It seems I’ve had no success in reviving this blog, in spite of my best intentions. Given that I’ve channeled the energy formerly devoted to my Mary Magdalene work into my day job, I’m left with little time or energy to pour back into this blog or Magdalene.org.

That problem aside, it occured to me today that *should* I begin any project for this blog in the near future, it would be interesting to survey and compare the state of Mary Magdalene culture and studies today versus when this blog was most active, as the Da Vinci Code craze was winding down.

Just as a parent who sees a child every day doesn’t appreciate his/her growth as much as an aunt or uncle who only sees the same child every two (three?) years, perhaps examining Mary Magdalene opinions after an interval of two years would be useful in some way.

How have things changed? What Magdalene discussions are occuring in academic circles today? Are they occuring at all? What about popular culture? How about Mary Magdalene “movement” devotees? What related web searches are being performed? What art has proliferated? What books have been written?

I, for one, would be interested in seeing the results of this sort of survey.

And now, after almost two years, I revive my long-lost Mary Magdalene blog. There is much to say after this extreme interval of time, but let me begin by saying that in the last two years, my Mary Magdalene research has been drastically curtailed. By choice, but for good reason, I believe. Let’s call it a sabbatical for now, and discuss it more later.

For now, suffice it to say that I’ve devoted most of the time spent previously on my “second job” as a Mary Magdalene researcher focused on improving stakes in my “first job.” Now that I feel that I’m on stable footing, now that I have cleared my head of some difficulties I was having with the Mary Magdalene community and now that I’ve found some desperately-needed equilibrium, it seems a good time to revive the blog. Not only that, it’s also about time to update Magdalene.org!

(Did I happen to mention that this is Magdalene.org’s 10th anniversary year?)

Many blessings and humble gratitude to my devoted readers who continue to offer encouragement even after a long absence.

As always, live well.

I’ve tried thus far to make it a point to avoid discussing much about my non-Mary Magdalene activities in this blog, because, well, it’s a blog about Mary Magdalene. But in light of my reduced posting frequency, I thought an explanation might be appropriate.

Actually, there are a couple of reasons for the lack of activity here. First, I’ve started a new job that doesn’t have the flexibility for posting during the day, and my evenings are usually devoted to the always-bouncing three-year-old in our house. There is always a period of adjustment when I start a new job until I find a place in my new schedule for Mary Magdalene work. I’m sure it will open up fairly soon.

Second–and this is probably the more relevant reason–I’m still suffering from a bit of Da Vinci Code burnout. It isn’t that Mary Magdalene or Biblical studies or Christian art are any less important to me than they were six months ago, it’s just that I feel like I’m hearing the same song on the radio every time I turn it on. That’s enough to tarnish even a favorite melody for a time.

In spite of my posting inactivity, I do have a couple of things that I’m working on. I’ve started collecting more personal stories about Mary Magdalene for what I hope will be a book-length project. I’ve also started gathering references and resources for a web page / essay about the recent gossip that Mary Magdalene was represented as pregnant in many famous works of art. As far as I know, this rumor started with Margaret Starbird, and it has always bothered me deeply. I think it’s a case of viewing works of art way outside of their intended context, so what I’m attempting to do is establish some context for people who might not be aware of it otherwise. My husband, Chris, has been conversing with some medieval costume historian-types to support me in this endeavor, so we have yet another list of titles to check out from the UW library. I’ve also been in touch with a few art and fashion historians myself, with mixed success.

My to-do list is growing stagnant and neglected (and you should see my email inbox!), so I’ll be trying to get down to more Mary Magdalene business soon!