Come and use our labyrinth – the gate is never locked – or at least it usually isn’t!*
Walking a labyrinth is an age-old form of meditation, pilgrimage, and repentance. The most well-known labyrinth is in Chartres Cathedral outside of Paris, built around 1200. Many labyrinths are modelled from this design and are in or around churches. However, their purpose today has extended beyond religious seeking, and they are often walked for grieving, therapy, and meditation. While the designs of labyrinths vary, they are not mazes – you can’t get “lost” in a labyrinth. The single path leads to a centre that depicts a flower, cross, or other symbol. Then, when you are ready, you retrace the path out of the labyrinth, taking with you resolution, healing, or peace.
Making, Marking and Mowing our Labyrinth
After finding the classic ‘Chartres’ 7-ring design we sketched it on the grass with emulsion paint. We made it large enough to accommodate a wheelchair – and importantly our gardener’s lawnmower – although it can be heavy going over the grass although it can be heavy going with a wheelchair.
Once we had the painted outline, we asked our gardener from Evergreen Garden Services to mow between the painted lines. In this way the labyrinth simply grew itself.
* We are engaging several contractors to help us put some things right both in the Meeting House itself and the garden and if we feel that there is a danger to the public in using our labyrinth then we will temporarily lock the gate and apologise for any inconvenience. Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible!