Walking and Making Labyrinths
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The Labyrinth: Ancient, Medieval and Modern
Lauren Artress, of Grace Cathedral, San Fransico, is credited for bringing the Medieval Labyrinth to America and reviving the ancient spiritual tradition in the United States and Europe.
The Cathedral at Charte had a centuries old Labyrinth which was usually covered by chairs. Anyone interested in walking had to ask a bemused priest let them remove the chairs so they could walk. However, Dr. Artress saw the potential for spiritual discovery and brought the pattern back to San Fransico where she is a priest at Grace Cathedral.
She wrote her first book about it and people started coming to San Francisco to walk and many others to make their own.
The Medieval Labyrinth began in France, most famously the Cathedral at Chartre. It was designed for people who could not go on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was meant to symbolically represent the Holy City.
Of course, the Classic Labyrinth has existed for as long a people can remember. Pliny, talked about several in his Natural History. The Classic Labyrinth is also popular in the US.
I will talk about my experiences with the Labyrinth and give you information about getting one for your church or even your home.
The Cathedral at Charte had a centuries old Labyrinth which was usually covered by chairs. Anyone interested in walking had to ask a bemused priest let them remove the chairs so they could walk. However, Dr. Artress saw the potential for spiritual discovery and brought the pattern back to San Fransico where she is a priest at Grace Cathedral.
She wrote her first book about it and people started coming to San Francisco to walk and many others to make their own.
The Medieval Labyrinth began in France, most famously the Cathedral at Chartre. It was designed for people who could not go on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. It was meant to symbolically represent the Holy City.
Of course, the Classic Labyrinth has existed for as long a people can remember. Pliny, talked about several in his Natural History. The Classic Labyrinth is also popular in the US.
I will talk about my experiences with the Labyrinth and give you information about getting one for your church or even your home.
The Chartres Labyrinth: The Model for Grace Cathedral, San Fransico and Around the USA
My First Labyrinth Walk
I saw the advertisement in my Baptist Church for a Labyrinth Seminar at a Lutheran Church given by an Episcopalian Priest. I had no idea what it was, but I liked the Ecumenical sense of the thing.I listened at the Seminar and learned that there is a three step process. Walking in one sheds one's cares and ego, in the center one communes with God and walking out one prepares to reenter the world.
It is suggested that one go in with some intention and draw or journal at the center or after leaving.
The Labyrinth itself was a massive piece of canvas with a Medieval representation. I admit to wondering what the big deal was. I couldn't imagine how one could lose anything following a path that was preordained.
Then I walked. I was taken in very quickly, noticing that at first I came very close to the center, but then was taken away by the path, forces I had no control over. My God, that was something. I walked near the outside, the inside, I came across people going faster or slower than I or people leaving as I was coming in. And I was getting lost and shedding.
By the time I got to the middle I was in an emotional state. I sat down and felt a powerful energy. I stayed and prayed, meditated or just sat. There were tears and a calmness. People came and went, I acknowledged them, but was still in my own world.
At some point I got up to repeat the process, backward, and did feel a building. However, suddenly I was standing a few feet away from the exit. I felt a sudden rebellion and didn't want to continue, but there I was. I stood for a while and then left.
I couldn't have told you how long it took. It could have been a half hour, it could have been three. But I did know more 'what it was all about'.
The picture above is a slice of the Labyrinth at Chartre that I took in 2005. I remember marveling at how old it was. I knew it was ancient, but it was quite striking to be there.
People Building Medieval Labyrinths
These are the most precise Labyrinths to build. If you want own one, for personal use, to run seminars or for your religious or spiritual organization, you can purchase them from several companies.
However, people are also making their own. A youth in my church did a portable canvas one for his Eagle Scout project. He mapped it out and several of us helped paint it. A friend of mine used bricks to make one on her property in the country.
Here we have three videos of people making these Labyrinths.
However, people are also making their own. A youth in my church did a portable canvas one for his Eagle Scout project. He mapped it out and several of us helped paint it. A friend of mine used bricks to make one on her property in the country.
