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Geographical Review January 1996, 86(1), pp. 59-71. Sacred Landscapes and the Phenomenon of Light Barbara A. Weightman ABSTRACT: Light is fundamental to religious experience, and its symbolism pervades the geography of sacred landscapes. As sun, fire, ray, color, or attribute of being and place, light serves as a bridge between interpretation of landscape and religious experience. To see the light cast upon places orients believers in otherwise undifferentiated space, grounding them in context of home. As sacred places are created, an inner light outweighs outer darkness, and spiritual journey commences. Keywords: hierophany, light, religious symbolism, sacred landscape DR. WEIGHTMAN is a professor of geography at California State University, Fullerton. To contact the author: Mail: Prof. Barbara A. Weightman Geography Department California State University Fullerton, California 92634-9480 U.S.A. Phone: (714) 773-3161, (714) 449-5223 fax