Black Magick Woman
Janet Tyson
(Reviewer - Rev. Marie D. Jones)
2004 Ecce Nova Editions
ISBN: 0973164859

A new & controversial interpretation of the Song of Solomon.

The mysterious & sensuous Egyptian Bathya is a priestess, a seducer of men, & an aspiring matriarch. Her role in the Song, written by the post-Babylon generation during a time of social & religious reform, was made intentionally sinister, yet by today's standards, Bathya is the epitome of feminine determination & resilience.

Associate Reviewer Rev. Marie D. Jones writes:

To anyone familiar with the Santana classic hit song, Black Magic Woman, the images of a seductive femme fatale with the power to make men weak is seared on the imagination's canvas. In Janet Tyson's book, Black Magick Woman: The Sinister Side of the Song of Solomon, that very breed of woman is the subject of a totally new & unconventional interpretation of a biblical text once believed to have been nothing more than a love song between a man & a woman.

Using her trademark intensive documentation & research, & her ability to connect to readers of various levels (although a total beginner to the world of biblical scholarship may be overwhelmed), author Tyson weaves a magical & sensual spell as she takes us deep into the world of an Egyptian princess named Bathya who will stop at nothing, even “black magick” & witchcraft, to win the heart, & seed, of the great King Solomon.

Unlike more traditional & orthodox interpretations that state the Song of Solomon was an erotic love song or a symbolic & sensual tribute to marriage, or even a symbol of God's love for Israel, Janet Tyson, who has a Master's Degree in Biblical Studies & is a Fellow of the University of British Columbia, once again boldly goes where no man or woman scholar has gone before, & exposes the dark sexuality & sheer sinister underbelly of the Song of Solomon.

Her theory is that the Song is really a story of the downfall of King Solomon at the hands of a foreign woman -- a powerful & direct warning intended to serve as a deterrent to future Israelite leaders to stay away from women outside their own nationality -- or pay the price.

In this story of desire & the power of consequences, Bathya works her seductive spells on poor Solomon, who is but a man & tries to resist. Eventually, as the Song continues, Bathya beds him & gets from him the one thing she most wanted -- his seed -- & her pregnancy serves as part of a heritage of feminine power passed down from mother to daughter in a time when women still had power.

However, Bathya does not win Solomon's true love, & her foreigner status almost destroys him & his political clout, proving in this mysterious & haunting story that the destructive forces of lust & desire can cripple entire kingdoms. Oh, the wicked ways of the female sex, especially those of a foreign bloodline!

In fact, students of women's history will enjoy learning more about the status & practices of women of power during Solomon's reign & their effect on society & religion.

Tyson's impeccable research leaves the reader breathless, & it is amazing that few religious historians & scholars have dared to take up the same challenges she seems so eager to embrace. Like the curious Sunday school child that drives the nuns crazy with questions that they have no answers for (at least not any that make sense!), Tyson pokes & prods at traditional theories & interpretations & finds so many holes, contradictions, misinterpretations & downright mistakes that it's a wonder so many millions of people continue to follow the Bible's teachings so blindly when even a little light shed upon its pages turns up mysteries galore.

Like her previous book, Our Man In Judea: Jesus, Janet Tyson presents ancient teachings in a new & fascinating light by refusing to stay stuck in the narrow confines of traditional gospel studies. Not afraid of any mystery, Tyson dissects the Song of Solomon & boldly & solidly presents her findings, which are sure to raise more than a few eyebrows, & change more than a few minds. But then, isn't that what intelligent, convincingly argued & carefully researched books like this are all about?

Do catch Rev. Marie's Interview with this fascinating author.
(06/13/04)

Rev. Marie D. Jones
2004©Marie D. Jones
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
Marie Jones is a New Thought minister, author of Looking For God In All The Wrong Places & a widely published writer of inspirational essays, gift books, short stories & magazine articles. She is also a screenwriter, & has produced a children's storybook video series for Gigglebug Farms Productions. she holds a Masters Degree in Metaphysical Studies & is a licensed pastoral counsellor.