What was in the Alabaster Jar?

Mary Magdalene portrait painting by Rogier van der Weyden
The Alabaster Jar has become so closely associated with Mary Magdalene, that simply mentioning the container automatically makes one think of the woman who is so often pictured carrying it. One of the foremost books written about Mary Magdalene is The Woman with the Alabaster Jar by Margaret Starbird.

We assume the jar contained the anointing oil that Luke 7:36-50 says Mary Magdalene used to anoint Jesus before his death. But what was in the oil?

John 19:39 says that, after the crucifixion, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea anointed Jesus with “a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.” Did Mary use the same recipe? Mark 14:3–9 says the ointment in the alabaster jar was “pure nard.”

Spikenard plant antique illustration

Also called Spikenard, this aromatic herb was used by ancient Egyptians and is mentioned in the Song of Solomon in the Old Testament. The stems of the plant are crushed and distilled into an essential oil.

Someone who has devoted many years of her life to the study of Mary Magdalene and her oils is Veronique Flayol. “Roni” was born and lives in St Maximin la Sainte Baume, the commune in southeastern France where Mary Magdalene spent the last years of her life and is buried.

Veronique Flayol

You can meet Roni and learn more about her connection to Mary Magdalene and essential oils this September.

Body Mind Spirit Journeys is offering an alchemical journey in the beautiful South of France on a pilgrimage of Mary Magdalene September 19 – 27, 2023.

Led by Adora Winquist, this is a quest to explore a greater connection to the Divine Feminine within, through daily ceremonies and healing meditations as well as visits to ancient sites connected to Mary Magdalene.

Here are some tour highlights:

Staying in Saintes de la Mar where Mary Magdalene and her companions came ashore when they left Palestine
Visit to the Church of St Marys of the Sea and the crypt of Sara, the Black Madonna, Patron saint of the Gypsies
Walk the “Royal Road” leading to Magdalene’s grotto through the sacred forest
Visit to Gorge of Galamus where Mary once taught and preached
A stop in Limoux for a church visit of a beautiful Black Madonna
Optional “Riding the White Horses” and boat ride on the Rhone river in Saintes Maries de la Mer

Space is limited, so if you want to join Adora and Veronique, please register by June 1st.

white horses in water