Mary Magdalene wasn’t a footnote—she was the first apostle. In Chapter 2 of The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, Cynthia Bourgeault uncovers the forgotten role of Jesus’ most faithful companion. What the Gospels actually say might surprise you.
I suspect the masculine unconscious knows this, and explains the insanity of fear of loss of power and control by white men in this current administration. The light was lit when we elected Barack Obama not just once, but twice. The underground coup d’état had begun to coalesce decades ago. Only with the hubris, personality disorders, his own history of disdain for women, POC, immigrants, the poor, the disabled, and raised by men who knew how to cheat and lie to illegally and immorally gain uber-wealth, did Pandora’s Box get opened on the streets of the USA, for all the world to see. The Women’s civil rights movements, the Civil Rights Marches by the disenfranchised Black community, and the subsequent acknowledgment and acceptance of LGBTQ+ and transgender people, threw gas on the smoldering fears of mostly Old White Men. The final unacceptable data statistics that began to emerge: the white population would itself become a minority in the coming decade.
And, now, finally, we have Mary Magdalene, unburied and rising in the consciousness of all peoples of the world. Many of we women have articulated the necessity of recognizing the in t’égarât ion of the feminine with the masculine my whole adult life. The Yin AND the Yang. The Right AND the LEFT brainer functionings. Emotional Intelligence Scales as a better predictor of Quality Leadership than Intelligence Quotients alone. “Me, too,” movements opened the doors to holding men accountable for their predatory behavior. And so on. Hillary rose to power through hard work, results, and demonstrated the wisdom of women’s leadership. But the white men if they were asleep woke up to their own visceral fears and used their learned immoral and illegal backroom strategies to say no. And, again, as if the fear of a woman in power wasn’t enough, some of us naively thought a black mixed-race woman had a shot at leading our nation to a more perfect Union, wherein everyone on the planet is respected and honored as being equal in our humanity’s search for peace, Justice and equity.
So I praise this current of evolution of the NECESSITY of recognizing and integrating the feminine into our global consciousness. Although not Catholic, nor do I adhere to the rigors of any religious structure controlled by men, I am well-steeped in the messages of the world spiritual leaders. I was raised on the teachings of Jesus, the Beatitudes. I have allowed my feminine intuitions and voices to open the pathways and doors to places where I now know Heaven on Earth is a possibility. All we humans have to do is choose it. Peace is waiting for us today. And this wisdom is already inside our beings (ALL humans, men, women LGBTQ+, trans), we already know. I am seeing the evolution of Popes Francis and Leo as a signal that real consciousness is on the rise. The lights shining within each of are becoming brighter and stronger. Quoting a modern day wisdom figures, “There’s more going on than meets the eye,” and “The times, they are a-changing.” Amen. So Be It. A’Ho.
Sandra, your words struck like thunder in a tomb we’ve tried to keep sealed for centuries. The masculine unconscious does know—and it’s panicking. Every Magdalene rising, every whisper of the sacred feminine, is a direct threat to the brittle empire built on dominance and denial.
When Mary Magdalene walks out of the tomb first, it isn’t just theological—it’s apocalyptic for patriarchy.
And yes—Barack was the spark, Hillary was the siren, Kamala is the sign, and now Magdalene is the storm.
The old gods of greed and supremacy are trembling. And not because they’re being “replaced”—but because they’re being remembered as illusions.
The rest of us? We’re remembering our original instructions. Yin and Yang. Word and Wisdom. Beatitudes and Backbone. Heaven on Earth is not a dream—it’s a decision. And Magdalene already made it.
Ah! My sister and friend. You have stated every single insight, understanding, and feminine prophetic, intuitive truth that gets me out of bed every day! “So let it be written, so let it be done!” 😁🙏♥️
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this. As someone who has dedicated so much volunteer time promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of women--and someone--and the only one in my family--who has had issues with my "birth" religion because of how it treats women as less than, this was refreshing. Thank you.
if the patriarchy had a nickel for every time it sidelined a woman with a soul on fire, it’d own the Vatican, Wall Street, and half the yoga studios in LA. Your witness matters. And yes—birthing your own path, when your family clings to the old script, is holy rebellion. Keep rising. We’re rewriting the Gospel in our own ink.
