Saturday 1 May 2021

It's World Labyrinth Day!


I miss regularly walking a labyrinth. The Riverdale Labyrinth, my favourite local one, ceased operations a couple of years ago and I haven't adopted a new one yet. Now that nice weather is here again, I should drive around Edmonton and see if any of the outdoor labyrinths are still maintained and available for walking.

I've been walking both Pagan and Christian labyrinths since 1997. This spiritual practice of "walking meditation" appeals to me. Over the years, I've walked many labyrinths in western Canada, England and Maui. I hope to walk many more!

To celebrate World Labyrinth Day, here's some photos courtesy of the internet --




Creating a labyrinth by light projection -- how clever!



This next one is my favourite -- how gorgeous! I hope it's not just photoshopped.


If you're interested in learning more about labyrinths or seeing my labyrinth travels, click here for my archived posts -- happy scrolling!

49 comments:

Marie Smith said...

Fascinating! I’d like to try it!

Boud said...

I haven't walked the labyrinth in ages. It's my main spiritual practice and I must restart now it's possible again. Thanks for the reminder.

Travel said...

Reminds me to take a moment to stop and think about nothing but being.

Bob said...

They are all so beautiful.

Mistress Maddie said...

Im at mother right now...otherwise i have a labyrinth in Doylestown i could walk.

pam nash said...

Think I might need one of those in my back yard. Do they come with someone to keep it pristine, you think?

Martha said...

I want to do this too!

Parnassus said...

My favorite is the all-green one between the projected one and the yellow tree.
--Jim

Moving with Mitchell said...

Oh, I have some surfing to do. I have never experienced a labyrinth... except for life in general.

Moving with Mitchell said...

I forgot. I did once do a corn maze in Santa Barbara. Meh.

Mike said...

I wondered if there were any labyrinths around me. Not many I found out by using this... https://labyrinthlocator.com/home
I guess if I find some I'll add them to the site.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Mike -- Thanks for that link! I've often used the World Wide Labyrinth Locator to find labyrinths but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to get updated all that often and discontinued labyrinths never seem to get taken off it either. But it was invaluable to me when finding labyrinths in Maui!

The Blog Fodder said...

It is also outdoor naked gardening day

Tundra Bunny said...

The beach labyrinth is appealing to me as I feel most rejuvenated when in, on or around water. Somehow, I don't think that aquatic labyrinths would be very popular though, LOL!

Rosemary said...

I wonder which labyrinth you walked in England? There is one in Reims Cathedral dated to 1290, and another, which I found to be particularly impressive in Chartres Cathedral.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Rosemary -- I walked the Glastonbury Tercentennial Labyrinth located on the grounds of St. John the Baptist Church near Glastonbury's downtown area.

Forsythia said...

I prefer large, established, perhaps ancient labyrinths to small, crowded ad-hoc just-for-today labyrinths.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i love walking labyrinths and wish there were more around me.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Those ones you can only see from an aerial view, those entice me most. I can't fathom how they were created, from a ground's eye view.

Happy Labyrinth Day!

Guillaume said...

I love a good labyrinth. I wish I had known it was world labyrhinth's day today.

Bruce.desertrat said...

This is an ancient Tohono O'Odham motif as well: https://earthart.org/happenings/kiva/labyrinths.html My mom has avery nice basket made by a Tohono O'Odham basketmaker with that one it.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Bruce.desertrat -- Yes, so lovely! Labyrinths are found in many cultures, including indigenous. The sacred path concept resonates with everyone!

Joanne Noragon said...

I love homemade labyrinths in back yards and side yards and back forties.

Magaly Guerrero said...

The projected labyrinth and the one made of petals are so cool. You know, I've never walked a labyrinth. I shall add it to my list.

Happy World Labyrinth Day, Debra!

Kirk said...

Oh, jeez, those for sure would bring out the obsessive-compulsive in me.

presstfortime said...

