Mary Magdalene

‘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.