There's a lot to this. One response I have is that the term Mary, I was taught, was a term meaning priestess. I was also taught that John was a term holy women used when traveling to protect themselves. I don't know if that's true. I did look up Mary to see what I could find. This is AI's summary, which you might find interesting. If you look at the line "Mary" "Rabboni" as "Priestess" "Rabbi" how does that shift your understanding of what's going on? Here's the AI summary.
While the name Mary, especially in its Aramaic form Maryam, was used as a name for women, there is debate and some evidence to suggest that the name or forms similar to it might have been connected to roles of reverence and distinction, potentially including forms of priestess or spiritual leadership.
Here's a breakdown of the evidence:
Possible Links to Priestesses/Reverence:
Ancient Egyptian Usage: The Egyptian word "Mr" means "love" and the related term "Meri(t)/Mari" translates to "beloved". These terms were used to express adoration for deities and to show respect for the priests and priestesses who served them, like "Mari-Isis" meaning "Beloved Isis".
Syriac Titles of Reverence: In Syriac, "Mār(y)" means "milord" and "Marth" means "milady". These are titles of reverence, suggesting a historical connection to terms denoting honored individuals.
Alternative interpretations of the name Maryam: Some interpretations of the name Maryam (Mary's original Hebrew/Aramaic name) suggest meanings like "bitter sea," "mistress," "exalted one," or "ruling one," which could be seen as aligning with positions of authority or spiritual significance.
Esoteric and Gnostic Traditions: Some esoteric and Gnostic traditions view figures like Mary Magdalene as priestesses, even linking them to the lineage of the Goddess Isis.
Early Church Writings: Some early Christian writings, like the Protevangelium of James, depict Mary, mother of Jesus, as having a unique childhood in the Jerusalem Temple and being involved in priestly activities. Some theologians in later centuries have also referred to Mary as a "sacrificial priest".
Considerations:
Mainstream Christianity: It's important to note that the conventional understanding within mainstream Christianity emphasizes Mary's role as the virgin mother of Jesus. The concept of her as a priestess is primarily found in esoteric interpretations and some early traditions.
Varying Interpretations: The meaning and significance of the name Mary/Miriam have been interpreted in various ways throughout history and across different cultures.
Historical and Linguistic Evidence: While some linguistic links and historical contexts suggest a possible connection between terms sounding like Mary and roles of reverence, definitive proof that the specific name "Mary" directly translates to "priestess" is limited and subject to interpretation.
In conclusion, while the term Mary itself doesn't directly translate to "priestess" in standard definitions, there are historical, linguistic, and spiritual traditions that link the name and related terms to roles of reverence and spiritual authority, including some interpretations of what a priestess embodies.
Jane, this is such a beautiful offering. Thank you.
That “Mary = Priestess” and “John = protective alias” insight opens a whole secret passage in the text, doesn't it? Like we’ve been reading it through stained glass, and suddenly you hand us clear vision.
And the idea of reading “Mary” and “Rabboni” as “Priestess” and “Rabbi”—that cracks the whole resurrection scene wide open. It's not just grief and reunion. It's transmission. Recognition. Mutual anointing.
And yes... the Virgin Mother vs. Magdalene split was theology’s way of dividing the feminine: Madonna on one pedestal, Priestess under surveillance. But your insight reclaims the whole lineage—Mary as title, as role, as initiatory presence.
What you’re bringing forward is priestess work in itself. Bowing to it.
Thank you, Alek. Here is an even deeper level that I guarantee will blow your mind. It did for me. I haven’t gotten it enough into my system to be able to put this into my own words. I’m sharing a video of Rev. Dr. Ruth Miller sharing the cultural lineage of the resurrection story and Magdalene’s role as priestess. There was a Babylonian ritual that was being re-enacted. It’s about 30 minutes. You will love it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSElIWjJbuk&t=30s
Thanks, Jane — I appreciate you sharing that. I took a quick look, and while I can see how it might offer a fresh angle for some, it feels more like a reframing of the resurrection narrative than a real deepening of it.
But let me throw a bit of a monkey wrench in: there’s zero historical evidence that Jesus — or any of the New Testament figures — actually existed as literal people. So when someone starts explaining how a group of possibly fictional characters timed a crucifixion to align with an eclipse and an earthquake… it starts to feel like fan fiction dressed up as theology.