Mesmerizing to look at, and a real treat to walk, I'm sure. Wonderful photos and post!

Leanna said...

There is a nice little labyrinth outside a church nearby. I try to go walking every day even though it's not advisable for the daytime. I've been able to walk the labyrinth once. It was very calming.

mshatch said...

I like the green one and I can totally see how it would be calming to walk. We have no labyrinths in Maine that I know of.

Polly said...

I would like to walk a labyrinth but I don't think I have ever seen one, I need to be more observant. The yellow one is stunning.

This N That said...

The closest thing to a labyrinth around here are the corn mazes in the fall...Love the one with the yellow leaves..The winds we've had the last few days would take care of that in no time..Enjoy your Sunday..

Marcia LaRue said...

How does a Pagan labyrinth differ from a Christian one? From your pictures posted here, they all look pretty much the same!
I have never walked one ... guess I'd have to do a search to find one in S. CO. I must admit ... the pictures look so peaceful!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Marcia LaRue -- There are some important similarities in style, purpose and feminine bases, but also some major differences as well. The easiest way to tell you of those similarities and differences is to link to two previous posts of mine:

https://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/2010/09/pagan-labyrinths.html

https://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/2010/09/christian-labyrinths.html

Just copy and paste those urls into your search engine (unfortunately, I don't know how to hyperlink directly from a comment).

yellowdoggranny said...

I think this would be a great idea to put one out by the senior center..they walk around the building and theirs a lot of loose gravel..that field isnt doing anything since my garden.

^.^ said...

❤️ Labyrinths signify problem solving to me ❤️

Janie Junebug said...

Those are cool. I've never seen a labyrinth I could walk, but if I find one, I like the idea of walking it as a meditation.

Love,
Janie

Kay G. said...

Several Episcopal churches have them in the Atlanta area. Sadly, none of them are that close to me. Atlanta is not far but it's very far if I have to brave the traffic!

Busy Bee Suz said...

This is so cool and something I'd love to do as well. I went back and read some of your older posts; I have a feeling I might not find any in my area, but WOW. Before this, the only Labyrinth I knew of was the David Bowie movie. :)

Marcia LaRue said...

Thanks for the links! Will check them out!

roughterrain crane said...

Ginkgo labyrinth is amazing. I have never had this idea.

Liz Hinds said...

I don't think I've ever walked a labyrinth but I want to now.

Hena Tayeb said...

These are all amazing. Especially that last one. I have never given much thought to labyrinths.

e said...

There's a guy on the southern Oregon coast who rakes (with a team of volunteers) large labyrinths into the sand at the beach. Very ephemeral! They are quite beautiful. He calls them dreamscapes. Circles in the sand, near Bandon, Oregon. One of these days I will drive down there and walk one.

Martha said...

They are amazing! "Walking meditation" is soul soothing. I take very meditative walks through forest areas on long hikes. I go home feeling refreshed!

Ur-spo said...

drat! I am too late to say 'How a-mazing this all is"

Rommy said...

There's a labyrinth near me too, right by the library. LOL, so that corner is doubly magical.

Magic Love Crow said...

Love!!! I don't think there are any around me, but I should look it up and see. Thanks for the amazing post Deb! Big Hugs!

baili said...

i never walked in such amazing patterns dear Debra

they are so intriguing indeed but make me feel dizzy lol

Sue Reid said...

Debra! Good am, Are you interested in supporting/being involve din World Labyrinth day in Edmonton this year?
MAY 6? I'm on Twitter @susanjeanreid. Would love to connect - not sure how else to do so without publicly putting my email here.
All good things, Sue

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Sue Reid -- Hi Sue! I'm leaving a message for you here because I'm not on Twitter. I would definitely be interested in World Labyrinth Day in Edmonton this year on May 6th! My comments here on the blog are moderated, so feel free to tell me your email address -- I will not publish that comment so it will remain private. I hope we can connect about this!