I took these photos today in a burst of winter sunlight on the wall of our parish church, Holy Trinity in Much Wenlock. The sequence of shadows has a gothic feel despite the brightness of the light on the limestone wall. My overwhelming feeling was of spirits of the past remembered, the cycle of life and death. This church is very old, possibly with its roots in the 7th century when a Mercian princess, St Milburga was Abbess of Wenlock. A lot of humanity, then, has walked over this ground. It is good to think of them.
I’m going to stick my head on the blog and ask if the figure-like silhouettes are real people or spirits of the departed?
And you think I’m going to tell you, Tony 🙂
OK so they are real people.
Wonderful shadows!!
This is the second imaginative post I’ve seen on this theme, nicely thought Tish.
Thank you, Kate.
Great shadows and a fascinating story to go with them.
Thanks for sharing your creative vision of spirits passed and passing, Tish. My first reaction – a shiver – someone walking across my grave! Very evocative images.
And after my first reaction, I started to think about how there wouldn’t be any shadows without the glorious sunlight. For me, you have managed to encapsulate the fundamental relationship between life and death in a few snaps – how awesome is that!
Thank you Kate, for all those resounding thoughts.
Like Packwood504, the sunlight really captured my attention in these photos. The images that the shadows make are so tantalizing to the imagination. I really enjoyed this post.
It’s so good to know that what was striking me when I took these photos also ‘speaks’ to you 🙂
You have so much beauty around you, Tish, and you do it all such good service.
janet
That’s such a touching comment, Janet. Thank you.
There are so many opportunities for outrageously hackneyed lines here but I know there’s not a ghost of a chance you will approve them, so I’ll just keep ‘mum’.
When I see an ancient church graveyard like this one it always reminds me of the small one in Doddleston where my brother and I went to find conkers.
I wonder if the tree still stands?
Morning, Ark. How is it down there in S.A. Ghost of a chance indeed. But yes, old graveyards are always full of ‘something’ – whether atmosphere or conkers.
In general, everything is super-duper.
Hot as Hades, and we’re only one week into December.
‘Tis the only time of year I truly miss Europe.
The culture of ‘Christmas’ is far too ingrained, and a turkey lunch with all the trimmings and no proper pub to visit afterwards still fills me with angst!
(The gnashing of feet and what have you 😉 )
Otherwise …. as I suggested. All is fine!
I always fascinates me to think about whose footsteps I’m walking in when I’m in a very old place like that.
It’s a rather mind-boggling thought in one way, and comforting in others.
Love the overall eerie quality of the second shot especially. A very clever interpretation Tish 😀
Glad you liked it, Madhu. It really was only a happenstance capture.
unique take on the theme Trish – striking the way light produces shadows and in turn they brighten the light
Yes, that’s it. What a paradox, Laura.
The shadows have an eerie feel about them – they could be incorporated into an ominous, foreboding scene in a Hitchcock movie.
Ghostly indeed Tish – a perfect challenge response!
Thank you very much, Tina.
Great captures, Tish. Fall lighting can be quite eerie and may be the reason why there are so many legends of witches and ghouls during the season.
Yes, you are right, John. It’s often as if it is lighting up some hidden dimension.
Love the ‘captures’, Tish. 🙂 Initially I thought it was someone sitting on the wall, and then I saw that there were several someones. Your spirits seem yo like company. 🙂
Thank you, Jo. And yes, I think they were friendly spirits.