Sacred Skies: Encountering God in the Night Sky“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims God's handiwork”
Pslam 19:1 Darkness is essential for the natural rhythms of life. Humans, plants, and animals - all living things - rely on creation’s balance of dark and light for their health, well-being, and survival. Darkness also plays an important role in almost all spiritual and religious traditions. It has been used to symbolize evil, separation from the divine, or the absence of wisdom and clarity. But darkness is also often regarded as sacred. It is a space in which humans can come close to the mystery of God, wrestle with the forces that might be keeping them from deeper connection with God and others, and ultimately rest in the presence of the divine.
In both Jewish and Christian traditions, darkness plays an especially sacred role. There was the dark quiet of the earth just before the beginning of life, the Isrealites wandered in the darkness of the desert before reaching the promised land, and Jesus lay in the darkness of the tomb before rising from the dead. Moments of joy, belonging, and connection to the divine are all complemented by the still, humble darkness that precedes them – a darkness that is necessary, beautiful, and sacred. In an age full of screens and constant consumption of goods, information, and entertainment, darkness has gotten a bad rap. We seem to be forgetting just how important it is for our physical health, our spiritual well-being, and for all of God’s creation. In response, the National Religious Partnership for the Environment has partnered with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) to facilitate meaningful discussions and gatherings with faith leaders, scientists, and hikers alike about the importance of darkness and the night sky. We are continuing to learn about how dark skies connect and sustain us, and explore how faith communities can embrace, preserve, and honor sacred darkness.
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