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:

• The Meaning of Mary Magdalene 

explores Mary Magdalene as:

• an apostle

• spiritual initiate

• wisdom teacher

• embodiment of sacred feminine consciousness

Very grounded, intelligent, mystical, and respected in contemplative Christian circles.

Karen L. King

A Harvard scholar who has done major academic work on:

• the Gospel of Mary

• early Christianity

• women’s roles in the early church

Her work is more scholarly/academic than mystical, but incredibly important if you want historical grounding behind some of these conversations.

Book:

• The Gospel of Mary of Magdala 

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:

• The Dance of the Dissident Daughter 

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:

• spiritual leadership

• love-based power

• feminine wisdom

• rethinking traditional spiritual structures

Not specifically Magdalene-focused, but very aligned energetically with your themes.

Tricia McCannon

Very Magdalene-focused.

Books:

• Return of the Divine Sophia 

• writings on Mary Magdalene and feminine mystery traditions

More esoteric/mystical than academic.

Seren Bertrand

Book:

• Magdalene Mysteries 

Explores:

• Mary Magdalene as priestess

• feminine initiation

• womb wisdom

• sacred feminine rites

Very mystical/priestess lineage style.

Claire Sierra

Book:

• The Magdalene Path 

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:

• The Chalice and the Blade 

Explores how societies shifted from partnership-based cultures into domination-based systems, including impacts on women and spirituality.