Recommended Books
The Practice of the Presence of God - Brother Lawrence, a Carmelite lay brother, discusses the ancient practice of God's intimate, indwelling presence. order here
In the Dark Places of Wisdom - by Peter Kingsley. Brilliant, heart-breaking in its implications, yet full of hope for reclaiming the "Sophia" so long devalued in our Western consciousness. Order here
The Dimensions of Paradise - by John Michell. Amazing research of the ancient canon of Sacred Number, geometry and gematria. Foundational! Should be required reading in every seminary and divinity school! order here
For children:
The Girl with the Red Curls - by Kathy Goetemann. Lovely children's version of Mary Magdalene's story with illustrations from famous medieval paintings. order here
Recommended Films
A Town Like Alice - film of the book by Nevil Shute first published as "The Legacy." This beautiful story is a modern version of the ancient myth of the "Sacrificed Bridegroom." A must see! Read the book, too.
Ladyhawke - a beautiful medieval legend of the separated lovers and their "sacred reunion." This film contains wonderful symbolism of the "conjunctio" and the "sacred reunion."
Whalerider - awesome tale of enlightenment and reconciliation in the face of radical paradigm shift; an incredibly life-affirming experience. order here
Water - an amazing story and film focussed on the abusive treatment of widows in India based on traditions and fundamentalist interpretation of Holy Scriptures which lock the society into a 2000 year old world view.
The Secret Garden - classic story of the orphaned Mary who finds the key to the garden of her hunchback uncle and crippled cousin. The "metaphor" of the "wounded king" and lost feminine is powerful in this film about reclaiming the garden!
Enchanted April - delightful story of four women who share a retreat in an Italian villa on the Mediterranean. A celebration of life, love, and the power of transformation.
Suggested Websites:
Clip of Margaret Starbird interview for the "Bloodline" Movie
Mary Magdalene Within - This link takes you to the website of Joan Norton, Jungian therapist and author of "The Mary Magdalene Within," a very moving narrative of the intimate relationship Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
The Da Vinci Grail- A "must see!!" This website explains the amazing discovery of an optical illusion forming a Grail chalice in Leonardo's Last Suppper. It plainly states, in symbol, that the "Grail" is NOT an artifact--a drinking cup--but rather, it is to be sought on a different plane. The face of the "Beloved Disciple" is tipped toward the chalice hovering in the shadows above Bartholomew, the apostle seated on the far left side of the painting. If you've not seen this amazing "discovery" made recently (1978-99) when the painting was being restored, it's startling!
So what was Leonardo saying with this astonishing image? If you draw a line from the grail cup to the knot in the tablecloth at the far right side of the painting. The line passes directly under the chin of the "Beloved Disciple" along with the hand of St. Peter who is actually "silencing the voice" of the mystical tradition, and through the left hand of Jesus (symbol of the "Sacred Feminine") and then into a knot (the Knot of Isis) in the tablecloth on the far right side of the painting.... the distances between these are instructive 1:1:2--so there is no chance that these four points (chalice, throat, hand and knot). Leonardo was clearly saying, "the Grail is NOT a cup you pour wine into, but rather, a symbol for the "mystical tradition" of the Sacred Feminine.
"Peter" is holding a knife, perhaps suggesting that it was it was not Judas, but "Peter" (the Church of the Rock) who betrayed Jesus.
"Bloodline"--the Movie - Official website for the film. Margaret Starbird was interviewed in February 2006 for this film documenting the 'quest' of producer Bruce Burgess in search of the truth about Mary Magdalene's marriage to Jesus and presence in France, the subject of numerous local legends and intrigues.
The Creative Flame - webpage of images created by Patricia Ballentine of Chandler, AZ, including "Sacred Union."
The Christosophia - website of Cynthia Avens and Richard Zelley, authors of "Walkiing the Path of ChristoSophia."
The Beloved Disciple - Link to an interesting article by Ramon K. Jusino, a Roman Catholic scholar, on the possible identification of Mary Magdalene with the "Beloved Disciple"--the alleged author of the Fourth Gospel.
"The Secret Life of Jesus" - Title of a book by Mantoshe Singh Devji discussing the lost years of "Humanity's Messiah" with evidence of Jesus' sojourn in India and alleged descendants there.
"The Hooked X" - research by Scott Wolter establishes that the Kensington Rune stone, the Newport Tower and other artifacts found in N America date to Norse and perhaps Scottish explorers who landed on the East Coast of the "new world" a century before Columbus. On the website, click "News" and then "Scott" for more information.
"The Girl with the Red Curls" - Kathy Goetemann's website: http:www.kathygoetemann.com. Children's version of Magdalene's story.
Links to "Magdalene" Tours in France:
http://www.gloriaamendola.com/bloodlinetour.html
http://celticmysticaljourneys.com (Finbarr Ross).
Artifacts:
www.myrians.com - Mary Ann Sinclair of Seattle displays her images of medallions she created from medieval watermarks connected to the "Grail" mythology and the "alternative Christianity" of the Church of Love.
www.sofiachristine.com - Personal altar icons and inspirational jewelry by Sofia Christine, including a wonderful Mary Magdalene collection.
Music suggestion: "Aurora"
Amazing songs celebrating the sacred are recorded by a duo called "Aurora." --Marie Garry and Katherine Conrad. Information about their albums, "Aurora Mystery" and "Pagosa Rose," is available from Aurora Song
to email Margaret Starbird