Here’s the thing — both the Orthodox and Unity folks still seem pinned to the need for historical reality. The mystics? We’re not waiting on archaeology. We’re working in the imaginal realm, where the stories live as archetypes, as inner initiations, as invitations to transformation. Magdalene doesn’t need to be “proven” to have walked beside Jesus — she walks beside us now, in the descent into shadow and the rising into truth.
So while the Babylonian/Chaldean framing is interesting, for me it doesn’t come close to the depth of what Magdalene represents in the Gospel of Mary and the Wisdom tradition. That’s not myth-as-history — that’s myth as mirror, cutting straight into the dismantling of the false self.
Okay, I see your point. I agree the imaginal realm is a whole different playing field. I haven't studied a lot of anthropology so hearing a traditional story from that angle fascinates me. I have also heard lots of arguments pro/com about Jesus walking the literal earth. In the end, I think you have the right idea. Let's just hang out in the imaginal realm where all is now and the truth shimmers all around us.
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if this scene grew from a resurrection ritual—one of many practiced across ancient traditions. These were not casual myths; they were intricate, initiatory ceremonies. The invitation isn’t to stand outside and debate, but to step inside and become the ritual. That’s where the real resurrection begins. I want to experience the love that Mary had which held Jesus through the entire thing then the reciprocal transmission she experienced when she recognized him...
“She was Magdalene—tower-woman, first witness, sacred mirror. She held the trauma and the glory. She didn’t flinch. She saw. She knew. And then she was sent.”
I don’t begin to know how to express how much these insights today mean to me. (Another book I’ve got to get.)
Years ago I received these exact revelations of Mary being the first apostle. The sent one. I relate to her deeply. I’m a sent one too. An unacceptable calling because I too apparently have the wrong genitals. I was so naive back then and filled with a fervor for Love and Spirit that, of course, I wanted and needed to share. But when in my innocent excitement I tried to share how important she was I was shocked by the male leader’s horror that I would DARE to even suggest such a horrible sacrilegious idea. I got in trouble and labeled an uppity woman. A female who needed to learn her place and be submissive. Who needed to sit down and shut the hell up. I was shamed and ultimately ostracized. But when the Spirit calls nothing else matters. The joy and thoughts, realization and insights, the intimacy with Love that changes lives, is all too amazing to keep quiet. I couldn’t stop talking, stop asking questions. Until one day I was firmly told by a special, visiting male leader that “these were not my people” and basically invited to leave. If all they claim to believe, teach, and desire to know and understand is packaged in a woman’s body it’s most likely going to be rejected. To their incredible loss.
I’ve often heard Jesus’ quiet words regarding the Pharisees whispered in my heart, “they don’t know what they are doing”.
Years later I am still trying to emulate Magdalene and just keep being who I’m called to be in-spite of what anyone else thinks or says of me. I am unusually blessed by my husband and best friend who “gets” and loves and respects me and embraces the spirituality and Love’s Spirit inside me and is not intimidated by my femininity. Through the years he’s seen the mysterious struggle men have with my gender and to the best of his ability has advocated for women. Especially in supposedly spiritual places.
We finally left the buildings in favor of all the hungry, beautiful humanity outside those walls. And I mean walls.
Interestingly my name is Maureen Margaret. They both mean “little Mary”. So I am Little Mary Little Mary! What an honor! And a heartache. And a joy. And a calling. I am both called and sent too. No matter what anyone else thinks, Love (God) and I know exactly who I am. And I answer to Love not men. I do not have permission to let any misguided male squelch what Love has created and ordained. I am no one special AND incredibly special, just like everyone else. I am Love’s child just like everyone else. And that is one of Magdalene’s important messages. Loving affirmation of each and every human’s value, that the world so badly needs. “Red and yellow, black and white, Jesus (SERIOUSLY) loves the little children of the world.” And that’s the point of it all. 🙏♥️
I suspect the masculine unconscious knows this, and explains the insanity of fear of loss of power and control by white men in this current administration. The light was lit when we elected Barack Obama not just once, but twice. The underground coup d’état had begun to coalesce decades ago. Only with the hubris, personality disorders, his own history of disdain for women, POC, immigrants, the poor, the disabled, and raised by men who knew how to cheat and lie to illegally and immorally gain uber-wealth, did Pandora’s Box get opened on the streets of the USA, for all the world to see. The Women’s civil rights movements, the Civil Rights Marches by the disenfranchised Black community, and the subsequent acknowledgment and acceptance of LGBTQ+ and transgender people, threw gas on the smoldering fears of mostly Old White Men. The final unacceptable data statistics that began to emerge: the white population would itself become a minority in the coming decade.
