Mary Magdalene has been on my mind recently. She came up during a past life regression (no, the client was NOT claiming to be her), which made me reflect on her role in early Christianity. I also have a strong personal connection to her—having grown up in Catholic schools, I eventually chose her as my Confirmation saint. On top of that, my older sister once led an entire event—one that even made the local paper—focused on reinstating Mary Magdalene’s true role in those early days with Jesus and his disciples. Never would I have imagined that years later, I’d be exploring her connection to reincarnation. And yet, here we are.
Her story has been shrouded in layers of distortion, yet beneath these misconceptions lies a profound spiritual figure deeply connected to the mysteries of the soul’s journey. In 2016, Pope Francis officially declared her the “Apostle to the Apostles,” acknowledging her importance in early Christianity. This was a major step in correcting the false narrative that had lingered for over a millennium—that she was a repentant prostitute. This label originated in the 6th century when Pope Gregory I conflated her with an unnamed sinful woman in the Gospel of Luke. However, biblical scholarship and historical texts suggest she was instead a devoted disciple, a leader in the early Christian movement, and a keeper of esoteric wisdom.
The Gnostic Teachings on Reincarnation
While mainstream Christianity eventually rejected the idea of reincarnation, early Gnostic sects—including those associated with Mary Magdalene—held a different perspective. The Gnostic Gospels, such as the Gospel of Mary and the Pistis Sophia, suggest that the soul undergoes multiple incarnations as part of its purification and ascension toward divine knowledge (gnosis). These texts describe the soul’s journey through different planes of existence, shedding karmic burdens and evolving in wisdom until it reunites with the Divine Source.
In the Pistis Sophia, a Gnostic text that presents Jesus teaching secret knowledge to his disciples, he speaks of the transmigration of souls and how each lifetime serves as a path of learning and redemption. Mary Magdalene plays a crucial role in these teachings, asking deep and philosophical questions about the soul’s progression. Her presence in these dialogues suggests that she was not just a follower, but a highly initiated spiritual adept.
Other Gnostic texts, such as the Hypostasis of the Archons and the Apocryphon of John, also support the concept of reincarnation, portraying the soul as trapped in cycles of birth and rebirth until it attains spiritual liberation. The Gospel of Philip further suggests that resurrection is not a one-time event but an ongoing process of spiritual awakening throughout multiple lifetimes. These writings describe a cosmic struggle between the forces of ignorance and enlightenment, emphasizing that through inner knowledge and remembrance of our divine origins, we can break free from the cycle of reincarnation. This perspective aligns closely with spiritual traditions found in Eastern philosophies, reinforcing the universality of the soul’s journey across cultures and beliefs.
Why These Gospels Are Not in the Bible
The Gnostic Gospels were excluded from the official biblical canon during the early centuries of Christianity, primarily due to their divergence from orthodox teachings. In the 4th century, the Council of Nicaea (325 CE) and later councils sought to establish a unified doctrine for the Church, selecting texts that aligned with their theological framework. The Gnostic texts, which emphasized personal spiritual knowledge (gnosis) over church authority, were seen as heretical and dangerous to the institutional power of the emerging Christian hierarchy.
Many of these writings, including the Gospel of Mary, Pistis Sophia, and The Apocryphon of John, challenge mainstream Christian views by presenting reincarnation, the feminine aspects of divinity, and secret teachings given to a select few. The idea that salvation could be attained through inner wisdom rather than adherence to external religious structures threatened the growing authority of the Church. As a result, these texts were systematically suppressed, and many were lost for centuries until their rediscovery in the Nag Hammadi Library in 1945.
Hypnotherapy and Soul Remembrance
As a hypnotherapist, I often work with clients who feel inexplicably drawn to certain time periods, places, or spiritual traditions. Many experience past life memories that align with Gnostic themes—lifetimes as seekers, mystics, or healers striving for enlightenment across multiple incarnations. The idea that the soul is on a continuous journey mirrors the Gnostic understanding of spiritual evolution.
Past life regression can serve as a powerful tool for self-discovery, helping individuals uncover hidden patterns, heal karmic wounds, and embrace their higher purpose. Whether or not one subscribes to the doctrine of reincarnation, these experiences can offer transformative insights and a deeper connection to one’s spiritual path—much like the wisdom Mary Magdalene preserved and passed on.
Her story reminds us that the truth is often buried beneath layers of history, yet it has a way of resurfacing when the time is right. By exploring past lives, we reclaim our own lost wisdom and step more fully into our spiritual authenticity.
If you feel called to explore your own soul’s journey through past life regression, I invite you to schedule a session and begin uncovering the ancient wisdom within you.
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