Into the darkness – a prelude

into-the-darkness-a-prelude

This is one of those plump acorns from earlier in the autumn. Can you see how it’s opening up and reaching for the dark? But it cannot grow into a sapling oak here on the path. So I moved it to a place where it could burrow into the leaf mould and the earthy soil … Read more

Seeing possibilities in unexpected places

seeing-possibilities-in-unexpected-places

This autumn, it’s been the beech trees. Their leaves endured the longest and have artfully framed the changing colours and textures of the valley. So I probably wouldn’t have noticed this beautiful fern had the light not caught the leaves above. Yet sometimes, we need to let our gaze wander from the familiar, expected path … Read more

Light seeds and being present

light-seeds-and-being-present

There are so many reasons we might put on a mask, but not all bad. However, it’s very easy to become used to covering up. Especially when times are dark or confusing. Yet what would happen if we chose to be present, bringing ourselves with us? Not trying to overcome the darkness but simply planting … Read more

Seeing in the rearview mirror

seeing-in-the-rearview-mirror

We want to know where we are, yet sometimes it only becomes clear as we look behind. And we can’t drive from the rearview mirror unless we’re going backwards. But we can hope that someday we can make peace with these in-between times. So for these current times, here is John O’Donohue’s beautiful blessing For … Read more

Darkling

darkling

Gideon Heugh has just published a new book, Darkling: An Advent Journey, and I wanted to share it with you. This is a book for darkling days. A book for those who are hunkering down against the winter storms of life. A book for those who feel weary, lost, uncertain. It is not a book … Read more

In-betweenness and being in the mist

in-betweenness-and-being-in-the-mist

The chilled mist rolling into the valley, obliterating the contours, and then rolling out again was an interesting experience. And I wonder whether these in-between times we’ve been exploring have other parallels. Because when we find ourselves in these gaps, we often lose sight of the contours of the landscape. So perhaps it’s at these … Read more