‘A beautifully illustrated book about an intriguing search for a legendary
yet misunderstood woman.’ – Jacob Slavenburg, historian and author
Drawing on Celtic Christianity, the ancient Nag Hammadi discoveries
and contemporary spiritual insight – particularly the work of Rudolf
Steiner – Danielle van Dijk retraces the footsteps of Mary Magdalene
across ancient Palestine, France, England, Italy and Spain. Visiting places
where the Magdalene has been memorialized, she reveals a hidden
geography woven through sacred landscapes and forgotten histories.
Along the way, van Dijk uncovers veiled layers of Gnosis – the Wisdom
of the Heart – embedded in Gothic cathedrals, Templar legends, Cathar
strongholds, the Black Madonna and the ancient pilgrimage routes to
Santiago de Compostela.
In this finely crafted study, Mary Magdalene steps out of the shadows
and into the spiritual foreground. She is reclaimed as a woman, a
teacher and an initiate – an equal among the great figures of sacred
history. Drawing on esoteric Christian philosophies, the author traces
the living legacy of the Magdalene as the beloved companion of Christ
and the ‘apostle of the apostles’.
Richly illustrated with dozens of paintings and photographs, this book is
a guide for a humanity still learning what true partnership between the
masculine and the feminine can mean – both in the world and within
the soul. It reveals subtle symbols of the Magdalene encoded by
Renaissance masters and other artists, inviting readers into a visual
meditation on love, equality and the archetypal feminine. Clear,
accessible reflections, along with contemplative exercises and
meditations, support readers in rediscovering the feminine face of the
divine within their inner lives.