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                                                                             Ways to Use a Labyrinth

There are many ways to use a labyrinth, but truth be told it’s really up for interpretation by each individual. There are endless ways to use a labyrinth, however I will be listing several very common ways they are used so that they can be understood in various ways by those less informed. 

When researching the various ways to use a labyrinth, I found that the most popular usage is for a journey of life. “Walk the labyrinth while mindful of your life. Envision your life’s goal. Walk to your destiny and see what you learn. Pay attention to the sights and sounds. Do you feel lost at any time? If so, where in the labyrinth did it occur? What does that mean? What does the labyrinth teach you about your life?” (Johnston, pg.3) The reason that it is most commonly seen to be the journey of life is because the labyrinth, unlike a maze, has just one path. Similarly to life itself, walking through and reaching the center of the labyrinth can symbolize the journey that we take to reach a specific goal. It is important to travel the labyrinth alone if you are looking to do it for the journey of life, as well as to not be carrying any items on your person. Carrying things such as a cell phone of a large purse can symbolize carrying a burden or feelings of isolation. 

Another use for labyrinths can be to open up discussions for a given group of people. While walking with a group, assess who is walking faster and who is walking slower, and what does that say about those people? After walking the labyrinth with a group, have a discussion. This practice of labyrinth walking is often used in hospice care centers. “In discussion, they were able to show empathy and concern for others. Realized the need to care for themselves. Appreciated the value of support. Saw others as on the same journey but in a different place. Became aware of judgements made. Felt closer together because of the shared experience.” (Johnston, pg.6)

Labyrinths are also very commonly used for prayer. Many branches of Christianity as well as other religions use labyrinths for praying and cleansing their souls. A religious web page says that when walking the labyrinth for prayer, one should: “Bring to mind a prayer or spiritual question to contemplate during the walk to the center. When reaching the center, pause to reflect, pray, and listen for an answer or for deeper revelation.” (Bumgardner) For more information on prayer labyrinths, look at my post on the Episcopal churches.  

Another common form of labyrinth usage is for a ritual of goodbyes. This happens when a person is leaving, and a community of friends or family wishes to give their blessings and say a proper farewell. In the ritual for goodbyes, the person who is leaving enters the labyrinth first and walks to the center. Then, one by one, each person will enter in one minute intervals. The departing individual awaits for each person to reach them in the center and they give hugs and blessings and then exit the labyrinth. Once everyone has said their goodbyes, the person who is leaving will finally exit the labyrinth.   

Labyrinths may be used in wedding ceremonies as a symbol of union. “When used in marriage ceremony the groom walks in first and is followed by the bride. The officiator greets them in the center for the wedding. They walk out as husband and wife and are greeted by well wishers.” (Johnston, pg.17) 

They may also be used in baptisms; “the infant can be carried into the center for the labyrinth for the anointing and blessing with holy water.” (Johnston, pg.17) 

The final method for walking a labyrinth I will be touching on is joy walking. Joy walking can be just for fun or for lifting spirits. Some ways that people enhance their joy walking experience can be:  

Play a rhythmic music CD.

Give the participants musical instruments such as bells, rattles, tambourines, and drums.

Give participants colorful scarves.

With all of these things combined, “give some of the participants small bottles filled with a bubble blowing mixture and a wand for blowing bubbles. With the music playing the "bubble blowers" surround the labyrinth. Their task is to blow as many bubbles as they can to the labyrinth walkers who are making music or waving their scarves as they walk into and out of the labyrinth. When a walker completes the labyrinth, places are exchanged with a "bubble blower" who now takes the scarf or musical instrument and joyously walks the labyrinth.” (Johnston, pg.9) 

Sources

Articles

Bumgardner, Wendy. “Why Should You Walk a Labyrinth?” Verywell Fit, www.verywellfit.com/walking-the-labyrinth-3435825.

Johnston, Daniel H. 101 Ways to Use a Classical Labyrinth. Medical Center of Central Georgia , 2000, www.lessons4living.com/101 Ways Labyrinth.PDF.

Image

Haught, Nancy. “Walking Labyrinth's One Way to Welcome Autumn.” Oregonlive.com, Oregonlive.com, 22 Sept. 2012, www.oregonlive.com/living/2012/09/walking_labyrinths_one_way_to.html.

