“Everything in life has a pattern and a coincidence is simply
the moment when the pattern becomes briefly visible.”
Anthony Horowitz, Moonflower Murders
Courtesy of Hsien-Chung Wu (“Walking in the Air” performed by Hayley Westenra):
Recently I made a few interesting discoveries, all due to coincidence. They are valuable because I like to learn something new each day, and those provided by coincidence are the best. Some time ago I saw a painting that looked like it came from the Dutch Golden Age period. When my daughter acquired a few guinea pigs for her son, I remembered the picture of the guinea pig seller and tried to trace it. But who was the painter? After some research, I discovered George Morland, an English painter of particular rustic scenes of farms and animals and rural landscapes. He lived and painted mainly in the second half of the 18th century, and died in 1804. I think that apart from students of History of Art, there are not many people who know of George Morland, and to my regret, I didn’t. He produced thousands of drawings and paintings, and art dealers were queuing at his door with money in one hand and a bottle in the other. At that time his charming scenes were so popular that some drawings were printed and reprinted in their hundreds. Unfortunately, George Morland was an alcoholic and died at the age of 41. Reading his biography, it was not surprising that he turned to drink as his childhood was abusive and he was exploited from a very young age. He was able to draw to perfection at the age of three but was never allowed to have a normal childhood, as he was locked up in a garret to work, while his father was selling his drawings as fast as he could.
The origin of the guinea pig name is interesting as the creatures are not related to pigs but are called so because their squealing sounds like that of piglets. They were brought here from Peru by sailors and sold for a guinea each, hence their name. But I digress…
Courtesy of Hsien-Chung Wu (“Dark Waltz” performed by Hayley Westenra):
To appreciate the appeal of George Morland’s paintings, here is a small selection:
It is astonishing that George Morland could paint such a detailed painting like ‘The Old Water Mill’ above plus several drawings, all in one day. ‘The Winter Landscape’ is equally amazing in its beauty and photographic details of the tree, the sky, the horses, and the naughty snowballing boys. Once seen, the paintings of George Morland are never forgotten. George Morland’s paintings and drawings represent a historically important time capsule of the daily lives of ordinary people in the 18th century. The great painters of that time were mainly painting scenes from the royal courts, the aristocratic or very well-to-do patrons or great battles. I, like so many others, love to see the inside of stables, ordinary families (the guinea pig seller), and rural landscapes, since I can learn so much more about those times than looking at another royal family. And of course the animals; it is obvious that George Morland had great affinity with all the creatures he painted. Perhaps, because they were never, compared with the dreadful people around him, avaricious.
Courtesy of Hsien-Chung Wu (“Morning Has Broken” performed by Hayley Westenra):
If it wasn’t for young Louie, one of my daughter’s guinea pigs, shown here:
I would not have discovered one of my now favourite painters, George Morland. Thank you, Louie.
Courtesy of Cristy Dunn:
If it wasn’t for a chance comment by one of my German readers about Hildegard, and her music, I would not have known much about her. Just as I was discovering the chants of Hildegard of Bingen, she and her work became well known again, brought back into the limelight after nine centuries. Her book on the benefits of a holistic life was published quite recently here as ‘Holistic Healing’ (the first time since 1903), and her views on nature, medicine, music, and spirituality are recognised as being ahead of her time and of great value now. This extraordinarily talented woman was multifaceted in her knowledge, and of such great intellect that today it would have taken her into space. She is admired by many, from feminists, nutritionists, music lovers to environmentalists. Some chefs have her name marked by the healthy dishes on their restaurant menus. After her beneficiation, Pope Benedict XVI honoured her in 2012 with a title Doctore of the Church, given only to four women saints. Bingen, a small, charming town in Germany is devoted to keeping Hildegard’s memory alive.
Below – Klopp Castle in Bingen
Mouse Tower in Bingen
Hildegard wrote about a healthy diet, the healing use of herbs, and her rule to have porridge for breakfast is very much promoted in our health-conscious times. She is rightly regarded as a visionary pioneer of herbal medicine. The back cover of her book states: ‘Introducing her ten key principles, including preventative health advice, fasting, the mind-body connection, meditation and ecological considerations, this practical book brings her original remedies to a modern audience. Discover the healing benefits of key foods and plants – plus which foods to avoid – along with recipes for plant-based balms and elixirs. There’s also targeted advice for alleviating common ailments.’ The book is indeed fascinating and worth having on hand to dip into when looking for vegetarian dishes.
