There's another unique labyrinth in Edmonton that's fun to walk. It is a Chartres labyrinth painted in lovely lavender on a parachute, which is of course naturally round, nylon and portable. The parachute is held in place by large plastic milk jugs full of lavender sand (I love colour coordination!) It is the creation of members of Edmonton's Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, a very progressive and lesbigay friendly Christian congregation.
When I first came to the city, I used to go to the parachute labyrinth walks held in the church's sanctuary. As we walked the labyrinth in silence, a recording played of traditional Christian chants by the women's a cappella group Anonymous 4. It was a beautiful and peaceful experience!
Since then, Southminster-Steinhauer has built a permanent outdoor Chartres labyrinth on land adjacent to the church. They did a great job, as shown in this photo taken during the construction process.
I believe that the parachute labyrinth is still being used for indoor walking during the winter months when it's too cold and snowy to walk the outdoor labyrinth.
I believe that the parachute labyrinth is still being used for indoor walking during the winter months when it's too cold and snowy to walk the outdoor labyrinth.
18 comments:
-grin- You are so *baddddddd*! You caught me with that word "parachute." You *knew* that some Reader would first think of.... parachuting into a labyrinth, didn't you?????? A gullible one like me. Or a very literal one, like me. -giggles-
Very good idea though!
What a clever idea!! Using a parachute to make the labyrinth mobile. And using the color of lavender is so very soothing and peaceful.
The permanent installation is very nice.
I love your entire labyrinth series. Such an awesome concept it is.
~i really need to do some research on this and see if we have anything like this in our area...though i have never heard of anyone speak of such...you just never know...the labyrinth they created to stay is beautiful! warm wishes and brightest blessings~
This is reason enough to go visit our niece, Elaine, in Edmonton!!!!
Jim
What a great idea! Now,after reading about all these labyrinths, I think it's time for you to make one so that we can all visit you and walk the walk. I am so loving this series :)
Maybe it's just cause Halloween is creeping up but that parachute one looks like a spider web. *shudder*
Keeps those labyrinths coming, my friend. They are captivating! Even though I must confess something: I kinda keep rapping myself on the fingers because I have actually been inside the cathedral in Chartres (many a time even, I lived in Paris 14 years!) but never walked the labyrinth.... my bad! :(
That is a brilliant idea....thanks for sharing. Very inspiring.
Cheers!
where there's a will there's a way..
great idea...I am so wanting a labyrinth here..
I thought of you the other day- I was doing zentangles...they are like labrynths for your fingers :)
Who knew there were so many different types of Labyrinths? I wish there were some around here! And thank you so much for the honor with the 101 award!!! I'll have to put something together.
Absolutely brilliant! Now earnestly considering acquiring parachute! My church has - as I have mentioned - an indoor canvas Labyrinth and an outdoor one as well, both on the Chartres Cathedral pattern. I so intend to have one on my property some day...one way or another. Remember folks, there are many labyrinth patterns. The Chartres Cathedral patter is huge and complex and wonderful...but the simpler ones would work well for smaller garden spaces, for instance. The picture at the top of my blog, is me on the indoor labyrinth at my church. Blessed Be, folks!
We need more churches that that one!
I love Anonymous 4! I only discovered them yesterday on iTunes.. bought a recording of them chanting St.Hildegardes
oh how I wish we had a labyrinth here somewhere!!
I love all these beautiful labyrinths Debra...but me thinks my head is creating a unique labyrinth all my own as carefully I place step after step with absolute presence...simply to connect to the floor beneath my feet. This is a bit of a revelation as I read this...I have an internal, neurological labyrinth I've been walking for over a week...much more pleasant viewed this way!!! Thanks!
Hey Debz, the labyrinths you've been showing lately are really cool. I never realized they were more common than I thought. I'll have to do a Google search to see if there is one near my home and go walk through it.
Seems like I need to make a trip to the 'Chuck to walk its many labyrinths. I know of a couple here, but one is waaaaay outside of town (beautiful setting though) and the other is at a convent downtown that isn't always accessible. One day I'll buuild my own!
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