Lemurian City of Ladies

Shadows of Herstory

Posted in Women's Myth and History by faucon on August 8th, 2006

As the bearer of the Cuin Lantern, I shall attempt to cast some flickering glow into the shadows of history where a woman’s hand has been denied or suppressed. One is Julian of Norwich.

It is said that her book was the first to be published in English by a woman – false! Hers was the first book published in English – period! Yet her fine words were suppressed and hidden for centuries; and an account of her life by another woman (Margrery Kempe), not ‘rediscovered’ until 1937. Now, Julian’s timeless thoughts can be applied to today’s folly –

“.. anger and friendship are two opposites. And so he who quenches and ends our anger must therefore always be loving, gentle, and kind – which is the opposite of anger … for truly, as I see it, if God could be angry, even for a little, we should never have life, or place, or being.”

Compare this with the popular Conversations with God, in which fear and love are set as opposites.

Go girl!

faucon

6 Responses to 'Shadows of Herstory'

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  1. soulsister said, on August 8th, 2006 at 12:51 pm

    Julian of Norwich is one of my absolute favourite mystics and saints. She belongs to what I call my ”circle of freinds and wall of strength’, and is one of the female saints who I am re-claiming from the forgotton past of women’s history! I call on her daily to join me in meditation…..along with some of her soul sisiters.

  2. Heather Blakey said, on August 8th, 2006 at 1:45 pm

    Can you direct me to more material about Julian of Norwich folks?

  3. lorigloyd said, on August 8th, 2006 at 2:18 pm

    Oh, Margaret Kempe! What a character she was. I studied her about a zillion years ago.

    And Hildegard of Bingen! My all time favorite Medieval woman with a Renaissance approach to life. I could write all day on her.

    Regarding Julian of Norwich, Heather, here is a book we used about 20 years ago in a class. You should be able to find this in the library. I’m sure there are newer books though:

  4. cuoredellaluna said, on August 8th, 2006 at 10:13 pm

    Hi Heather-

    Her work “Revelations of Divine Love” is also available online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/julian/revelations.html. You can download it in .pdf form, or you can read it in the reader they provide. Julian of Norwich is the anchoress that said the wonderful phrase: “…all shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.” as a direct quote from God. Her work is full of Love, and is a true balm and salve for the soul. Here is the Wikipedia reference about her life: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julian_of_Norwich

    Love,

    Kris

  5. Heather Blakey said, on August 8th, 2006 at 10:47 pm

    My goodness. My bedside table is full already. I can see books will be falling on me in the night when my stash collapses. :-) Thanks everyone.

  6. faucon said, on August 9th, 2006 at 12:31 am

    Also heap on, “In Search of Julian of Norwich”, Shiela Upjohn

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