The Goddess Garden Atlanta

The Goddess Garden is an Atlanta institution among ecospiritually-minded feminists and Alt Art types on the East side of town.

Shasta Zaring created the garden back in 1990 as a sacred urban wilderness habitat honoring the divine feminine in all religions and spiritual pathways. Women come to the garden to connect with nature and each other. Local folk artists make donations. Kind neighbors come and go to help tend the grounds. It's a lovely communal space. 

I first met Shasta nearly 10 years ago through my MIL and loved reconnecting with her at her home to visit and learn about the garden. She is an incredibly kind and gentle woman - classic hippie vibes, with a very sharp memory and an astute interest in a variety of eco-theories. We talked about the relationship between ecology and spirituality, photography and light, liminality and the "veil", and art as a conduit between Earth and Spirit. It was a lovely primer for understanding the vignettes and design of the garden, as well as her approach to inviting the space to express its own agency as a living, breathing, everchanging sanctuary. 

As the midday sun slipped into a thick summer afternoon haze, the 820nm grays softened and a mellow light bathed the grounds. It was the perfect moment for infrared to be in conversation with the space. I really enjoyed my time here. 

https://www.goddessgardenatlanta.com/