Large scale Labyrinths have been around since ancient times They are present all over the world. but Scandinavia has the most.Sweden alone has about 300 of them! as a symbol it seems to have been an important thing in most ancient cultures they have been present one way or another in ancient Greece and Egyptian temples to ancient Peru,the Hopi Indians, vedic India, to European Cathedrals and Jerusalem .
Big ones meant for people walking through them, small ones to walk with your fingers to plain decorative stuff like necklace pendants, embroidered clothes and house ornaments etc..
whats the difference between a Labyrinth and a maze? A maze is really a labyrinth that has several optional paths,it´s more like a game, like the in famous hedge mazes in England. whilst in a labyrinth you can not get lost it´s a one way that guides you to the center.
Some people regard Labyrinths as a symbol for Mother Earth.a tool to open the connection between the brain hemispheres, like a meditation instrument,used to gain insight and strength, the way in and out of heaven or hell, a way into your unknown subconscious, it can satisfy desires and give a sense of strengthening and fulfillment, a seven circuit Labyrinth is believed to align and stimulate the seven Chakras, which could possible unlock lost knowledge encoded within our DNA .it has been used in ancient initiation ceremonies,and walked by warriors before entered into battle, believed to bring psychological and spiritual growth and transformation,for restoring faith and heal troubled or stressed souls .
Some people are affected very much by just looking at them. Others feel nothing. but certainly everyone asks them selfs what are their purpose? why where they first thought of and created in this large scale around the world in ancient times? in known history the labyrinth has been around for at least 5,000 years
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| Chartres cathedral labyrinth |
"WALKING A SACRED PATH"
ISBN-10: 1573225479
ISBN-13: 978-1573225472
written by Dr.. Lauren Artress.
Below are quotations from the book:
"Maze is the visible that introduces you to the invisible" "Most experiences in mazes are unexpected," "to walk in the labyrinth can be like getting a letter from a loved one, a long lost friend," "you go from clock time to dream time (perhaps the true time) "," a maze unites heaven and earth, death and rebirth, "" we look beyond ourselves, "" I feel more focused, more fulfilled and can better understand the people in my life, "myths, dreams, stories, fantasies," "labyrinth may serve as a conduit for our chaotic energy, we can discover new paths," "often after a labyrinth walk you want to stay in a non-verbal existence," "free us from the prison of the mind, "" we are not humans walking a spiritual path, but spirits walking the path in a human body"" linking the thinking mind with the imaginative heart, "" a meeting place for the psyche and soul, a field of light, a cosmic dance "," we can discover the power of a simple ritual. "
The main labyrinth object of the book is about the one in Chartres Cathedral.
The labyrinth at Chartres is difficult to copy. Lauren Artress describes in her book how she finally managed to produce a copy on a large peice of cloth. Her book is about what happened after she received permission to place this labyrinth in churches. The book is full of strange and fascinating stories of people who made labyrinth walks. and describes labyrinth experiences in a way that fascinates in how it is possible a sacred object where we rediscover the depths of our souls, and can help us to change our course in our own lives
