day 12

‘But I still don’t understand, Sparrowhawk.  I have seen my brother, even his prentice, make light in a dark place only by saying one word: and the light shines, it is bright, not a word by a light you can see your way by!’ ‘Aye,’ Ged answered. ‘Light is power.  A great power by whichContinue reading “day 12”

day 11

As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being. Carl Jung Yesterday I wondered how the dark matter of my life might be a source of joy.  Today I find myself wondering about ‘dark light’, which Wikipedia defines as:Continue reading “day 11”

learning to lean

As I was journalling this morning about a blog post I recently finished writing and what more planning I needed to do for my own Advent series on imageintoikon, I found myself reflecting on the exact words Christine chose for the Godspace Advent theme this year.  The verb ‘to lean’ caught at my attention.  AsContinue reading “learning to lean”

a certain slant of light

(all images by Kate Kennington Steer)  There’s a certain Slant of light,Winter Afternoons –That oppresses, like the HeftOf Cathedral Tunes – Heavenly Hurt, it gives us –We can find no scar,But internal difference –Where the Meanings, are – None may teach it – Any –’Tis the seal Despair –An imperial afflictionSent us of the AirContinue reading “a certain slant of light”

standing still for solstice

(all images Kate Kennington Steer) I am drawn to light, of all kinds, in all shapes.  I am pulled towards the symbols and manifestations of the Great Light.  And yet, paradoxically, through chronic ill health, I am often dragged into the most shadowed places within.  The darknesses of depression are a constant companion lurking notContinue reading “standing still for solstice”

we each hear in our own language (Acts 2.8, Pentecost 2020)

How do I hear the Holy Spirit speak to me?  In soughing grass, in crashing wave, in a child’s cry, in an elder’s laugh?  In sunlight on my lifted face, in moonlight on my crumpled bed? In an urgent prod that begins in my gut and lies heavy on my solar plexus?  In another’s singing,Continue reading “we each hear in our own language (Acts 2.8, Pentecost 2020)”

psalms for passiontide: Good Friday Psalm 22

This is such a richly textured psalm, densely packed with all kinds of imagery, depicting a plethora of emotional experience, and provoking in me a vast range of emotions.  It feels too much to unpack (and it is!); it feels too raw for me to want to sit with it for long. God, God . . . myContinue reading “psalms for passiontide: Good Friday Psalm 22”

psalms for passiontide: Holy Monday Psalm 36.5-11

I begin where I ended yesterday, reminding myself of Your steadfast love.  The Message version of Psalm 36.5-6 tells me in no uncertain terms that I cannot underestimate the extent of Your love and of Your constancy; that when I try to speak of them no superlative is too extravagant: God’s love is meteoric,     hisContinue reading “psalms for passiontide: Holy Monday Psalm 36.5-11”

feeling vulnerable: Blue Christmas 2019

The following was written for the Godspace blog, as part of their Advent series on ‘Who is this child?’ visual journalling page from Kate Kennington Steer   I was unable to have children of my own, so holding my nephews, niece and friends’ children over the years has been such a precious bittersweet joy.  AsContinue reading “feeling vulnerable: Blue Christmas 2019”

advent apertures 2019: Blue Christmas

Evening says to night: “Are you always this beautiful under your clothes?” Night says to the moon: “All day I dreamed of you but I couldn’t bring myself to call.” The moon says to sleep: “There are doorways in the dark.” Sleep says to dawn: “As if forward were the only direction!” Dawn says toContinue reading “advent apertures 2019: Blue Christmas”