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                                                                            Labyrinths in Christianity

Labyrinths are very important to the Christian faith. They are often times used for prayer. Labyrinths are not as commonly seen in the typical Christian or Baptist churches in America, however, they are more prevalent in Christian churches in other countries; ie. Australia, Canada, and Scandinavia. 

“Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice used by many different faiths for spiritual centering, contemplation, and prayer. Entering the serpentine path of a labyrinth, you walk slowly while quieting your mind and focusing on a spiritual question or prayer. [...] In this way, the labyrinth symbolizes a journey to a predetermined destination, or the journey through life from birth to spiritual awakening to death.” (Bumgardner) These labyrinths are often located in the backyards of churches, so that they can be walked by the practitioners of the religion after a service. 

Labyrinths are most commonly associated with the Episcopal churches. For Episcopal Christianity, labyrinths are “a call to the center, a worship structure where the eternal beloved waits to be encountered. The labyrinth has always been associated with unity with God and conversation with the divine, with spirituality, worship, and the sacred mystery.” (Episcopal) In almost every Episcopal church lies is a labyrinth. This branch of Christianity has the most ritualistic use of the labyrinth, in comparison to most branches that rarely utilize the labyrinth in their practice. 

There is some historical context behind why Christian religions adopted the labyrinth into their culture. “Long ago, Christians were expected to travel to the holy land at least once during their lives. But as travel was often both difficult and dangerous, labyrinths were designed as alternative pilgrimages. If travel was out of the question, spiritual merit could be gained by walking a labyrinth.” (Episcopal) In this sense, the labyrinth is used as a spiritual form of travel so that they would still be able to participate fairly and properly in the religion. 

The ways in which the Episcopal labyrinth is used can be, in part, tied to magic. “Some walkers use the method of the classical threefold spiritual path: Purgation, Illumination, and Union. Purgation: As we walk in, we may experience purification. We open ourselves, cleanse our thoughts, and prepare ourselves for the encounter. Illumination: As we enter the center, we sometimes find clarity, insight, and wisdom. Unity: Exiting bearing our new peace, we may celebrate the sense of harmony, centeredness, and oneness.” (Episcopal) Indeed, this description appears to be very spiritual, however it can also be described as sympathetic magic. In sympathetic magic, practice or thoughts can be repeated to form a desired result, which is nearly magical. In this example, we are able to see how magic and religion can so closely come into contact and may even become intertwined, although religious practitioners are typically not willing to admit this. Labyrinths in the Episcopal church bring an essence of magic into an otherwise orthodox religious practice. 

Sources 

Article

Bumgardner, Wendy. “Why Should You Walk a Labyrinth?” Verywell Fit, www.verywellfit.com/walking-the-labyrinth-3435825.

Episcopal. “The Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool.” Holy Cross Episcopal Church, www.holycrossep.org/ministriesthe-labyrinth-as-a-spiritual-tool/.

Image

“Labyrinth.” Trinity Church, www.trinitywallstreet.org/tags/labyrinth.

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More About Cretan Labyrinths

Cretan labyrinths are most well known from the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. They are “based on a pattern first documented on a clay tablet from Pylos, Greece (circa 1200 BCE) and also found on Cretan Coins of 400 to 500 BCE.” (Society) Cretan labyrinths often come in a seed pattern. They come in many different styles, or circuits, which alter the length of time to get to the center, and may also alter the difficulty of them. 

The first and most common labyrinth is the seven circuit labyrinth. This is the most popular and widely known labyrinth style. 

“The seven circuits of the Cretan labyrinth correspond with the seven spheres of the sacred planets, the seven principles of the human being and the cosmos, the seven days of the week [...] Passing to the center of the labyrinth and returning to its circumference represents the involution and evolution of the universe, the coming into birth and the passing out of earthly life of an individual, and--most important--a journey into the center of our own being, the achievement there of a quest for wholeness, and the subsequent return to our divine source.” (Binford)

This is a seven circuit labyrinth located on Gotland island in Sweden, and lies right outside of the old Fröjel church. There are many seven circuit labyrinths throughout the world, but this one is very popular as many believe Gotland island is magical or haunted. It is a very mysterious place and walking this labyrinth is thought to wipe your memory of walking it.

