Claiming Sacred Ground

Adrian Ivakhiv teaches in the Department of Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.

"The Scots have a phrase to describe those swept up by transcendental themes: they are off with the faeries. But Ivakhiv (Univ. of Wisconsin—Oshkosh) packed his sociology of religion template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. Focusing on Glastonbury, England, and Sedona, Arizona—two internationally famous New Age power places—he analyzes the myth/history and contemporary politics at each locale. Glastonbury is noted as the burial spot of King Arthur, the locus of the Holy Grail, and the site of a terraced Tor that reflects Earth Energy. Local farmers, long—term Avalonians, and a new, rag—tag band of itinerant seekers jostle one another for social control. In Sedona, Hollywood filmmakers, retirees, and upscale realtors mingle with spiritual pilgrims amidst towering red rocks. In somewhat dense yet sympathetic prose, the author suggests that many visitors to these sacred sites may encounter the nonhuman Other, but that the message received is always personal and cloaked with puzzle and mystery. Increasing interest in these sites reflects an alternative rationalism that Ivakhiv believes sets forth a serious challenge to modern technological society and the reign of global capitalism. Superb analysis. General readers; lower—division undergraduates through faculty and researchers."—F. M. Szasz, University of New Mexico , Choice, March 2002". . . Ivakhiv packed his 'sociology of religion' template with him on his journey and the results are fascinating. . . . Superb analysis.March 2002"—Choice"The case studies of Glastonbury and Sedona are fascinating reading. Further, Adrian Ivakhiv convinces us that what matters about sacred sites is not what makes them sacred but how multiple actors, at least one of which is non-human, struggle, negotiate, and ultimately orchestrate what can and cannot happen there."—Jennifer Daryl Slack

• Preface and AcknowledgmentsONE: DEPARTURESOne. Power and Desire in Earth's Tangled WebTwo. Reimagining EarthThree. Orchestrating Sacred SpaceTWO: GLASTONBURYFour. Stage, Props, and Players of AvalonFive. Many Glastonburys: Place-Myths and Contested SpacesTHREE: SEDONASix. Red Rocks to Real EstateSeven. Vortexes and Crossed Currents: Sedona's Multichannel WildernessFOUR. ARRIVALSEight. Practices of Place: Nature, Heterotopia, and the Postmodern SacredNotesBibliographyIndex