Mary Magdalene + Sacred France Book Club

Over the next 15 weeks, we’ll be exploring the following books together through weekly discussions held every Monday at 6:00 PM Mountain Time (8:00 PM Eastern / 5:00 PM Pacific). This book club is completely FREE to join. Please sign up for all sessions using the scheduler on this page. If you need to miss a session, no problem—you’re welcome to rejoin us at any time.

Moderator: Tara Czutno

Weeks 1–5: Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson (8h20m audiobook)

Spotify link Amazon link

Week 1: Monday, May 19, 2025 Reading: Introduction, Chapters 1–2 (1h40m), to pp. 1-68

Discussion Questions:

  1. What assumptions about Mary Magdalene were challenged in these chapters?

  2. How does Watterson describe the Gospel of Mary compared to canonical texts?

  3. What does "inner knowing" mean in this context?

  4. How does Watterson’s personal story impact your reception of the text?

  5. Compare Watterson’s view of the divine feminine to any prior understanding you held.

Week 2: Monday, May 26, 2025 Skip for US Holiday

Week 3: Monday, June 2, 2025 Reading: Chapter 3 (1h40m), pp. 69-143

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does the theme of embodiment show up in the narrative?

  2. What does Watterson suggest about authority in spiritual teachings?

  3. How do fear and love relate in the framework she presents?

  4. In what ways does patriarchy appear in historical or modern interpretations?

  5. Compare her theology of the body to early church views you may know.

Week 4: Monday, June 9, 2025 Reading: Chapters 4-6, pp. 143-194

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Watterson describe the sacred union or integration of opposites?

  2. What role does personal trauma play in her theology?

  3. Discuss the interplay between mysticism and orthodoxy.

  4. How does the Gospel of Mary reframe ideas of sin and salvation?

  5. Compare her views with Cynthia Bourgeault’s mysticism preview.

Week 5: Monday, June 16, 2025 Reading: Power 7 to the end, pp. 195-end

Discussion Questions:

  1. How is voice—especially the feminine voice—centered here?

  2. How does Watterson relate sacred texts to the body?

  3. What does “The Soul-Voice Meditation” reveal spiritually and psychologically?

  4. What patterns of healing do you see emerging?

  5. Begin drawing parallels to what we anticipate in Bourgeault’s contemplative lens.

  6. What transformation has occurred in Watterson’s journey by the end?

  7. What lasting message about Mary Magdalene stands out to you?

  8. How does this book redefine spiritual leadership?

  9. What is the significance of reclaiming “heretical” wisdom?

  10. In what ways do you now feel called to redefine spiritual authority?

Weeks 6–9: The Meaning of Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Bourgeault (7h45m audiobook)

Paperback link

Week 6: Monday, June 23, 2025 Reading: Introduction + 1/2 Part One (~1h55m), pp. 1-42

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Bourgeault’s portrayal differ from Watterson’s?

  2. What evidence does she provide to support her claims?

  3. How does she frame Mary Magdalene’s historical erasure?

  4. What is the Magdalene energy Bourgeault describes?

  5. Compare the tones and methodologies of Bourgeault vs. Watterson.

Week 7: Monday, June 30, 2025 Reading: Rest of Part One, pp. 43-81

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does contemplative practice relate to Mary’s path?

  2. What does “gnosis” mean for Bourgeault?

  3. How is love redefined in this section?

  4. What parallels do you see to Watterson’s “inner knowing”?

  5. How does this frame the role of the feminine in Christ consciousness?

Week 8: Monday, July 7, 2025 Reading: Part two, pp. 86-160

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the significance of Mary as Christ’s partner?

  2. How does Bourgeault develop the idea of the sacred marriage?

  3. How are psychological insights integrated with theology?

  4. What echoes of Watterson’s embodiment are present here?

  5. How does this chapter address common modern misunderstandings?

Week 9: Monday, July 14, 2025 Reading: Part 3 + Appendix 3, pp. 161-242

Discussion Questions:

  1. What is the future Bourgeault envisions for Christianity?

  2. What role does Mary play in evolving consciousness?

  3. In what ways is this a call to spiritual action?

  4. What new patterns or frameworks for spiritual leadership emerge?

  5. How do both books reimagine Christ and Mary Magdalene’s legacy?

Weeks 10–11: Invoking Mary Magdalene by Siobhan Houston (100 pages)

Paperback link

Week 10: Monday, July 21, 2025 Reading: Intro + Chapters 1–3 (~50 pages)

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does Houston blend ritual and scholarship?

  2. What modern goddess traditions inform this book?

  3. How does ritual deepen your connection to Mary?

  4. What echoes of Watterson and Bourgeault show up here?

  5. How is the sacred feminine framed through invocation?

Week 11: Monday, July 28, 2025 Reading: Chapters 4–End (~50 pages)

Discussion Questions:

  1. What rituals felt most powerful or meaningful?

  2. How might you bring this work into daily practice?

  3. What are the spiritual and psychological effects of invocation?

  4. How do all three books inform your view of Mary Magdalene’s divinity?

  5. What themes carry across these first three books?

Weeks 12–13: Chartres Cathedral by Malcolm Miller (96 pages)

Amazon link

Week 12: Monday, August 4, 2025 Reading: First 48 pages, to North Rose Window

Discussion Questions:

  1. What surprised you about Chartres’ history or architecture?

  2. What symbolic elements feel most connected to the sacred feminine?

  3. How does the cathedral’s structure reflect a mystical worldview?

  4. Compare the embodiment in architecture to Watterson’s work.

  5. What does the reverence for light and image reveal spiritually?

Week 13: Monday, August 11, 2025 Reading: Final 48 pages, North Rose Window to end

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does the guide’s storytelling style bring to your understanding?

  2. How do the stained-glass windows and labyrinth function spiritually?

  3. What echoes of the Magdalene mythos exist at Chartres?

  4. What does this place evoke emotionally or energetically for you?

  5. How do the visual/spatial elements compare to the written texts before?

Weeks 14–15: The Sacred Geometry of Chartres Cathedral by Gordon Strachan (112 pages)

Amazon link

Week 14: Monday, August 18, 2025 Reading chapter 1-3

Discussion Questions:

  1. What new layers are added through sacred geometry?

  2. How does this shift your view of Chartres’ purpose?

  3. What resonance do you see with Houston’s ritual practices?

  4. How does proportion or design reflect divine principles?

  5. What’s the connection between geometry and mysticism?

Week 15: Monday, August 25, 2025 Reading: Chapter 4 to end

Discussion Questions:

  1. How do all five books speak to a unified spiritual thread?

  2. What personal transformation or insight are you taking forward?

  3. How has your view of Mary Magdalene evolved?

  4. How do embodiment, symbol, and sacred structure unify?

  5. What’s next for your journey with this wisdom?