In this week’s blog/episode, we explore the women of the Bible who have been misunderstood, diminished, or written out of positions of spiritual leadership—and why that still matters for women today. Through the lens of the divine feminine, Mary Magdalene, and modern feminist theology, this piece invites women to reconnect with their intuition, wisdom, and spiritual authority. This isn’t about blaming men or rejecting masculine leadership. It’s about restoring balance, love, and equality in leadership and community. Because perhaps the greatest awakening for women in midlife…is remembering they were never powerless to begin with.
p.s. If you are feeling the call to discuss these types of interesting topics more deeply, you might be interested in the Divine Alignment Code mentorship. www.pipcoleman.com/mentorship
p.p.s. If you’re loving this conversation, there are quite a few authors, theologians, mystics, and feminist scholars exploring similar themes around:
Mary Magdalene
the suppression of the divine feminine
women’s spiritual leadership
lost or excluded gospels
feminine wisdom traditions
reclaiming women’s spiritual authority
Here are some beautiful rabbit holes for you:
Feminist Theology / Mary Magdalene / Divine Feminine
Cynthia Bourgeault
Probably one of the strongest companions to Meggan Watterson’s work.
Her book:
explores Mary Magdalene as:
Very grounded, intelligent, mystical, and respected in contemplative Christian circles.
Karen L. King
A Harvard scholar who has done major academic work on:
Her work is more scholarly/academic than mystical, but incredibly important if you want historical grounding behind some of these conversations.
Book:
Elaine Pagels
A hugely influential scholar on:
Gnostic gospels
early Christianity
excluded spiritual texts
Books:
The Gnostic Gospels
Beyond Belief
She explores how many early Christian traditions were more mystical and internally focused before institutional structures became dominant.
Jean Houston
Explores sacred feminine consciousness, archetypes, mysticism, and spiritual awakening.
Less Bible-specific, more transformational feminine spirituality.
Sue Monk Kidd
Her book:
is iconic in feminine spiritual awakening spaces.
It explores:
reclaiming feminine spirituality
questioning patriarchal religion
inner authority
awakening the sacred feminine
Very readable and emotionally powerful.
Marianne Williamson
Especially around:
Not specifically Magdalene-focused, but very aligned energetically with your themes.
Tricia McCannon
Very Magdalene-focused.
Books:
More esoteric/mystical than academic.
Seren Bertrand
Book:
Explores:
Very mystical/priestess lineage style.
Claire Sierra
Book:
Focused on feminine awakening, embodiment, intuition, and living from feminine soul wisdom.
More Historically Curious / Feminine Reclamation
Mary Daly
One of the early radical feminist theologians challenging patriarchal religious systems.
Very intellectual and provocative.
Riane Eisler
Book:
Explores how societies shifted from partnership-based cultures into domination-based systems, including impacts on women and spirituality.