In this Blog, I want to share some insights about Sister Mary Magdalene, as I like to refer to this special Scent Priestess lovingly. In my next blog, I will write about Mother Mary. But why do I want to start with Sister Mary Magdalene? That is because I also want to briefly introduce you to the concepts of Gnosis and Holy Anointing Oils.
I know that many of you may or may not be aware that Sister Mary Magdalene plays a significant part in the Gnostic tradition. Let us take a moment here to understand what Gnosticism is. Gnosticism refers to the Gnosis of an individual or the knowledge of the individual. It derives from many religious ideas, insights gained through our communication with the Divine, and insights acquired through secret societies or mystery schools. Gnosis is divine knowledge about the true nature of reality as revealed by the Divine. In short, Gnosis means “knowledge.”
The Bible talks about “wisdom, knowledge, understanding.” The Bible actually encourages us to pursue knowledge and understanding diligently. Proverbs 2:3-6 states, "Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (KJV). Indeed, the Bible calls us forth to seek Divine knowledge, not knowledge learned through religion. I am not proposing that religion does not have a place in a person’s life. No. On the contrary, religion plays a beautiful part in “faith.” But this is another subject altogether. What I am attempting to do in this blog is to help us and guide us in better understanding the special roles of both Mother Mary and Sister Mary Magdalene through the lens of Gnosis and Mysticism.
Continuing with Sister Mary Magdalene. I also wanted to help you get to know her as the Scent Priestess that she is, and how she guides us to learn about this tradition. Indeed, Sister Mary Magdalene emerges as far more than a follower of Lord Yeshua. She was also a disciple, not in the biblical sense, as this is not directly recognized in the Bible, but if you read the Bible, you will find that she was a passionate listener eager to learn every word that came from Lord Yeshua; this indeed makes her a disciple of Lord Yeshua. Furthermore, she embodies a potent archetype of the sacred feminine, deeply connected to the power of anointing and the art of creating and using fragrance and scent.
The Anointress of Initiation
Sister Mary Magdalene is often referred to as the "Bearer of the Anointing." “The Bearer of the Anointing” is a description given to Sister Mary Magdalene to describe her practice of anointing Lord Yeshua with sacred oils and for bringing the knowledge of rare perfumes.
Her act of anointing Lord Yeshua with precious spikenard oil, a story recounted in the Gospels, can be seen as a moment of profound spiritual significance. It's seen as a preparation for Lord Yeshua's ultimate "initiation into the Mystery of Love being stronger than Death." This act elevates her to the status of a priestess, one who recognizes and prepares the sacred vessel for a transformative journey.
As I worked on this blog, I received divine guidance as a reminder that Lord Yeshua, anointed, permitted, and gave the blessing to Sister Mary Magdalene to continue in this tradition. So, in the days of Lord Yeshua and today in many traditions, they look down on women who use sacred anointing oils because they believe that only men in the priesthood are allowed to do so. What I mean by Lord Yeshua's “anointing” of Sister Mary Magdalene is that, in a broader spiritual sense, Sister Mary Magdalene, through her act of love and devotion for Lord Yeshua, was chosen by Him in His Divine authority for a sacred, high, and special vocation and purpose: serving others as a Scent Priestess. If a man were anointed (chosen) for the priesthood, they would become a priest. Therefore, I would argue that Lord Yeshua, with His Divine authority, recognized her as a Priestess and decided to bestow upon Sister Mary Magdalene the Priestesshood, regarding her as a Scent Priestess. Matthew 26:10-13 states, “Jesus said to them, 'Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me….but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” (NIV).
Echoes of Ancient Myrrhophores
The practice of anointing can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where Priestesses of Isis, known as Myrrhophores (Myrrh-bearers), served as sacred anointers. These priestesses utilized oils and fragrances not just for their aroma but also as conduits of divine energy, believed to hold unique vibrational signatures. When applied with sacred intention, these oils were considered keys to opening spiritual gateways, enabling access to altered states of consciousness and acting as gatekeepers between worlds. Sister Mary Magdalene's portrayal as the Anointer, always identified by her vase of perfumes, positions her as a continuation of this ancient sacred tradition. And it has been said that perhaps Sister Mary Magdalene studied in the holy arts of anointing in the Temples of the Myrrhophores.
Fragrance: A bridge to the divine
The use of scented oils in Gnosticism, as exemplified by the practices of Sister Mary Magdalene, underscores the pivotal role of fragrance in spiritual connection. The holy oils may be seen as transporting the user to the presence of the Divine by activating inner consciousness and entering states of prayer or focused intention. The essential oils of plants were believed to contain the very essence of the plant, linking the act of anointing with the power of healing and transformation. Mary's "complex preparations of infused plants and fragrant essences", including those with narcotic and soothing properties, demonstrate the holistic approach she took to healing and spiritual awareness, addressing both physical and psychic suffering.
Sister Mary Magdalene as the path of embodiment
Beyond the act of anointing, Sister Mary Magdalene's significance as a "Scent Priestess" in Gnosticism points towards the path of divine embodiment. Her teachings, rediscovered through various sources and interpretations, encourage individuals to embrace their divine potential, to overcome fear and victimhood, and to embody love tangibly and holistically. Following in the footsteps of Sister Mary Magdalene as she poured the Holy Anointing Oils on Lord Yeshua, we can learn from her unconditional love and devotion. The anointing, then, is a metaphor for a deeper process – an internal transformation that prepares the individual to experience "Heaven on Earth through our sacred body vessels."
I invite you to begin a practice of self-anointing. More to come later. I hope you enjoy this blog post. Thank you! With so much love and peace, Grace
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