The Holy Fire at the Heart of Notre Dame

On 15 April 2019, a fire tragically broke out in the heart of the Notre Dame Cathedral, destroying the roof and spire of the famous landmark.

The Holy Fire at the Heart of Notre Dame

“Hold the Cross high that I might see it through the flames. “~Joan of Arc

The blazing tragedy that wounded the medieval gothic cathedral of Notre Dame reenacts for us the dramatic dialectic theme of death and rebirth, symbolically opening the Holy Week with an event that scarcely could be regarded as coincidental.

The Cathedral was erected on Ground Zero in Paris, where the city regards its beginnings. Notre Dame also stands as a famous monument at the heart of Europe. Its burning is a mark of devastation to the World’s Architectural Patrimony and hurt not only the identity of Paris but the Spirit of the Sacred in the world. Notre Dame represented both, the Refugee and Sanctuary, in the realms of the Mother. Her nurturing nature and silent presence supported Paris in its darkest moments. Although devastating, the 15-hour fire yesterday will not be the last chapter of her 856-year history, but it is engraved on its new ecumenic DNA.

Throughout France, many churches are being vandalized and desecrated, which is of some concern for us westerns, but the irony is that many other sacred places of other Faiths, temples and sacred grounds, are being destroyed. At the same time, the flames were engulfing Notre Dame; a mosque was also burning in Jerusalem, the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third most sacred site in Islam. There is no link between the two fires except the same intention to desecrate and/or change.

Why do we allow sacred places to be vandalized and destroyed?

Between Angels and Demons

The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris is part of a ley system which runs from La Croix de Nailles, through La Defense, L’Etoile, La Concorde, Le Louvre and Notre Dame, and it is part of an ancient site that held several sacred rituals, and that belonged to different religious practices throughout the centuries. During the period that followed the French revolution, the images of The Virgin Mary (Notre Dame) were substituted in many altars by the Image of Lady Liberty, and her halls equally used to store food for the less fortunate. This ecumenic feminine nature provided a common ground, and the demeanor of a Mother with a deep understanding of her different children gathered together around a big table.

Notre Dame follows the pattern of the stars in the constellation of Virgo and its first star, Spica, the wheat grain that feeds the earth; just like the alignment of the Egyptian Pyramids coincides with the design of Orion’s Belt. Her location and design are not just serendipity.

Notre Dame cathedral is one of a group that was all dedicated to the Virgin Mary, Notre Dame. The physical locations of these cathedrals form a pattern that venerates the constellation of Virgo. The tradition of the Knights Templar and the sacred geometry of these buildings are well known to students of The Mysteries. May the soul of Paris rise forth from the ashes.” ~ Phillip Lyndsay, Astrologer

Before the construction of the cathedral, the site held space for various branches of ancient religious worship. A tribe of Celts has celebrated their ceremonies where, later, the Romans erected a temple of devotion to the god Jupiter. Also, it is reported the existence of an Egyptian-like a temple for the Goddess Isis, the Divine Mother, from where the name Paris would have come from Par Isis (near Isis).

Later in time, on the same sacred ground would live the first church of Christianity in Paris, the Basilica of Saint-Etienne, designed by Childebert around 528 AD.

In substitution of this Church arose a Romanesque church that would remain until 1163, when the impulse for the construction of the cathedral started. Already in 1160, Bishop Maurice de Sully considered the present church unworthy of the new values and determined its demolition.

Inspired by the beauty and architecture of the Cathedral, Victor Hugo wrote the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, in 1831, which takes place in the Middle Ages and tells the tales of Love, acceptance, and resilience. In 1909, the Cathedral also witnessed the beatification and vindication of another Feminine icon, the Warrior Martyr Joan of Arc.

Like a Phoenix, Notre Dame will rise from the Ashes

In spiritual circles, the Holy Week is a period of one of the three most important Festivals, and it is the one that brings rebirth and resurrection on the fiery sign of Aries. We can’t find any better symbol of Death and Resurrection than the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythical bird and the universal symbol of death and rebirth. It also symbolizes fire, the sun, life, renewal, resurrection, immortality, divinity, and invincibility.

Of Ethiopian origin, the Phoenix, whose tail has beautiful red and gold feathers, is portrayed as a sacred bird that rises from its flames, after its own transformation. She possesses the ability to be reborn from her ashes after being consumed by fire. Legend says that near the time of his death, this bird prepares a nest with fragrant branches where the flames will consume it. However, before being destroyed the Phoenix lay her eggs in the ashes. The symbol that a new phase is awaiting.

For the Egyptians, the Phoenix was the symbol of solar revolutions, linked to the daily cycle of the Sun, as well as the floods of the Nile River, symbolizing renewal and life. It heralds the beginning of a new phase of renewing life, the completion of a gestation period, a new beginning.

A woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and, upon her head, a crown of twelve stars.

The Virgin Mary (Notre Dame) is again a symbol of transformation and Metamorphose; the Woman of the Apocalypse is said to be the Virgin Mary, that presents herself victorious after the battle with the Red Dragon. This interpretation is held by the ancient Church as well as in the medieval and modern Roman Catholic Church. This view does not negate the alternative argument of the Woman representing the Church, as in Catholic dogma, Mary is herself considered both the Mother of God (Theotokos) and the Mother of the Church.

Many Individuals and influential celebrities have pledge financial support for the rebuilding of this Iconic and archetypical motherly presence back to its rightful place, at the heart of Paris and at the heart of the world. May the Templars’ vision of the Divine Feminine engraved on the walls of Notre Dame continue to guide and transform our society into a more human and divinely-inspired one.

May the soul of Paris rise forth from the ashes!” ~ Phillip Lindsay

OMTimes contacted the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization who is also working to fund the restoration of Paris’ oldest church, garnering donations in the pursuit of preserving history. The American Directors lamented the fate of Notre Dame Cathedral.

“Like people everywhere, we are simply devastated by the terrible tragedy that Paris, and indeed the world, suffered this week when flames consumed so much of Notre Dame cathedral. As trustees and fundraisers to another major restoration project in central Paris – the 1,000-year-old church of Saint Germain des Prés- we stand in total solidarity with Notre Dame and all the people working tirelessly to restore this irreplaceable piece of world patrimony. We know first-hand the challenges of restoring ancient churches owned by municipalities at a time when funding is always in short supply. We sincerely believe that the best thing people can do now to help is to contribute their thoughts, their prayers and, yes, funding to ensure that restorations can and will continue. It’s one reason we started raising money to restore Saint Germain des Prés church years ago and why it’s important that all restoration groups and people who care must band together. Though much was lost; much was saved! As we enter the Easter season, we give thanks to all firefighters, police, and all others who saved so much – one might say that is a miracle in and of itself.”

~ David G. Sheppe and Brian W. Smith, Directors American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés Church

The Church of Saint Germain des Prés—the building and its artwork—reflects many eras of French history, art, and culture. As the oldest church in Paris, it has influenced and shaped people, places and ideas throughout history, including the famous philosopher Descartes, and Sorbonne students and teachers. For more information, visit www.PreserveSaintGermain.org.

About the Author

Liane Buck is the co-founder of the Ageless Wisdom website Humanity Healing Network and the public charity Humanity Healing International.