Guardianes--Seal of Magdalena of Montpalau by Ani Williams

This film was created to accompany the reader's journey in the ground-breaking book Guardians of the Dragon Path, a quest to ancient sites across the Pyrenees. "Guardianes (Guardians)--Seal of Magdalena" is a musical journey to Santa Magdalena de Montpalau (meaning "Mountain Palace" in Catalan) in the Garrotxa volcanic region of Catalonia on the Camino de Santiago. The chapel was consecrated in 1228 as Montepaladio (Mountain of Palladium). The name is mysterious, since the precious metal palladium would not be discovered for several centuries, and may be a reference to the Greek palladion, a term meaning “guardian,” a reference to an ancient protection amulet of the Greek Goddess Pallas Athene.

Montpalau marks the heart of an extraordinary landscape star and sits on the top of Muntanya Magdalena, an extinct volcano. A six-pointed star formed by Knights Templar churches and castles is guarding the hermitage of Magdalena de Montpalau--the Seal of Solomon (Six-pointed star), recalling the line in the Song of Songs: "Set me as a seal upon your heart."

Guitar by Pablo Belchi Gabarron. Recorded September 2023 by Barthelemy Izoard. Background prelude music “Flight from Palestine” and “Templars of Toulouse,” originally recorded on Magdalene’s Gift CD. Film by Le Poulpiquet Film.) Link to book and album: https://aniwilliams.com/product/guard...