How labyrinths connect us across generations, and how to create your own Family Labyrinth Day
A labyrinth our family built together from sand and 430+ rocks, December 2020. 5 adults, 3 children, ~3 hours
I discovered labyrinths while browsing at Mystic Journey Bookstore on Abbot Kinney, in Venice, CA. I came across a magical coffee-table book titled, appropriately, "Magical Paths" by Jeff Saward, a contemporary master labyrinth builder. The labyrinth photographs on those beautiful pages were like illuminations to me, portals to a different dimension. This beautiful, mysterious word — "labyrinth" — resounded in my consciousness; I felt gently invited to participate in a quiet, divine festival, to co-create a millenia-old ritual.
"Labyrinth people" (yes, there's a whole community out there) speak of the labyrinth as having a certain sentience. I've certainly experienced this. Like a gentle, inspired, skillful dance partner leading me through enchanted music, the labyrinth has opened up a path for me to joyfully follow, if I so choose — a path that opens up opportunities to be who I really am, ever more fully.
Have you experienced a labyrinth? Think of a labyrinth as a single long path that has been folded many times to fit into a circular shape. There are no tricks, no forks, no mistakes you can make. You decide to enter, and the path takes you to a center, and back out. That's it.
That's it, sounds so simple, so why is it a thing? There's nothing complicated or challenging about it. No problem to solve, no hidden treasure. Yet they speak to us in a deep way. Labyrinths have spontaneously arisen independently from one another in a variety of different human cultures. They are archetypes for us humans. Over thousands of years, the dimensions of the labyrinth's path and the nature of its folding have been optimized to catalyze a mood of presence and alertness in the person encountering it.
Here is a typical experience of a labyrinth: An individual is free to choose if, when, and how to enter the labyrinth — or not. When you enter, you walk to the labyrinth’s center in whatever speed or manner you choose. When you're ready, you return and exit. When others are present, there are many different ways you may encounter them on the path. As Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress, the fairy godmother of the labyrinth renaissance, says, everything that happens on the labyrinth or with the labyrinth or around the labyrinth is a metaphor. Many people report having deep and sometimes transformative insights related to a labyrinth walk.
I don't know a thing about labyrinths compared with real labyrinth people. I haven't been trained; I just learned how to make them in Jeff Saward's book and couldn't stop myself. I was a dance teacher; together with community members we made labyrinths out of Dixie cups to warm our studio before tango events; we made labyrinths out of dance shoes. I taught at a teacher training weekend that took place at a convent where there was an epic labyrinth I walked at dawn, surrounded by shy deer and old trees. During that retreat my first nephew was born. He and his siblings and cousins have become my tiny co-conspirators in my exploration of labyrinths and their power to connect and transform us.
Kinds of labyrinths
There are a zillion kinds of labyrinths, and I'm not qualified to give a run-down. But to me, the world of labyrinths has a few important categories.
Permanent vs. ephemeral labyrinths: Some labyrinths are permanently installed as part of a site, such as a church, a hospital or school. They are often made of stone or tiles or hedges or other kinds of earthly materials. Other labyrinths are ephemeral — they are made as part of a special moment, with the expectation that they'll be gone very soon. These can be made on a beach, soon to be washed away by the tide; they can be made with chalk on pavement, masking tape on a wooden floor, or any other found objects. Ephemeral labyrinths can be dismantled by the people who made them, by people who walk them, or by nature.
Walking vs. finger labyrinths: Many labyrinths are pretty big — they are made for you to walk their paths. On the other hand, there is a whole effervescence of tiny, handheld labyrinths that you "walk" with your finger or a pen. Many of them are exquisitely crafted in wood; some are 3-D printed; you can make your own with pen and ink in a few minutes.
Offered vs. cocreated labyrinths: You may stumble on a labyrinth as a public work, as part of a park, sacred space, or place of healing. It has been built for you by others, and is offered as a resource, a gift. Another way labyrinths come into being is as part of a shared activity. A family, team, or group dedicated to learning or service may co-create a labyrinth, and the process of doing so becomes part of the labyrinth experience.
Styles of labyrinths: Beyond this, there are many different labyrinth "templates." The two most focal that I'm aware of are the Chartes labyrinth and the "classical" labyrinth. Beyond this, there are tons of creative variants including contemporary labyrinths.
