Christopher Lubinski: Landscapes of the Sacred 2

     It is incredible to see the difference in perspective a culture can have on a landscape. In the second part of the book where it talks about the ordinary mask landscapes have that conceal its mythic properties, it introduces the reader to the Catholic Spanish people's view of Death Valley. At first it just looked like an ordinary desert landscape, but after some time they eventually adopted it as the "palm of God's hand". How does a picture of a landscape drastically change from a land of no importance to being connected to the might of God? Similar instances are also introduced that directly relate with the landscapes of America and all in different ways.

    It can be easy to get lost in the wonders of God if you assimilate yourself with its presence for enough time. For many, the natural beauty of God's world tends to entrance us with its untamed nature and majestic simplicity. By existing in the same space as these geographical locations, many must have learned to appreciate the landscapes they grow accustomed to and begin to relate the land with their own beliefs. 

    Even for me, when I moved out to Virginia I was not so thrilled to live in the forested and swampy deciduous landscape. Eventually, by becoming used to the landscape that surrounded me and calling this place my home I began to appreciate the land more as a sacred area rather than just a plot of Virginia forest. By affiliating the land with the sacred, the place becomes a part of the the individual's life and culture solidifying the bond between person and place.

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