Lesley Black
@apophatic.bsky.social
Woman on a red Brompton, p/t MA student at Sarum College, member of congregation at Southwark Cathedral, likes edible gardening, books, dark beers and apophatic theology.
I did this course two years ago and highly recommend it. I particularly enjoyed learning about medieval attitudes to gender. Also the manuscript session in Salisbury Cathedral Library was a real highlight. An opportunity not to be missed!
How did Christian spirituality come to flourish in the Middle Ages, and how can we access the lives and experiences of people as they practised their faith in that period?
Join us at @sarumcollege.bsky.social from 20th-23rd April to explore these questions with a fantastic team of lecturers. /1
Join us at @sarumcollege.bsky.social from 20th-23rd April to explore these questions with a fantastic team of lecturers. /1
January 8, 2026 at 3:18 PM
I did this course two years ago and highly recommend it. I particularly enjoyed learning about medieval attitudes to gender. Also the manuscript session in Salisbury Cathedral Library was a real highlight. An opportunity not to be missed!
Reposted by Lesley Black
New year, new route.
In the Nativity story, an angel appears to the Magi in a dream and sends them home “by another way”, a reminder that beginnings are not always about grand resolutions.
Wishing you a year of wise choices, safe journeys and bright returns.
In the Nativity story, an angel appears to the Magi in a dream and sends them home “by another way”, a reminder that beginnings are not always about grand resolutions.
Wishing you a year of wise choices, safe journeys and bright returns.
January 1, 2026 at 11:28 AM
New year, new route.
In the Nativity story, an angel appears to the Magi in a dream and sends them home “by another way”, a reminder that beginnings are not always about grand resolutions.
Wishing you a year of wise choices, safe journeys and bright returns.
In the Nativity story, an angel appears to the Magi in a dream and sends them home “by another way”, a reminder that beginnings are not always about grand resolutions.
Wishing you a year of wise choices, safe journeys and bright returns.
Happy John of Ruusbroec day - 14th c Low Countries mystical writer who died otd in 1381. "Insofar as the spirit burns in love it will find a distinction and an otherness between itself and God when it examines itself. But insofar as it is burnt up it is one-fold and there is no distinction left."
December 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Happy John of Ruusbroec day - 14th c Low Countries mystical writer who died otd in 1381. "Insofar as the spirit burns in love it will find a distinction and an otherness between itself and God when it examines itself. But insofar as it is burnt up it is one-fold and there is no distinction left."
Another birthing girdle complete with obligatory side wound. I must go and see this.
Rarely seen due to its age and rarity, a 500-year-old birthing girdle is currently on display at the Wellcome Collection.
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/a-m...
www.ianvisits.co.uk/articles/a-m...
A rare medieval scroll to protect mothers during chilldbirth has gone on display
Rarely seen due to its age and rarity, a 500-year-old birthing girdle is currently on display at the Wellcome Collection.
www.ianvisits.co.uk
October 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Another birthing girdle complete with obligatory side wound. I must go and see this.
On the feast of St Michael & All Angels, here's the celestial hierarchy from Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias. "And all these armies were singing with marvellous voices all kinds of music about the wonders that God works in blessed souls, and by this God was magnificently glorified."
#HildegardofBingen
#HildegardofBingen
September 29, 2025 at 9:32 AM
On the feast of St Michael & All Angels, here's the celestial hierarchy from Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias. "And all these armies were singing with marvellous voices all kinds of music about the wonders that God works in blessed souls, and by this God was magnificently glorified."
#HildegardofBingen
#HildegardofBingen
Arrived safely in Bingen am Rhein where I am spending a few days on the trail of #HildegardofBingen By train from St Pancras via Brussels, Cologne and Koblenz. My room doesn't face the river but I have a good view of the Burg Klopp above the town.
September 23, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Arrived safely in Bingen am Rhein where I am spending a few days on the trail of #HildegardofBingen By train from St Pancras via Brussels, Cologne and Koblenz. My room doesn't face the river but I have a good view of the Burg Klopp above the town.
