The longevity of awe…and the quietude buried within peace. These were the two thoughts echoing in my mind with the gentleness of passing a feather from one palm to the other while I was sitting in the Chartres Cathedral. We were in town for a wedding, a new beginning but I couldn’t stop thinking about the past.
I had sat in these pews years ago. Then, I was buoyed by the weight of the beauty surrounding me but this visit I realized that something far heavier was at play. How must the cathedral have loomed above the fields to the pilgrims that spied its spiers from afar, starting in the 12th century. It was the journey of a lifetime and the stories of its might travelled home with them, blessed. How many days had passed since then, light into dark again, shown and known by being lit from within. Nearly all of the windows were installed by 1240 and they still shine jewel-like, having been spared the ruthless bombing the town saw during World War II in 1939 when each pane of glass was wisely removed as the German troops advanced. These vitruax could inspire belief in God or other, definitely of something higher and better, in anyone. For awhile, I sat and watched each visitor as they would tilt their heads up and become still with the effort of trying to understand. And then I closed my eyes and listened to the whispers of shuffle and flow. I could have been there for years, a sigh on the timeline and a shadow of the efforts that had gone into creating such awe…such peace.
On the tympanum above the Royal entry, some wise bird has built his nest just above the statue of Christ’s head, a tilted halo to the holy. He understood, perfectly.
As I have mentioned previously, I am not a Christian but such sacred sites have and continue to inspire me, regardless of the faith housed within. Yes, faith remains and creates a bond, a link to life.
And while this is not a post of popsicles, it does seem appropriate for summer, a time of year when expansion is at its apogee…an expansion in all directions then, backwards and forwards, in and out with steady breath.
Wishing you a peaceful weekend ahead…
…and thank you for all of your kindness of late.
oh what a lovely post.
did you walk the labyrinth?
we've walked its copy at grace cathedral (SF)
labyrinths are so revealing and spirit-ness-refresh-ing.
(can you imagine being part of that night when they removed each pane of glass – thank you for that image – felt like a splendid film with Mr. Ralph Fiennes!)
thrilling.
Oh Heather I am simply in awe. I love to see these majestic Creations!
Xoxo
Karena
2013 Designer Series
OH THAT BIRDIE KNOWS WHERE TO PERCH!JUST THINK OF HIS VIEW!
Beautiful photos as always Heather. You've definitely captured the wonder of the place – I'm constantly amazed at the work it took to build such magnificent structures and the devotion as well. Have a great weekend. Jackie xo
Lovely. You made me get down my copy of Henry Adams' "Mont-Saint-Michel & Chartres," privately printed in 1905 (almost 1904) and published in 1913. A wonderful little book if you by some chance don't know it. Thank you for the reminder, XXXX G
Lovely Heather… and whatever our beliefs these amazing architectural masterpieces and hallowed halls, resonate… and it would seem quite loudly… Have a happy weekend… xv
Yes faith does remain; it is somehow imprinted on the land, the stones, the air and we feel it, no matter what our faith is, or isn't. I feel the sacred flowing within and throughout your photos. Our sacred spaces are mostly gone. I used to sit in our Cathedral simply for the sense of communion in something bigger than myself. This week marks the opening of our transitional Cathedral. I wonder how it will feel to be in a building that has no history of prayer, no ancient soul. The land on which it is built has absorbed prayers for decades; will that filter through? The transitional Cathedral is made partly of Cardboard.http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8996908/Cardboard-cathedral-finally-unveiled Gallivanta
I've always loved Chartres Cathedral and was absolutely thrilled to learn that the house we fell in love with (and bought) in Blois has a little window with a cabochon from the cathedral. When they were renovating the windows, there were some bits and pieces such as our cabochon that were removed and sold. Our previous owner was a locksmith so was able to make the little window.
Lovely to have you here EE–are you in France right now?
Thank you so much, Leslie! That is quite a compliment. 🙂