In the year 813 the remains of Saint James the Greater were discovered in the area of what we today know as the city of Santiago de Compostela in Northern Spain. Saint James was one of the apostles to Jesus who was beheaded in the year 44.
There are many stories around Saint James, according to one of the myths Saint James miraculously appeared in 844 at the side of the Christians in a battle against the Moors. Against all odds and probably thanks to Saint James, the Christians won the battle. This led to collaboration between the kingdoms in Northern Spain to safeguard the road to Santiago de Compostela.
Already in early medieval the way to Santiago became a well-known pilgrim route. In 1139 the Codex Calixtinus appears, supposedly written by the French monk and pilgrim Aymeric Picaud. In the Codex Picaud describes in full detail the way to Santiago de Compostela. According to some it is the first tour guide ever known in history.
What does this all have in common with strategic alliances you may ask? Well, as far as I can tell not much, other than that walking the way of Saint James has been on my bucket list for a long time. Next year I plan to tick it off from the list, as I will walk the Camino Francés to Santiago. This is one of the routes as described by Aymeric Picaud in the Codex. Altogether a 775 km walk from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. When everything works out I will be walking my Camino in the April/May period.
If you are interested to follow my preparations and next year read about my progress during the Camino, then click here to read my other blog. And of course you can support my “Pilgrimage” to Santiago, consider for instance the Alliance Mastery self-study to prepare for ASAP CA-AM certification, or a private alliance coaching session to move forward in your alliance work.
Have a great week!
My Camino blogposts