Book 14
Le Chateau de la Liberté

 

 

Maria had started the school year, and she especially liked her new art teacher, Mr. Pigeon, who was teaching the class aquarelle painting. Mr. Pigeon promised that before the end of the year, the class would also have the opportunity to paint on silk—someting Maria was very much looking forward to trying.

It was a warm autumn afternoon and Maria fell asleep on the bus ride home, which seemed to take longer than usual. As she was drifting off, Archangel Michael appeared and asked Maria if she would like to return to France for more soul travel.

“I noticed how much you were applying yourself in art class,” said Archangel Michael. “I was wondering if you would like to visit an etheric retreat dedicated to artists.”

Maria told Archangel Michael she would love to, and so the two headed off.

“We are going to an etheric castle that is entirely dedicated to art forms that refine the soul and contribute to the Flame of Liberty,” said Archangel Michael. “This castle is called Le Chateau de la Liberté. It is situated on the Rhone river in Southern France. The retreat has a physical focus, that is an old French castle. From there, the retreat opens up and expands into the etheric plane.”

 

 

“Who is the master of this retreat?” asked Maria.

“Le Chateau de la Liberté is the retreat of Paul the Venetian, who completed his lifetimes on earth as the painter Paolo Veronese,” said Archangel Michael.

“Paolo Veronese?” asked Maria. “Didn't we see his paintings when we were in the Louvre?”

“Yes,” answered Archangel Michael. “He has several paintings on display in the Louvre, and most notably the very large painted scene of The Marriage of Cana. Paolo was quite a character in his day. On one occasion, he was summoned by the church inquisition under suspicion of heresy for including a dwarf and a parrot in his painting of the Last Supper, and also dogs and a jester. Paolo bravely defended an artist's right to freedom of imagination, and so the tribunal spared his life and renamed his painting Feast in the House of Levi!”

 

“I'm glad it was a happy ending,” said Maria.

“Yes,” said Archangel Michael. “Love, liberty and creativity all spring forth from the pink flame of God's love. In the Chateau de la Liberté, artists gather to express the highest freedom of their divinely-inspired creativity. All people have the divine potential inside them to become artists, and so do you!,” said Archangel Michael, looking with fondness at Maria.

“I never thought of it that way,” said Maria.

Maria and Archangel Michael flew over the South of France into the Rhone Valley. The beautiful and peaceful fragrance of blooming lavender fields was wafting up from the physical plane into the etheric plane with the sweet smell of lavender honey. The soft fragrance of mimosa flowers and the citrusy smell of verveine provençale complemented both the earthly and celestial bouquet of fresh aromas.

 

“I love this smell,” said Maria, taking deep breaths even in her etheric body. The two arrived at the Chateau de la Liberté. Maria admired the beautiful marble fountains and the musical trills of birds with brilliant feathers of every color flying over the multicolored water lilies on the ponds, as bees buzzed about the beautiful fragrant roses.

“Oh, I love listening to these birds sing, and I always loved water lilies,” said Maria.

 

“I understand,” said Archangel Michael. “Water lilies remind the soul of the promise of the lotus, that springs from the mud to delight the world with beauty.”

Maria noticed that as she walked through the gardens, the vibration of life around her was becoming more and more etherealized. She could perceive through her soul faculties the aliveness of every flower, the musicality of every bird and the intelligence of every bee.

“Flowers are angelic creations,” said Archangel Michael. “On the etheric plane, they do not wilt, so long as they are loved and appreciated.”

Maria could also hear the song of the waterfalls and fountains, carrying a crystalline melody of sound. “The waters on the etheric plane are living waters,” said Archangel Michael.

“Is this why Jesus promised living waters to the woman at the well,” asked Maria, remembering the Bible story of the Samaritan woman.

“Yes,” said Archangel Michael. “Jesus had a keen awareness of the etheric plane and of his Father's many mansions.”

“I remember he told us he would prepare a place for us,” said Maria. “I really love it here.”

 

 

“Paul the Venetian is the Chohan of Divine Love,” said Archangel Michael.

“What is a chohan?” asked Maria.

“The word Chohan means Lord. Chohans are ascended masters who have achieved the attainment in God to focus and magnify a particular ray or virtue of God.”

“What exactly does Paul the Venetian do?” asked Maria.

“Paul the Venetian embodies the fullness of God's love and its expression through divine service and creativity. He initiates students for the perfecting of the soul through beauty, compassion, patience, understanding and self-discipline. He helps people to refine the intuitive and creative faculties of the heart chakra as they walk along the Ruby Ray path of sacrifice, surrender, selflessness and service toward their ascension. His twin flame is the Goddess of Beauty and she assists him in his service.”

 

 

“Love is the best feeling in the world!” exclaimed Maria. “But how does Paul the Venetian initiate us?”