Eibingen Abbey was founded by Hildegard in 1165 in Bingen, Germany. As an abbess, Hildegard used her medical knowledge to treat her nuns’ ailments, and also in helping others. She based her knowledge on the ancient Greek beliefs that our bodily fluids influence people’s temperament and health. These were: black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and blood. Her own medical progression is now re-discovered in today’s Western medicine: in particular her healthy diet, her promotion of moderation and rest, and the necessity of treating the entire person, not just the symptoms. She believed that people’s spirituality was closely linked to their physical well-being. She was revered during her lifetime and corresponded with kings who sought her advice. She died in 1179 aged 81 leaving an enduring legacy in her works on medicine, natural sciences, music, and spiritual guidance. There are many pilgrimage places but Bingen is the only place where the pilgrimage route is marked by a nun sign. The museum in Bingen is dedicated to her work and in particular, her spiritual visions that are shown there as the huge illustration painted under her supervision by the scribes of the illuminated manuscripts.
In this painting of one of her visions, angels are singing for the glory of God who is represented as a circle of light in the middle. Hildegard explained that God is Light, and cannot be represented in a human form.
“O Virtus Sapientiae” (O Power of Wisdom) by Hildegarde von Bingen, sung by Emma Nwobilor, courtesy of Neumes and Tunes:
I have had many encounters of beneficial coincidence and the two most recent ones that I have presented above illustrate well this somewhat surreal, still unexplained, phenomenon.
naturetails 
Interesting article you share with us, dear Joanna. Two great lives (George Morland and Hildegard) that have left their legacy and history remembers them with great urgency today. Also, to learn how the guinea pig (guinea pigs) arrived in these parts is amazing. These animals have a very delicious meat and is part of the Peruvian gastronomy and one of its flagship dishes as is the spicy guinea pig.
A pleasure to be in your publication.
Hugs from afar, Joanna.
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Thank you, Lincol, for your kind comments! I am not sure about eating the delightful creatures, and as a vegetarian, I am on the side of the extraordinary woman who was a vegetarian too, ad lived a long and healthy life.
Thank you, Lincol, again, all greatly appreciated.
A hug for you too,
Joanna
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Joanna, we are grateful for Louie too, so we could learn about Moreland and Hildegard. He was an amazing painter. I always like learning about Saints, so enjoyed your write up and sharing of Hildegard’s life and music. I just saw there is a movie about her life on Youtube. I’m going to watch it. Thanks again for sharing. I do believe in coincidences too. https://youtu.be/g616rf9OWBc
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I understand. Here the guinea pig is linked to our culture since before the Incas, even ancestral tombs are found next to these animals, as they were formerly used as sacrifices, in food, in the traditional medina as a cleansing ritual (shoqma with guinea pig), among others.
Hugs from afar.
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Beautiful story Joanna about the guinea pig. Of course, your choice of song “Morning Has Broken” which was one of my favorite songs by Cat Stevens in the early 70s was a wonderful complement to your post my dear. Enjoy the rest of your week. 😍💖🤗
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Thank you, Lincol, for additional comment. I understand too, but we are moving towards plant based diet for heath reason and away from harming animals as we all came from the primeval sea millions of years ago.
Joanna
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Thank you, Kym, for your kind comment on the first part of the post, and it is greatly appreciated
Joanna
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What a wonderful post of wonderful photos and a great story~!!!! Love this Joanna💕
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Thank you, Cindy, for your wonderful comments! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna x
PS. May I take this opportunity, Cindy, to congratulate you on all the latest achievements!
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Fine essay. I really like Morland’s art. I’d never heard of him before. Somehow, history has pretty much forgotten him.
