the Labyrinth's curving path...
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At its simplest definition, a labyrinth is a path, usually circular in design, leading
to a center point where the walker pauses for meditation, and then retraces the
same path outwards once more. Dan Brosier, a Unitarian Universalist minister
thinks, "The labyrinth is here to keep the spiritual dialogue open-to be a
reminder that there are a number of paths to the sacred."
There is no doubting the resurgence of interest in this ancient path at
the turn of the Millennium. Beyond its spiritual and mystical dimensions,
it is sought out as a means of empowering creativity, to help deepen
self-knowledge, and as a tool to guide healing.
In the U.S., much credit for "rediscovery" of the labyrinth is given to
Dr. Lauren Artress, Canon of Special Ministries at Grace Cathedral
in San Francisco. Her 1991 encounter with the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral
in France led to her writing Walking a Sacred Path, a seminal text for those
wanting to learn more, and to the development of an ever expanding program,
Veriditas: The Worldwide Labyrinth Project. I completed my training as a
labyrinth facilitator with Dr. Artress in 2002.
My work with labyrinth has led me to create my own portable
15' labyrinth using a design called the Chalice Labyrinth, a
combination of the Classical (7-Circuit) and Chartres patterns.
(photo on Gallery page) Pictured below is Morningside Labyrinth,
the 7-circuit labyrinth I made in my backyard overlooking the quiet
beauty of the Unadilla Valley. The photo was taken the morning before
Winter Solstice in 2006. Regardless of the design, all labyrinths are
based on sacred geometry offering a meditative space to listen to ourselves,
to connect with the divine as it we understand it, and to dance
to the rhythm of the earth. (see other labyrinth links on the Links page!)
