St. Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride [Paperback]

Tau Malachi (Author)

Book Description

Series: Gnostic | Publication Date: January 8, 2006

In the Gospels of the Bible there are a few comments about Mary Magdalene here and there. But in the Gnostic scriptures that have been discovered, there are tantalizing hints that both her relationship to Jesus and her role among Jesus' disciples may have been profoundly important. Among several schools of Gnostic Christianity, Mary plays an essential role in the revelation of the gospel.

Here, for the first time in print, is a Sophian Gospel of St. Mary Magdalene. No secret oral tradition as extensive as this has ever been recorded, and none has ever presented a Gnostic view of Mary Magdalene as she is portrayed in this groundbreaking work-as a powerful holy woman, the innermost disciple and beloved wife of Jesus, and a Christed woman who is coequal with Jesus in the Christ revelation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tau Malachi's (Malachi eben Ha-Elijah's) spiritual journey began when he met the acquaintance of a Tau of the Sophian Tradition of Gnostic Christianity, Tau Elijah ben Miriam. He received the oral tradition of Sophian Gnosticism from Tau Elijah, and has been a student and practitioner of Gnostic Christianity for over thirty-five years. In 1983 he founded Sophia Fellowship as an expression of the tradition, and has been teaching and initiating others into Christian Gnosticism, Rosicrucian Philosophy and Christian Kabbalah since that time. He is an initiate of Ordo Sanctus Gnosis and serves as an Elder and Tau within the Sophian lineage.

Tau Malachi is also a Chevalier (a dubbed Knight) in the International Order of Chivalric Companions, a Martinist, and is an ordained and consecrated Independent Bishop. He is co-founder of The Gnostic Apostolic Church of Sophia and is among the leading exponents of Christian Gnosticism and Kabbalah in our times.

Along with his exploration of the Western Mystery Tradition, he has studied extensively in several Eastern Traditions, such as Vajrayana Buddhism and Vedanta, and he also studied within a Middle Eastern Tradition of Sufism, as well as becoming involved in Native American Shamanism. Though Gnostic Christianity has always been his heart's path.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; First Edition edition (January 8, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 073870783X
• ISBN-13: 978-0738707839
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #137,479 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Getting to know the real Mary, May 16, 2006

By 

Mary Simmons "simmonsmry" (Wroxeter, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: St. Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride (Paperback)

Much attention has been focused on Mary Magdalene in recent years, but what do we really know and understand about the woman who has been labelled a whore?
In his latest book, `St Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride,' Tau Malachi reveals her as the soul mate of Jesus. She is his closest disciple, wife and consort, co-equal and co-enlightened with him and the co-preacher of the Gospel.
The author draws a picture of a man and woman full of grace and beauty. Mary is elegant and Jesus is playful. Together, they are one soul united, destined to change the people of the world and their beliefs about spiritual truths.
The book contains a glossary at the back and notes at the end of each chapter, so unfamiliar terms and concepts are clearly defined and easy to locate. A suggested reading list is also included for those who want to learn more about Gnosticism and Mary Magdalene. This practical aspect of the book enhances the spiritual and mystical revelations about the Holy Bride and her wisdom sayings.
These profound words, included as a gospel of 250 verses, are not to be perused lightly. I found myself returning to them, reflecting on each individually and marvelling at the whole. I have a feeling this book will not sit on a shelf and be ignored. I will find moments in my life where I will want to connect with Mary and I will turn to her words for comfort and strength. There is a sense of truth and divine knowledge within this book that come from a loftier soul than my own.
And yet Mary's humanity is clearly evident. Malachi strikes a balance between the dejected woman and the enlightened spirit in his portrayal of her. He tells us that many of the miracles attributed to Jesus in traditional Christian denominations were also performed by Mary. She healed the sick, helped the blind see, resurrected the dead, restored water to a dry well and achieved many more wonders. She preached the same message and received a mere fraction of the glory and the credit of her partner, but she would not want to be glorified and worshipped. Her concern would be that people have not received the whole truth and that women are still being berated and rejected. She would want us to use her experience as an example for how we should conduct our lives. Through our connection to her we can come closer to our own Christhood and realize our full potential as enlightened, spiritual beings.
Malachi also offers a method of meditation, which will help people seek a vision of her image and commune with her. He suggests creating a shrine to the Holy Bride in your home and connecting with her through music, song and dance or by joining a circle of women. Men are also welcome to join the circle, where personal stories as well as those of Mary are shared. A Feast of the Holy Bride is also held every year on May 1.
Having read `St. Mary Magdalene,' I feel I have come closer to knowing her and the important role she can play in our lives if we let her in.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extrodinary!, March 31, 2006

By 

A. Morgan (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: St. Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride (Paperback)

What an extrodinary work!
I can safely say that this book changed my life.
I have read books before that speak of Mary Magdalene as a deciple of Jesus, his wife and even sometimes as the apostle to the apostles, but never before have I read a book who speaks of her as fully co-equal with him, fully and equaly an example of enlightened womanhood in all its fullness and glory, this book speaks of St. Mary Magdalene as messiah as much as Jesus was Messiah. It is more than that as well, it is a story of enlightenend humanhood. This book, with its playful legends from an oral tradition of Sophian Gnosticism, delights the heart and enriches the spirit, it paints a perfect picture of the mysterious dance of the Bride, St. Mary Magdalene.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Here comes the Bride!!!, January 21, 2006

By 

Christopher (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: St. Mary Magdalene: The Gnostic Tradition of the Holy Bride (Paperback)

Here for first time in print, is a Wisdom Treasuy of sacred teachings and oral tradition of St. Mary Magdalene. This wonderful text offers the reader a vehicle for a creative journey into the Gnostic experience of the Holy Bride, very similiar to guided meditations. As a reader you are invited into the life story/cycle of the Holy Bride and into Her journey and sacred quest, which ultimately is one's own. The value it speaks to the coequality of women and the need for the Divine Feminine is unequivocal in our present times. I highly recommend this book.