Labyrinth

This labyrinth is searchable on www.labyrinthlocator.com

History Of Labyrinths

Labyrinths have existed for thousands of years. They have been found on every continent and the earliest from thousands of years BCE. They may have been used in funerals, in weddings, in childbirth, during festivals, for time-keeping, & for good fortune or protection.  The root pattern of the labyrinth may come from the idea of a meandering river. Labyrinths should be distinguished from mazes as a labyrinth is unicursal, that is it has a single path. You cannot get lost in a labyrinth no matter how complex; you need only to follow the path.  Christian traditions began incorporating labyrinths during the Middle Ages. Labyrinths were used in cathedrals as a way to make a pilgrimage, traverse a sacred path, when travel was not possible. Author Helen Curry suggests that in the Episcopal tradition it may be helpful to think of the labyrinth as a sacrament (an outer symbol of an inner grace).

The original 11-circuit labyrinth of Chartres was completed in the year 1200 inside the cathedral in Chartres, France. It was planned intensively and in detail; Its novelty was that it was walkable & its symbolism was based on mathematical elements. The architects of the Middle Ages were fascinated by numbers. The circle is the symbol of the eternity, the infinity, and the omnipotence of God. There are 113 graduations at the outside of the perimeter (also called lunations). The Chartres labyrinth has a diameter of 12.858 m/42.2 ft including the lunations. The length of “the way” is 261.5 m/~866 ft., (about 1/3 of a mile).  The center has a diameter of 2.94 m/~9.75 ft. The six inner petals follow the harmonious division with 3, 5, 7 and 10 units, which consists of partial circles. In the small clover-leaf of the closing the square root of 10 is expressed.

The rose of six petals was the “Mystic Rose” for Mary, well known in the Middle Ages, & popular among alchemists. Although the natural rose has only five petals, here probably the number six was chosen to demonstrate perfection. The six petals may be seen to represent in clockwise order: mineral, vegetable, animal, human, divine & unknown.  (One exercise is to give specific gratitude while standing in each petal.)

This Labyrinth

This labyrinth has the same dimensions as the Chartres labyrinth in France but is made with different materials and is intentionally 3D instead of flat.  It therefore demands close attention to walk it without knocking over stones.  (If you knock over a stone, no problem, just set it back.) The stones in this labyrinth are mostly granite from the Green River Quarry. The stones in the East direction are local river rock from the Oklawaha creek.

*Note: this labyrinth cooperatively created with visitors who brought some of their own stones from different areas around the world.  This labyrinth was dedicated to wounded healers.

EXERCISES

No wrong way to walk a labyrinth. 

That being said… If walking a labyrinth with others, one may find it helpful to agree on a few things such as maintaining quiet or space, whether or not to pass slower walkers (usually ok), etc.

Why walk a labyrinth?  Varies.  Curiosity.  As a part of a transition (job, move, death, illness. loss, new opportunity, etc.).  As an aid to problem-solving.  To stimulate artistic creativity or relational connection.  To manage stress or anxiety. 

  • Psychology Suggested exercise: Problem Solving or Stress Management
  • Begin with an intention/idea/issue/problem in mind before stepping into the labyrinth.
  • Walk in to the center with this intention.
  • Make the six gratitude steps; and “place the issue” in the center.
  • Walk in the same path out of the circle leaving the issue behind in the center.

Walking as a three-part exercise: (can be used for coping with grief and loss, healing of relationships, forgiveness or expressing thanksgiving, or opening the flow of creativity.)

1) LET GO OF WORRIES AS YOU WALK IN,

2) EXPERIENCE RESTFUL PRESENCE IN THE CENTER

3) PRACTICE AWE AS YOU WALK OUT.

Other Intention Possibilities:

  • As a Pilgrim “I am a pilgrim seeking…”
  • Notice and name one’s Emotional state: At start, At Center, & On Completion
  • Embodied Mindfulness (try not to knock over stones or get “lost”)
  • Attention: Choose a prayer/phrase/word to repeat while walking the path
  • Simply with Curiosity
  • In Memory of ________________
  • With Thanksgiving for ______________
  • For Creativity with ______________
  • For Identity in _____________
  • In Communication w/someone (at same time from center & start, or one behind other, etc.)
  • In practice giving self/others Grace for walking the labyrinth “wrong” (knocking down stones, getting “lost,” bumping into others, others too slow/loud, boredom, irritation, etc.)
  • By simply asking yourself if there is any “take-home” point after your labyrinth walk
  • With Spiritual Intention (A.C.T.S. – Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, & Supplication)

Can also try:

  • with music
  • barefoot
  • without intention

These same exercises can be done with just a finger labyrinth.  Patterns from different traditions include: Chartres (Christian French), Cretan (ancient Greek), Man in the Maze (Indigenous North American), Ely (English). 

Labyrinths can also be used for team building and cooperation.  For example, simultaneously traversing the same kind of path with a friend. 

For Permission to walk the labyrinth, please contact us.