Labyrinths

What Can a Labyrinth Do for You?

A labyrinth is an archetypal pattern that leads you on a journey along a prescribed, meandering path to a central goal, which when used as a walking or running meditation provides one of the easiest and most effective ways there is to become centered, present, balanced, relaxed, or rejuvenated.

Chattering minds are calmed, troubled hearts are soothed, and the body, mind and spirit are reunited. Many people gain fresh new insights about themselves or radical solutions to problems, because labyrinths open a portal beyond our normal waking consciousness into more expanded states of awareness.

The labyrinth is an archetypal symbol rich in metaphors for the journey through life. But it is much more than an image or symbol. It provides a pathway you can actually walk to experience the power of its metaphors viscerally, in your own way and according to your own timing.

Many people consider the labyrinth to be a path or temple that opens into the Divine. Since the ego and rational self must be surrendered to find the divine within, labyrinths offer a process and place to connect with the “deep self” and with the Cosmos.

The design of the space that holds a labyrinth is as important as the creation of the labyrinth itself. The power of a labyrinth to center, balance, relax, rejuvenate, heal and inspire can be greatly enhanced — or seriously compromised — by its immediate surroundings.

Through my three decades of creating labyrinths, I have developed eight essential criteria to guide the design of labyrinth spaces, based on my observations of the myriad ways people use labyrinths and interviews with walkers about their experiences. My unique approach is also the result of combining my background in architectural and landscape design, geomancy and feng shui, environmental psychology, sacred geometry, and earth energy dowsing.

Typical stages involved in the design and installation of a labyrinth:

• Choosing the labyrinth design that best matches your intended use. Each labyrinth has a distinct look and feel, and provides a different walking experience. For this I draw on my decades of research and testing of different types of labyrinths and mazes.

• Finding the most conducive location, taking into consideration a wide range of visual, physical, and subtle energetic conditions by employing geomantic site analysis, dowsing of site energies, feng shui design and communicating with the spirit of place.

• Choosing the most auspicious entrance and orientation to create contemplative and aesthetically pleasing views on the way in and out, and at the center of a labyrinth journey.

• Designing the space that surrounds and holds the labyrinth in a way that enhances everyone¹s experience in the labyrinth. Creating a sense of place and sanctuary that furthers the ability to focus on the walking meditation.

• Guiding the choice of materials and installation method, taking into consideration the level of maintenance the caretakers want to take on, and the ways the labyrinth will likely be used.

• Directing the layout of the design onto the surface, and supervision of contractors during installation.

Grace Cathedral, San Francisco, CA

• Labyrinth design consultant (1991-96)

• Guided creation of canvas, carpet and terrazzo labyrinths, using sacred geometry procedures to generate all the dimensions from a unifying division of the perimeter circle

• Devised orientation to mimic Chartres Cathedral's alignment toward the summer solstice sunrise

Angela Retreat Center, Santa Rosa, CA

• Co-designed and facilitated community installation with Dr Lea Goode-Harris

• Medieval 6-circuit "Siweards" Labyrinths in Courtyard. Designed

  6-fold Mandala metal grate for drainage catch basin at center, extending into Painted Mandala

• Classic 7-circuit Labyinth Painted on bottom of abandoned swimming pool, which became favorite spot for staff meetings and lunches

American Society of Dowsers Conferences

• West Coast, UC Santa Cruz (1986-89); National Convention, VT (1988 & 1991)

• Introduced thousands of dowsers to labyrinths (Classic and Chartres)

• Directed research project to discover and document beneficial effects of walking and running labyrinths (aura expansion, balancing, healing, etc.)

Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa, CA

• Designed labyrinth and enclosing sacred space garden

• Facilitated painting & installation of entrance arbor, bench and container plantings

• Co-facilitated as part of annual service project by the Center’s Spirit in Nature Group

• Entry arbor, bench and container plantings were added the following year to create a contained sacred space garden for labyrinth walking meditators

Memorial Hospital, Santa Rosa, CA

• Re-located and designed new Classic seven circuit labyrinth to replace a barely visible, under-utilized smaller labyrinth

• Collaborated with landscape architect to create a peaceful garden setting and sense of privacy with an encircling hedge and a bench nestled under a conifer tree

• Led workshop for staff to learn range of ways to use labyrinth with patients and families

Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Santa Rosa, CA

• Designed labyrinth & surrounding landscaping as part of renovation of community plaza in front of main sanctuary building

• Gave presentation to congregants to give suggestions on how to use their new labyrinth

Willard Middle School Community Garden, Berkeley, CA

• Planned & Coordinated Painting by large group of volunteers

• Part of East Bay Labyrinth Project’s mission to create a permanent Chartres style labyrinth in a public park

Temporary Labyrinths

• At dozens of conferences in US and UK (1986-present), introducing thousands to labyrinths

Duboce Park, San Francisco, CA

• City’s first official labyrinth in a public park

• Conceptual design for labyrinth and redesign of park landscaping to provide container for labyrinth use, in collaboration with landscape architect.