It Takes Many Hands to Make a Labyrinth

Carleton Place Community Labyrinth

2nd Annual Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk, September 25, 2010

6:10 pm. and we are elbow-to-elbow frantically filling hundreds of paper lunch bags with newly planed cedar candle holders, jiggling the votive candles into place, several worried glances skyward to check for storm clouds... the dark clouds are hovering...but so far we are dry...

A little boy arrives early. He stops several paces away and curious about the flurry of arms and elbows and paper bags and cardboard boxes asks: "What are you doing?"
"We're making a labyrinth, someone calls back,"want to help?"

Without hesitation, the child races forward, eager to pitch in, and becomes instantly immersed in the important job of placing hundreds of paper bags that will hold the evening's candlelight along the path. This little boy has become a part of the evening's event, much like the wonderful friends and family members who quietly appear and offer a helping hand when we most need it.

At this moment, it occurs to me why the public events that we hold for the labyrinth are so worthwhile; it takes a lot of work and cooperation to hold a successful event, but the labyrinth gives us all the opportunity to pause and enjoy life's moments... So it may rain (and it DOES!) But that's okay. People gather under the tents, warm up with Ronette's delicious apple cider, listen to our guest musicians Claire and Amanda, and share a joke about the drizzly weather.

As the day light dissipates and darkness transforms the site; a spiral path that people have walked for centuries emerges, twinkling and comforting, as a constant stream of people arrive. Little boys charge through the rows, mothers carry toddlers, little girls are dressed up for the occasion in their harvest best, and many others are simply pacing it out in a slower fashion, involved in a private thought or sorrow.

Each labyrinth experience is always a little different, but the outcome always feels the same as we survey the glowing site and heave a collective sigh of satisfaction. It takes many hands to make a labyrinth. We watch as perfect strangers, old friends and new friends come together to spend a couple hours walking together to celebrate harvest on a September evening in 2010.

Blog Post by Karen Kiddey, Photography Neil Haesler

Harvest Lanterns Will Light the Labyrinth

Saturday September 25th in Carleton Place

A parade of candlelit lanterns will illuminate the way for the second annual "Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk" on Saturday September 25th from 6:30 to 8:30 pm., at the Victoria School Museum on 267 Edmund Street in Carleton Place.

Make your own Lantern and Bring it to the Harvest Lantern Walk!

The Labyrinth Committee (TLC) invites you to join the second annual labyrinth walk celebrating the beginning of autumn-- the seventh in a series of public walks that have taken place since the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth was first created on the museum grounds in July 2008.

The Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk was a big hit last year, as families from across the region brought along their festive lanterns and more than a hundred participants enjoyed a walk to celebrate the bounty of autumn. Along with a candlelit path lit by hundreds of luminaries this year, expect to find a roaring bonfire, music, and free refreshments - all chosen for the harvest theme!

"Public walks such as these also bring community awareness to the beauty and simplicity of walking a labyrinth." says TLC chairperson Debby Lytle.

Bring along a chair, and a lantern and join us as we celebrate harvest-time with a candlelit lantern walk along the path of the grass labyrinth!

And don't forget to sign up for the Free Workshop: Learn to Make Your Very Own Harvest Lantern on Saturday September 18th.  To register contact Heather at: 613-257-7604!

NEW – Lantern Making Workshop

Fun for the whole family - learn how to make your very own lantern! A FREE lantern making workshop is being held at Brush Strokes at 129 Bridge Street, in Carleton Place on Saturday September 18th, from 9 am – 11 am.

This event is being organized by the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth committee, in preparation for the Harvest Lantern Labyrinth Walk coming up on Saturday September 25th.

Make your own lantern and bring it to the Harvest Lantern Walk! Lantern decorating supplies to be provided, bring a mason jar if you have one.

Space is limited, so register early!
The workshop is FREE, freewill donations appreciated.
Any proceeds will help build the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth
For more information or to register:
Email: Heather Lebeau at n-lebeau@sympatico.ca
OR phone: 613 257 7604

Labyrinth Workshop for You and Your Dog!

Experience the Labyrinth:
Walking in Balance with Your Dog

NEW DATE - Sunday June 26, 2011

11:00 am – 4:00 pm, Pakenham, Ontario

Join us for a fun half-day session in a lovely country setting!

You will learn some simple techniques for

walking in balance with your dog.

And also be introduced to the benefits

of walking a labyrinth, on your own

and together with your dog.

