The Sacred Center reveals the symbolism and power behind sacred locations in ancient and modern times. Michell explains the need and role for ritual centers in modern society, while examining how ancient territorial centers were sited throughout the world.

John Michell, educated at Eton and Cambridge, is the pioneer researcher and specialist in the field of ancient, traditional science. He is the author of more than 25 books that have profoundly influenced modern thinking, including The Dimensions of Paradise, The New View over Atlantis, and Secrets of the Stones. He lives in London.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

1    Finding the Center
Sitting Around the Fire
The Infinity of Centers
Contemplating the Navel of the Earth
The Central Point of Paradise
Surveyors and Geomancers
Open-Air Government 
Modern Centers: America, Australia
Principles of Symbolic Centrography 
Ancient Egypt and Greece 
Mediolanum, the Center of Gaul

2    The Northern Isles
Picts and Vikings
The Shetland Al-Thing 
Why Did They Meet in the Loch? 
The Shetland Thing Circuit
The Pole of Orkney 
The Thing on Loch Finlaggan
Islay’s Tingwall

3    Why the Alting Met at Tórshavn
Things of Faroe
The Rock of Tinganes 
The Island Things 
Iceland’s Ideal Commonwealth

4    The Center of the Isle of Man
The Manx Tynwald 
Dividing Up the Island 
Locating the Center of Man 
Approaching the Center: The Royal Road and the Milky Way 
The Sanctuary of the Celtic High King 
Inside the Royal Precinct

5    A Diversion to the Center of England
Calculations on the Geographical Center 
England’s Natural Axis 
Meriden 
The Center of Roman Britain
Rival Centers 
A Cornish Center in West Penwith

6    The Center of Ireland
Myths of Foundation 
Kings and Constitution
Cosmological Divisions 
Traditions of the Center
The Domain of the High King
The Geographical Center and the Division of the Provinces 
The Once and Future High King: A Helpful Suggestion

7    The Cosmological Prototype

Bibliography

Sources of Illustrations

Index