Discover the ancient practice of labyrinths

This year, we have had to learn to embrace the hearth and assume a homebody mentality. For many, the adjustment to this lifestyle change has been difficult. But, along with the challenges, we are also finding silver linings in the form of opportunities to discover and rediscover our passions. Some, for example, are becoming galloping gourmets and organic gardeners; others are gaining proficiency in a foreign language or experimenting with new ways to express themselves artistically. And there are those who are exploring different methods to exercise both body and mind, in an effort to stay physically and mentally healthy.

One woman I know decided to create a labyrinth on her property. A labyrinth, not to be confused with a maze, is a pathway comprised of concentric circles that wind to a center, then back out again. A maze, however, has several different paths heading toward the center. 

Courtesy of Lori Stonecipher

There are various types of labyrinths, including Classical (most widespread), Roman, Medieval and Contemporary, and the number of their circuits varies. You can also categorize them as left-handed or right-handed, depending on the direction of the first turn. 

Labyrinths date back four thousand plus years. They were an ancient practice, developed and used by many faiths as a walking meditative tool, and were often the site of rituals and ceremonies. 

Labyrinths can be found all over the world – in churches, at parks and schools, outside museums, in forests, and at private homes. You’ll find them chiseled on stone, carved on walls, made into mosaics, stamped and imprinted on coins and jewelry, sewn into textiles, planted in gardens and set into floors.

The traditional way to walk a labyrinth is to begin at the clearly indicated entrance and proceed along the path, which is often lined by stones. When you reach the center, you’re halfway, and it’s time to turn around and return to the start. 

Courtesy of Lori Stonecipher

There’s no set pace when walking a labyrinth. Nor do you have to have a specific aim or purpose for your journey. The walk offers a chance to get in touch with your inner thoughts, be present in the moment, release emotions, or gain clarity into a particular problem. Additionally, it can provide an opportunity to clear and quiet your mind. 

Though the labyrinth is most often used as a tool to achieve spiritual and psychological benefits, it is also viewed as an art form. The labyrinth has intrigued and inspired artists for years; many who regard it as a symbol of human inventiveness and imagination, rife with hidden meanings. Entire exhibits have been devoted to interpreting the labyrinth, both literally and figuratively.

Santa Fe, New Mexican resident Lori Stonecipher spent two and a half months building her labyrinth. She had wanted to make one for a number of years, but never had the space nor the time to accomplish her goal. 

Labyrinth at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church in Santa Fe, Photo by Debbie Stone

When the pandemic began, Stonecipher decided to start planning the project. Over the course of the summer, she completed it. She admits it required a lot of physical work, as she had to clear the area, haul the rocks and then place them. “It was hot, dusty work, but it was satisfying to see it grow,” she says. “Building it definitely helped me get through the summer. Working outside is always a release for me and I wanted to have something to show for this time of isolation. Something positive.” 

Stonecipher got interested in labyrinths on a vacation in South Africa when she walked one located on the ridge of a small canyon near her hotel. The experience instantly became an indelible memory. Since then, she has sought out other labyrinths in her travels and also within her own community. 

The city of Santa Fe actually has over forty labyrinths; many which are free and open to the public. And there’s even a Labyrinth Resource Group in town, which has been involved in the design/construction of many of the labyrinths in the area, including ten at elementary schools. The organization also hosts labyrinth walks and labyrinth building workshops throughout the year.

Stonecipher’s labyrinth is forty feet in diameter and outlined in river stones. It is a Chartres style with a Santa Rosa design that has a “heart-space” square. She chose this style because it was similar to labyrinths she had enjoyed previously. Currently, she has a large rock in the center of the labyrinth, but hopes to put a small fountain there in the future.

Museum Hill labyrinth in Santa Fe, Photo by Debbie Stone

The Santa Fe woman walks her labyrinth often. And she doesn’t always follow the traditional pathway. “Sometimes I walk straight to the center and do some exercises, yoga or chi gong, then walk straight out,” she explains. “Sometimes I just wander around it a little bit without following the path. My dog, Rutledge taught me this technique.”

For Stonecipher, the labyrinth gives her a way to be in nature and self-reflect. She comments that it’s very versatile depending on your mood or the stresses or successes happening within your life. “Walking the path and making the turns can bring up issues I’m dealing with and it helps me realize that there is usually never a straight pathway to your goal,” she says. “More often you come to unexpected turns that take you further away, but if you keep walking you will arrive at your destination sometimes in an unexpected way and time.” She adds, “For me, walking the path is a metaphor for life. You never know for sure where you are in your own labyrinth of life.”  

Feature photo courtesy of Lori Stonecipher