November-Sanctuary

I love words and I enjoy looking up the origins of words and learning about their history. I chose Sanctuary for our word this month because it is what we call ourselves as a collective of holistic practitioners, and because the word itself has great meaning for me. From the time I was a little girl my family attended a church near our home. The sanctuary was my favorite part of the building. The sanctuary had large stained glass windows that flooded the space with color in the morning sunshine; it had a high cathedral ceiling with large wooden arches that went all the way from the floor to the peak of the ceiling; it had a special table called an altar where the offering trays communion elements were held and it had a huge organ and a grand piano that each made the most wonderful music! I looked forward to going to church and sitting in that sanctuary. It always felt like a holy place – and I knew that God was present there. We were taught to speak quietly and be respectful when in that space.

Sanctuary comes from the Latin ‘sanctuarium, ’meaning a sacred place or shrine. It is defined by Webster’s New 20th Century Dictionary as “a holy place or building set aside for worship;” “a place of refuge or protection: originally fugitives from justice were immune from arrest in churches or other sacred places.” The definition continues to include “a reservation where animals or birds are sheltered and may not be hunted or harmed.”

After the Columbine High School massacre years ago, it was reported that one of the teenagers had prayed, “Oh, God, create in me a sanctuary so that wherever I am, there you will be.” The truth is, we ARE sanctuaries of the Divine, and wherever we are, the Divine presence is.

The questions are: Are we aware of our holiness? Are we a sanctuary to the people and animals that cross our path? Are we a place of refuge for ourselves? Do we speak with reverence and whisper respectfully words of life to ourselves and others?

Perhaps for the next few weeks we could use an affirmation to enhance our awareness. Write on a card or on a mirror the following affirmation: “I am a Sanctuary of the Divine, and in my presence all will find a safe place to be.” Start each day by reading and believing the truth of this statement. I know that the practitioners of Sanctuary at Crossroads are all places of refuge for the clients who seek their services, creating spaces set aside for healing and wholeness. May you know and feel the Sanctuary within as you Journey through the coming month. Namaste.

Peggy Hegbar, Healing Artist