The Women The Bible Forgot & Why Their Stories Matter Now - episode 16

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/mentorshipp.p.s. If you’re loving this conversation, there are quite a few authors, theologians, mystics, and feminist scholars exploring similar themes around:Mary Magdalenethe suppression of the divine femininewomen’s spiritual leadershiplost or excluded gospelsfeminine wisdom traditionsreclaiming women’s spiritual authorityHere are some beautiful rabbit holes for you:Feminist Theology / Mary Magdalene / Divine FeminineCynthia BourgeaultProbably one of the strongest companions to Meggan Watterson’s work.Her book:The Meaning of Mary Magdalene explores Mary Magdalene as:an apostlespiritual initiatewisdom teacherembodiment of sacred feminine consciousnessVery grounded, intelligent, mystical, and respected in contemplative Christian circles.Karen L. KingA Harvard scholar who has done major academic work on:the Gospel of Maryearly Christianitywomen’s roles in the early churchHer 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 PagelsA hugely influential scholar on:Gnostic gospelsearly Christianityexcluded spiritual textsBooks:The Gnostic Gospels Beyond Belief She explores how many early Christian traditions were more mystical and internally focused before institutional structures became dominant.Jean HoustonExplores sacred feminine consciousness, archetypes, mysticism, and spiritual awakening.Less Bible-specific, more transformational feminine spirituality.Sue Monk KiddHer book:The Dance of the Dissident Daughter is iconic in feminine spiritual awakening spaces.It explores:reclaiming feminine spiritualityquestioning patriarchal religioninner authorityawakening the sacred feminineVery readable and emotionally powerful.Marianne WilliamsonEspecially around:spiritual leadershiplove-based powerfeminine wisdomrethinking traditional spiritual structuresNot specifically Magdalene-focused, but very aligned energetically with your themes.Tricia McCannonVery Magdalene-focused.Books:Return of the Divine Sophia writings on Mary Magdalene and feminine mystery traditionsMore esoteric/mystical than academic.Seren BertrandBook:Magdalene Mysteries Explores:Mary Magdalene as priestessfeminine initiationwomb wisdomsacred feminine ritesVery mystical/priestess lineage style.Claire SierraBook:The Magdalene Path Focused on feminine awakening, embodiment, intuition, and living from feminine soul wisdom.More Historically Curious / Feminine ReclamationMary DalyOne of the early radical feminist theologians challenging patriarchal religious systems.Very intellectual and provocative.Riane EislerBook:The Chalice and the Blade Explores how societies shifted from partnership-based cultures into domination-based systems, including impacts on women and spirituality.