Simon Robson - Moments of Nature Blog 3

 Blog #3 "Moments of Nature"

Simon Robson

    In chapter 2 of Landscapes of the Sacred by Belden C. Lane he cites Edward Casey's writing and specifically his six different "moments of nature". These refer to the basis for an exchange between a subject and a landscape. His first moment of nature is listed as "the surrounding 'ambient array' is what encircles or distinguishes the place. The second is "The 'sensuous surface' is what stands out on one's first encounter of the place. Third is "The things are physical entities that are profiled on the sensuous surface". Next is "The 'ground' is the underside extension of the sensuous surface, anchoring the site in the depths of the earth. Fifth is "The 'are' refers to that which fades from explicit presentation on the edges of the scene, a receding band of land or sea that also serves to hold everything in view. Lastly he says "The 'atmosphere' finally, is what embodies the 'emotional tonality' or 'mood' of a place, what makes us aware of the landscape as 'itself containing feeling'". I wanted to try to make sense of this using a landscape that I am familiar with and have had interactions with. 

    Back home I live about 20 minutes from a quick but pretty hike called Humpback Rock. I used to wake up early before school sometimes to go watch the sunset at the top of the mountain, and I have been on this hike over 100 times, so I am very familiar with it. When I think of this first moment of nature that they listed as compared with Humpback Rock I think of the landscape as a whole and all that surrounds it. From the top of the mountain you can see the cities of Waynesboro and Fishersville towards the bottom of the mountain. I see the rolling fields and the sun rising over the horizon. 

The second moment of nature is the sensuous surface and on top of the mountain this is many things. It's the trees, the rocks, the winding roads up the mountain and much more. These are the things standing out during one's first encounter with this place. This leads into the third moment of nature for Humpback Rock which consists of particular things that draw one's attention. In this particular setting I think it would be the large rocks that jut out over the edge of the mountain; hence the name "Humpback Rock". These rocks can be slippery and somewhat dangerous but are such a defining feature of this place and have the etchings of different hiked drawn into them. 

The fourth moment of nature is the "ground" or the underside extension of of the sensuous surface. At humpback rock I think this would refer mostly to the actual mountain. These trees and giant rocks find their home here jutting out of this large mountain looking over the valley. And many creatures find their home here as well. Next is the "arc" which is the receding band of land or sea that also holds everything in view. As I previously mentioned from here it is great to watch the sunrise. The sun comes up over the horizon which is that arc. It holds everything together as the sun comes up over it in the morning and reveals all of this beauty. Finally, we have the atmosphere which embodies the emotional tonality or mood of the place. All of the previously mentioned characteristics come together to create a peaceful and joyful atmosphere. This atmosphere allows you to be one with the earth and possibly something greater.