Happy Hildegard of Bingen day to all who take her as an inspiration. Polymath, visionary, prophet, composer, writer on nature and medicine, advocate of measure, balance and wholeness, her voice is needed now more than ever in our fractured world #HildegardofBingen
September 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
Happy Hildegard of Bingen day to all who take her as an inspiration. Polymath, visionary, prophet, composer, writer on nature and medicine, advocate of measure, balance and wholeness, her voice is needed now more than ever in our fractured world #HildegardofBingen
Reposted by Lesley Black
Que sais-je? Michel de Montaigne, French Renaissance philosopher, whose gentle scepticism shaped European thought; died #OTD 1592. Many books originally in his library at Tour Montaigne are now in the University of Cambridge Library @theUL.bsky.social
September 13, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Que sais-je? Michel de Montaigne, French Renaissance philosopher, whose gentle scepticism shaped European thought; died #OTD 1592. Many books originally in his library at Tour Montaigne are now in the University of Cambridge Library @theUL.bsky.social
I highly recommend this course to anyone who has a vague interest in mystical theology or the history of Christian spirituality but doesn't know where to start. Michael is a brilliant course leader and there are some great speakers. I particularly enjoyed Julia Konstaninovsky on Evagrius Ponticus!
Want to know more about the history and development of Christian spirituality? From 13-16 October we have a brilliant 4-day course at Sarum College (@sarumcollege.bsky.social) in Salisbury with a stellar team of lecturers. The course is open to external attendees. More info and booking below. /1
September 4, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I highly recommend this course to anyone who has a vague interest in mystical theology or the history of Christian spirituality but doesn't know where to start. Michael is a brilliant course leader and there are some great speakers. I particularly enjoyed Julia Konstaninovsky on Evagrius Ponticus!
Sero te amavi, pulchritudo tam antiqua et tam nova, sero te amavi! Et ecce intus eras et ego foris, et ibi te quaerebam;
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you! And look! You were within me, and I was outside myself: and it was there that I searched for you.*
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you! And look! You were within me, and I was outside myself: and it was there that I searched for you.*
August 28, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Sero te amavi, pulchritudo tam antiqua et tam nova, sero te amavi! Et ecce intus eras et ego foris, et ibi te quaerebam;
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you! And look! You were within me, and I was outside myself: and it was there that I searched for you.*
Late have I loved you, O Beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you! And look! You were within me, and I was outside myself: and it was there that I searched for you.*
I have at last finished my cycle ride in easy stages round the perimeter of the Diocese of Southwark @southwark.anglican.org For a map of my route go to umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/tour-... Click on the cross icons for a photo of each church I passed. More photos on Flickr flic.kr/s/aHBqjBE4rq
Tour de Southwark
umap.openstreetmap.fr
August 27, 2025 at 11:45 AM
I have at last finished my cycle ride in easy stages round the perimeter of the Diocese of Southwark @southwark.anglican.org For a map of my route go to umap.openstreetmap.fr/en/map/tour-... Click on the cross icons for a photo of each church I passed. More photos on Flickr flic.kr/s/aHBqjBE4rq
I have acquired yet another library card and can now use the library at @warburginstitute.bsky.social Thanks to @mshahn.bsky.social for bringing it to my attention. I think I shall be spending a lot of time here while I'm writing my dissertation over the next year.
August 12, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I have acquired yet another library card and can now use the library at @warburginstitute.bsky.social Thanks to @mshahn.bsky.social for bringing it to my attention. I think I shall be spending a lot of time here while I'm writing my dissertation over the next year.
Feeling v excited. I have just booked a four night trip in September to Bingen in pursuit of St Hildegard. I am, of course, going by rail including down the scenic Rhine valley. #Hildegard
August 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Feeling v excited. I have just booked a four night trip in September to Bingen in pursuit of St Hildegard. I am, of course, going by rail including down the scenic Rhine valley. #Hildegard
I had a fruitful morning at the allotment today, cherries 🍒, blackcurrants, jostaberries and a few gooseberries. I'm amazed that the birds have left the cherry tree alone. We've already had loads of redcurrants with more to come as well as the spineless blackberries. Yum. #allotment
June 20, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I had a fruitful morning at the allotment today, cherries 🍒, blackcurrants, jostaberries and a few gooseberries. I'm amazed that the birds have left the cherry tree alone. We've already had loads of redcurrants with more to come as well as the spineless blackberries. Yum. #allotment
I am utterly livid as I have to say goodbye to my trusty Hercules bicycle, which I bought in 1976. An idiot in a DPD van knocked me off last week at the end of our road. I am absolutely fine, but the bike is a write-off, as part of the frame is bent. Good thing I have the Brompton as well.