The next most popular cretan labyrinth style is the eleven circuit labyrinth. 

This labyrinth has “eight turning points with stacked circuits. It is self-dual. That means that the way out has the same rhythm as the way in.” (Reißmann)��

This 11 circuit labyrinth is located in Australia, and is native to the Campfire in the Heart association. This is a religious labyrinth, and the association’s goal is “to provide an opportunity for people to share their story around a campfire in the heart of Australia and through that sharing, to grow in the mystery and wonder of the heart of God.” (Springs) It was created with 11 circuits rather than 7 to provide for more time in healing and spiritual experiences.

Next, there is a fifteen circuit labyrinth. 

This is the Roerslev labyrinth, the first ever 15-circuit labyrinth. It is drawn on the ceiling of a Danish church located in Denmark. To this day, there are only four 15 circuit labyrinths existing on land, three of which lie in Scandinavia and the fourth in England. Many people find these labyrinths to be much too large to walk or to build, so there is not an abundance of them like there are in 7 or 11 circuit labyrinths. 

Finally, the oldest circuit is a three circuit labyrinth. These are from the style of the Cretan coins in 300-70 BCE. 

“This is the smallest possible version of a Chartres labyrinth. And there are just two barriers possible for it. Otherwise it does not work.” (Reißmann) Since this is such a small labyrinth, they are more uncommon because of their seemingly wasteful space. Most labyrinths are spent walking to the center and back in about an hour; however, a three circuit labyrinth may take only about 20 minutes. This can feel like a waste of time to those using it in religious contexts, as they may feel this is not an ample amount of time for prayer. 

Along with the different circuits shown above, there are many other forms of labyrinths. There are medieval labyrinths, concentric labyrinths, roman labyrinths, contemporary labyrinths, and so many more. Cretan labyrinths are most commonly associated with Europe and North American regions. In Middle Eastern regions, there will be different forms of the labyrinth, such as the Padmavyuha. 

The Padmavyuha (above) is very similar but also very different from the Cretan labyrinths, being much more rounded and spiral looking. It is meant to symbolize a lotus, and is seen as a chakra used for meditation in India. This differs from the most common usage of the Cretan labyrinths, prayer.

It is important to understand when studying Cretan labyrinths and their meanings that they are not ubiquitous throughout the world, and that many other cultures/regions of the world will use different shapes and names, as well as various meanings and usages. It would take someone a very long time to identify all types of labyrinths existing throughout the world, as well as their meanings, which is why labyrinths and their geometry still remains such a mystery.

Sources

Articles

Binford, Harry, and John Algeo. “The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to Its History, Meaning and Use.” Home - Theosophical Society in America, www.theosophical.org/publications/1276.

Reißmann, Erwin, and Andreas Frei. “LabyrinthBlog.” Blogmymaze, blogmymaze.wordpress.com

Society, Labyrinth. The Labyrinth Society: The Labyrinth Society: Types of Labyrinths, labyrinthsociety.org/labyrinth-types. 

Springs, Alice. “About.” Campfire In The Heart, campfireintheheart.com.au/about/.

Images

“Fröjel.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Jan. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fröjel.

“Home.” Mid-Atlantic Geomancy, geomancy.org/index.php/labyrinths/old-labyrinths/15-circuit-labyrinths#!/ccomment.

“Labyrinth at Campfire in the Heart.” Radio National, 9 Aug. 2016, www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/spiritofthings/labyrinth-at-campfire-in-the-heart/7704460.

“Padmavyuha.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Dec. 2018, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Padmavyuha.

Reißmann, Erwin, and Andreas Frei. “LabyrinthBlog.” Blogmymaze, blogmymaze.wordpress.com

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The most common labyrinth, the cretan labyrinth, derives from the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. At the center of the labyrinth lives a minotaur: half-bull, half-man. The myth can be summarized in the video below.

In an effort to end the deaths of seven men and women each year, Theseus set out to kill the Minotaur. He was aided to and from the center of the labyrinth by a ball of string held by Ariadne. In this myth, the labyrinth is symbolic of success, in Theseus being able to outsmart the labyrinth and slay the Minotaur. However, due to the nearly tragic end of the story, the labyrinth is also a symbol of death and that one cannot (necessarily) cheat death. He became so distracted by his success that he ended up causing great misfortune to those around him. This suggests that there is a “magical” essence of the labyrinth, but it is greatly controversial. 

