day 3

… think not so much of something ‘being’ a colour but of it ‘doing’ a colour.  The atoms in a ripe tomato are busy shivering – or dancing or singing; the metaphors can be as joyful as the colours they describe – in such a way that when the white light falls on them theyContinue reading “day 3”

day 2

Wonky colour combinations are everywhere Fashion is no stranger to unusual palettes, but this season splicing shades together was standard: see yellow dress with pink shawl at JW Anderson, red trousers with green jacket at Pyer Moss. Well, we do need cheering up, says colour theorist Marcie Cooperman: “When bad things are happening, wearing severalContinue reading “day 2”

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”

Autumn Equinox: gathering gold

(all images by Kate Kennington Steer)  As a photographer and visual artist I sub-consciously take note of the level, type, angle, and colour of light throughout the day, month, season, year.  Yet in the past few months I have been trying to be more attuned to my feelings about the changing light rhythms that makeContinue reading “Autumn Equinox: gathering gold”

I am green

(all images by Kate Kennington Steer) As I mentioned in a previous post for Godspace written in 2016, I have long been fascinated by and inspired by Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179), not least because despite her struggles with persistent ill health she was a writer, a composer, a scientist, a preacher, a prophetic visionary, andContinue reading “I am green”

what is it?

(For those of you who didn’t catch this first time around on other social media platforms, this post was originally published by Godspace on 5.8.20 as part of their season on the theme of ‘Uncertainty’.  I apologise it has taken me so long to post here!) (all images by Kate Kennington Steer) I have lived with uncertaintyContinue reading “what is it?”

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”

furled fire (a Beltaine Birthday Blessing)

Every year I wonder whether to write something to mark Beltaine, the Celtic feast which celebrates a cross-quarter day in the year’s wheel, the end of the dark half of the year and the beginning of its half of light.  I celebrate the waxing of the arc the sun’s path makes across the little sliceContinue reading “furled fire (a Beltaine Birthday Blessing)”

psalms for passiontide: Holy Saturday Psalm 31.1-4,15,16

refuge rock refuge fortress rock fortress refuge These are the images of Psalm 31.1-4, the oh-too-solid opposites of the tangled net the psalmist feels closing around him.  On Holy Saturday, these are also images of a tomb in which an already much-mourned, much-loved, broken body lies waiting for its final anointing and arranging once theContinue reading “psalms for passiontide: Holy Saturday Psalm 31.1-4,15,16”