Sacred Places

An Exploration of Their Mysterious Powers



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
    

           

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

Table of Contents

1

  

Introduction to Sacred Places

2

  

Categories of Sacred Spaces

3

 

Factors contributing to the power of place

4

 

Geophysical characteristics of the sacred site location

5

 

The visual beauty of the location of sacred sites

6

 

The location of sacred sites according to regional configurations of sacred geography

7

 

The visual beauty of the structures at the sacred sites

8

 

The sacred geometry used in the structures

9

 

The building materials used in the structures at the sacred sites

10

 

The influence of light and color

11

 

The influence of sound and music

12

 

The ceremonial and therapeutic use of aromatic substances

13

 

The influence of the 'visual scriptures' which embellish the shrines

14

 

The legendary discovery of sacred sites

15

 

The intent of the builders of the ceremonial structures at the sacred sites

16

 

The presence of accumulated energy from centuries of ceremonial activity at the shrines

17

 

The presence of accumulated spiritual energy from large numbers of pilgrims that have visited the sacred sites

18

 

The intent of an individual pilgrim, the physical activity of his or her pilgrimage, and the heightened effect of religious practice performed at sacred sites

19

 

The influence resulting from a culture's collective belief in the power and ideals enshrined in a pilgrimage center

20

 

The power or charge emanating from relics, ceremonial objects, and miraculous idols

21

 

The mysterious influences of spirits, devas and angelic beings associated with sacred sites

22

 

The religious use of psychoactive plants

23

 

Celestial influences on Sacred Places

24

 

Connecting with the Power of Place: A Meditation Practice

25

 

Conclusion

26

 

References