In Her Image: Finding Heavenly Mother in Scripture, Scholarship, the Arts, Mythology & Everyday Life

In this engaging conversation, Meg Rittmanic and Amy Sedgwick explore the themes of Easter, Holy Week, and the significance of feminine symbolism in Christianity from a more feminine lens. They discuss the beauty of spring as a time of renewal and rebirth, as well as the sacredness of liminal spaces and death. The conversation delves into the role of Mary Magdalene, the symbolism of the cross, and the Divine Feminine. Amy shares a beautiful campfire-style story of Holy Week from the perspective of Mary Magdalene. Meg and Amy reflect on personal experiences with Lent and Easter and reflect on the importance of creating meaningful celebrations that connect with spiritual traditions going forward.Amy Sedgwick is a multi-generational Latter-day Saint woman, fertility awareness mentor, massage therapist, yoga teacher, and the creator of the Embracing Sacred Cycles podcast. Amy has spent over two decades navigating her own fertility journey, which led her not only to deep healing but also to a spiritual awakening she calls her “faith expansion.” Through her work, Amy helps women reconnect with their bodies, their cycles, and the Divine, weaving together wisdom from her Mormon roots and sacred feminine traditions around the world. https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/embracing-sacred-cycles-a-latter-day-fertility-podcast/id1773097600Amons' Adventure: a Family Story for Easterhttps://a.co/d/fdpnfYfChrist Centered Easter by Emily Bell Freemanhttps://a.co/d/5E41VBbhttps://www.etsy.com/market/emily_belle_freeman_easterThis Holy Week, Amy Sedgwick has created a special episode that weaves together what she’s learned from studying Holy Week through the lens of high church traditions—like Catholic, Anglican, and Eastern Orthodox practices—and combines it with her own sacred re-story-ation of Holy Week told from the perspective of Miriam of Magdala, or Mary Magdalene.This episode is a deeply reflective offering—rich in feminine symbolism, ancient scripture, apocryphal texts, and expansive Latter-day Saint theology. Amy invites us to see Holy Week not just through the lens of Christ’s suffering, but through the eyes of the women who were there—and to reclaim the often-overlooked role of Mary Magdalene in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. It’s a poetic and reverent journey that brings us closer to the Divine Mother, the Tree of Life, and the sacred union of Heavenly Parents.

Meg Rittmanic and Gwendolyn Wyne discuss the the Matrimonial order being the highest order of God and how we can join our Heavenly Parents in the divine order of partnership. Gwendolyn Stevens Wyne is a former librarian who now writes about women's opportunities and responsibilities in theology and culture. Links to her writings about women’s opportunities and responsibilities in theology and culture, as well as butterfly conservation efforts, are found at https://gwendolynwyne.com/She also makes youtube content that address polygamyhttps://www.youtube.com/@gwendolynwyne

Melonie Cannon, our guest from the previous episode (162. Mother's Melodies of Embodiment with Melonie Cannon) shares a special meditation. Enjoy!

In this episode, Jessica Woodbury engages in a profound conversation with Melonie Cannon about the Divine Feminine and the importance of connecting with Her. They explore Melonie's personal journey, the tools she uses to connect with the divine, and the significance of creativity and community in spiritual practices. The discussion highlights the role of meditation and drumming in spirituality, the importance of trusting divine guidance, and the need for women to embrace their power and creativity in daily life. Melanie shares her experiences with Heavenly Mother, bees, and singing, and emphasizes the importance of honoring the divine feminine within us all.Melonie is on Instagram as @_melonie.cannon_And facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/moonstonedrumsTools to embody the Divine Feminine: https://sarahbowdenart.com/embracing-goddess-energy/More on Melissae Bee Priestesses: https://lovethehoneybees.blogspot.com/2009/10/bee-priestess-in-ancient-and-modern.htmlhttps://feminismandreligion.com/2024/01/05/meeting-the-melissae-the-ancient-greek-bee-priestesses-of-demeter-by-elizabeth-ashley-book-review-by-carolyn-lee-boyd/https://threehundredandsixtysix.wordpress.com/2013/05/03/the-melissae-in-greek-myth-and-legend/When the Drummers Were Women by Layne Redmond:https://www.echopointbooks.com/religion-spirituality/when-the-drummers-were-womenhttps://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/when-the-drummers-were-women-layne-redmond/1111604777The Lost Gospel by Simcha Jacobovici: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/the-lost-gospel-decoding-the-ancient-text-that-reveals-jesus-marriage-to-mary-the-magdalene/

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, host Jessica Woodbury and guest Maxine Hanks explore the historical and theological roles of women in the LDS faith, emphasizing their spiritual authority and contributions to the church's origins. They discuss the significance of the Relief Society, Emma Smith and the concept of the Elect Lady, and the restoration of female authority within the church. Maxine's research and insights beg the question, has the Relief Society fully been restored? Is the largest women's organization in the world fulfilling its intended purpose? Are there pieces from our very inception as a society that hold clues, or shall we say, keys, to our potential and partnership with the male priesthood order of the church that could cause seismic shifts? This groundbreaking conversation highlights the importance of deep listening, safe spaces, and the ongoing journey towards equality and recognition of women's power and equality in spirituality and leadership.

