Wishcasting Wednsday - Who do you wish to have tea with?

What a lovely question Jamie poses "Who do you Wish to have to tea?"

My first thought was 'Gwynne, Cheryl, Janet & Elizabeth!' Gwynne lived awhile in England, & really knows how to *do* tea! The others - just seem like that would be a wonderful tea party! My granddaughters would have to be there, too!

Last Jan, KK's 6th chose a tea party for her BD, complete with hats, gloves, jewels ... the girls decorated various items, & were served tea & GF goodies on my mother's best china! So sweet.

Then I read Dionne's post on wishing to have tea with Vivianne, lady of the Lake, high priestess of Avelon! Wow - wouldn't that be an interesting tea party?? (I was already pondering who else I might invite, if there were no time/space/ reality limits!)

hmm .... I would like to take tea with Julian of Norwich! (ca. 1342 – ca. 1416)
Julian was an ancoress & visionary, living in a cell attached to the church in Norwich, England for a number of years, "her theology was optimistic, speaking of God's love in terms of joy and compassion as opposed to law and duty" She had a series of visions following severe illness, & with Goeffrey Chaucer, was one of the first to write in the English language (most formal writing was done in Latin or French)
Julian is best known for the phrase "…All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well"
I recall reading Anya Seton's lovely historical fiction book 'Katherine,' & being so struck by her portrayal of Julian. Like other reviewers, I find this one of the best written & engaging stories of historical characters, "Lady Julian's quotes made me cry, while Julian's prescriptions for Katherine's anemia made me laugh out loud" ... Katherine Swynford & John of Gaunt were parents or grandparents of a number of kings & queens - including Henry the VII & VIII, Elizabeth I ...

& perhaps while I'm at it, Sister Fidelma - there's a plucky, witty wise woman!!

Written by a historian, & set in 7th Century Ireland, Fidelma is both a religieuse & a judge (dalaigh ) "The Irish laws gave more rights and protection to women than any other western law code at that time or until recent times. Women could, and did, aspire to all offices and professions as co-equal with men. They could be political leaders, command their people in battle as warriors, be physicians, local magistrates, poets, artisans, lawyers and judges. We know the names of many female judges of Fidelma's period - Brig Briugaid, Aine Ingine Iugaire and Dari among others. Dari, for example, was not only a judge but the author of a noted law text written in the sixth century AD. Women were protected by law against sexual harassment; against discrimination; against rape; they had the right of divorce on equal terms from their husbands, with equitable separation laws, and could demand part of their husband's property in a divorce settlement; they had the right of inheritance of personal property and land and the right of sickness benefits when ill or hospitalised. Ancient Ireland has Europe's oldest recorded system of hospitals. Seen from today's perspective, the Brehon Laws provided for what might be considered a society approaching an almost feminist paradise."

& Juniper, the Duran, who is a wise seer & mentor for 'Wise Child' - Monica Furlong's enchanting triplet of books.

So Gwynne & co, my granddaughters, Julian, Juniper, Fidelma, & of course YOU!! - what a fun tea party!

Who else shall we invite??

Jamie Ridler Studios posts a weekly Wednesday Wishcasting prompt.

As Jamie says, "Wishcasting Wednesday is a safe haven for wishes, a fertile field in which to plant wish seeds and have them witnessed and tended lovingly. It’s a place where magic begins...Make a wish: Dare to dream."

"What would happen if every week you made a wish?

What magic might start to stir?"

(The image and text above are credited to Jamie Ridler Studios.

Click here for more info on Jamie Ridler Studios and Wishcasting.)