Sacred Spaces
"Certain areas on earth are more sacred than others, some on account of their situation, others because of their sparkling waters, and others because of the association or habitation of saintly people". -Mahabharata Anusanana Parva 108: 16-18
"In all such qualities those places excel, in which there is a divine inspiration, and in which the gods have their appointed lots and are propitious to the dwellers in them". -Plato- *
There is a spot on the river trail in Valley Forge Park where one is drawn as if by a magnet. If you stand there quietly, energy surges through your body. On that spot, someone has placed a rectangular stone.
It is only a guess that the stone has been “placed” but it is only loosely rooted in the ground, there are no other stones lying near it, and it marks the center point where the energy flow seems the strongest.
It is a very human act to mark such a spot, and far grander monuments to strong energy points are to be found world-wide. The Taj Mahal, Stonehenge, the Great Pyramid at Giza and Chartres Cathedral are examples of sacred power places that are quite familiar to us in name, even if we haven't been lucky enough to visit them.
Long before these monuments were erected, our ancestors knew these spots to be the sites of powerful energy fields which could be used for healing, spiritual awakening and enlightenment.
Prior to the existing gothic construction, it has been postulated that the site of Chartres Cathedral was used for Druidic worship. Evidence of early use of this site for spiritual purposes was borne out when the ancient Well of Place-Forts was excavated in the early 20th Century. The well, reputed in legend for it’s miraculous healing properties, was found deep within the crypts of Chartres, apparently covered over during the 13th century construction.
While power-sites like Chartres continue to serve as spiritual destinations, the last few centuries have been characterized by cacophony, both internal and external; deafening us to the call of such places.
The strain of industrialization has destroyed the beauty and accessibility of many naturally occurring monuments to the Divine life force. The Lakota tribes of South Dakota struggle to keep what remains of their sacred places from oil developers.
Luckily, the art of Geomancy (literally “Earth Divination” and similar Feng Shui), is still alive, well and dedicated to locating the “Telluric” or “Ley” Lines that are dispersed in an intricate network throughout the planet.
Power-places are often found along these lines of energy - typically near a flow of water, either above or below ground. Sites of volcanic anomalies are often the beginning points of major telluric lines. Once these sites are located, labyrinths can be built or stones placed to provide a point of meditation; enhancing the natural properties of the spot.
Such places may be discovered, but it is in our power as human beings to create sacred space by tapping into higher energy sources through meditation, prayer or one of the energy arts such as Reiki.
From contemplating the mysteries of Chartres or the wild beauty of a pristine power-place, let’s imagine a more prosaic spot - the waiting room of the x-ray area at a hospital or doctors office, or any space in which one may receive the news that there is something not quite right on a mammogram; the existence of a suspicious spot on a lung x-ray.
Fear is palpable, even through the inane commentary of the morning talk shows blaring on the TV in the corner. Some will leave this room confirmed “healthy” - others will not.
Fear, apprehension and wild relief will all occur within the confines of these deceptively dull beige walls; monotony broken only by the dusty floral arrangements and pastel prints in streamlined gold frames.
Each person sitting, waiting in their hospital gown and slippers for the x-ray technician or physician to return is a story. If diagnosed with cancer, will their illness inspire transformation or will they succumb to feelings of hopelessness? How will their family accept this news and how will their lives be affected?
When you find yourself in such a room, instead of picking up an old magazine or watching television, perhaps you might quietly take a moment to meditate or pray; creating a calm and sacred space for someone to prepare for the type of news that may change their life.
*Both quotes and a darned good article found at: http://www.sacredsites.com/manu/chapt2.html
Book Reviews/Recommendations
Miller, Malcolm. Chartres Cathedral. Riverside Book Company, 1995. Millers intimate knowledge of the iconography of his beloved Chartres makes this book a pleasure to read.
Pettis, Chuck. Secrets of Sacred Space: Discover and Create Places of Power. Llewellyn Publications, 2000. A modern Geomancer, Pettis fills this volume with an interesting blend of mathematics, history and advice on understanding and creating sacred space.