medieval meditation at The Cloister Garden

If you know wonder | wander | women, you know that we are fascinated with the medieval period of Europe. Whether it's the incorrectly named "Dark Ages" of England that everyone pictures at the word medieval, the golden years of tapestry in France, or the intellectual and diverse Islamic period of Spain, we are willing devotees of the art, architecture and history of the period.

Entrance to the Priory of St. John and its Cloister Garden

So we were thrilled to discover the Museum of the Order of St. John, the 900-year-old charity still existing in London. The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem originated with the Knights Hospitaller, formed in the 12th century during the Crusades. The mission of the order is "to prevent and relieve sickness and injury, and to act to enhance the health and well-being of people anywhere in the world."

The Memorial Gallery seen from the garden

an equinox of grace & grief

“Autumn Equinox is a time – a sacred moment – for grieving our many losses, as individuals, as a culture, as Earth-Gaia. At this time we may join Demeter – and any other Mother Goddess from around the globe – in Her weeping for all that has been lost.

The Mother weeps and rages, the Daughter leaves courageously, the Old One beckons with Her wisdom and promise of transformation.” ~ Glenys Livingstone, PhD, “Autumn Equinox: Thanksgiving and Grieving,” Celebrating Seasons of the Goddess

Ninnion Tablet replica

For millennia, in Greece, this Seasonal Moment has been the holy celebration of Persephone’s descent to the Underworld, and in the earliest Goddess tradition, She descends of Her own volition to comfort the dead: the process is one of gaining of wisdom and restoring beauty – She is the Seed planted in the Earth, that will sprout again, grow to maturity and carry life into the future. 

from industry to illustration: New River Head

Exciting news in the London neighbourhood of wonder | wander | women as English icon meets London landmark. Beloved Roald Dahl illustrator Quentin Blake founded the House of Illustration, which opened an exhibition space in Granary Square, Kings Cross.

  

Now the House of Illustration is rebranding as the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration. The Centre is expanding, and now it's found an amazing piece of London history to house it - the Engine House at New River Head.

In a country as old as late Roman history, the word "new" is relative. The New River was opened in 1613, a man-made river created from natural springs to help pipe fresh water into London homes.

moon feast

When it comes to Mid-Autumn Festival, Asians celebrate the mystical animal - the Jade Rabbit, also called the Moon Rabbit - a character in oriental folklore that lives on the moon with Chang’e, the Moon Goddess. 

the myth of the Moon Goddess & the Jade Rabbit

Also known as the Moon or Mooncake Festival, it is the second most important Asian festival, next to the Lunar New Year. It is mainly celebrated in China, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines - though many Asian communities around the world have grown to enjoy its festivities too. 

a traditional mid-autumn festival spread

On the day of the festival, the moon is said to be the brightest, roundest and most beautiful. Folks are encouraged to gather and celebrate together in families and communities. 

tropical birthday treat

Who doesn't love flowers for their birthday? This year wonder | wander | women celebrated my 43rd year by visiting one of my favourite urban gardens, the Barbican Conservatory. This isn't the first time I've spent my birthday here; maybe it can become a tradition.  

The Conservatory is a contradiction: concrete balconies, glass and steel, and tropical rainforest richness everywhere. It squeezed my heart to see the shiny, broad leaves of truly monstrous monstera or the colourful spines of bird-of-paradise blooming in profusion in the middle of this mid-century cement complex...like the parks and markets of old Manila.