And, now, finally, we have Mary Magdalene, unburied and rising in the consciousness of all peoples of the world. Many of we women have articulated the necessity of recognizing the in t’égarât ion of the feminine with the masculine my whole adult life. The Yin AND the Yang. The Right AND the LEFT brainer functionings. Emotional Intelligence Scales as a better predictor of Quality Leadership than Intelligence Quotients alone. “Me, too,” movements opened the doors to holding men accountable for their predatory behavior. And so on. Hillary rose to power through hard work, results, and demonstrated the wisdom of women’s leadership. But the white men if they were asleep woke up to their own visceral fears and used their learned immoral and illegal backroom strategies to say no. And, again, as if the fear of a woman in power wasn’t enough, some of us naively thought a black mixed-race woman had a shot at leading our nation to a more perfect Union, wherein everyone on the planet is respected and honored as being equal in our humanity’s search for peace, Justice and equity.
So I praise this current of evolution of the NECESSITY of recognizing and integrating the feminine into our global consciousness. Although not Catholic, nor do I adhere to the rigors of any religious structure controlled by men, I am well-steeped in the messages of the world spiritual leaders. I was raised on the teachings of Jesus, the Beatitudes. I have allowed my feminine intuitions and voices to open the pathways and doors to places where I now know Heaven on Earth is a possibility. All we humans have to do is choose it. Peace is waiting for us today. And this wisdom is already inside our beings (ALL humans, men, women LGBTQ+, trans), we already know. I am seeing the evolution of Popes Francis and Leo as a signal that real consciousness is on the rise. The lights shining within each of are becoming brighter and stronger. Quoting a modern day wisdom figures, “There’s more going on than meets the eye,” and “The times, they are a-changing.” Amen. So Be It. A’Ho.
Sandra, your words struck like thunder in a tomb we’ve tried to keep sealed for centuries. The masculine unconscious does know—and it’s panicking. Every Magdalene rising, every whisper of the sacred feminine, is a direct threat to the brittle empire built on dominance and denial.
When Mary Magdalene walks out of the tomb first, it isn’t just theological—it’s apocalyptic for patriarchy.
And yes—Barack was the spark, Hillary was the siren, Kamala is the sign, and now Magdalene is the storm.
The old gods of greed and supremacy are trembling. And not because they’re being “replaced”—but because they’re being remembered as illusions.
The rest of us? We’re remembering our original instructions. Yin and Yang. Word and Wisdom. Beatitudes and Backbone. Heaven on Earth is not a dream—it’s a decision. And Magdalene already made it.
🔥 Let the integration begin.
—Virgin Monk Boy
WOO HOO!!! Let’s talk more later!❤️🙏❤️😎🐶
🙏 Amen.
Amen!
Yes!
Ah! My sister and friend. You have stated every single insight, understanding, and feminine prophetic, intuitive truth that gets me out of bed every day! “So let it be written, so let it be done!” 😁🙏♥️
I can't even begin to tell you how much I love this. As someone who has dedicated so much volunteer time promoting the safety, wellbeing and rights of women--and someone--and the only one in my family--who has had issues with my "birth" religion because of how it treats women as less than, this was refreshing. Thank you.
if the patriarchy had a nickel for every time it sidelined a woman with a soul on fire, it’d own the Vatican, Wall Street, and half the yoga studios in LA. Your witness matters. And yes—birthing your own path, when your family clings to the old script, is holy rebellion. Keep rising. We’re rewriting the Gospel in our own ink.
–Virgin Monk Boy
I have always been the (holy) rebellious one in my family. Spirited. Willful. Questioning. Or "difficult" (their terms).
But isn't that how we evolve?
🙏
Well said!
Yes, Mary is at the heart of Christian revelation. I'm happy to see her being acknowledged more and more lately. Thank you for sharing your insights!
