A labyrinth is a pattern, usually in the form of a circle. It has one path, circuitous in nature leading from the outer edge into the circle's centre.
"There is nothing so wise as a circle" Rainer Maria Rilke
Labyrinths and mazes are often confused, but a labyrinth is unicursal, having a single path that leads you to the centre and returns you to the entrance - it helps you find your way. In contrast a maze is multicursal, having many paths and dead ends designed to puzzle, confuse and make you lose your way.
A Chartres style, bronze finger labyrinth at the entrance to the George Square Gardens, Edinburgh
Archetypal labyrinths, their patterns passed down through the centuries have a transformational power. Walking the labyrinth's winding path quietens the mind, body and breath, creating balance and harmony. The walk becomes a meditation, allowing the walker to focus internally. This inner listening offers insight and reflection, leading to change and personal growth.
Labyrinths are used widely for meditation, healing, grieving, stress reduction, creative focus, gaining insight, celebration.
Labyrinths are used by those of all faiths and none.
The walker here is on the Chartres style labyrinth in the George Square Gardens, Edinburgh.
The history of the labyrinth appears to date back thousands of years. Labyrinths can be found in many parts of the world from Iceland and Scandanavia, through Europe to North Africa and from East Asia to the Americas.
Labyrinths have appeared in many cultures in forms as diverse as rock carvings and petroglyphs, to ancient Cretan coins, earthworks, sacred manuscripts and pavement labyrinths in churches and medieval cathedrals such as Chartres, France.
A Baltic labyrinth, designed by Jeff Saward at The Burn, Edzell, Glen Esk, Angus
Take the time to discover the quiet space that the labyrinth offers us - a space where walking becomes a meditation and a time for reflection.
Labyrinth walks invite you to explore the labyrinth and discover its power to bring transformational change into your life. Labyrinth workshops offer you time and space to explore and reflect upon your life journey and the path you walk. Labyrinth walks, enriched by intuitive art techniques including SoulCollage®, mandala painting and journaling will support the process of discovery.
Image above : Classical seven circuit canvas labyrinth (22'x22'), seen in situ at Autumn Equinox walk, Woodend Barn, Banchory, Aberdeenshire
For future labyrinth walks and workshops please see Current Offerings on my Workshop page.
Details of a new series of workshops exploring different ways to use SoulCollage® in conjunction with the labyrinth are available in Current Offerings
http://veriditas.org
http://labyrinthsociety.org
Celebrating the Celtic festival of Samhain with a fiery spiral walk!
