Erica Gamester: Landscapes of the Sacred #1

“To experience a place as sacred is to participate, knowingly or unknowingly in a whole history of cultural tensions and conflicting claims, even ecological shifts in the terrain itself” (Page 3)

In the novel, Landscapes of the Sacred, Lane explores the “axioms” of a sacred place. By definition, an axiom is an established fact, allowing it to be universally applied. According to Lane, there are four established facts that allow us to determine the manifestation of a sacred place. However, I will only be discussing the first (and most important) axiom.

“These axioms underlie the way by which landscape is molded by religious imagination” (Page 19)

But before discussing the first axiom, the terms geopiety and mysterium tremendum are important in understanding the relationship between man and the Holy through a sacred place. Geopiety is sacral relation to earth, which involves reciprocity between person and place. Therefore, an established bond to the location is necessary in order to seek an experience with your Higher Power. Mysterium tremendum is the mistake of believing that the Holy is associated with the particularity of place. This idea is incorrect because God can be sought for anywhere. He is not exclusive to only certain whereabouts, which is why there are thousands of places considered sacred.

However, even if one develops a relationship between the land and man (and also abandons the idea of mysterium tremendum), God is still not obligated to appear. According to Lane’s first axiom, a sacred place is not chosen, it chooses. For example, I was taking a hike in the scorching Arizona heat with my grandmother and aunt. After a long three hours of trekking, we finally reached the top of the mountain only to sit down and revitalize as the sun set before us. In this moment, I was able to gaze at the prosperous environment and soak in my Higher Power’s creation. I could perceive every shade of red that comprised of the mountain’s soil. I felt God’s spirit all around as He revealed his glory through the mountains and sky. I felt my emotion being taken over by intense joy and astonishment as the sun continued to set. However, this lasted only a brief moment as the crimson sky faded into darkness and my surroundings no longer appeared vivid. Reluctantly, we turned on our flashlights and headed back down the mountain.

“God chooses to reveal himself only where he wills” (Page 19)

            All in all, the presence of sacred place depends on a reciprocating relationship between man and land, as well as God’s willingness to appear. Our class studies and first hand experience allow me to broaden my knowledge the first axiom and apply it to my own fluctuating spiritual journey.