Julian of Norwich's "Showings" are some of of the most imaginative and sensual works ever written from a stone cubicle attached to the side of a church. This woman had an overwhelming desire to wed herself to Christ, even to the point of having dream-visions detailing the features of his physical body. In contrast with some of her contemporaries, however. this desire never strayed from its original object. Documented cases of anchorites becoming pregnant by one of their many visitors (difficult though it may seem logistically) indicate that some women of God were overtaken by their lust and sought out any release made available to them. Julian, however, remained true to God, and in return for that devotion claims to have been given "bodilye syghte," a physical experience of God through dreams. Because of their vacillating between dream and reality, Julian's writings can be difficult to sort out, but the reward of untangling these strange tales is worth the effort.
Julian of Norwich's "Showings" are some of of the most imaginative and sensual works ever written from a stone cubicle attached to the side of a church. This woman had an overwhelming desire to wed herself to Christ, even to the point of having dream-visions detailing the features of his physical body. In contrast with some of her contemporaries, however. this desire never strayed from its original object. Documented cases of anchorites becoming pregnant by one of their many visitors (difficult though it may seem logistically) indicate that some women of God were overtaken by their lust and sought out any release made available to them. Julian, however, remained true to God, and in return for that devotion claims to have been given "bodilye syghte," a physical experience of God through dreams. Because of their vacillating between dream and reality, Julian's writings can be difficult to sort out, but the reward of untangling these strange tales is worth the effort.