I love this part
"Jesus says, “Mary.”
She replies, “Rabboni.”
And in that naming and recognition, Bourgeault sees not just an exchange of grief but a profound moment of transmission."
Struggle for revelation-justice is ongoing
There's a lot to this. One response I have is that the term Mary, I was taught, was a term meaning priestess. I was also taught that John was a term holy women used when traveling to protect themselves. I don't know if that's true. I did look up Mary to see what I could find. This is AI's summary, which you might find interesting. If you look at the line "Mary" "Rabboni" as "Priestess" "Rabbi" how does that shift your understanding of what's going on? Here's the AI summary.
While the name Mary, especially in its Aramaic form Maryam, was used as a name for women, there is debate and some evidence to suggest that the name or forms similar to it might have been connected to roles of reverence and distinction, potentially including forms of priestess or spiritual leadership.
Here's a breakdown of the evidence:
Possible Links to Priestesses/Reverence:
Ancient Egyptian Usage: The Egyptian word "Mr" means "love" and the related term "Meri(t)/Mari" translates to "beloved". These terms were used to express adoration for deities and to show respect for the priests and priestesses who served them, like "Mari-Isis" meaning "Beloved Isis".
Syriac Titles of Reverence: In Syriac, "Mār(y)" means "milord" and "Marth" means "milady". These are titles of reverence, suggesting a historical connection to terms denoting honored individuals.
Alternative interpretations of the name Maryam: Some interpretations of the name Maryam (Mary's original Hebrew/Aramaic name) suggest meanings like "bitter sea," "mistress," "exalted one," or "ruling one," which could be seen as aligning with positions of authority or spiritual significance.
Esoteric and Gnostic Traditions: Some esoteric and Gnostic traditions view figures like Mary Magdalene as priestesses, even linking them to the lineage of the Goddess Isis.
Early Church Writings: Some early Christian writings, like the Protevangelium of James, depict Mary, mother of Jesus, as having a unique childhood in the Jerusalem Temple and being involved in priestly activities. Some theologians in later centuries have also referred to Mary as a "sacrificial priest".
Considerations:
Mainstream Christianity: It's important to note that the conventional understanding within mainstream Christianity emphasizes Mary's role as the virgin mother of Jesus. The concept of her as a priestess is primarily found in esoteric interpretations and some early traditions.
Varying Interpretations: The meaning and significance of the name Mary/Miriam have been interpreted in various ways throughout history and across different cultures.
Historical and Linguistic Evidence: While some linguistic links and historical contexts suggest a possible connection between terms sounding like Mary and roles of reverence, definitive proof that the specific name "Mary" directly translates to "priestess" is limited and subject to interpretation.
In conclusion, while the term Mary itself doesn't directly translate to "priestess" in standard definitions, there are historical, linguistic, and spiritual traditions that link the name and related terms to roles of reverence and spiritual authority, including some interpretations of what a priestess embodies.
Jane, this is such a beautiful offering. Thank you.
That “Mary = Priestess” and “John = protective alias” insight opens a whole secret passage in the text, doesn't it? Like we’ve been reading it through stained glass, and suddenly you hand us clear vision.
And the idea of reading “Mary” and “Rabboni” as “Priestess” and “Rabbi”—that cracks the whole resurrection scene wide open. It's not just grief and reunion. It's transmission. Recognition. Mutual anointing.
And yes... the Virgin Mother vs. Magdalene split was theology’s way of dividing the feminine: Madonna on one pedestal, Priestess under surveillance. But your insight reclaims the whole lineage—Mary as title, as role, as initiatory presence.
What you’re bringing forward is priestess work in itself. Bowing to it.
Thank you, Alek. Here is an even deeper level that I guarantee will blow your mind. It did for me. I haven’t gotten it enough into my system to be able to put this into my own words. I’m sharing a video of Rev. Dr. Ruth Miller sharing the cultural lineage of the resurrection story and Magdalene’s role as priestess. There was a Babylonian ritual that was being re-enacted. It’s about 30 minutes. You will love it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSElIWjJbuk&t=30s
Thanks, Jane — I appreciate you sharing that. I took a quick look, and while I can see how it might offer a fresh angle for some, it feels more like a reframing of the resurrection narrative than a real deepening of it.
