The Two Marys: The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus

In Hinduism there exists a holy trinity. Not of the father, son and holy ghost. No, it's a feminine holy trinity of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali. In another book that I read The Rozabal Line, I found that the name of the festival of La Sara Kali in France that celebrates the arrival of Mary Magdalene with her daughter, is probably derived from this trinity of the sacred feminine. I therefore find it depressing to note that the Church has done anything and everything possible to reduce the importance of feminine power including calling Mary Magdalene a prostitute. I am delighted with this new wave of books including The Two Marys: The Hidden History of the Mother and Wife of Jesus and The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail that attempt to plug some of the gaps in this distorted view that has been force fed to us by the male dominated Church. One does not need to believe everything that is contained in Browne's book. Simply read it do get a point of view that is interesting, different, rational, well-researched and lucidly presented. Then decide for yourself.

Sylvia Browne's book titled The Two Marys undoubtedly deals with a controversial topic- that Mary, Jesus' mother, and Mary Magdalene who became Jesus' wife and mother of his children - were two women who played a significant part in his life and in religious history when women were thought to be illiterate and only good for bearing children and keeping the house. According to Browne's account, Jesus respected and honored the women in his life and involved them in his teaching about God the Father who is loving, compassionate, and kind rather than the vengeful God of the Old Testament. For those who follow the Bible religiously, Browne's book will challenge them to think and perhaps even anger them as she questions the origins of Christianity and how much impact the Council of Nicaea in 325 had in shaping the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Browne questions whether other gospels once existed and were destroyed to perpetuate a religion which controls through fear and intimidation. Browne suggests that people today should live their lives with good intentions as they seek spirituality and not be intimidated by religious dogma and man-made rules. She states that "God doesn't care about what religion you practice or whether or not you practice any religion at all, as long as it makes you happy and more spiritual" (p. 168). How does all of this relate specifically to the two Marys? Browne makes it perfectly clear that through her research she has determined that Jesus' mother was his protector who listened for information that could harm him and interrupt his teachings. Magdalene, on the other hand, was Jesus' confidante, wife, and the one destined to carry on his teachings when his job had ended. Rather than a scathing assault on Christianity, Browne requests that the reader think and not judge. Is everything in any historical document absolutely correct? Is there any way we can validate stories that originated in the oral traditions and were only written in later years? Reading this book will either reinforce your current beliefs in the teachings about Christianity or challenge you to look at new evidence and make your own decisions. Either way, Browne suggests that the choice is yours. Jesus said to his disciples, "He who has ears to hear let him hear" (p. 186). The same is true for readers who have to come to terms with their beliefs and either refute or accept what Browne purports. Either way, this book is exceptional reading because in 7 chapters the reader walks through religious history and perhaps learns answers to questions that were always left to interpretation. Read the book first, and then make your own conclusions about the validity of what's written in religious history. Contemporary man is blessed with the right to free choice and independent thought. Rather than spending time debating whether the information presented in this book is true or false, work on becoming the best person you can be in your "thoughts, a

The author tries to recreate a new side to the life of Mary. Both Mary and Joseph were royals from the Davidian lineage. Contrary to Church teachings, Jesus and Magdalene were wed at Cana. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene is understood to be Christ's teachings through the brilliance of its author. The book explains how Christ taught Mary the complicated area of prophecy. A section contrasts how Gnostics believed in a G-d of light and darkness. Theologically, the Council of Nicea affirmed that Jesus was created by G-d and not G-d. The concept of death is seen as a return to home. Lastly, the author rejects the theory of an Apocalypse. This is better news than the prophecies of Nostradamus or Edgar Cayce. Overall, the book is interesting reading for a wide constituency of readers. It does not comport with Church teachings in a number of areas. Nonetheless, the book is a good starting point for a debate among biblical scholars.

Sylvia's unique perspective and extensive research obtained from the Other Side via her guide, Francine, truly shines in this in-depth study of "The Two Marys - The Hidden History of the Wife and Mother of Jesus". Though raised Catholic like Sylvia, I have labored over my conflict with the traditional teachings of the lives of these two unique women and their place in Jesus' life. During the last twenty years of my life, I have proudly considered myself a Gnostic Christian thanks to Sylvia's books and her perspective of all aspects of Christianity which coincide with my own research and studies. This latest book by Sylvia Browne is no less engrossing and rewarding than her previous wonderful work of "The Mystical Life of Jesus" and an excellent companion piece to it. Thank you, Sylvia, for bringing us another enlightening look into a very captivating part of our world's history and the significant part these two fascinating women played in it.