James McConnachie of AEON states the following in his assessment of the cretan labyrinth: “The labyrinth represents ‘a precinct within which evil was contained and into which no evil spirit would dare penetrate’.” (McConnachie) This is a practical approach when researching this myth, as it is clear that the Minotaur is an evil creature, and was only defeated by a non-evil soul. The labyrinth is a unicursal maze, that is, one path offering a simple solution to the center. However, James says that, “Of course, even in a unicursal maze you can still be defeated by the Minotaur.” (McConnachie) It is believed that without Ariadne’s string, it is likely that Theseus would not have been able to get to the Minotaur, nor would he have been able to escape the labyrinth.

In addition to all of this, we must take into account that there are many different interpretations of this myth, to which I am solely focusing on the one told in the video above. 

An interpretation of the creation of the Minotaur tells of Minos, who is sent by Poseidon to sacrifice the bull. Upon doing this, Minos’ wife, Pasiphae, falls in love with the bull. It is then that she hides in an imitation cow and “manages to seduce the bull and to copulate with it, conceiving the monstrous Minotaur.” (Conty, pg. 55) Using this interpretation to better understand the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, it suggests that the labyrinth symbolizes Pasiphae’s womb, as well as the shell of imitation cow that she hid herself in. This makes the labyrinth an evil force because it is created out of the very sin itself, that of which has created the Minotaur at the center. 

“With each new dimension explored in the myth, language changes meaning.” (Conty, pg.57) Depending on where in the world this myth may be told, and under what sociological circumstances it is told, the meaning behind the cretan labyrinth will vary. For some, it may represent a heroic force, and for others it may represent evil or death. The geometrical outline of the cretan labyrinth alone can support a “coherent structure of myth,” but will always reveal a secret meaning.

This Greek myth is where the labyrinth originated as a symbol for several branches of Christianity; in particular, it has become very popular in Episcopal churches. “In fact, Roman and early Christian mazes frequently corralled a bull-headed figure in labyrinths that were typically placed near the main door, suggesting decorative and apotropaic functions: they welcomed guests by virtue of their beauty, and warded off evil by virtue of their symbolic power. That power is derived, in the way of so much ‘sympathetic magic’ of this kind, from the very representation of the thing that is most feared.” (McConnachie) It is the labyrinth that has created a blurred line between what we define to be magic, and what we define to be religion. Sympathetic magic is used in the labyrinth’s shape to create a desired safety for the church. But is this a religious ritual, or is this simply magic? Many religious anthropologists are still studying this controversial subject today. 

Sources

Article

McConnachie, James. “How Walking a Labyrinth Can Trace a Route to Self-Knowledge – James McConnachie | Aeon Essays.” Aeon, Aeon, 21 Apr. 2019, aeon.co/essays/how-walking-a-labyrinth-can-trace-a-route-to-self-knowledge.

Book

Conty, Patrick. The Genesis and Geometry of the Labyrinth: Architecture, Hidden Language, Myths, and Rituals. Inner Traditions, 2002. (pgs. 54-59)

Video

Mann, Middleton. “Theseus and the Minotaur.” YouTube, YouTube, 20 Aug. 2007, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qrZ1clEp-Y.

Image

“The-Labyrinth-of-the-Minotaur.” Utopia or Dystopia, 15 Apr. 2012, utopiaordystopia.com/2012/04/15/we-are-panem/the-labyrinth-of-the-minotaur/.

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This is a Hopi labyrinth, a symbol they call Tapu’at. It is known to represent a mother and her child. “The lines represent stages of life, umbilical cord, and the path of moving – always within the surrounding watchfulness of the Mother. The center symbolizes the amniotic sack – the center of life – the beginning.” (Hopi Tribe) The Hopi tribe, as well as several other Native American tribes, use this particular labyrinth as a symbol of life and death, rather than a symbol for prayer (as can often be found in other cultures). One article states that, “As a ‘life-labyrinth’ we can see the various turns taken with every choice we make in life. With each choice, our path turns in a new direction.” (Hopi Tribe) In the Tapu’at, it is to be noticed that the straight line down the center “is not connected with the maze. Its two ends symbolize the two stages of life- the unborn child within the womb of the mother and the child after it is born.” (Conty, pg.169) The end of the line in the center of the labyrinth represents the safety found inside a mother’s womb, and the other end represents being released into the real world and experiencing a separation from the mother like never before. 

