The disciples are drawn to the high altars with magnetic certainty,
to enter the wilderness and seek, in the primal patterns of nature,
a magical union with beauty. . .
knowing that a great Presence hovers over the ranges. . .
~Edited excerpt from Ansel Adams

A garden, public or private, large or small, is not made up of just flowers, shrubs, and trees.  We who work the soil try to mimic “the primal patterns of nature” by enhancing our own personal garden “temples” with, among other things, elements like water, wood, or stone.  In so doing our hope is to create what  Adams called a “magical union with beauty.”  One way we can accomplish this is by adding portals into our growing sanctuaries that are made of wood, iron, or stone as we do with some of the “pews” we add for resting or surveying purposes.  Another way is to add light features like the one in the photo.  Water can also be added to the mix by incorporating a pond or a fountain.  It really doesn’t take all that much to create a little piece of Eden for feeding the soul.

. . .Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?  ~Matthew 23:19  ✝