Linking Labyrinths

While visiting a lovely labyrinth this summer, the thought of "linking labyrinths" occurred to us. We felt drawn to connecting with other labyrinths locally, and throughout Eastern Ontario. Reflecting on this now - I am pretty sure that the labyrinth walk that day - and the wonderful companionship that we experienced - prompted this message to come through!

Unique thyme labyrinth built by Elvia Scullion and her husband.

At the centre - a small piece of tile rescued from a Cathedral during a recent visit to South America.



Symbols of love and happiness abound!

A short while later, without having done any more than thinking about "linking labyrinths"  - we received a list of local labyrinths!  And after participating in the Labyrinth Pilgrimage Tour of the Ottawa Valley we were invited to post upcoming event information on a new website to help us stay interconnected.  You will find the list of local labyrinths on the home page of this site.  We highly recommend planning a visit to one or more of these labyrinths sometime in 2013!

"We believe if we work together and support each other in our labyrinth walking, we can nurture even more healing in the world." 



Labyrinth Events for 2013

We are thankful for everyone that walked the Carleton Place Community labyrinth - or just gave themselves time to sit quietly on one of the benches this year.  Here is our schedule of labyrinth events for 2013 - hope to see you soon!

Weekly guided walks every Tuesday morning from 9:00 am to 10:00 am - June through October.

May 4th World Labyrinth Day. Annual global event celebrated each year on the first Saturday in May. You are invited to “Walk as One at 1” to effect a rolling wave of peaceful energy as the world turns at 1 pm on May 4, 2013.

June 20th “Walk in Peace” at the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth. Join us at 5:30 for this evening peace walk, bring along a picnic supper, and enjoy the gardens, music and guest speaker. Beverages will be provided.

“The mind can go in a thousand directions, but on this beautiful path, I walk in peace. With each step, the wind blows. With each step, a flower blooms.”

~ Thich Nhat Hanh

September 21st “5th Annual Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk”. 7 p.m., Over 600 luminaries light up the labyrinth path along with the warm glow of lanterns of all shapes and sizes. Join us for music, bonfire and refreshments. Bring your own lantern creation or borrow one from us. A fun, free, family event in celebration of the Fall Harvest.

The Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, 267 Edmund Street, is located on the property behind the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum.


For more information call Debby at 613-257-1014 .

Reflections from a Labyrinth Pilgrimage

We had the privilege recently to go on a "Labyrinth Pilgrimage Tour in the Ottawa Valley", facilitated by Ruth Richardson, Registered Nurse and Labyrinth Facilitator. This course was offered through Algonquin College's Personal Development Institute.  We visited seven labyrinth sites in and around Ottawa.  We got to meet the people who created them, hear the stories of their labyrinth journies and had the opportunity to walk a few of them.

Entrance to the Bennett-Lindsay Labyrinth in Burnstown, Ontario

Going through my notes from the Labyrinth Pilgrimage I found some words that I had written after our labyrinth walk in Burnstown.

Sharing with you

A sunny fall day

The mown path before me

Twisting and turning

Uphill and down

Uneven ground

Like my life’s journey

Nature's texture is here

Stalks of tall dry grasses

Seeds pods of new life

Fall softly as I brush by

Soft and woolly plumes

Caress me as I walk on

I sidestep the thistles

Sharp and prickly

The hurts along the way

Like my life’s journey

Wild flowers fading

Colours of yellow, purple and white

Appear unexpectedly

As the smile on my face

The calm in my heart

Celebrating the joy

Of my life’s journey

- Debby Lytle, September 29th, 2012

Memorial Maples at the Labyrinth

We were very pleased to be called recently by the Councillor responsible for the Veterans Tree Program in Carleton Place looking for locations to plant 93 Autumn Blaze maple trees. We could have two of these for the Labyrinth with only one condition. There would be a plaque with the name of the veteran, dates and other information - a granite marker placed flush with the ground.

We think the beautiful autumn trees will make a lovely addition to the labyrinth.  The symbol of a labyrinth is a symbol of peace and remembering veterans is a way to reinforce the message  that we do remember and we do not want war to happen again.

When digging the hole for the tree a very large rock was uncovered and removed from the hole. We asked it if could be placed over close to the area where our Welcome Sign will be installed - and ever obliging it was picked up by the fork truck and lifted into place. Amazing!!

A perfect fall day for planting!

Town crew planting the Autumn Blaze maple at the labyrinth.