YOUR FACILITATORS:
Jacquie Christiani: Guild Certified TTouch Practitioner
Christine Hume: Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitator

TTOUCH & LABYRINTHS…
Tellington TTouch is a method for enhancing the mental, emotional and physical well-being of your companion animal, based on cooperation and respect. It is used to support veterinary care, training and behaviour modification. An additional benefit is increased understanding and more effective communication between humans and animals. It uses a series of circular touches & leading exercises through groundwork equipment, one being the labyrinth. During this session you will learn why the labyrinth may be helpful for your dog and how to lead your dog in balance using some of the TTouch techniques.

HUMANS & LABYRINTHS…
The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool that is thousands of years old. It’s a single, circuitous path that leads you into the centre and out again. It’s not a maze designed to trick you, confuse you or engage you in decision making. There is one way in and one way out. Walking the “human” version of the labyrinth can help you calm your mind, find your centre, and promote healing and growth.

HUMANS, DOGS & LABYRINTHS…
This session was inspired during a “human” labyrinth walk. We will be exploring the connection between the labyrinth used for TTouch groundwork and the Classical labyrinth. We will close the day with a meditative walk in a Classical labyrinth with both humans and dogs.

DO I NEED TO BRING A DOG?
Participants may choose to bring a dog, but this is not a requirement. We anticipate there will be a sufficient number of dogs for everyone to experience the labyrinth, walking in balance. Space is limited for 4-legged participants, so register early!

Luna and Cajun relaxing on the Grass Labyrinth created especially for this workshop!

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED
Cost: $30.00

A portion of the proceeds will go to the Arnprior Animal Shelter

and to help support the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth.

For more information and for registration forms:
Email: zydecocajun@earthlink.net
OR phone: (613) 624-5530

Trillium Foundation Grant Application Update

The Carleton Place Community Labyrinth Committee has applied to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for funding to support the building of the permanent community labyrinth. We will hear whether we have been successful by the beginning of November. The funds from Trillium will be used in the creation of the labyrinth itself as well as enhancing accessibility features of the site.

Our ideal is to have an accessible paving stone pathway from the parking lot to the labyrinth and a path wide enough for wheelchair use around the outside of the labyrinth. We also hope to have two seating areas that can accommodate wheelchairs. Our dream also includes the provision installation of a permanent finger labyrinth -- allowing anyone who cannot walk the 0.5 km labyrinth path to "walk" the miniature version. The Trillium foundation grant will play a pivotal role in making these dreams a reality. Wish us luck!

Deborah Conners, CP Community Labyrinth Grant Committee

Strawberry Social and Labyrinth Walk

The Strawberry Social will be held in the gardens at the Victorial School Museum on July 10th, 2010 from 1:30 until 3:00 with the Carleton Place and District Community Band playing and refreshments and food served.  Several Carleton Place Community Labyrinth committee members will be on hand and the labyrinth will be available for an open walk!

A portion of the proceeds raised at the Strawberry Social are to be donated to the Labyrinth. Your support for this event is most appreciated.

Community Gathers Around the Labyrinth!

A big thank you to everyone that was drawn to attend the "Lure of the Labyrinth" event last night!  The weather cooperated and the skies cleared just in time for the setup.  Everyone found a seat around the firepit and we were honoured to be able to share in the blessing of a new drum.  The Sisters of the Drum formed a circle around the sister with the new drum.  A small pebble was placed at the centre and tobacco was spread carefully on top of the drum. The new drum owner turned slowly and stood at each direction, while the rest of the group drummed joyfully.  We could see the tobacco bouncing and dancing on the top of the drum.  What a beautiful ceremony and special way to open up the labyrinth for our Summer Solstice walk!

After a brief introduction everyone was invited to walk the labyrinth!  They were encouraged to carry a small stone with them - and on the walk in to think about "releasing" any stressful thoughts and taking this time to slow down and enjoy the walk.  They could let go of these thoughts at the centre - by symbolically leaving the stone there.  And then "return" back out to join the community gathering...

The new stones that  mark the entrance to the labyrinth were also "warmed", they make a perfect bench and a place to rest before or after your walk.  They are also a solid reminder of our commitment to have a permanent labyrinth built here!  We were thrilled to hear that $1,000 had been donated to our fundraising campaign bringing the new total to over $7,800!  We continue to be amazed at the power of positive thinking and very thankful for the community support.

 And finally as the evening was drawing to a close and dusk was setting in - our little votive candles came to life and lit the way!  In closing I have to say "Meegwetch", a First Nation way of saying much more than "thank you".  By saying "Meegwetch", a general feeling of happiness and gratitude over the existence of something or someone is expressed as well as a spiritual connection!