| I use the terms "Spiritual Garden", "Garden | | | | represents something more profound than itself. |
| Sanctuary" and "Sacred Garden" interchangeably, for | | | | The flames of a fire for instance, can symbolize the |
| they are all so interrelated that it is only useful to | | | | sun, which itself has qualities of heat, illumination and |
| differentiate when the term is appropriate to the | | | | creative or destructive powers. The sun is associated |
| context in which it is being used. | | | | with giving forth life and power as well as being |
| Spirit is used as a generalized term for God, Universal | | | | associated with gods of mythology who possess |
| Truth, and Consciousness, Higher Power or any other | | | | these same qualities. |
| supernatural form or creation that one chooses to | | | | In a garden setting, elements or objects such as a |
| align with their belief system. | | | | light fixture, a luminary, fireplace or fire pit can be |
| With that said, a Garden Sanctuary is a space | | | | also related to the imagery of the sun. |
| thoughtfully designed to create not only an ambiance | | | | A symbolic image therefore can be linked to many |
| of peace and prosperity, but at a transcendent level, | | | | garden design applications depending on its purpose |
| where one connects with the Spirit of the Garden, | | | | and placement within the space. |
| facilitating a connection between Heaven and Earth, | | | | As Jack Trasidder states in his book, Symbols and |
| the Divine and Human, the Self and Universal Spirit. It | | | | Their Meaning, |
| is a sacred outdoor space where you can retreat | | | | "There is a connection between the power of |
| from the mundane world, relax and reawaken your | | | | symbols and their antiquity. There are some symbols |
| connection with Spirit. | | | | or types of symbols that are so universally potent, |
| Gardening is an activity that symbolizes and | | | | so close to the very stuff of life, that there |
| represents the miracle of life in the form of a | | | | meanings tend to remain constant over time. We |
| gardener growing something from a seed. There is | | | | believe that on a personal level, that profound |
| something deep, a soulful connection to this miracle | | | | realities dwell beyond our rational objective |
| that when we garden, we experience this on a | | | | knowledge, and that these "truths" are sacred forms |
| certain level. | | | | of knowledge of the universe and of ourselves. Our |
| Simple acts such as witnessing the flowering of a | | | | connection, that we instinctively sense is behind the |
| plant or eating a tomato from your own vine is | | | | language of symbols, suggests that such truths are |
| spiritually nourishing. Spiritual gardens should not only | | | | eternal and we yearn to have access to them. That |
| be aesthetic creations, but must in some way, trigger | | | | is why we are attracted to various forms of |
| the "spiritual experience"- that personal revelation | | | | symbolism, myth and legend." |
| connecting you to the larger whole. The feeling you | | | | In order for someone to create and design their own |
| get when gazing upon a flower, that its meaning | | | | sacred or spiritual garden space, the foundation must |
| mystically unlocks a key to its sacred symbolism | | | | be in place. Certain basic design principles should be |
| revealed through ancient wisdom. | | | | followed along with appropriate site planning principles |
| These thoughtful realizations can be achieved through | | | | that would apply to any location. |
| profound awareness of the physical objects and their | | | | After the foundation is in place, the transcendental |
| associated meanings. For example, let us say that we | | | | qualities are incorporated in such a way so that the |
| are going to plant a special tree in the garden. We | | | | garden builder can customize it to their needs. This is |
| are going to call this tree the "Tree of Life" as we | | | | how one personalizes the garden. The elements |
| have read about this concept. | | | | chosen are not only imbued with their own inherent |
| In this context, the "Tree of Life" is used as a | | | | embodiments, but the garden builder adds their own |
| symbol and is obviously associated with that of a | | | | spiritual intention in such a manner that the elements |
| secret message. The term "secret message" is | | | | now have special meaning. The garden meaning has |
| interchangeable with the word symbol, but a symbol | | | | now become what the gardener associates with |
| generally has deeper meaning. A symbol is something | | | | sacred. |
| that through its outward aspect or character | | | | |