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, host Jess Burdette speaks with Ann Pimentel and MacArthur Krishna about their new book, Changemakers: Women Who Boldly Built Zion. They explore the importance of women's voices in the church, the challenges and triumphs of being a changemaker, and the significance of collaboration and diversity in effecting change. The conversation emphasizes the need for personal revelation, grace, and the power of community in the journey of making a difference.Get the new book here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/changemakers-women-who-boldly-built-zion/Or here: https://www.benchmarkbooks.com/pages/books/39667/mcarthur-krishna-anne-pimentel/changemakers-women-who-boldly-built-zionFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inherimagepodcastFollow Anne Pimentel: https://www.instagram.com/meetinghousemosaichttps://www.instagram.com/the.vision.beautifulFollow McArthur Krishna: https://www.instagram.com/mcarthurkrishna_createshttps://www.instagram.com/heavenlymothermattersJoin us on Patreon for more content and community! https://www.patreon.com/c/InHerImagePodcast

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, host Jessica Woodbury welcomes back Rebecca Young to discuss her journey of connecting with Heavenly Mother. They explore themes of grief, community, and the transformative power of the divine feminine. Rebecca shares her personal experiences, including pivotal moments that deepened her understanding of Heavenly Mother, the impact of loss on her spiritual journey, and the importance of creating supportive spaces for women. The conversation highlights the significance of prayer, nature, and intuition in fostering a deeper connection with the divine, as well as the challenges of navigating patriarchal structures within religious institutions. Ultimately, Rebecca emphasizes the joy and growth that can arise from embracing both sorrow and beauty in life.Keywords:Heavenly Mother, Divine Feminine, Spiritual Journey, Community, Grief, Connection, Prayer, Nature, Women Empowerment, Personal Growth

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, Jess Burdette, Jessica Woodbury, and Meg Rittmanic come together to discuss their personal journeys, the importance of community, and the launch of their Patreon. They share their experiences with the podcast, the significance of celebrating the divine feminine, and the various ways listeners can engage with the show. The conversation emphasizes the value of connection, support, and the collective journey of understanding Heavenly Mother.Join us on Patreon: patreon.com/InHerImagePodcastMake a One-Time Donation to the Show: https://venmo.com/u/JessBurdette(Include that it’s for the podcast in the notes!)KeywordsIn Her Image, Heavenly Mother, podcast, community, Patreon, divine feminine, motherhood, women empowerment, spirituality, personal journeys

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, host Jessica Woodbury and guest Valerie Hamaker explore the complexities of a faith journey, particularly in relation to the awakening to the Divine Feminine. They discuss the emotional landscape that accompanies this journey, including feelings of isolation, confusion, and empowerment. Valerie shares her insights on the impact of patriarchy on spiritual understanding and the importance of community support in navigating these transitions. The conversation emphasizes the need for self-discovery, differentiation, and the healing power of embracing the feminine divine.

In this episode of the In Her Image podcast, Dr. Christina Cleveland discusses her journey towards understanding the Divine Feminine through the lens of the Black Madonna. She explores the intersections of race, gender, and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the sacredness in all individuals, particularly in marginalized communities. The conversation delves into the challenges of confronting white supremacy and patriarchy within religious spaces, the transformative power of embracing a Black female deity, and the vital role of allyship in fostering justice and healing. Dr. Cleveland's insights encourage listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and actions, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of the divine.Dr. Cleveland's BioChristena Cleveland, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. A weaver of Black liberation and the Divine Feminine, Dr. Cleveland embraces the archetype of the Black Madonna as she guides people of all races and genders into freedom, wholeness, and embodied justice. Her latest book is God Is a Black Woman which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine. In addition to nurturing a virtual, global Black Madonna community, Christena is currently working on her fourth full-length book in which she is exploring the miraculous, liberating, and zany ways that the Black Madonna has protected, empowered, and nourished people around the globe and throughout history. An award-winning researcher and former professor at Duke University’s Divinity School, Christena lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. You can discover more about the Black Madonna and Christena at www.christenacleveland.comKeywordsBlack Madonna, Divine Feminine, racial justice, spirituality, allyship, sacredness, intersectionality, healing, patriarchy, community