Climate of the Soul

“Here is a wonderful book which reflects upon the spiritual significance of ‘every kind of weather.’ Drawing on the rich use of weather images and metaphors in Scripture and the spiritual traditions through the ages, Mayes offers deep wisdom for an age of growing concern about climate change and its effects upon our lives and the life of the planet. An amazing book which will be a valuable resource for study and reflection.”


—Samuel Double, SSF, leader, the Hilfield Friary ecological project





“The ancient people and authors of the Bible drew upon images of wind, sun, clouds, and rain to express their experience of the divine. Mayes’s rich compendium of biblical resources, woven with reflections of Christian spiritual writers through the ages, opens afresh our modern eyes—beyond the wonders of supercomputers, satellites, and daily forecasts—to re-enchant our vision of the weather as a window into a bigger world.”


—Dave Gregory, Royal Meteorological Society





“In a most accessible way, Mayes shows how Hebrew and Christian Scriptures have invoked weather and the climate of our planet to illuminate spirituality and ‘the climate of the soul.’ A glorious primer.”


—John Levy, trustee, the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel





“Settling turbulence inside ourselves stimulates our settling turbulence outside, as we respond to climate change. Mayes engages with Scripture and Christian spirituality through the ages to illuminate that link between the world’s transition and our own toward what we were made to be. I found this book invaluable on a self-conducted retreat. The suggested exercises enable detachment from anxiety and refuel zeal for building a better world.”


—John Twisleton, author and broadcaster