December 12 (12.12) is the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
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On December 9, 1531, Guadalupe first appeared to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill and told him that she wanted a church built in her honor on that very hill.

The Bishop did not believe Juan Diego and asked for proof. When Juan Diego returned to Our Lady and told her what the bishop said, she asked Juan Diego to hold out his tilma (cloak).
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On that cold winter’s day in December she filled his tilma with the roses of summer. When Juan Diego showed the Bishop the roses , they were both astonished to see Our Lady’s image imprinted on the tilma as well.
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The bishop then built a beautiful church on Tepeyac Hill, one of the most revered places of worship in Mexico.
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Images of Our Lady of Guadalupe show her standing in a light portal with stars on her cloak and the Moon under her feet. She is depicted as A Radiant and Shining One beckoning us to us to remember our own radiant and shining divine essence.
The Black Madonna, Queen of Heaven and Earth, is known for manifestsing miracles. She stands in the Sun Portal  – a gateway from the world of light – reminding us of the Power of Love and Light to heal and transform when it is connected to our heart energy as evidence by her prayer hands in front of her heart.
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She inspires our senses, including the sense of possibility when we are living our divine purpose.
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She connects us to the water element, including springs, rivers, lakes filling the Earth Love.
She vibrates with the Sacred Healing Power of Love and reminds us it is within us if we choose to claim it.
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At Dawn, on December 12, 1531 on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico Our Lady of Guadulupe (a.k.a Mother Mary) appeared to Juan Diego and asked a sanctuary be built in honor of her mysteries.

This story reminds us the sanctuary is within us. When we choose to allow this energy to emerge even more consciously in our awareness  we are touched  by a force beyond our mental comprehension.

This doorway of light comes alive within us showing us the miracle of our eternal Being. Juan Diego saw Our Lady shimmering like the Sun and was filled with awe. He fell to his knees with great honor and respect.

The Art of A. Vonn Hartung