I gravitate toward ephemeral, co-created walking labyrinths using the classical seed patten. I also like to use hand-drawn labyrinths of all types, and pre-built wooden finger labyrinths.
Labyrinths and the young
Have you ever heard a two-year-old say the word "labyrinth"? If not, you're in for a treat. I have been stunned and enchanted by the way my littlest friends take to labyrinths, like they are the most natural thing in the world. Well — maybe they are.
They don't just ask for them — once they have experienced them, they demand them. I have had the feeling they are thirsty for labyrinths: for the way they frame space, define time, and liberate us within clear constraints. Labyrinths address many pains that most kids have:
Choice overload. Lots of kids are continually tasked to make choices, which can become stressful; it can be what a relief for them to relax and not have to choose anything for a few blessed moments.
Overstimulation. Kids' environments often contain more stimulation than kids need — toys, sounds, people, flashing things. The digital environment exacerbates this. Labyrinths are very different; they provide a rather understimulating container that allows for connecting with inner space.
Fragmentation. Often, kids' attention is broken into pieces by many competing irresistible demands. A labyrinth is such a powerful archetypal pattern that unifies attention into a moment that provides access to a mood of wholeness.
Lack of child-appropriate mindfulness practices. Mindfulness for kids is a great idea in theory, but seated practices are not well-suited to the energy levels of most children. Labyrinths have a long history of being used to support mindfulness; it's startling and provocative to see this experience take place for kids with authentic eagerness, when you hand them a wooden labyrinth. Since labyrinths allow movement, they give space for a child's energy in a way that a seated meditation doesn't.
Nothing to choose for a few sweet moments; a calm, mindful movement practice; a clear beginning, middle and end: these are the perfect ingredients of a flow state. So much of kids' lives can disrupt them from the flow states that are their birthright, their natural state of wonder and learning. Give them a labyrinth to do and I've seen super rambunctious kids like my nephews settle into stillness and rapt focus and enjoy a few moments of dream-like silence on the path.
The long, soft, round curves of a finger labyrinth relax the child's mind while the surprising hairpin turns require a little more focus. This alternation of movements has a certain grace, connecting neurons that support fine motor skills The whole form gently invites them into a moment of spaciousness, lightness, and attunement in their often busy, demanding and fragmented world. You may find that these beautiful, accessible and diverse finger labyrinths inspire and support a mood of quiet focus in your home. Experiment with using them with relaxing music, and to support transitions between day-parts.
Labyrinths and the whole family
Working on a beach labyrinth as a beautiful family activity
Families are complex, and it can be difficult to find meaningful, beautiful activities to do together. Building on my nephews' enthusiasm for labyrinths, we've started an annual Family Labyrinth Day activity which is turning into a sweet ritual. We simply choose a day when we'll build and walk our own labyrinth together as a family.
Family Labyrinth Day brings the family together for a moment characterized by creativity, playfulness, teamwork, and a whisper of the sacred. Creating a large beautiful thing that many people can walk around on is riveting, challenging, empowering. There are many creative decisions to be made and there's a lot to do — everyone, whatever their age, can contribute in a way that suits them. If you're looking for a beautiful way to spend a gentle afternoon with your family that is 100% screen free, this is it! And the ripples of good feeling created by the experience stay with you for a long time afterwards.
Here's how to go about a Family Labyrinth Day activity
1. Plan it.
Choose a day. Be sure you pick a day ahead of time and give everyone plenty of notice, so they can clear their schedule and tune in to the idea of doing something really different. Talk with whoever is the Chief Household Officer and make sure they're behind the plan. A festive written invitation sent by group message is a great way to get it on the calendar.
Find a spot. Where in your community is there a big empty space you can use for several hours? You could rent a dance studio or community space, go to the beach, or find a corner of a public park.
Choose your materials. Your space will define your materials. At the beach, you can make your labyrinth out of sand or rocks. If your surface is pavement, you could make a chalk labyrinth. If you have a wood floor, you could make your labyrinth out of blue tape or Dixie cups. Try to select the most environmentally sensitive, recycled and recyclable or biodegradable materials.
