My Book

Mary Magdalene, Shaman is the story of a physical ordeal, a liver transplant, which was also a profound spiritual transformation. By welcoming information from unusual sources, including dreams, visions, and synchronistic events, and deepening all this into a coherent whole through the study of psychology and astrology and making art, Sara awakened to the realization that spirit infuses matter. Sara sought out the many faces of the sacred feminine, going beyond her traditional Christian upbringing and marking herself as a heretic.

What no one could have predicted is that Sara’s journey beyond Christianity, a journey that took her to the remote Australian outback, a sweat lodge in an Arizona desert, soaring cathedrals in the south of France, and a sterile operating room at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, would return her to a home she never knew. As she listened, for the first time, to the stories she was never told, she would meet Mary Magdalene as a shaman and understand her undying devotion to her beloved Jesus. It was through the Magdalene that Sara fully realized His promise that the kingdom of heaven is within. She knew this in every cell of her being, and this is her gift to Sara. This book, beautifully illustrated with Sara’s own paintings, offers a hopeful message to those facing life-threatening illness and traumatic loss, and shows how physical ordeal is a spiritual opportunity. It speaks to heartbroken Christians who, like Sara, can find fresh inspiration in the original teachings of Jesus.

Sara’s transformation flourished in her own art work featured in this book. It deepened her wisdom as an archetypal astrologer in the tradition of C.G. Jung, her professional practice for thirty years.

Book Reviews

... Beautiful story, beautiful art! Sara writes from her heart about her outward journey through her liver transplant and her inner journey into spirituality. Her genuine sharing inspires us to look deeply into the quality of our lives and realize that we have choice about how to live and be. The essence of Mary Magdalene and shamanic practices are also explored. Sara’s many paintings in this book are soulful and gorgeous, and should be in a gallery for all to see. Do yourself a favor and buy this book!
— Carolyn Conger on June 1, 2014

Your book is exceptional. I appreciate your paintings to guide me through the text. I found the whole work to be beautiful, well-written, and inspiring. I’m happy to be one of the first to read and review it. Congratulations!
— Susan R.

Sara Taft has written a wonderful memoir centering around her liver transplant at the age of 66 yrs. Her path to a healthy liver and a new life was long, challenging and difficult in so many ways. We can all benefit from her honesty and candidness of who she is and how she got to the place of having a liver that no longer could sustain her and keep her alive (and no, she was not a drinker). This is a story of transformation, she had to take a serious look at herself, considering her options, and taking action to make the necessary changes.

Baring her soul, leaves her wide open and vulnerable…and this is where we, as readers can meet her and learn from her and her story. I am so glad I read this book.
— Maureen Murphy on January 24