In a world increasingly dominated by screens and digital distractions, Wisdom of Place invites readers to rediscover the profound, often-overlooked relationship between nature, myth, and the human spirit. Blending the ancient wisdom of tarot with the deep ecological insights of landscape architecture, authors Chip Sullivan and Elizabeth Boults illuminate the sacred language of the land, urging us to reconnect with the spirit of place—the genius loci—that has long guided human consciousness.
This groundbreaking work consists of two complementary elements that enhance and illuminate each other: a richly illustrated book and an accompanying set of tarot cards. While the book delves deep into the theoretical framework and philosophical underpinnings of place-based wisdom, the specially designed tarot deck transforms these concepts into visual meditation tools, allowing readers to directly experience the sacred connections between landscape and consciousness.
Through a unique fusion of storytelling, symbolism, and environmental awareness, Sullivan and Boults reimagine the tarot's archetypes as a gateway to understanding the natural world and our place within it. Each card in the deck corresponds to chapters in the book, creating a dynamic interplay between visual symbolism and written exploration. As readers engage with both elements, they discover how ancient mythological patterns continue to shape our relationship with the landscapes around us.
In this Q&A, the authors share their inspirations, personal experiences with the mystical power of place, and how they hope their combined work—both book and tarot deck—will inspire a renewed reverence for the landscapes that shape our lives. They discuss how these two formats work together to deepen our understanding of place-based wisdom, offering both intellectual insight and practical tools for spiritual connection with the natural world.
What inspired you to write Wisdom of Place and explore the connection between tarot, myth, and the natural world?
We are both landscape architects and teachers. One of the foundational principles of our profession is the concept of genius loci, or spirit of place—the idea that there are unique forces, patterns, and processes—ecological and cultural—that are present and act upon the land in a characteristic way. Every day of our lives we are in the presence of this genius, yet we fear that people are no longer attuned to it as were our ancestors. We can’t hear the mountain, see the wind, or feel the forest without an app.
For millennia earth spirits were venerated and worshipped. Early peoples believed that the boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm was not fixed. People came to know the essence of the deserts, mountains, seacoasts, plains, and forests where they lived, and developed narratives and practices based on their awareness and knowledge of their environments. Cultural values were embodied in myths and folklore, informed by everyday experiences of the natural world.
Historically, tarot was a storytelling system based on archetypes of human consciousness. The tarot employs a rich symbolic vocabulary. We adapted this allegorical framework by associating the meaning of traditional tarot figures with ideas, concepts and manifestations of the genius loci, to expand the context of environmental consciousness.
The book is structured around tarot archetypes—how does tarot help us understand our relationship with nature?
The tarot is a story of a journey to enlightenment. Similarly, in the quest for a more sustainable future, people need to cultivate a broader understanding of the earth’s ecological systems as well as its spiritual essence. We use the tarot format as a creative catalyst to explore the meaning and symbolism of nature-based beliefs from around the world and their expression as a landscape lexicon. For instance, we interpret the traditional Wheel of Fortune as the Hydrologic Cycle—representing the dynamic equilibrium of water on the earth’s surface. Figuratively, and literally, periods of drought may follow periods of flood, and vice-versa.
Can you share a personal experience where you felt a deep connection with the genius loci, or spirit of place?
As creative partners we share a deep sensitivity to all aspects of the genius loci as well as an appreciation for the serendipitous. In our travels and in our own backyard, the practical magic of place has revealed itself to us in remarkable ways. For instance, several years ago, on a research trip to Italy, we booked accommodations at a remote agriturismo near the town of Assisi. The Abbazia di Vallingegno was a former Benedictine abbey. We are both extremely superstitious and hyper-attuned to the vagaries of nature, so in order not to frighten each other we refrained from mentioning that late every night we both had seen bright flashes of light outside the window. At the end of our trip, when we drove out along the cypress-lined entryway for the last time, we spotted a small shrine at the bottom of the hill, set into a little hollow. We hadn’t noticed it before, so we stopped to do some sketches. The shrine was adjacent to a spring and decorated with freshly cut flowers.
Turning onto the main road, we saw a Franciscan monk with his thumb out. We looked at each other and thought (even though we never pick up hitchhikers!) how can we not give this monk a lift? We understood enough Italian to grasp that he wanted to give us a blessing. We agreed, appreciating the rarity of the circumstance. He asked to be dropped off at the next intersection and got out of the car. We suddenly realized that we should have offered him a gratuity, but when we turned around, he was gone.
When we returned home we learned that the abbey was once the site of a Roman temple to the genio. The name “vallingegno” stems from the Latin valllis genii—“valley of the spirit.” We were embarrassed to have missed the significance of the name of the place given our experiences of its ghostly lights! Furthermore, we discovered that Saint Francis frequently visited the abbey on his pilgrimages to La Verna. No doubt a strange coincidence that in that very location we gave a ride to a hitchhiking Franciscan monk who disappeared into thin air.
How does the book merge spiritual traditions with modern ecological concerns?
If one believes that the river is your mother, you’d be less likely to pollute it. Our research led us to find commonalities in how people from different parts of the world have traditionally valued and cared for the elements of nature—water, earth, air, plants, etc. Sharing stories and traditions of environmental stewardship and the role of the genius loci in different cultures can bring humanity together. Folklore is tied to conservation. For example, on every continent one can find forests and groves that are regarded as sacred precincts, places of wonder and mystery, the abode of the dryads. Yet woodlands also provide ecosystem services, such as filtering air, providing habitat, supporting biodiversity, sequestering carbon, etc. They are spiritual as well as ecological resources.
In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, why is it important to reconnect with nature on a spiritual level?
Evidence has proven that access to green space and interaction with nature benefits one’s physical and mental health and is critical to wellbeing. Technology can be an interface that removes us from direct contact with nature, replacing instinct, intuition, and first-hand experience as sources of knowledge and eliminating the need to understand the metaphysical forces of nature. Too many screens! Without authentic and tangible experience to draw from in today’s virtual world we are in danger of losing our ability to make sense of the landscapes around us and to appreciate the spirit of place. Biophilic design unites people with the living landscape, and promotes consciousness of our planetary home as a garden that needs tending.
How do you hope readers will apply the insights from Wisdom of Place in their everyday lives?
We consider the 78 images in the book and deck as pathways to enchantment—artful representations of metaphors that help realign spiritualism with environmentalism. We explain each figure’s significance as a component of nature and of human imagination. Readers can interact with the content to gain new knowledge about natural systems, to find personal inspiration, to stimulate creative thinking, and to encourage positive action. We hope that Wisdom of Place not only enriches readers’ environmental literacy but also restores their sense of wonder at the world.
What is one key takeaway you hope readers will gain from this book?
We hope readers will regain an understanding of the sacred language of nature and recognize the magic and mystery in the landscapes that surround them, prompting them to take better care of the earth.
Where can people find Wisdom of Place and follow your work?
The book and deck are available for purchase through the publisher’s website, ORO Editions, and by order at Amazon.com as well as through your local bookstore. More information about us can be found on our thewisdomofplace.com and on Instagram @wisdomofplace.
