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Scholars today distinguish between a maze (a multicursal puzzle with choices of path and direction) and a labyrinth (a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center).
Scholars today distinguish between a maze (a multicursal puzzle with choices of path and direction) and a labyrinth (a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center).
== Labyrinth walking as spiritual practice ==


== Types of labyrinths ==
== Types of labyrinths ==
Construction of walking labyrinths is typically of stone and gravel, or garden plantings. Finger labyrinths can be created using paper, ceramics, fabrics, or other materials. There are several common designs for labyrinths, with many variations. These are the Cretan style (left), Chartres style (center), and spiral (right):


{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
{|style="margin: 0 auto;"
| [[File:Chartres Labyrinth.jpg|200px|thumb|Chartres style]]  
| [[File:Cretan Labyrinth.jpg|200px]] [[File:Chartres Labyrinth.jpg|200px]] [[File:Spiral Finger Labyrinth.jpg|200px]]
|}
|}
== Labyrinth walking as spiritual practice ==


[[File:Labyrinth at Olcott.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Labyrinth at Olcott campus]]
[[File:Labyrinth at Olcott.jpg|180px|right|thumb|Labyrinth at Olcott campus]]
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== Online resources ==
== Online resources ==
=== Websites ===
=== Websites ===
* [https://labyrinthsociety.org/home The Labyrinth Society]
* [https://labyrinthlocator.com/ Worldwide Labyrinth Locator]
* [https://labyrinthlocator.com/ Worldwide Labyrinth Locator]


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* [http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1276# The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to its History, Meaning and Use] by John Algeo
* [http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1276# The Labyrinth: A Brief Introduction to its History, Meaning and Use] by John Algeo
* [http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1547# Going Around in Circles: The Labyrinths of Theosophy] by Atala Dorothy Toy
* [http://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/1547# Going Around in Circles: The Labyrinths of Theosophy] by Atala Dorothy Toy
* [https://educationsvoice.wordpress.com/2016/03/26/mindfulness-in-the-classroom-finger-labyrinth-meditation/ Mindfulness in the Classrom - Finger Labyrinth Meditation]. Blog entry posted March 26, 2016.


===Videos===
===Videos===

Revision as of 18:58, 10 May 2019

Labyrinth event in May, 2019

A Labyrinth (from the Greek λαβύρινθος labyrinthos) was in Greek mythology an elaborate structure designed to hold the Minotaur, a mythical creature that was half man and half bull. The Minotaur was killed by the Athenian hero Theseus who was able to escape with the aid of Ariadne, who provided him with a skein of thread.

Scholars today distinguish between a maze (a multicursal puzzle with choices of path and direction) and a labyrinth (a single, non-branching path, which leads to the center).


Labyrinth walking as spiritual practice

Types of labyrinths

Construction of walking labyrinths is typically of stone and gravel, or garden plantings. Finger labyrinths can be created using paper, ceramics, fabrics, or other materials. There are several common designs for labyrinths, with many variations. These are the Cretan style (left), Chartres style (center), and spiral (right):

Cretan Labyrinth.jpg Chartres Labyrinth.jpg Spiral Finger Labyrinth.jpg
Labyrinth at Olcott campus

Labyrinth at Olcott

Several Theosophical centers have built labyrinths to encourage this meditative practice.

Behind the L. W. Rogers Building, on the west side of the headquarters campus of the Theosophical Society in America, is a classical seven-circuit Cretan labyrinth. Composed of large stepping stones on a field of pebbles, the labyrinth symbolizes the seven aspects of the cosmos and the human being. Walking its winding path from the circumference to the center and back out again represents the involution and evolution of the universe, the birth and passing from life of an individual, and a quest to the center of our being and subsequent return to our divine source. Many visitors come to Olcott to walk the labyrinth throughout the daylight hours, when the grounds are open.

Labyrinth at Krotona

Labyrinth at Krotona

Krotona Institute of Theosophy in Ojai, California has a simple hill-top labyrinth of stones in a grassy field.



Online resources

Websites

Articles

Videos