The Hopi people of Arizona most often use the Tapu’at during the Wuwuchim ceremony, which “marks the beginning of a new ceremonial year in the Hopi calendar. The name is believed to have derived from the Hopi word wuwutani, which means ‘to grow up.’” (Wuwuchim) With this knowledge, we can consider the Tapu’at as a symbol of initiation. “Our progress in life is an initiation into soul evolution and higher understanding.” (Hopi Tribe) To grow up and become older is to become wiser and more experienced in life. However, to be able to develop and blossom, we must be able to cherish our connection with our mothers, but also learn to initiate life as an individual apart from them. 

The Hopi people take part in spiritual labyrinth walking ceremonies as well as sweat lodge rituals, in which they purify themselves through perspiration. The deep spiritual meaning of the Tapu’at lies at the center of these rituals. The Hopi people believe that, “We begin in physical life curled up in the dark, moist center of the womb. By knowing our connection to the Mother (Earth/Divine) and by expanding our awareness into the light, we evolve, we grow strong.” (Hopi Tribe)

Sources

Articles

Hopi Tribe. “Hopi Symbol Tapuat Meanings on Whats-Your-Sign.” Whats, 2 May 2018, www.whats-your-sign.com/hopi-symbol-tapuat.html.

“Wuwuchim.” The Free Dictionary, Farlex, encyclopedia2.thefreedictionary.com/Wuwuchim.

Books

Conty, Patrick. The Genesis and Geometry of the Labyrinth: Architecture, Hidden Language, Myths, and Rituals. Inner Traditions, 2002. (pgs. 168-169)

Image

Hopi Tribe. “Hopi Symbol Tapuat Meanings on Whats-Your-Sign.” Whats, 2 May 2018, www.whats-your-sign.com/hopi-symbol-tapuat.html.

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Jim Henson’s Labyrinth (1986) is an American film that tells the story of Sarah, who must walk a difficult and tricky labyrinth in order to retrieve her baby brother from the King’s castle at the center. Throughout the movie, we can see that this labyrinth holds many secrets, and it is very magical. It changes with each direction she turns, making it nearly impossible for her to find her way through. Sarah, with the help of the many interesting creatures she befriends along the way, outsmarts her way through the labyrinth and reaches the castle at last to get her brother. The labyrinth in this film is representative of the complexity of reaching a goal, and it makes Sarah frustrated, however the labyrinth helped her to understand that she had taken for granted her brother’s existence and should watch her words very carefully from now on. This is similar to a fable, in which we see the labyrinth providing a moral at the end of the film. 

Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) is a Spanish film which takes place during 1944 Nazi-Europe. The film tells the story of Ofelia, who is summoned by a fairy to go into a nearby forest where a labyrinth lies. Ofelia does not hesitate, as it is a way for her to escape the horrible conditions in which she is living. At the labyrinth, she meets a large (and slightly frightening) faun creature. He gives her three tasks to complete before the full moon appears, and promises her that she will get to be the princess of an eternal life. Throughout the movie, she is faced with troubles when attempting to complete all of the tasks in time, and is punished when they are not carried out. After being shot by her stepfather, she bleeds onto the labyrinth and her blood allows her to become the princess (even though she did not complete the tasks given by Faun). She is in high spirits as she joins her mother and father as royalty of the eternal world. This movie uses a fictional labyrinth as a symbol of fear and evil, and then once Ofelia is sacrificed for the labyrinth, it rewards her with life it had promised. 

Sources

Films

Henson, Jim, director, 1986, Labyrinth.

Toro, Guillermo del, director, 2006, Pan's Labyrinth.

Images

“EXTRA SCREENING: Pan's Labyrinth.” Bristol Film Festival, www.bristolfilmfestival.com/event/extra-screening-pans-labyrinth/.

Mojojohnstone. “Labyrinth – 30th Anniversary Review.” Moviesonweekends.com, 21 Sept. 2016, moviesonweekends.com/2016/09/21/labyrinth-30th-anniversary-review/.