Labyrinth

What is a Labyrinth?

A labyrinth is a universal mystical symbol that dates back over 4,000 years. It is usually in the form of a circle with a single path that winds purposefully into the centre and back out again. There are no dead-ends or choices to be made. Your only choice is to enter, and to place one foot in front of the other.

Labyrinths exist, or existed on nearly every continent and in nearly every major culture and system of religion. Labyrinths have been carved in stone, engraved on Roman coins, painted on clay, and woven into Native American baskets. They are found as far apart as Brazil, Arizona, Iceland, England, Algeria, Scandinavia, Egypt, India and Sumatra, and take many different forms. The earliest known Christian labyrinth was laid in the floor of the basilica at Al-Asnam in Algeria in 324 AD.

There was a great revival of interest in walking the labyrinth during the medieval period in Europe. After the Crusades, it was no longer safe to make a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. The Labyrinth represented the pilgrimage of the soul. Walking it, the pilgrim entered sacred space reaching the holy city in the centre of the labyrinth. The labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral in France was laid into the stone floor early in the 13th century. It remains there to this day. Toda/s renewal of interest in the labyrinth in North America arose in the 1990s. Canon Lauren Artress, of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco, has been key in bringing and interpreting the labyrinth for our culture and our times. She has led workshops across the continent, and also trains labyrinth facilitators. She leads pilgrimage retreats to Chartres each summer. There are now labyrinths in public parks, hospitals, schools, prisons and churches across North America.

Why would I want to walk the labyrinth?

Each of us is on a spiritual journey, looking for meaning and purpose for our lives. The labyrinth offers us a symbol for this search that is also quite literal.  It presents us with a real path upon which to really walk together. Your response to the labyrinth, and to others walking can be your mirror and teacher, reflecting how you respond to others and to your life.

How do I walk the labyrinth?

Labyrinth courtesy:
Walk in a way and at a pace that is comfortable for you. You may want to pause from time to time, or feel moved to run or dance. Use natural courtesy in passing another coming towards you, or in overtaking one who is moving more slowly than you. When you reach the centre, there is room for more than one person, so don’t feel you have to wait to enter, unless it is very crowded.

At the entrance:
Take off your shoes, to protect the canvas, unless you need them for balance.

Pause a moment to gather yourself in this time and place, to reflect on where you are in your life’s journey, and to focus on a word, question, prayer, mantra or intention for this walk. Carry it lightly with you as you walk.

Journey inward:
You may focus on your breathing, or placing one foot in front of the other. The physical action of walking a complex path with many right and left turns quiets the mind. Let distracting thoughts go, with each turn to a new direction.

The centre: is a place for stillness, leaving behind, offering, releasing, transformation, new insight. You may sit or kneel or move around the centre. Rest there as long as you like.

Journey outward:
When you are ready to leave the centre, give thanks for what you have found. You may feel lighter, more grounded, with new creativity and confidence to take risks... As you leave the labyrinth, walk around the perimeter, or sit quietly to reflect as others complete their walk

St. Peter’s Labyrinth was designed by Anne Nesbitt, a Winnipeg labyrinth designer. It is an 11-circuit Chartres-style labyrinth. It does not have the traditional 6 petal rosetta in the center, or the “lunations” around the perimeter that are found in a traditional Chartres labyrinth. The canvas is 30 ft. x 30 ft. The paths are 13 inches wide, and the centre is 5 feet in diameter.

The labyrinth was painted in Fall 2003 under Anne’s direction by members of St. Peter’s. The walls are created by spongepainting with a subtle gradation of density, size and shade.

The labyrinth was blessed and dedicated on Sunday 2 November 2003.

Open Labyrinth walks:
St. Peter’s, 755 Elm Street Thursday: 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Outdoor labyrinth facing Elm Street available at any time.

Introduction to the Labyrinth
Call 261-9713 for next date

Barbara Barnett is a Veriditas-certified Labyrinth Facilitator. She is an Anglican priest, retired from her position as Coordinator of Spiritual Care at Deer Lodge Centre, Winnipeg.

Barbara combines her training and experience in spiritual care to people of many faith backgrounds with her love of sharing the richness of the labyrinth journey.

To arrange a workshop using St. Peter’s Labyrinth (in your own space, or at St. Peter’s)

Contact Barbara Barnett: 261-9713, or email at

philbarb@mts.net

The Labyrinth Society

Grace Cathedral Labyrinths