Decide on your design. I've found that building a classical labyrinth using a seed pattern makes building the thing very accessible. It becomes a gigantic, collaborative connect-the-dots exercise. If you choose a different labyrinth, think through how you'll sketch it out on the surface and get everyone clear on what their job is. If your group is large, you may want to design the labyrinth so there's plenty of room in the center.
Make it a party. With your Chief Household Officer, think through refreshments for the activity. Having snacks on hand — little oranges, granola bars, water — can give tired builders a welcome break. And having something festive to eat or drink at the completion of the labyrinth is really great. We've celebrated our labyrinths with sparkling apple cider. Be sure you bring supplies for cleanup so you can leave things as you found them.
2. Build it.
Sketch the pattern. When you get to the space, find a way to sketch out the labyrinth pattern on the surface as a guide for everyone. For instance, before doing a tape labyrinth, you can lightly draw the pattern in chalk on the wood floor. Before making a beach labyrinth, you can sketch the pattern in sand using a stick.
Let everyone find their groove. Once the family understands the project, each person will find a role that suits them. Here are some ways people can get involved:
Creating the lines of the labyrinth by digging, drawing, and/or placing materials
Finding and bringing materials to where the lines are being built
Working on making the labyrinth entry special and beautiful
Documenting the process by taking pictures and videos during building
Cheerleading everyone, noticing and complimenting work, organizing snack breaks, sunscreen, etc.
3. Walk it.
Take a moment. After the labyrinth is built, people may need a moment to rest, celebrate, and even take a bunch of proud pictures or videos. Give this some space so all the restless energy can be shaken out before walking the labyrinth.
Put away phones. For the labyrinth to do its magic, we want to be fully present and show up fully, undistractedly, and unselfconsciously. Before the walk starts, put away all the phones and devices that might tug anyone's attention away.
Create the mood. You may want to transition into the walk by lighting candles, burning fragrant herbs like sage, or reading a short poem.
Incorporate music. Beautiful, light, ambient music can bring a powerful dimension to a labyrinth walk. If you have the bandwidth to bring a sound system, you can select prerecorded meditative music. I've also heard about people bringing instruments and noisemakers to the labyrinth so that those not walking can keep a beat and make a homespun soundtrack.
No wrong way to walk. Whatever happens on the labyrinth — internally or externally — is a gift; welcome it. Encourage people to experience the labyrinth in whatever ways they are drawn to (without disrupting others). Kids especially may be drawn to joyful and nonlinear ways of interacting with the labyrinth.
Consider a structure. You may want to offer a simple way to think about the labyrinth walk. For instance:
Before entering, formulate a question
While walking in, contemplate the question
At the center, allow guidance to come to you
While walking out, integrate the guidance
In our family, we had a beautiful midwinter walk. At the center of the labyrinth, members were invited to write their intentions for the new year on a colorful post-in note. We harvested all the post-its on a piece of posterboard at the labyrinth's exit. After everyone had walked as many times as they wanted, we read the intentions aloud and toasted to the new year.
Slow things down. You may want to explore having one person walk the labyrinth at a time, if it's a small labyrinth. Or, you may want to allow some time to pass between each new person entering the labyrinth. This can create a more alert and mindful mood.
4. Erase it.
Assuming you've created an ephemeral labyrinth, think about how you'll let go of the labyrinth.
Nature erases it. If your labyrinth is made out of natural or found materials, nature will probably wash it away in time. In the meantime it will be a delightful and only slightly subversive monument to your family's spirit!
You erase it. If you've used tape, household objects, or other materials need to be removed, be sure everyone who built it stays involved in striking it. You can make it a joyful experience but adding big, fun music (really contrasting with the meditative music for the walk.) Maybe you'll come up with a ritual song you sing once everything is complete.
Others erase it. Be creative! I learned of a community group that made a labyrinth out of donated food items which was struck by guests in need of them later on that day, or labyrinths made from birdseed that were enjoyed by park birds. I love enacting the idea that labyrinths can nourish us, body and soul.
I would love to hear how you and your family create your unique Family Labyrinth Day experience. If you find people resonate with it and enjoy it, you may want to make it into a seasonal ritual. I bet that each year you'll discover something new!