But let me throw a bit of a monkey wrench in: there’s zero historical evidence that Jesus — or any of the New Testament figures — actually existed as literal people. So when someone starts explaining how a group of possibly fictional characters timed a crucifixion to align with an eclipse and an earthquake… it starts to feel like fan fiction dressed up as theology.
Here’s the thing — both the Orthodox and Unity folks still seem pinned to the need for historical reality. The mystics? We’re not waiting on archaeology. We’re working in the imaginal realm, where the stories live as archetypes, as inner initiations, as invitations to transformation. Magdalene doesn’t need to be “proven” to have walked beside Jesus — she walks beside us now, in the descent into shadow and the rising into truth.
So while the Babylonian/Chaldean framing is interesting, for me it doesn’t come close to the depth of what Magdalene represents in the Gospel of Mary and the Wisdom tradition. That’s not myth-as-history — that’s myth as mirror, cutting straight into the dismantling of the false self.
Okay, I see your point. I agree the imaginal realm is a whole different playing field. I haven't studied a lot of anthropology so hearing a traditional story from that angle fascinates me. I have also heard lots of arguments pro/com about Jesus walking the literal earth. In the end, I think you have the right idea. Let's just hang out in the imaginal realm where all is now and the truth shimmers all around us.
Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise me if this scene grew from a resurrection ritual—one of many practiced across ancient traditions. These were not casual myths; they were intricate, initiatory ceremonies. The invitation isn’t to stand outside and debate, but to step inside and become the ritual. That’s where the real resurrection begins. I want to experience the love that Mary had which held Jesus through the entire thing then the reciprocal transmission she experienced when she recognized him...
Yes!
Wow! Awesome!!
Every bit, outstanding.
“She was Magdalene—tower-woman, first witness, sacred mirror. She held the trauma and the glory. She didn’t flinch. She saw. She knew. And then she was sent.”
Love, love, love this!
I don’t begin to know how to express how much these insights today mean to me. (Another book I’ve got to get.)
Years ago I received these exact revelations of Mary being the first apostle. The sent one. I relate to her deeply. I’m a sent one too. An unacceptable calling because I too apparently have the wrong genitals. I was so naive back then and filled with a fervor for Love and Spirit that, of course, I wanted and needed to share. But when in my innocent excitement I tried to share how important she was I was shocked by the male leader’s horror that I would DARE to even suggest such a horrible sacrilegious idea. I got in trouble and labeled an uppity woman. A female who needed to learn her place and be submissive. Who needed to sit down and shut the hell up. I was shamed and ultimately ostracized. But when the Spirit calls nothing else matters. The joy and thoughts, realization and insights, the intimacy with Love that changes lives, is all too amazing to keep quiet. I couldn’t stop talking, stop asking questions. Until one day I was firmly told by a special, visiting male leader that “these were not my people” and basically invited to leave. If all they claim to believe, teach, and desire to know and understand is packaged in a woman’s body it’s most likely going to be rejected. To their incredible loss.
I’ve often heard Jesus’ quiet words regarding the Pharisees whispered in my heart, “they don’t know what they are doing”.
Years later I am still trying to emulate Magdalene and just keep being who I’m called to be in-spite of what anyone else thinks or says of me. I am unusually blessed by my husband and best friend who “gets” and loves and respects me and embraces the spirituality and Love’s Spirit inside me and is not intimidated by my femininity. Through the years he’s seen the mysterious struggle men have with my gender and to the best of his ability has advocated for women. Especially in supposedly spiritual places.
We finally left the buildings in favor of all the hungry, beautiful humanity outside those walls. And I mean walls.
Interestingly my name is Maureen Margaret. They both mean “little Mary”. So I am Little Mary Little Mary! What an honor! And a heartache. And a joy. And a calling. I am both called and sent too. No matter what anyone else thinks, Love (God) and I know exactly who I am. And I answer to Love not men. I do not have permission to let any misguided male squelch what Love has created and ordained. I am no one special AND incredibly special, just like everyone else. I am Love’s child just like everyone else. And that is one of Magdalene’s important messages. Loving affirmation of each and every human’s value, that the world so badly needs. “Red and yellow, black and white, Jesus (SERIOUSLY) loves the little children of the world.” And that’s the point of it all. 🙏♥️