Anchorhold

Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage
National Cathedral, Washington DC
November 1-30, 2023

Anchorhold is an immersive installation inspired by Julian of Norwich, medieval mystic and author of the earliest surviving English language text by woman. Visitors to the cathedral crypt were invited to participate in contemporary and historic contemplative practices to celebrate the 650th anniversary of Julian’s spiritual visions.

The 8 x 8’ anchorhold (enclosed room) adjacent to Saint Dunstan’s chapel was open for solitary reflection. The Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage library offered of a series of self-directed activities: meditative reading, responsive writing, and mindful drawing. Public events included labyrinth walks, a poetry workshop, a communal reading of Julian of Norwich’s Revelations of Divine Love, and a live performance, Consumed.

Julian’s cell, Norwich England

Anchorhold, National Cathedral

Installation images by Lee Stalsworth, Laura Litten and Thomas Whalen
All Shall Be Well textile piece by Terri Lynn Simpson and Carol Woodside
Julian of Norwich: a Brief Reading Guide bibliographic supplement by James Estes
The communal recording of Revelations of Divine Love was made by friends and members of the Cathedral community as an abridged version of Julian of Norwich’s Long Text which is in the public domain