Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love by Starr, Mirabai; , Rohr, Richard

Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love — photo 1

Occult Philosophy

Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love

Name: Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love
Price: 19.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.5 (2 reviews)
Author: Starr, Mirabai; , Rohr, Richard
ISBN: 9781642970364

Starr, Mirabai; , Rohr, Richard

Reader rating

4.5

(1 reviews) 47 sold

$19.00

Editorial score How we rate

In stock

Stock reported in the catalog; fulfillment is confirmed with your request.

📚 ABOUT THE BOOK

Discover a radical 14th-century vision of divine love, free from judgment or wrath.

This contemporary rendering unlocks the profound spiritual insights of Julian of Norwich, a pivotal 14th-century mystic. Known for her groundbreaking 'Revelations of Divine Love' – arguably the first English book by a woman – Julian offers a startlingly compassionate view of the divine. Transcending traditional doctrines of wrath and punishment, she presents a God defined by boundless life, light, and love, where even sin is understood as a necessary experience within a benevolent cosmic order. This edition makes her transformative message accessible for today's spiritual seekers.

Key themes

Divine Feminine Unveiled God's Unconditional Love Reimagining Sin and Mercy

Historical context

Mirabai Starr and Richard Rohr present Julian of Norwich’s 14th-century 'Revelations of Divine Love' as arguably the first English book by a woman, recontextualizing her radical mysticism within contemporary spiritual discourse. This edition bridges medieval Christian esotericism with modern searches for non-judgmental divine connection.

Starr, Mirabai; , Rohr, Richard

📚 all books by this author (2) →

Difficulty

● Easy

Fans will love it

Rumi · Thomas Merton · Meister Eckhart · contemporary contemplative literature

🕯️ Occult Philosophy

🏛 Hampton Roads Publishing Company 📅 2022 📖 256 pages 📔 Paperback 📐 Paperback ISBN: 9781642970364

Fun fact

This contemporary interpretation of Julian's 'Showings' is a triumph, making her profoundly comforting and revolutionary theology accessible to a new generation. Starr expertly navigates the historical and spiritual depths, allowing Julian's gentle yet radical voice to shine. While those seeking a strictly academic or unaltered historical text might look elsewhere, this edition excels at bringing Julian's message of unconditional divine love to the modern heart. It's an essential addition to any mystic's library, offering solace and a fresh perspective on faith.

📝 Description: Julian of Norwich: The Showings: Uncovering the Face of the Feminine in Revelations of Divine Love

"As a major fan and promoter of Julian of Norwich, whom I call 'my favorite mystic', it is genuinely exciting to find such a faithful but freeing translation of Julian's long-lost Showings. Now they are no longer lost--for anyone!" --Fr. Richard Rohr, O. F. M., Center for Action and Contemplation In this contemporary translation of one of the most beloved and influential mystical texts of all time, Julian of Norwich: The Showings brings the message and spirituality of this 14th-century mystic to 21st-century readers. Revelations of Divine Love, the first book published in English attributed to a woman, is also included. Julian of Norwich, a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer, was an English anchoress in East Anglia. At the age of 30, suffering from a severe illness and believing she was on her deathbed, Julian had a series of intense visions of Jesus, which she recorded and then expanded on later in her life. In her visions, God was not angry and wrathful. Instead, the three properties of God were presented as life, love, and light, and all of His creation was good, including his servant, man. In Julian's version, man is not to blame for his sin; sin is something that he must experience and overcome in his spiritual journey with God. Her message for today's readers is simply this: She reveals the feminine face of the Divine and reminds us to see God there. All our failings are an opportunity to learn and grow; they should be honored, but not dwelled upon. God's love has nothing to do with love and retribution and everything to do with love and compassion. In spite of all appearances, all is well. This book contains some of the most profound spiritual writing ever written and remains a perennial favorite among Christians. This book was previously published as The Showings of Julian of Norwich. This new edition includes a foreword by Richard Rohr, author of Falling Upwards.

