At Trinity during Lent, our Women of Faith group has been doing a labyrinth study using the book A Labyrinth Year: Walking the Seasons of the Church, by Richard Kautz. The structure of these sessions is that, as I read from specific scriptures, the women assembled either walk the brick labyrinth at Trinity or do finger tracing of labyrinths (which I’ll explain in a minute). Then we share thoughts and feelings about our experience.
This contemplative Lenten practice has, of course, led to our doing some research into labyrinths to deepen our understanding of this ancient meditative practice.
The Labyrinth in Spiritual Life
Dating back more than four-thousand years, the oldest European labyrinth was found on the island of Crete. But labyrinths are found all over the world in a variety of cultures and beliefs.
The most famous labyrinth is in the nave of Chartres Cathedral in France and was inlaid in the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France in 1201 AD.
For practices of Christian meditation and labyrinth walking there are several labyrinth designs. The Cretan is one of the oldest (over 4,000 years or more), simplest, and most widely used patterns in the world. It is made up of eight concentric rings that double back in the first passage and emerge again. Our Trinity Labyrinth, located on the landing just above the Parish House, is a Cretan design.
The Chartres is the most popular design in North America. The Simple Chartes shares the identical walking path as the Cretan. Also known as the Dromenon, it predates the Chartres and may have been developed by the Druids who used it for healing and spiritual growth ceremonies.
The Roman labyrinth style is an angular version of the Cretan. It’s divided into quarters where you finish one quarter before moving on to the other, then into the center and out again. It’s often referred to as linear or straight-line thinking. Interestingly, this is how the Romans laid out their cities, too.
The Ely is a unique design that was created by Ely Cathedral in England during an 1870 restoration. The cathedral’s west tower is 215 feet tall. The labyrinth is laid out beneath this tower and has a path 215 long from the entrance to the center and back out in a compact space. This symmetry is a wonderful example of sacred geometry.
From a non-Christian origin, the Man in the Maze design comes from the spiritual tradition of the Tohono/O’odham tribe in Southwest Arizona and New Mexico. The unisex figure at the top may represent a child (Creation) being birthed by its mother (Mother Earth). The design looks like a dreamcatcher and may trap unwanted thoughts and feelings the walker carries, and once out of the labyrinth, she is left both lighter and freer.
Walking Within
Labyrinths are designed to be walked. Whether for mental or physical meditation, they express humanity’s quest for something more.By walking in conscious intention, they help us get in touch with the great journey buried in our hearts. We may be surprised at some of the unexpected sensations and spiritual experiences that walking or tracing a labyrinth can unearth for us.
Unlike a maze, which is designed to confuse or keep us lost, a labyrinth is designed to help lead the way to our core. It’s a tool that helps us bring a spiritual reality into a tangible experience.
There’s no correct way to walk a labyrinth. And as I mentioned, you an also trace a labyrinth path with your fingers while listening to chants, scripture, a sermon, or in silence. Doing so is a great way to have access to the labyrinth experience when the weather is bad, when mobility is an issue, or simply as an alternative to the walking experience.
With labyrinths, prepare your mind and open your heart to the presence of God. Trust and go forth.
We invite you to visit the Andrew Lane Memorial Labyrinth at Trinity at any time. Enjoy walking it in your own way whenever the mood strikes, when you’re looking for a contemplative practice, or even regularly, to see what visiting the labyrinth again and again can do to support your spiritual journey.
And we have several more sessions of our Spring 2022 Women of Faith Labyrinth sessions remaining. To discover this wonderful practice with others, please join us in the Foster Room of the Trinity Parish House every Wednesday from 11am-Noon through April 6. You don’t need a copy of the book to attend — just come and be welcomed as you journey into the labyrinth.
