We walk a common path yielding and communing allowing all the right to be.
Light One Candle is a ecumenical service and labyirnth walk to encourage people to commit to or enhance good works throughout the year to bringing light and love to lift up others and ourselves.
For more information on labyrinths go to Veriditas, The Labyrinth Society and Labyrinthos.
Anyone who has ever spent hours picking green beans knows it’s a thankless job. Aching backs, mosquito bites, and soaked sweatbands, all for a few pounds of produce that is consumed almost embarrassingly fast. Last spring, I made a resolution. If I was going to toil under the summer sun in that special brand of syrupy humidity unique to south-central Kansas, then I was going to make it look good.
I decided I wanted a green bean labyrinth. My indulgent husband got quite a kick out of the idea, and planted the seeds in the sketched-out shape I left for him on the kitchen counter one morning. It’s a simple labyrinth, just a few turns, and the lines are three plants thick. We planted three different varieties: Jade, Royalty Purple Pod, and Dragon’s Tongue.
Two great flushes of beans gave us about twelve pounds before a sudden heat wave crumpled all but the inner circle. It was still a job to “go pickin’,” but the labyrinth made it easier. And, it was always nice to suddenly find myself in the middle, and even nicer to see I’d already filled my basket without realizing it. Sometimes when my husband got home from his landscaping work we would walk the labyrinth. We’d talk about our days or plan a camping trip, or dream about what the orchard will look like in a few years. Those few minutes to reconnect before moving on to our respective evening chores would keep us going. Then the pig-weed moved in, and by that time the grapes were turning, leaving the labyrinth to slowly dissolve back into the ground. The field where the green bean labyrinth was is already planted to red clover and will be fallowed next year. Since the next plot in rotation is a bit too narrow to hold a proper labyrinth, it might be a few years before the next vegetable labyrinth takes shape. It’s worth the wait.
Editor note: Below is a You Tube video about drawing three and five circuit labyrinths. Lars Howlett is a skilled builder and facilitator connected with The Labyrinth Society.
As November closes and late fall settles in with its grey stillness and stripped woods and fields we draw comfort from unusual sources. Read more at….1080Labyrinth.
Energy
We could not have asked for better weather, especially in November! On the first several Pilgrims walked the 1080 Laughing Labyrinth reflecting, soaking in the sun and warm air, and sharing experiences. Some left quietly. Others shared a hug and thoughtful remark.
Still others were obviously energized. That variety of experiences is a gift of labyrinths.
And the energy that builds as people share their walks is
The labyrinth revealed its energy as the dowsing rod spun around.
palpable and measurable. Before the walk and before I “opened” the labyrinth, the dowsing rod swung around six times. Low energy. After I walked clockwise to open and welcome in healing energy, the rod swung 19 times. Then, I walked with gratitude and joy. The rod responded by spinning 31 times. As pilgrims finished and before they left, I stood quietly for five minutes as the dowsing rod located the energy, swung fast then slower then faster 136 times around. I thanked the labyrinth and dowsing rod, closed the labyirnth by walking counter-clockwise and gratefully came inside.
Feeling the energy of the Magnolia Tree.
In this time of angst, consider walking a labyrinth physically or virtually. Several on-line designs can inspire “walkers”. And, The Labyrinth Society has a Labyrinth Locator where pilgrims can find a labyrinth near them to walk.
Eastern Iowa has many wonderful labyrinths to walk and simply sit near. One of my favorites is at Regis Middle School. Set atop a knoll overlooking downtown Cedar Rapids, the seven circuit labyirnth, created for beloved teacher Jim Sells, soothes, stabilizes, and invigorates me each time I walk.
Consider grounding yourself as we move into and through this
period of rapid change and preparation for the major holidays that many cultures celebrate in late fall through early winter.
May it be so. Be at and of peace.
This lovely labyrinth is tucked among evergreens and surrounded by cool and calming plants. A treasure.
August was a time of travel East. On the way to and from we took in labyrinths in towns just off I-80. South Bend and Valaparaiso, Indiana, both have lovely labyrinths. The South Bend labyrinths are located on Ironwood Road, a major north-south route close to Notre Dame University. Both are at churches and one is especially well-named: Saint Thérèse Little Flower Catholic Church. How cool is that!
Of the Valparaiso labyrinths, two are on Valparaiso University campus. The other is downtown at the First United Methodist Church. Excellent all! Read about them on 1080 Labyrinths.
Heart of the tree
A short reflection walking in the Laughing Labyrinth.