A lovely addition to Labyrinth Park!

Harvest Lanterns Light Up the Night!

On Saturday September 29th, the warm glow of lanterns of all shapes and sizes will illuminate the path of Carleton Place's community labyrinth for our 4th annual "Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk". Festivities take place at 7:00 pm. behind the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum at the corner of George and Baines Streets in Carleton Place.

The Labyrinth Committee of Carleton Place invites you to bring out your lanterns and join us in an evening walk. Hundreds of flickering luminaries will be set up along the labyrinth’s path and colourful handcrafted lanterns will be set aglow in Carleton Place’s recently declared “Labyrinth Park”.

TLC Chairperson Debby Lytle says: “Along with a candlelit path lit by hundreds of luminaries, expect to enjoy music, and free refreshments – all chosen for the harvest theme. For those who are new to the labyrinth experience, it’s a perfect chance to visit the site and discover the serenity and simplicity of walking a labyrinth."

The "Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk" has become a popular fall event, as individuals and families from across the region bring along their festive lanterns, enjoy a walk in the crisp autumn air, and cozy up to a roaring bonfire. Garden benches and a wheelchair-accessible contemplation ring encircle the labyrinth for those who wish to relax and watch the candlelight.

Thanks to support from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, the Town of Carleton Place and individuals and businesses within our community, this permanent labyrinth can be visited at any time. A Committee volunteer is available onsite each Tuesday from 9 to 10 am. throughout the fall to provide a guided walk.

For more information, contact Debby at 257-1014

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The Gift of our Weekly Walks

Colourful flower box at the entrance sign

We have greatly enjoyed being "keepers of the labyrinth" this summer - while taking turns hosting the Weekly Walks at the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth on Tuesdays from 9 am to 10 am. Whether someone new comes to learn about and walk the labyrinth, or not - it has truly been a gift - to spend a quiet hour tending to the gardens and the labyrinth paths and being "in the moment" in this peaceful place.
 

Here are some reflections about the Weekly Walk on Tuesday August 28th...
"I am never alone when I walk the labyrinth. Although no one came to walk today I was surrounded by nature's little miracles. When I first arrived a dove was resting on the path, on closer inspection two plump babies had been artfully hidden under the large green leaves in the hosta border. Mother dove and I gave one another the once over, seeing me as no threat to the little ones, she cooed some cautionary advice to her babies, and flew off - leaving me to mind her wee ones.

Momma Mourning Dove on the Contemplation Ring



Plump babies artfully hidden in the Hostas

 Not long after a black squirrel quickly scampered through the labyrinth as if in a panic realizing that he was woefully behind in the nut gathering and storing activity of fall. A chickadee sang cheerfully over my head as I was weeding under the Amur Maple.

On this beautiful morning I was mindful of small miracles."

Debby

The good news is - there are still nine more weekly walks - as we will be there from now until Tuesday October 30th!  Give yourself the gift of some time spent at the labyrinth, who knows what you will discover?

A Wonder-filled Walk for Wellness!

We were blessed with glorious weather for the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth's Walk for Wellness, held on Saturday, June 16th!  We set up rest stops for the five senses all around the labyrinth - and encouraged visitors to take their time to visit these stops - as they prepared for their labyrinth walk.

Comments and feelings about the day were captured on a Reflection Poster.

The Sense of Sound

Inspiring Music and Thought-Provoking Questions to Ponder!

The Sense of Sight

Take some time to look around you, you will be surprised by what you see!

The Sense of Smell

Taking time to notice different fragrances can be a heady experience!



The Sense of Touch

Sit quietly and trace the path of the labyrinth with your finger - you will be touched by the experience!

The Sense of Taste

Slow down and take time to savour the flavours!

What words, symbols, feelings or sounds best describe your experience on the labyrinth today?

Overcome with gratitude

Happy

Relaxing and freedom

Connection, The whole world is one family

Moments of memory and glory

Surprised

Peaceful

Calm and connected to abundance

Love and connect with all human beings

Inspiration, connection, gratitude, hope. Thanks!

It was a wonderful walk with my loving husband whom I love so much. Thank You.

Fellowship

So very spiritual, peaceful

Being grounded in the moment. Beauty

Peace, beauty, nature, Thankfulness

Faith, family, love

Joyful, thankful for this beautiful space

Walk for Wellness & Weekly Walks!

