Cathedral/Forest

The Night Face, VIII.

"They re-entered the cathedral stillness of the forest." (p. 615)

Yes, a forest is a cathedral with trees for columns and leaves for arches. By a "cathedral" here, I mean a large place of worship or, if "worship" is too theistic a term, then a large place for contemplation and awe. Another word is "temple." Of course, "cathedral" means specifically the location of a bishop's cathedra or throne. Bishops are successors of the Apostles who were (believed to be) witnesses of the Resurrection. But that is one tradition. There are many traditions but one mountain-top.

We worship - or contemplate with awe - with Earth below, sky above and ocean to the west and, if we are close enough to the coast, then with ocean also before us. The world is a temple. 

Regular blog readers will realize that this is a post in which I quote a single phrase from a work by Poul Anderson, then hang my own observations from it. But everyone is free to do the same, especially with such rich texts.

Shortly, I will walk across Lancaster to the Gregson Centre for a monthly gathering. Also this evening, Sheila's sister will arrive from Northern Ireland for a month or so. Fiction and life proceed in parallel.

I sometimes meditate in St. Peter's Cathedral, Lancaster. (See image.)