature of Sumer dates back to 2500 BCE and was written down in a collection of myths, epic tales, hymns and songs, some by the world’s first named author in history – Enheduanna, High Priestess of Inanna.
The primary Myth of the Descent of Inanna was inspired by the cycle of the planet Venus, which creates the pattern of a Pentagram in the centre of a Celestial Rose, hence the name given to this esoteric, spiritual tradition – the Rose Lineage – of which Mary Magdalene and Yeshua, as the embodiment of Sophia and Christ, were Priestess and Priest.
This Wisdom tradition wove its way down through the Ancient Judaic, Egyptian and Greco-Romano cultures to the Early Christian Gnostics and Glastonbury-Avalon. It was kept alive by secret societies and in hidden codes like the Tarot after it was forced underground by the patriarchal Church, and remnants of it still survive within the Cult of the Black Madonna in Southern Italy.
Philosophia is the term I use for all my teachings I share on the Rose Lineage, Avalon, Sophia and the Black Madonna. Through my programme of online and in-person workshops and trainings, I invite you to peel back the layers of patriarchal distortion, explore your spiritual and mythological heritage, and engage with ancient soul-development tools and rituals designed to guide you along your path of gnosis or self-knowledge.
Founder of The Avalon Rose Chapel
Sophia, Goddess of Wisdom
Sophia was honoured as Goddess of Wisdom by the Ancient Greeks and Gnostics. Gnosis is the Greek noun for spiritual knowledge and mystical enlightenment. The path of gnosis teaches us that we can return to the Garden of Eden through the Sacred Marriage of our Soul by healing the wounds that are preventing us from stepping into wholeness and sharing our unique gifts with the world.
Self-knowledge was considered the path to enlightenment in the Rose Lineage tradition, through which we not only reunite with our Self but also with the Divine as we experience it, be it a transcendent being or inner guide.
Sophia is an archetype of divine feminine wisdom that can be found in all religious and spiritual traditions, thus forming a bridge of peace and union between all faiths and none. To the Gnostics and Pagans, she is the Black Goddess of Wisdom. In Christianity, she is God’s wisdom, the Bride whom King Solomon speaks of with such reverence. In Islam, she is Ruh. In Judaism, she is Hokmah and the Shekhinah. In Buddhism, she is Tara. And to Agnostics or Atheists, she is a philosophy of life.
The Myth of Sophia
The Myth of Sophia teaches us that darkness is not separate from light, that it is within the darkest times of our lives when we experience deep pain, loss and fear that the light of rebirth can guide us towards greater wisdom, strength, love and compassion – gifts that we can then share with our loved ones and communities
It is a philosophy that helps us to accept and surrender to life’s challenges, trusting in ourselves and in life that every seemingly negative experience is an opportunity for us to heal, learn and grow along our path of gnosis
© Annabel Du Boulay 2020 (no part of this article may be reproduced; if it inspires and informs your professional work, please credit me with a link to my website)
‘The Beloveds’ by Cheryl Yambrach-Rose
- The ‘Mothering Your Moon Maiden’ Workshop led by Annabel was really meaningful and totally worth it. We came all the way from the Netherlands to attend it. Working with Annabel gave me a deep affirmation about my connection to Goddess and insights developing to this day. It was just what I needed at that time. A lot of pieces of the puzzle came together. I felt strong and vulnerable at the same time within the safe space she created. Thank you for this wonderful experience!Heidie Vis, Mothering Your Moon Maiden
Annabel’s wonderful teaching style combines history, theory, myth, legend, visualisations, imaginal journeys, pilgrimages and creative expression, covering the Rose Lineage from the cradle of civilisation across the millennia. I have loved all of it, learning about the goddesses and priestess traditions of the lineage, and learning about myself, and remembering my soul journey across the millennia. I was really drawn to this teaching, and I am so happy that I followed my instinct. It has been so much better even than I could have imagined, and I have met (or maybe reconnected with, in this incarnation) a wonderful new community of priestess and priest sisters and brothers. This process has truly changed and enriched my life.
Donna Gerard, Avalon Rose Priestess Training- I have just attended one of Annabel's Rose Lineage workshops and it was wonderful, powerful and amazing! I journeyed with the Gnostic Goddesses and received profound information. I brought back pieces of myself that I did not even know were missing. Thank you, Annabel, for your integrity and beauty, and the beautiful Chapel that provides for these types of transformative experiences.Susan Mare, The Rose Lineage Workshop
Join me and my daughter Sophia Mary at my ONLINE ‘Mothering Your Moon Maiden Workshop’, filmed live at The Glastonbury Goddess Conference 2018 – the perfect introduction to our story, my book The Serpent’s Tale, the Rose Lineage, the Isle of Avalon and my Philosophia Wheel, whilst journeying with your Maiden Self through ancient Moon myth and meditation.
An introductory ONLINE workshop consisting of 3 videos: one filmed live during my Priestess Training where I explain about the myths and deities of the Rose Lineage; one where I teach you how to do my guided visualisations; and one where I lead you on a guided visualisation with Sophia, Black Goddess of Wisdom.
A 10-month online training consisting of two courses – The Path of the Gnostic Goddess & The Path of the Rose Lineage, with an optional pilgrimage to Glastonbury-Avalon. You can take the training as part of your own Path of Gnosis (self-knowledge) or dedicate as an Avalon Rose Priestess with The Avalon Rose Chapel.