Dear Community Friend and Neighbour,

“Solvitur Ambulando… It is solved by walking” Augustine

You are invited to come to the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth to experience the peacefulness and healing energy it has to offer. Labyrinths have been walked for centuries as a way to improve physical and mental health. They can be used as an everyday tool to relieve stress, clear the mind, give insight, empower creativity and urge action.

We are fortunate in having an outdoor grass labyrinth right here in our community (corner of George and Baines Streets in Carleton Place, Ontario).

This summer we are offering a number of FREE events and guided walks. We are especially excited about our Walk for Wellness being held on June 16th from 10 am till noon. This event will be an opportunity to learn about labyrinths, experience a guided walk and participate in some engaging and fun wellness activities.

We will also be  hosting weekly guided walks from June until October. These guided walks will occur every Tuesday morning from 9 - 10 am. What a great way to start the day!

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Debby Lytle at 613 257-1014 or dlytle@rogers.com.

We hope you can join us and walk the path.

The Carleton Place Labyrinth Committee

 

Walk for World Labyrinth Day

Walk for World Labyrinth Day at the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth 1:00 pm. May 5th 2012
It's spring and time to walk the labyrinth again!

Join us on Saturday May 5th for our first event of 2012 as we "Walk as One at 1" in celebration of World Labyrinth Day. The newly built stone-bordered pathway of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth is situated in a peaceful garden setting behind the Carleton Place & Beckwith Heritage Museum at the corner of George and Baines Streets.

World Labyrinth Day, declared in 1998 by the international organization The Labyrinth Society, brings people together globally to recognize the labyrinth as a symbol, a tool, a passion, or a practice. This will be the fourth World Labyrinth Day walk for the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, as we join enthusiasts from around the globe who will walk their local labyrinth at 1:00 pm in their local time zones.

If you are a labyrinth enthusiast, or you are new to the labyrinth experience, this walk will be the perfect introduction for you. Labyrinths offer a special place in a community for people to come together for significant celebrations, to resolve a problem, to enjoy a meditative walk, or to simply take time out of a busy day.

Completed last year, the labyrinth construction was made possible by the Town of Carleton Place, individual, business & community sponsors, and a Trillium Foundation grant. Garden benches and a wheelchair accessible contemplation ring encircle the labyrinth for those who wish to stay awhile and enjoy the natural setting of the newly declared "Labyrinth Park".

Members of the volunteer Labyrinth Committee will also be there - we invite you to experience the good feeling walking a labyrinth can make in your life!

For more information contact Debby Lytle: 613-257-1014

Bringing an Idea to Life!

Last August I was inspired to send an outline for an article idea to the editor of the Veriditas Labyrinth newsletter.  I noticed that the "theme" for the Fall/Winter issue was "Photography, Technology & Research". I thought that the story of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth, and our use of this blog and our FB page, to help support our fundraising campaign, might be of interest to the newsletter readers.

Here is the email I sent to the Editor and her almost immediate response!

Hi Robin:
Attached is an outline of an article we would like to propose for the Veriditas Fall newsletter. We understand that the final issue of 2011 will have a shared them of “Photography, Technology and Research”… Let us know if you think this article fits your theme – and if so – what are the guidelines (ie. number of words, number of photos needed, and deadline for submission)…
Thanks!
Christine Hume
Volunteer – Carleton Place Community Labyrinth
Veriditas Trained Facilitator

Hi Christine!
Thanks so much for contacting me about your article idea. I love it (and your blog is wonderful, too)! Thanks for following my blog and our Facebook page, too. I will be sure and follow you back.
Please limit your submission to 500 words and include 1-3 high quality photos along with the name of the photographer so we can credit that person as well (even if it is you). Also, please attach a short bio on yourself as the author that we can include at the end of the article.
We'll aim to publish by late November, so if I could have your piece by Friday, October 7th, that would be great!
You've really boosted my spirits today, I want to thank you. Working on the Veriditas Journal is a labor of love. I always tell myself, if even one person reads it and gets something from it, then it will be worth it. Still, it is so nice and encouraging to actually KNOW we have readers out there...
How did you like The Caregiver Issue? A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to write an article for the Journal on "The Many Labyrinths of Canada." Loved learning about your beautiful country....
Have a great weekend!
Peace for your Path,
Robin

I am so proud to say that our article "Building an Online Footprint, One Step at a Time" was published on pg. 11 of the Winter issue of the "Spirit of Veriditas" Newsletter - and you can read it here! 

Interesting labyrinth view!