💎 Expert review

“

💎

Esoterica Books editorial team

Occult literature desk

Starr and Rohr successfully render Julian’s medieval text into a vibrant, contemporary voice that feels immediate and relevant. The focus on a non-judgmental deity offers a refreshing alternative to rigid theological frameworks, emphasizing love as the primary attribute of the divine. However, this edition may not suit readers expecting strict historical analysis or those deeply attached to traditional interpretations of divine justice and wrath. It is best appreciated by those open to esoteric Christian mysticism and feminist spiritual reinterpretations, rather than academic theologians or conservative believers seeking conventional dogma.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book is essential for spiritual seekers tired of traditional doctrines centered on wrath and punishment, offering instead a startlingly compassionate vision of the divine. Readers who resonate with Julian’s groundbreaking perspective—that God is defined by boundless life, light, and love—will find profound comfort here. It is particularly valuable for those exploring the feminine face of the sacred or seeking a benevolent cosmic order where sin is viewed as a necessary experience rather than a damning failure. By unlocking these 14th-century insights, Starr and Rohr make transformative mysticism accessible, guiding you toward a faith rooted in radical acceptance and divine intimacy.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —

⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

If you seek a compassionate, non-judgmental spiritual path, or wish to explore Christian mysticism through a profoundly loving lens, this book is for you. It offers comfort and challenge, appealing to those ready to rethink traditional religious concepts.

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Esoterica Books editorial team

Starr and Rohr successfully render Julian’s medieval text into a vibrant, contemporary voice that feels immediate and relevant. The focus on a non-judgmental deity offers a refreshing alternative to rigid theological frameworks, emphasizing love as the primary attribute of the divine. However, this edition may not suit readers expecting strict historical analysis or those deeply attached to traditional interpretations of divine justice and wrath. It is best appreciated by those open to esoteric Christian mysticism and feminist spiritual reinterpretations, rather than academic theologians or conservative believers seeking conventional dogma.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. This edition is specifically crafted to bridge the centuries, rendering Julian's 14th-century English and complex theological concepts into clear, accessible language for today's spiritual seeker without losing its profound essence.

Julian's most striking departure is her portrayal of God as entirely loving and free from wrath, emphasizing divine goodness and mercy above all else. She radically reframes sin not as an act deserving punishment, but as an experience that is ultimately embraced within God's boundless love.

📖 Who should read this

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Divine Feminine Unveiled

Starr's interpretation highlights Julian's unique approach to the divine, emphasizing attributes traditionally associated with the feminine. Through her visions, Julian portrays God not as a distant, stern patriarch, but as a nurturing, all-encompassing mother figure whose love is unconditionally tender and merciful, challenging conventional patriarchal theology of her era.

God's Unconditional Love

Julian's central revelation is a God utterly devoid of anger or judgment. Her 'Showings' reveal a divine nature characterized solely by life, love, and light, asserting that all of creation is inherently good. This radical perspective offers immense solace, inviting readers into a relationship with a benevolent Creator who sees humanity through eyes of eternal compassion.

Reimagining Sin and Mercy

Unlike prevailing doctrines, Julian views sin not as a cause for eternal condemnation, but as a necessary experience for spiritual growth. She insists that humanity is not blamed for its failings, but rather embraced with understanding. This offers a profoundly hopeful theology, where divine mercy is absolute, and even our struggles serve a higher, loving purpose.

💬 Quotes from the book

“All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well.”

“For in every soul that is saved, God sees no sin, but rather sees His own goodness.”

📜 Historical context

Julian of Norwich, a solitary anchoress living in 14th-century England, was a contemporary of Geoffrey Chaucer. Her profound visions, experienced during a severe illness, led to 'Revelations of Divine Love.' This work is historically significant not only as one of the earliest English mystical texts but also as the first known book published in English by a woman, cementing her place as a groundbreaking spiritual voice.

📚 Glossary

Anchoress
The Showings
Revelations of Divine Love

📔 Questions to reflect on

How does Julian's portrayal of God as entirely loving, rather than wrathful, challenge or affirm your own spiritual understanding?
Reflect on a personal experience where you found grace or growth through a perceived 'sin' or mistake. How does this align with Julian's view of sin as an experience?
Julian speaks of the 'three properties of God' as life, love, and light. How might focusing on these attributes transform your daily prayer or contemplative practice?