Labyrinth in the Snow

A few of us gathered at the site of the Carleton Place Community Labyrinth one night this past week - and we created a temporary labyrinth in the snow.  We wanted to send healing energy to a dear friend and this seemed the best way to do so.  We started by tromping the seed pattern in the snow, then walked and marked out the fields in an ever-widening circle - and created a 5-circuit classical labyrinth!

The waning full moon was hidden by the clouds, but the snow was beautiful, powdery and sparkly.  We each brought some luminaries and carefully placed them at the centre of the labyrinth.  We realized that we could only walk the labyrinth once, because as we walked the path would disappear.  We gathered in a circle at the centre and recited this lovely caim prayer, with a mantra added in for good measure.  We felt a great sense of peace and a feeling that all would be well.  Then we made our way back out along the snowy path and headed to our warm and cozy homes!

And here are a few other labyrinths in the snow for further inspiration!  If you have ever made one - we would love to see your photos!

Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant Awarded!

Our year of fundraising has been capped off with some very welcome news!  Our Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant application was successful.  Here is the posting from the Foundation website that pretty well sums it up!
Town of Carleton Place $15,000 over one year to create a permanent, publicly accessible labyrinth on the grounds of the Victoria School Museum for residents of all ages and abilities.

Thanks to everyone who has helped along the way to make our dream of establishing a permanent labyrinth in Carleton Place a reality!

Creating a Beach Labyrinth!

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to travel to Sanibel Island, Florida with a very good friend of mine.  We stayed with her parents at their condo and had lots of time to walk on the beach.  It seemed like the perfect time to build a Beach Labyrinth!  Following is my journal entry about the experience...

Today was beach labyrinth day!  We headed to the beach around 10:30 in the morning, not a cloud in the sky and it is around 70 F.  We walked towards Bowman's Beach first, then headed the other way to find the perfect labyrinth making spot.  I brought my beach labyrinth making materials with me: step by step instructions from Melissa Gayle West's book ; an image of the Chartres labyrinth; two garden stakes and a long piece of white rope.

I started laying out 12 concentric circles.  I kept the centre small intentionally (2 1/2 - 3 ft. across) to keep the overall size of the labyrinth manageable. I then found the entrance and marked off the four directions on the outer edge of the circle. And slowly, but surely I carefully walked and laid out the Chartres Labyrinth pattern on the beach! 

Eventually I stuck Pen Shells in the sand to mark each turning point! My friend's mom helped to build a dyke and a wall of Pen Shells to protect the labyrinth from the incoming tide.  The wall followed the curve of the edge of the labyrinth - and it helped to contain the space nicely.  People were drawn to the space and asked about what I was creating. 

The finishing detail was to add small shells in between the petals of the rose at the centre - and then I did the full walk.  The most magical moment of all - as I was walking - I sensed something and looked up to see several dolphins cavorting and playing joyfully in the ocean!  I stopped for that moment and felt simply amazed by the day and the whole experience.  And this simple thought entered my mind: 

"Out with the old, in with the new!" 

The next morning I went back to find the labyrinth still there and could see some additional footprints on the path.  Someone else had enjoyed a meditative walk on my creation!  I am now back in the wintery landscape and I know that the beach labyrinth has been washed away - but the feeling of having done this lives on inside of me - and I feel refreshed and energized!



Building the Labyrinth!

Our dream of a creating a permanent community labyrinth in Carleton Place is coming true!  Here are some photos that capture the process...

Piles of pavers!

Future garden

Travelling and Unravelling - FranceIreland 2010

Unravelling myself from all demands

Seems a daunting task

But I persevere

For it seems I need time to “just be”

And discover something new about me

I’m not sure why I must do this journey

All on my own

Will it become clearer as the days go by?

As the outer landscape keeps changing

I feel more and more at home in myself

Contained by the ancient gothic arches

I stretch and grow

Seeking a clear sign of a new direction

Content to be where I am

And realizing there is no need for perfection

Finding new companions to share the journey

I learn many lessons

Will they apply to me at all in the future?

It’s not necessary to know now

Just to reflect and listen to the profound silence

And consider the landscape.

