Why is it that in France one finds a disproportionally larger number of statues of the Black Madonna than in other countries? Why is she found here preferably in power places in a landscape with an increased energy level? Why is it that in France the character of the Black Madonna is closely related to Mary Magdalene? To these questions, this book holds the answers. It traces the path of the Dark Mother from the primal Black Venus from prehistoric times along the Celtic and Oriental Black Goddesses in later times, to Mary Magdalene and the Black Madonna, her manifestations in Christian times. The book researches from different perspectives the colour black in connection with the Dark Mother: cosmology, alchemy, depth psychology, neuro psychology, sacred geography and art history. She is the dark cosmic womb of the first light. In her dark and light work together. After this exploration, the Black Madonna in this book is first en foremost the Mother of the ensouled Dark Earth. Researching hundreds of French folk-tales the book shows that statues of the Black Madonna are found in remote and solitary areas in virginal soil, near a spring with healing waters, near a holy tree or bush, near a large megalithic rock, or a holy mountain or a dark cave. These are power places with an increased energy level. Since millennia, the simple peasant folk finds healing and strength in these places. The book holds scientific explanations for the earth’s higher energy level at these power places. Finally it is explained why nowadays the ancient shape of the Dark Mother returns in our consciousness globally. The Black Madonna’s face is black, but she sometimes shows white hands or carries a white Child. In a symbolical way she plays with Dark and Light and she integrates both on a collective and individual level. In this she announces the ending of an era that is, at the same time, a new beginning. A new era of spiritual evolution, in which mankind will become more aware of the energetic aspect of Mother Earth. 434 pages with 277 mostly color pictures. Annine van der Meer Ph.D is a Dutch historian who holds a doctorate in Theology from the University of Utrecht. She is the author of 20 keynote books in English, French, German and Dutch about the concealed history of the sacred feminine and women. Her topics include: women and goddess studies, and old and modern egalitarian societies of peace. In 2008 she founded the Pansophia foundation, a Wisdom school dedicated to the raising of consciousness and empowered women. More information on the author’s books on: www.pansophia-press.nl Author’s website: www.anninevandermeer.nl