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Thank you, Neil, for your kind comments! Greatly appreciated! I also feel that the painter should not be forgotten…
Joanna
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Oh my dear Joanna, you are so very welcome my dear researcher! I love your thoroughness! Beautifully done! 🥰💖😊
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I’m afraid the notion that guinea pigs got the first part of their name from the fact that they were sold for a guinea apiece is folk etymology:
https://www.etymonline.com/word/Guinea%20pig
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It’s indeed a shame that George Morland’s paintings aren’t better known. Good for you for doing your part to rectify that.
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Thank you, Steve, for your kind comment! Greatly appreciated!
I do my best to write about interesting people.
Joanna
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Thank you!
Joanna
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That might be so but that they are eaten in PERU is not.
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This is beautiful. I think coincidences are signs of the Universe at work. These days people are mostly to busy to notice which is a shame. We need more positive writing such as yours. That painting of the angels…rather like a mandala, is wonderful. Thank you, Joanna.
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Oh, I meant also to say how much I like the Morland paintings. For someone with such a dark background, he certainly knew how to paint the light. No doubt it was his outlet. If only it could have saved him from such a tragically early death.
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My pleasure Joanna! 🥰💖😍
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your wonderful comments! I came a few times across coincidence
that connected me with the world of wonder at unexplained events.
I am of deep belief in the positive thinking, no matter what circumstances.
Thank you again, Carolyn, and much appreciation for your words.
Joanna
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Thank you, Carolyn, for your comment! Of course, with your eye for excellent photos, and understanding of the importance of light in achieving the perfection in your work, you are the right person to notice Morland unique talent.
And yes, he belongs to a list of greats who died far to young, just like Mozart, Swamiji,
Ramanujan, and others.
Joanna
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What a delightful journey, Joanna. George Morland and Hildegard of Bingen is like unwrapping hidden treasures of history and art.
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Thank you, Ritish, for your insightful comments! Greatly appreciated!
I can only be grateful for the priceless readers like you!
Joanna
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This post is a bit different to most of your others Joanna, but just as interesting and endearing nonetheless. I particularly liked the paintings of George Morland, who I have to confess, I’d never heard of, but thanks to you, now I have.
I have heard of Hildegard, but knew very little about her, so once again, thanks to you, I now do. I remember seeing Bingen and Klopp Castle from a boat on the River Rhine, but never explored it, but it looked an interesting place.
Yet another great post Joanna, especially with such lovely music to accompany the picture of Louie 😊
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Thank you, Malc, for your wonderful comments! I am glad that you found new thing of interest as you are so knowledgeable on many subjects. I don’t know if you benefit often by unexpected coincidence, but I would not be surprised if you did.
Thank you, Malc, again, much appreciated!
Joanna
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Oh, I totally agree with you about unexpected coincidences Joanna. They have happened loads of times. That’s what makes your post so interesting.
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Thank you! Do you remember, Malc, the times of voting in the Parliament for then PM Boris Johnson? Close to the Parliament, there is a bus stop where two buses stop and depart, the numbers 247, and 146. When the results came in on the day, it was 247 for PM Johnson and 146 against. Now, this was some coincidence!
Joann
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Thank you!
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What a wonderfully detailed and researched account Joanna. I knew of George Morland’s work and have always been amazed by his bucolic pictures showing such marvellous light and shade, a reflection, perhaps, of his troubled life. I knew a nun called Hildegard who modelled her life and work on that of Hildegard of Bingen. She was employed by the military in the Middle East as a sort of Mother figure to aid the welfare of young soldiers! Thank you, once again, for this interesting post.
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Thank you, Peter, for your wonderful comments! All greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Very well organised ideas, well presented, Joanna! Lovely work of art you have shared here!
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Thank you, Indira, for your kind comments! Greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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A beautiful and informative post, Joanna! Moreland’s art is stunning, and the music is so inspiring. Our church choir used to sing “Morning Has Broken.”
What a remarkable story about Hildegarde! People are always chasing the latest remedies and forgetting the timeless wisdom of the past.
Enjoy your weekend!
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Thank you, Cheryl, for your wonderful comments! You have expressed beautifully my efforts to show the ancient wisdom! Thank you, much appreciated!
Joanna
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Dear Joanna, I’m bowled over by the exquisite music & the paintings in this very special post. Thank you. 💐😊 You have made my weekend 💌💓💝💖🤗😘
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PS. Louie is really cute xx
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Thank you, Dear Ashley, for your wonderful comments! You made my weekend too!
