What is a Myrrhophore?

I often describe myself as a Myrrhophore Priestess, which often leads people to ask what that means. So what is a Myrrhophore?

The term ‘myrrhophore’ literally means a ‘Myrrh-bearer’, or it is sometimes translated as ‘Mistress of the Oils,’ signifying women who work with sacred aromatic oils and resins. Mary Magdalene is the most famous, but the tradition also links to figures like Cleopatra, Hatshepsut, and many of the women around Christ during his ministry. Myrrhophores are priestesses of the veils of birth and death, using sacred oils for spiritual healing, emotional balance, and, primarily, supporting the transition at the thresholds of birth, sacred union and death.

Myrrhophores of history would surely have held a deep knowledge of the biochemical effects of these sacred plant medicines. Their work was deeper than than this however, involving anointing, prayer, and ritual, focusing on the subtle, vibrational energy of the oils to guide the soul to healing. Practices such as anointing for the transition of death (and subsequent rebirth) connects the lineage to ancient Egyptian temple practices and wisdom keepers.

The ‘Myrrhbearers’ in the New Testament are the women who brought spices (including myrrh) to Christ's tomb to anoint his body, identifying them with this ancient tradition, probably dating back to the cradle of civilisation in Mesopotamia, and the priestesses of sacred sexuality who anointed the king into sovereignty with the land and people.

I’m hugely grateful for this beautiful video testimonial by one of my lovely former students, Kerry mooninlibra.co.uk:

I’m also massively grateful for this beautiful written testimonial from another of my lovely students:

When I first read about Donna's Magdalene Mysteries Course Spiral 1, I was intrigued and immediately wanted to know more about the ancient tradition of myrrh bearing anointing women, the Myrrophores. Until starting this sacred and unique in-depth training, I knew very little about the art of anointing other than what was taught at school as part of religious studies - that soon changed.

Donna is exceptionally  knowledgeable and gifted, kind hearted and truly embodies the Myrrophore Priestess. It was profound. I literally felt as though I was being transported back to ancient Egypt as something stirred deep within my soul, I felt a reawakening, a remembering and reclaiming of the Myrrophore Priestess within.

I particularly liked the structure of the course with both the hands on approach to blending the holy oils and the esoteric which guided us as we attuned to the essence - the teachers of each oil. I highly recommend this sacred training course. Donna's training has enriched my life as I continue to integrate sacred anointing rituals into my holistic practice as well as spiritual self care. - Lakshmi RosA, Priestess of the Oils

Are you drawn to immerse in the practices of the Myrrhophore Priestesses? My foundation course now runs over 13 moons (1 year) and begins at Spring Equinox.

Please reach out if you’d like to join the waitlist for the next intake.

All love,

Donna, Violet Rose Mystery School