June 9, 2025 at 5:03 PM
I am utterly livid as I have to say goodbye to my trusty Hercules bicycle, which I bought in 1976. An idiot in a DPD van knocked me off last week at the end of our road. I am absolutely fine, but the bike is a write-off, as part of the frame is bent. Good thing I have the Brompton as well.
On the escape train out of London. I am heading to Salisbury for a teaching week at @sarumcollege.bsky.social on Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias. I am hoping to uncover the 12th century Hildegard from the reinventions as proto-feminist and wellness guru
May 11, 2025 at 10:58 AM
On the escape train out of London. I am heading to Salisbury for a teaching week at @sarumcollege.bsky.social on Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias. I am hoping to uncover the 12th century Hildegard from the reinventions as proto-feminist and wellness guru
I'm on the train to Cambridge. Having a day out at the UL @theul.bsky.social to consult some books I can't find elsewhere and to see the Curious Cures exhibition on medieval medicine.
May 7, 2025 at 9:13 AM
I'm on the train to Cambridge. Having a day out at the UL @theul.bsky.social to consult some books I can't find elsewhere and to see the Curious Cures exhibition on medieval medicine.
"This day[...]whatsoever our haste, yet to stay a little, and to spend a few thoughts in calling to mind and taking to regard what this day the Son of God did and suffered for us; and all for this end, that what He was then we might not be, and what He is now we might be for ever" Lancelot Andrewes
April 18, 2025 at 9:43 AM
"This day[...]whatsoever our haste, yet to stay a little, and to spend a few thoughts in calling to mind and taking to regard what this day the Son of God did and suffered for us; and all for this end, that what He was then we might not be, and what He is now we might be for ever" Lancelot Andrewes
I'm nearing the end of my #TourdeSouthwark cycling round the perimeter of the diocese @southwark.anglican.org Having lunch in the sunshine outside St Anne's Kew, my first church of the day
March 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
I'm nearing the end of my #TourdeSouthwark cycling round the perimeter of the diocese @southwark.anglican.org Having lunch in the sunshine outside St Anne's Kew, my first church of the day
I'm on the escape train to Salisbury. Heading to @sarumcollege.bsky.social to learn how to write a dissertation proposal for my MA. Can't believe I'm at this stage already.
March 24, 2025 at 12:42 PM
I'm on the escape train to Salisbury. Heading to @sarumcollege.bsky.social to learn how to write a dissertation proposal for my MA. Can't believe I'm at this stage already.
Reposted by Lesley Black
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
― Cicero
Primroses at the UL, March 2025.
― Cicero
Primroses at the UL, March 2025.
March 19, 2025 at 9:52 AM
“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
― Cicero
Primroses at the UL, March 2025.
― Cicero
Primroses at the UL, March 2025.
On my knees at the allotment, because weeding too is a form of prayer.
March 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
On my knees at the allotment, because weeding too is a form of prayer.
"For lo, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone" and I have at last resumed my bike ride in easy stages round the diocese of Southwark. First stop today is St Dunstan's Cheam. I hadn't realised that Lancelot Andrewes had been Rector here, albeit rather briefly. #tourdeSouthwark
March 4, 2025 at 12:05 PM
"For lo, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone" and I have at last resumed my bike ride in easy stages round the diocese of Southwark. First stop today is St Dunstan's Cheam. I hadn't realised that Lancelot Andrewes had been Rector here, albeit rather briefly. #tourdeSouthwark
Reposted by Lesley Black
Southwark Council allows ‘Right to Grow’ on unused council land in London first.
The Right to Grow requires local authorities to maintain a free, accessible map of all public land that is suitable for community cultivation or wildlife projects.
southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/so...
The Right to Grow requires local authorities to maintain a free, accessible map of all public land that is suitable for community cultivation or wildlife projects.
southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/so...
March 3, 2025 at 12:10 PM
Southwark Council allows ‘Right to Grow’ on unused council land in London first.
The Right to Grow requires local authorities to maintain a free, accessible map of all public land that is suitable for community cultivation or wildlife projects.
southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/so...
The Right to Grow requires local authorities to maintain a free, accessible map of all public land that is suitable for community cultivation or wildlife projects.
southwark.gov.uk/news/2025/so...
Very pleasant walk in Petts Wood and Scadbury Park for spouse's birthday. There were lots of bears in the woods.
February 28, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Very pleasant walk in Petts Wood and Scadbury Park for spouse's birthday. There were lots of bears in the woods.