I love the music, and the wisdom of the extraordinary woman who lived centuries go
But knew what is good for our wellbeing.
Thank you again, Ashley, all much appreciated!
Joanna
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Joanna,
This one appeals to my inner spirit – pastoral scenes filled with animals, some in videos accompanied by a vocalist, Hayley Westenra, with a particularly plaintive voice. Morland had a way of capturing animals in their natural setting in his paintings-and yes, he was all about the common folk. He must have seen some of Leonardo di Vinci’s work to get the anatomic correctness of animals and humans.
Hildegard of Bingen’s holistic diet and life style practices were ahead of her time and are now followed by many of that persuasion nearly 900 years later.
Your serendipity befits your generous lifestyle of bringing pleasure to others. Thank you.
Stewart
PS: Guinea Pigs do make great pets for those who lean to “pocket size” creatures. I would not eat them either.
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Thank you, Stewart, for your wonderful and insightful comments! You have described everything so perfectly that it makes me happy to have readers like you!
Thank you, Stewart, again, and your words are greatly appreciated.
Joanna
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Quite a dynamic story studded with beautiful photos & video👌👏👏It was quite absorbing piece of writeup as always! I too believe that “Everything in life has a pattern and a coincidence is simply
the moment when the pattern becomes briefly visible.”Thank you so much for sharing 💕🙏
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Thank you, Dhirendra, for your wonderful comments!
Your review is greatly appreciated!
Joanna
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Pleasure is all mine 👍🙏
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You are so kind! Thank you!
Joanna
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Thank you, Joanna for this exceptional post that I read and re-read, finding numerous new things to learn. Although I had heard of George Morland, your post shed light on his exquisite creations in a way I hadn’t encountered before. Sadly, like many talented individuals, he was taken by God’s call at a young age of 41. The story behind the guinea pig’s name was particularly captivating, and young Louie look so cute and sweet.
Hildegard’s story is also fascinating to read. What struck me about her was that she treated her nuns’ ailments with her prescriptions. Her knowledge and practices remind me of our Yoga, Ayurveda and naturopathy.
Coincidences are a fascinating aspect of life that almost everyone encounters. Instances like road accidents highlight how split-second differences can alter our experiences. I’m happy that you decided to craft a post about such a distinctive topic, interspersed with your remarkable images and videos. Thank you once again for your wonderful work.
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Thank you, Kaushal, for your most wonderful and analytical comments!
Indeed, coincidence is one of those unexplained things, like being lucky or not.
I guess, the universe likes to have secrets. Sometime ago we were talking about coincidence, and I brough the example of one incidence during the voting in the Parliament when then PM was Boris Johnson. The vote was about confidence in PM.
Close to the Parliament there is a bus stop where two buses arrive and depart from,
the number 247 and the number 146. When the voting was announced, there was
247 votes for PM, and 146 against. Such a coincidence is impossible to understand!
Hildegard’s methods on nutrition and health contained in her book resonate with ancient Indian practices and those also should be put in a book, as millions of people are concerned about their wellbeing and living longer and healthy lives. Your suggestions are spot on, as always!
Thank you, Kaushal, again, and your views about my post made my day!
Joanna
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It’s always a pleasure to read you, Joanna. You’re always welcome. I remember that example of voting in British Parliament. Such coincidences, both happy and sad, do happen in our daily life.
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Thank you so much, Kaushal, and you are always welcome too!
Joanna
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Joanna, it was wonderful to read your blog post. All the Morland art… Animals… My family and I love Guinea pigs and had many as pets. I was so excited to see you write about Hildegard von Bingen too. I absolutely love her writing, thoughts and life. I had a book of hers but I think in the move I have lost it. She feels like a friend I have known for years and I am so happy to be reminded of her again through you… Coincidence? 🤔Or divine-incidence maybe. Thank you for your inspirational share.
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Thank you, Morag, for your wonderful comments! It certainly looks as it could be divine intervention!
Perhaps, you might remember most important ideas from the book. I live by her rules, although there were mine before I knew about her. I had peop
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