Hi there, dreamers and deep thinkers,
In the heart of 14th-century England, amidst the chaos of plague, war, and religious turmoil, a quiet yet profound voice emerged—Julian of Norwich. Her words, penned in her mystical text Revelations of Divine Love, echo through time, offering solace, hope, and a radical vision of God’s unconditional love. But who was Julian, and why does her message resonate so deeply even now? Let’s take a loving stroll through her life, her writings, and the timeless wisdom she offers the world.
The Mystery of Julian
Julian of Norwich was an anchorite—a religious recluse who dedicated her life to prayer and contemplation. We don’t know her birth name, and much of her biography remains a mystery. What we do know is that she lived in a small cell attached to St. Julian’s Church in Norwich, England, hence her name. Despite her physical seclusion, her spiritual insights broke through the walls of her cell and into the hearts of countless readers.
Her time was marked by darkness—waves of the Black Death swept through Europe, claiming lives and leaving despair in its wake. It was a world gripped by fear, where divine judgment loomed large in the collective consciousness. Yet Julian dared to see God not as a wrathful judge but as an all-encompassing source of love. Her life was a testament to courage: the courage to look suffering in the face and declare, “All shall be well.”
A Vision Born in Pain
In 1373, at the age of 30, Julian fell gravely ill, so much so that she was given last rites. During this near-death experience, she received a series of 16 mystical visions. These “shewings,” as she called them, were vivid, intimate encounters with Christ. They would forever change her understanding of God and the nature of existence.
What’s remarkable is the way Julian interpreted these visions. She didn’t dismiss the pain of life; she acknowledged it fully. But through her revelations, she came to see that beneath the suffering lies a profound and unshakable love. It was as if she glimpsed the heartbeat of the universe and found it pulsing with compassion.
Love as the Center of the Universe
At the core of Julian’s writings is an unrelenting focus on love. To her, love wasn’t just one of God’s attributes; it was God’s very essence. This was revolutionary in a time when fear of divine punishment dominated religious thought. She proclaimed, “God is all love,” a statement as radical then as it is comforting now.
One of her most famous lines—“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well”—isn’t a denial of hardship. Instead, it’s a profound assurance that love will ultimately triumph. Julian saw a God who doesn’t just tolerate humanity but delights in us. Imagine a Creator who sees your struggles, knows your heart, and still whispers, “You are enough.”
The Maternal Face of God
Another groundbreaking aspect of Julian’s theology is her description of God as Mother. She spoke of Christ as a nurturing, maternal figure who lovingly tends to humanity. This wasn’t a rejection of traditional imagery but an expansion of it, a way of showing that God’s love is as tender as it is strong.
Her maternal imagery of God feels deeply personal, doesn’t it? It reminds us of the warmth of a mother’s embrace, the soothing touch that calms our fears. Julian’s vision of divine motherhood was a balm for a weary world, and it continues to comfort those seeking a gentler, more inclusive understanding of the divine.
Embracing the Mystery of Suffering
Julian didn’t shy away from the hard questions, especially about suffering. How could a God of love allow pain to exist? It’s a question that echoes through time, finding its way into our own hearts when life feels too heavy to bear.
Her answer wasn’t simplistic or dismissive. Instead, she leaned into the mystery. Julian believed that while we may not fully understand the reasons for suffering, God’s love enfolds us even in our darkest moments. In her words, “He did not say, ‘You shall not be tempest-tossed,’ but He said, ‘You shall not be overcome.’”
The Hazelnut Vision
One of Julian’s most enchanting revelations came through a simple hazelnut. She held it in her palm, marveling at its smallness, and wondered how such a fragile thing could exist. Then she received an answer: “It lasts and ever shall, because God loves it.”
To Julian, the hazelnut symbolized all of creation, held together by God’s love. If something as small as a hazelnut could be cherished, how much more are we? It’s a humbling and uplifting reminder of our inherent worth and the boundless care of the divine.
Relevance for Today
Why does Julian of Norwich matter now, centuries after her death? Because her message is timeless. In a world still grappling with fear, division, and uncertainty, her vision of love offers a healing balm.
Julian invites us to see beyond the chaos and trust in the underlying goodness of existence. She reminds us that even when life feels unmanageable, we are held in love. Isn’t that the kind of hope we all need?
Living Julian’s Wisdom
So, how can we apply Julian’s teachings in our own lives? Start by embracing her radical trust in love. Let her words—“All shall be well”—become a mantra, a quiet rebellion against despair.
Look for love in the small things, like the hazelnut in her vision. Whether it’s the warmth of sunlight on your skin or the kindness of a stranger, these moments are whispers of the divine. And when you face pain, remember Julian’s steadfast belief that love will carry you through.
A Personal Reflection
Writing about Julian feels like sitting at the feet of a wise, loving teacher. Her words are like a hug for the soul, aren’t they? They remind us that no matter how broken we feel, we are never beyond the reach of love.
As I reflect on her life and teachings, I think about my own moments of despair and hope. Julian’s courage to see love amidst suffering inspires me to do the same. It’s as if she’s saying, “You’re not alone. Love is always here, waiting to be found.”
Closing Thoughts
Julian of Norwich wasn’t just a mystic; she was a visionary of love. Her insights transcend time, inviting us to trust in the goodness of existence even when it feels out of reach.
In her words, “Love was His meaning.” Let that be the meaning we carry forward too.
Stay curious, my friends, and let Julian’s wisdom light your path.
With love,
April
Cognitive Psycho
