by Mary Weber
The week before Easter the Horizons Arts Ministry was pleased to offer three days of lecture and experience for parishioners and guests alike. The subject of the program and walk was our new labyrinth, a gift from the New England Labyrinth Guild which was facilitated by Beth Mace, President of the New England Labyrinth Guild.
Led by parishioner Sybil Dana Reynolds, participants learned about the history of the ancient labyrinth and saw examples of labyrinths from all over the world which ranged from stones on a beach to giant builds covered with grass. Little is known about the origins or the builders, but most have predictable characteristics – a mystery of design shared by means we’ll never know.
Our facilitator explained the components of a large labyrinth and concentrated her examples on the one built within the floor of the Chartres Cathedral (also known as the Notre Dame Cathedral) in France. She explained the form and symbolism contained in this amazing work of stone. As an aside, she pointed out that the massive rose window of the Chartres, if taken down, could be placed over the labyrinth and it would be an exact match in size. Considering that the cathedral was built between 1145 and 1220, this does indeed become “sacred geometry.” It is named as one of the wonders of the world by UNESCO.
About our labyrinth: This labyrinth is about 40 feet square. You can see from the photo on the next page that it took up most of Spencer Hall’s width. There are three sections of canvas which are held together with Velcro strips. The design has been hand-painted. Because of the fragility of the artwork, walkers were asked to wear socks or booties over their shoes.
Our facilitator explained that it is not a maze. Mazes are puzzles meant to confound. A labyrinth is a path with a specific direction. Walking the labyrinth has you enter the same way you exit. She explained that a walk generally takes twenty minutes, but there are no rules. It’s entirely up to the person taking the walk.
As Sybil Reynolds explained, “I believe the labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool that is relevant to us today to help us slow down, to help us focus our spirits in this time of business and technology. We have to slow down, follow a narrow path, and reconnect with our spirit.”
If you wish to learn more about labyrinths, there are many videos and books available. On Amazon, check out the book Walking the Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Path by Lauren Artress. On YouTube, search for “The Sacred Geometry of Chartres Cathedral.” There is also a comprehensive website for facilitator trainings at www.veriditas.org.
Sybil Dana Reynolds is an author, speaker, trainer, spiritual director/creative mentor, and retreat facilitator. Her books are available on Amazon: Ink and Honey and The Way of Belle Coeur: A Woman’s Vade Mercum. She is the founder of The Sisters of Belle Coeur, acontemporary, contemplative, creative community. Her work is dedicated to exploring and offering practical guidance for ways to merge one’s spiritual life with everyday moments. She is also a student of iconography, a weaver, and a purveyor of beauty. She lives with her husband in Overland Park and we are so lucky to have her as part of our congregation.
(This article is reprinted with permission from the April 2024 issue of the St. Michael’s Messenger.)
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