“When you read the words about love in the Bible, you will understand these initiations that the soul must practice,” said Archangel Michael. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.'”

“I can see how sometimes, love is hard to accomplish,” said Maria, “especially when you get hurt, or annoyed by others.”

 

 

“Very true,” said Archangel Michael. “That is also why Paul the Venetian helps us to acquire the gift of the Holy Spirit that is the discerning of spirits. Like a painter or a musician, he helps us discern the vibrations of good and evil, light and shadow and the delicate nuances of all of our creations of beauty.

“Paul the Venetian painted a beautiful painting of the Holy Trinity with the inscription, 'Perfect Love Casteth Out All Fear.' It emits a tremendous action of the Holy Spirit that radiates divine love throughout this retreat and throughout the world.

“Now let's see what they are doing in the halls of painting and sculpting,” said Archangel Michael, as they crossed the portico of the retreat.

“I can see the atelier where artists are making the most beautiful artwork!” said Maria.

 

 

“Yes,” said Archangel Michael. “Students come to pursue art and culture in their finer bodies in many classrooms where great works of art are displayed. Here, musicians and writers and sculptors come from all over the world to perfect their craft. They are making artwork that reflects the dignity and majesty of the ascended hosts. They create a self-portrait that they hone from time to time, as their consciousness accelerates. ”

Maria watched the sculptors sculpt with great care, and the painters paint with great love using the most beautiful hues.

“Welcome Maria, to our shrine of beauty and love,” said the master Paul the Venetian in a melodious and kind voice. “Please make yourself at home.”

 

 

Paul the Venetian was even more majestic than Maria had imagined. He was very tall, like six foot five, with deep blue eyes and golden, wavy hair. He was wearing a raiment of emerald-green velvet.

Paul the Venetian introduced Maria to the Goddess of Beauty, who was standing at his side in the most brilliant apparel, lined with the softest rose petal pink.

“The Goddess of Beauty is my twin flame,” said Paul the Venetian. “She was recently embodied on earth as Ruth Hawkins, an American Keeper of the Flame who painted many pictures of ascended masters. I sent my Beloved to Paris, where she made many calls and prayers on my behalf in the Sacré Coeur. Our goal was to open the hearts of the people of France to be able to receive more teachings of the Great White Brotherhood. I think that time is upon us now.”

“I will pray for it too,” said Maria.

 

 

Maria was admiring the view from the window, gently basking in the radiant golden sun. “It is so beautiful here,” she said with a sigh and a smile.

“Now let me take you by the hand and show you the rest of my castle,” said Paul the Venetian. “There is a special room where you will see the pattern of loveliness that ties into your own soul consciousness.

 

 

“This may surprise you. Here is the painting that your soul has been working on. It is a self-portrait of your soul in the process of becoming one with your Christ Self. As you perfect yourself in Christ, as you grow in Christhood, so your portrait is refined and becomes more and more beautiful, superimposing the beauty of Christ on the portraits of your past life incarnations.”

Maria sat down at the easel. “I would love to work on it some more,” she said.

“You will,” said the Master. “You are welcome to come back and work on it any time.”

“Do you like to paint too?” asked Maria.

“Yes” said Paul the Venetian. “I paint on canvas in the ethers. I etch in crystal. I sculpt and mold earth's clay and even fashion substances not known to you—all for the purpose of showing forth the evermore revealing and exquisite image of the Christ appearing in people from every walk of life, and especially in children.”

 

 

“I am so glad you have this etheric art school,” said Maria. “It is so much more beautiful than modern art.”

“Modern art is a matrix that strips people of their ability to recognize and appreciate the patterns and vibrations of the Christ in themselves and others. Is is a great disservice to the soul. The art that we create here, and that can still be found in all of the great classical galleries of the world helps to realign the third eye chakra to the perception of the Christ consciousness in life.”

Maria smiled. “That is why I am so happy here.”

 

 

“I have a special message for you from the Goddess of Liberty,” said Paul the Venetian, as a gold-sealed and embroidered cream-colored envelope appeared in his hand. “She is like a Mother to me. This comes from her Temple of the Sun over New York City, from where my beloved twin flame made her ascension.”

Maria was admiring the beautiful fleur-de-lys seal.

Paul the Venetian pointed to one of the many Fleurs de Lys adorning the columns in the room. “When you see the Fleur de Lys design, you understand this is the symbol of the threefold flame in the heart. It is a symbol of courage.”

“Courage?” asked Maria.

 

 

“Yes,” said Paul the Venetian. “The word courage comes from two French words, coeur and âge. Courage means the age of the heart. That is what the Fleur de Lys represents—the once and future coming golden age. It was no coincidence that the kings of France used this symbol on all of their flags and crowns.”

“What does the letter say?” asked Maria, as Paul the Venetian gently opened the envelope.