And ponder how it came to be

So many questions, not enough answers

Only time will tell

A profound appreciation

For gathering around the hearth

And a need to spend more time at the well

The fountain of divine spirit and inspiration

Time spent well

Will allow for replenishment

And an awareness of how to be

much more present

I feel replete, stronger, strengthened

and assured

That I am going in the right direction

I feel profound gratitude

Cleansed, blessed and refreshed

And a strong sense of connection

To my Celtic ancestors

I just know I have a place to go

And time to get to really know

Where I have been!

Labyrinth Luminaries - Available for Rent!

A few months ago the Carleton Place Labyrinth Committee had a scathingly brilliant idea to improve the luminaries that we use to light up our labyrinth!   We decided to use wooden blocks with the centre of the block cut out to hold either a wax candle tea lite or battery candle. These blocks would be easy to use and were reusable, plus they stabilized the paper bags they would sit in, and not blow away or collapse easily.

The Labyrinth Committee contacted a few friends and family members to ask them if they would be kind enough to make us a few of these blocks, –we ended up with over seven hundred of the blocks ! I guess you might say we had a “wooden block blitz,” there was so much enthusiasm from these wonderful carpenters we were quite taken back by their hard work and generosity in supporting us, on this venture.We are looking forward to using these blocks many times for our future events to "light the path" at the Labyrinth Walks.

To help support our ongoing Carleton Place Community Labyrinth  fundraising campaign we are also making these "Labyrinth Luminaries" available for rent! Just imagine the lovely warm glow that can be added to a wedding or other outdoor festivity!

For more information and to book your rental please contact:
Christine Hume 613 859 2136
christinehume@bell.net

Memories of Chartres

When I took the Veriditas Facilitator Training with Rev. Lauren Artress in May of this year, she mentioned the Veriditas programs held in Chartres, France.  In particular there was a one week program called "Walking a Sacred Path: The Spiral of Transformation" planned for the first week of September, 2010.  I was immediately drawn to the "idea" of going there.  I mentioned this in an email to a good friend - and she instantly replied and encouraged me to follow my intuition.  I was already going to Ireland for two weeks to visit cousins of my Mom's that I had met in 2008.  How hard would it be to add one more week and travel to France first?

As I planned my trip, I began to realize that I was going on a Pilgrimage, a special journey that I had to do on my own.  Here is a definition of "Pilgrims" that seemed particularly fitting:

"People passing through territories not their own, following their own spiritual compass".

My week spent in Chartres was simply magical!  Rather than staying at Maison St. Yves with the rest of the group taking the workshop - I stayed at a lovely B&B (Chambres d'hotes MFL) on rue Muret. 




Entrance to my B&B, built in the 17th century!

Each morning as I wandered up the hill, looking up at the awe-inspiring Gothic cathedral that towered over the landscape, I found it hard to believe that I was actually there. And continually thought how great it is when you follow your instincts and go and do something that you feel really drawn to do!

View of Notre Dame du Chartres from rue Muret

Early in the week,we had plenty of time to explore the Medieval village on our own.  After the morning workshop, I wandered each day and enjoyed spending time in a Horticultural Garden; picnicking by the Eure River; peering down interesting alley ways; walking through the Cathedral; sitting in sidewalk cafes savouring a perfect cafe au lait, having a glass of wine at the historic Le Serpentine Cafe! I was perfecting "the art of doing nothing", giving myself time to "just be".

Lovely tree with ivy ground cover at le jardin d'horticulture

Beauty beyond the wrought iron gate

Picnicking by the Eure River - bliss!

Another aspect of the trip to Chartres was the opportunity to go on a tour of the crypt and a tour of the cathedral.  And also the chance of a lifetime to walk the labyrinth at Chartres! We were very privileged to be able to participate in a private, after hours candlelit labyrinth walk on the Thursday evening.  The labyrinth at Chartres is covered by chairs during the week, and only during the tourist season (from May through to the end of  September) - the chairs are removed early on Friday mornings and promptly moved back over the labyrinth late in the afternoon.

The centre of the labyrinth is divinely lit from within!



The labyrinth at Chartres fully revealed, we are walking a well-travelled path!

I have been back from my travels for almost a month, and know that I have been affected profoundly by the whole experience! This message from a labyrinth card pulled twice during my week at Chartres sums it up nicely:

I walk in reflection of the completed lesson and I choose to move forward. I am at peace!

The view from Maison St. Yves, anything is possible!