Way of the Sacred by Francis Huxley

“The Way of the Sacred” is about traditional routes that humanity has embarked upon in its quest for the divine. It explores the means by which individuals traverse the threshold that segregates the mundane from the sacred, and how they reconcile with entities, locations, individuals, and experiences they deem awe-inspiring and enthralling due to the potent and beguiling authority they signify.

The subject at hand is multifaceted. It contemplates humanity’s concept of the soul, serving as the conduit between the physical and spiritual realms. It encompasses the cosmogonic narratives humans utilize to comprehend their personal consciousness and the system they are integrated into. It addresses the themes of surrogates and sacrifices, along with those enigmatic sacraments that facilitate divine communion. It touches on sacred spaces, sacred instances, sacred events, and sacred forces.

Primarily, it delves into the symbolism inherent to the sacred, as it’s only through symbolic expressions that the sacred can be manifested. The potency of symbols, fundamental to human cognition, lies in their capacity to enlighten and transmute the mind. The performance of sacred ceremonies can thus materialize the experience of the sacred. This experience, especially when communally participating in rites linked with procreation, maturation, seasonal activities, and mortality, significantly contributes to the establishment and preservation of societal relationships.

This book offers an imaginative perspective from a social anthropologist on the sacred, amalgamating instances of rituals, faiths, and prohibitions from diverse societies and religions to demonstrate how sacred celebrations enable humans to comprehend their roots, understand the significance of their societies, and reconcile with mortality.

Close to 250 black and white illustrations, supplemented by 32 pages of vivid colour, display a variety of artifacts that have been instrumental in humanity’s pursuit of the sacred and showcase diverse artistic interpretations representing their vision of the celestial realm.