“It says that the Liberty Flame anchored in the retreat of the Goddess of Liberty is blessing you now, even as it is blessing every child of the Light on Earth, through the golden-pink glow ray of Helios and Vesta in the heart of our sun. God's kingdom shall come on Earth as it is in Heaven, because God has decided to save the Earth!”

“I understand,” said Maria. “God's kingdom can be lowered through our soul consciousness from the etheric realm into our everyday life. That is why Jesus taught us to say, Thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.”

“Thank you for saying your prayers, Maria,” said Paul of Venetian. “With them we send the deepest love of our cherubim.”

 

 

In the center of the retreat was blazing a focus of the threefold flame, imparting to students the true meaning of Liberty. Paul the Venetian explained that the flame was brought to the retreat by the Goddess of Liberty from the Temple of the Sun over New York City before the sinking of Atlantis.

“This flame in our retreat is also the flame of the Goddess of Liberty,” he said. “It connects the lightbearers of France with lightbearers in the United States of America and all over the world. This flame is the presence of God that blazes upon your heart's altar as well. It is the gift of life.”

 

 

“Did you know, Maria,” said the Goddess of Beauty, “that our Beloved Paul the Venetian anchored a large focus of the threefold flame on the etheric plane over the Washington Monument? It was his gift from France to the people of America, just like the Goddess of Liberty gifted her flame to our temple here.”

“I love feeling the Flame of Liberty,” said Maria. “It is so incredible, almost like flying!”

“Yes,” said Paul the Venetian. “When you visit the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., take the elevator up to the top. You will feel that Flame of Liberty pulsing through you in an incredible whirlwind of light. The Flame of Liberty was the cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night that the ancient Israelites saw in the desert when they wandered with Moses. The Flame of Liberty is anchored at the top of the monument.”

 

 

“I went to Washington D.C. on a school field trip, “ said Maria. “We saw the Washington Monument. ”

“Washington D.C. is an alabaster city that was patterned after the etheric cities of God-government on the God Star Sirius,” said Paul the Venetian “Sirius is the spiritual center of our galaxy and the home of Alpha and Omega. There is a special formation of angels from Sirius called the Mighty Blue Eagle that come to help America and the world when they are called upon. The eagle that is the symbol of America and that you see on top of American flagpoles is an inner connection to Sirius.”

 

 

“I would love to see Sirius,” said Maria.

“It is easy to find,” said Paul the Venetian. “When you look at the night sky, it is straight down from Orion's belt. It is one of the most brilliant stars in the entire sky, pulsing diamond light. In fact, if you look at it with binoculars, you will see the colors of God's causal body pulsing from it, with flashes of pink and blue and green and gold and violet.”

“I will look for it tonight,” said Maria.

 

 

“The star of Sirius was very important to the ancient Egyptians who built their pyramids in concordance with it and with the three stars of Orion's belt. The star Sirius also appears in the starry birth chart of the United States of America on July Fourth, so it is very much tied to the divine plan of the United States of America.”

“I wonder if our Founding Fathers knew that,” said Maria.

“Some did,” said the Master with a smile. “Remember the song America the Beautiful?”

“Yes,” said Maria.

 

 

“O beautiful for patriot dream that sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears!
America! America! God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!

 

“Those are the words of a golden age dawning,” said Paul the Venetian. “And we can call for cosmic reinforcements from the Great Central Sun, and even to millions of Cosmic Christs in the Pleiades to help us make it happen.”

“Twinkle, twinkle little star,” said Maria with a smile. “How I wonder what you are. Thank you for helping me understand. God bless you both for expanding beauty throughout the world.”

“God bless you too,” said Paul the Venetian and the Goddess of Beauty, in one voice.

“It's time to go now,” said Archangel Michael.

“Au revoir, beloved Paul the Venetian and beloved Goddess of Beauty,” Maria said as she blew them a kiss.

“Au revoir,” said the Master. “Et Adieu,” said the Goddess of Beauty, as she returned the kiss of the Divine Mother.

A nightingale began to sing the tones of a melody from Paul the Venetian's own heart flame:

 

 

I love you truly, truly dear,
Life with it's sorrow, life with its tear,
Fades into dreams when I feel you are near,
For I love you truly, truly dear!

 

 

Gratitude for the teachings of the ascended masters brought through the Summit Lighthouse, the I AM Movement, the Bridge to Freedom, the Theosophical Society and the Agni Yoga Foundation that inspired this book, and in particular, the book The Masters and Their Retreats, published by Summit University Press, along with a previous version published by the Ascended Master Teaching Foundation. All of the songs and decree excerpts quoted in this book are published by the Summit Lighthouse.

For more information about the etheric retreats of the heaven world,
please visit www.ethericretreats.com

Teachings of the Ascended Masters for Children and Youth
www.ascendedmasterchildren.com

Books, poetry, websites, songs and more
www.thereseroseemmanuel.com