Here we have three videos of people making these Labyrinths.
curated content from YouTube
Walking, and Making, the Classical Labyrinth.
The first one I walked was out side of Asheville, NC. Two women had set one up on their country property using large rocks that they found. They say that the experience was that they were guided as to which stones to use at which places. They have it open for anyone who wants to walk. As one goes through it one notices trinkets and small pieces of jewelry that people have felt moved to leave behind.
The second one was on St Columba Bay on Iona to the Northwest of Scotland, where St. Columba first landed to start his Christian ministry and the Iona Abby. It is also made out of stone by members of the Iona Community. I was told that each year the residents make a new one. The energy of that area, one of the 'thin places' is very powerful. Of course, walking it on the Summer Solstice, which I did, added to the experience.

Labyrinth at Columba Bay on Iona, Scotland
Walking With Your Fingers
There are many ways to walk a Labyrinth and your fingers can also do the job.I own a finger Labyrinth like the one pictured. You can use it with eyes closed or open focusing on the movement. It is a great meditation vehicle.
There are many companies that sell these and other finger Labyrinths.
Great Lens on Other Types of Labyrinth Work and Symbolism
Labyrinth Links
- Evolution to Medieval Labyrinth
- This is a great link, basically about the Medieval Labyrinth but shows how the Classical evolved into the Medieval.
- Lauren Artress
- Lauren Artress talks about the Labyrinth.
- The Labyrinth Society
- Great information about the evolution of the labyrinth.
- Walking Your Spiritual Journey
- About the sacred journey of your life.
Building a Backyard Labyrinth
More on Spiritual Practice And Other Things From Margo
More on the Labyrinth

The Light
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Lauren Artress
Have You Walked? Would You Like to Share It?
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Tipi
Jan 15, 2012 @ 8:26 am | delete
- They a labyrinth in a corn field here each fall for the kids to go through during the Halloween season. Kind of fun for all ages.
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CelticWays
Nov 13, 2011 @ 4:42 pm | delete
- Stunning lens, beautifully written with passion and lovely presentation. It was a delight for me to see the labyrinth on Columba's Bay on Iona as i was a stone mason there for 11 years through the 70s and early 80s.
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hlkljgk Oct 12, 2011 @ 8:44 am | delete
- i love walking labyrinths. i plan to make one in our yarn next pring.
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HSSchulte
Oct 5, 2011 @ 2:17 pm | delete
- I agree labyrinths are fascinating. I didn't understand the significance until I read this lens. Thank you.
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Graceonline
Jul 30, 2011 @ 10:09 am | delete
- I have walked the inside labyrinth at Grace Cathedral twice and the outside labyrinth several times. On stressful days at work, I sometimes took the long bus and cable car ride to the cathedral so I could restore my spirit in the labyrinth. Every now and then, I am charmed to discover yet another labyrinth while out walking our city, or traveling elsewhere. This healing ritual seems to have moved a great many people. Thank you for a beautiful lens.
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Table of Contents
- The Chartres Labyrinth: The Model for Grace Cathedral, San Fransico and Around the USA
- My First Labyrinth Walk
- People Building Medieval Labyrinths
- Walking, and Making, the Classical Labyrinth.
- Labyrinth at Columba Bay on Iona, Scotland
- Make Your Own Labyrinth
- Walking With Your Fingers
- Great Lens on Other Types of Labyrinth Work and Symbolism
- Labyrinth Links
- Building a Backyard Labyrinth
- More on Spiritual Practice And Other Things From Margo
- More on the Labyrinth
- The Light
- Lauren Artress
- Have You Walked? Would You Like to Share It?
- The New Library: Save Space, Money and Trees
- Get Your Free Report: "How to Hire an Affordable Home Health Team"
- Labyrinths on Cafe Press
- Changing the Guard Blog
- Feed Your Cells Pure Food
- About Margo Arrowsmith
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