Alphabet Quote by Charles de Lint
“There were two forests for every one you entered. There was the one you walked in, the physical echo, and then there was the one that was connected to all the other forests, with no consideration of distance, or time. The forest primeval, remembered through the collective memory of every tree in the same way that people remembered myth- through the collective subconscious that Jung mapped, the shared mythic resonance that lay buried in every human mind. Legend and myth, all tangled in an alphabet of trees remembered, not always with understanding, but with wonder. With awe.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Forest of the Sea, Charles de Lint, 1995
The quote describes two layers of reality: the tangible world and a deeper, timeless collective memory that connects all places and minds through myth and archetype.
In simple terms: Two layers: physical forest and a timeless, shared mythic memory.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the unseen connections that bind us.
Themes
myth
collective memory
interconnectedness
nature
spirituality
Mood
wonderful
reflective
inspired
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- forest hiking
- creative writing
- psychology seminars
- environmental activism
Key Concepts
Archetype
collective unconscious
mythic resonance
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you experience collective memory in daily life?
- What symbols connect you to deeper myths?
A Different Perspective
The metaphor may be too abstract for practical application without concrete examples.
