The following notes are taken from five books and are shared to assist in finding symbolism and inspiration for producing a performance art piece for the labyrinth at Prince of Peace Church.<\/p>\n
The universal meaning of the Labyrinth form is a symbol for the journey into the other world and the return, a death to one state and rebirth into another. Only one path- in and out.<\/p>\n
For the Hopi Indians- the Labyrinth was a symbol of mother earth. A kiva was an underground sanctuary where Hopi people emerged into world.<\/p>\n
The death of the ego allows a powerful shift in consciousness that then propels us toward a greater awakening. The Vairagi (detachment) teach that the 3 purest aspects of God are Love, Sound and Light.
\nIn the beginning was the Word- Gospel of John
\nSound current- Aum, Shabda, Vani, Nada Music of the Spheres
\nThe \u201cAum\u201d is the cosmic vibration- and underlying that creates and sustains all.
\nSound particles (phonons)- become light particles (photons) Joined together by gluons- the wave form of sound- transitions into the wave form of light.
\nAncients saw the sun as a visible symbol of God- transmitter of heat, warmth and illumination.
\nThe spiral of creation, Fibonacci spiral and golden mean section.
\nThe fish symbol originally meant the union with the divine. male and female in harmony.
\nThe vesia piccis- two overlapping perfect circles- the balance of male\/female allows creation. The v symbol with circle inside represented the female organs of procreation- resembled the shape of a cow\u2019s head and horns. The cow was sacred to the Goddess- a symbol of the moon and rebirth in Egypt and Crete.
\nIn Egypt- the Goddess Ma\u2019at- represented the motivational forces and rhythm- accuracy, honesty, fairness, faithfulness, authenticity, legitimacy, integrity and justice.
\nA flock of butterflies represents transformation and change.
\nA circle with a cross at the center is a symbol for the soul- a medicine wheel- union of balance and healer of wounds (body\/ emotions\/ mind\/ spirit).
\nA sacred circle begins in the east- travel sun wise or clockwise. East is the gate of new beginnings, rising sun and illumination.
\nThe snake coil\/ biting tail- represents life\/ death\/ transformation.
\nThe three phase of a person\u2019s life- Female-maid, mother, matriarch and Male- youth, man sage.<\/p>\n
Earth energies and sacred spaces- Emotion, intuition and spirit- enhance contact with the spiritual realms.
\nLabyrinth terms- entrance=mouth, walk=path, delineation of paths =walls, center= goal.<\/p>\n
Most labyrinths are circular, Hopi in southwest U.S. created D shaped square classical seven circuit labyrinths. The square represents the physical. Scandinavian labyrinths are circular- representing the spiritual.
\nPower centers have \u201cyin\u201d (receptive energy- underground water) and yang (active energy- energy leys- alignments of ancient holy places).
\nIn Val Camonica, Italy, a labyrinth dates between 1000-1800 B.C. and a Greek tablet from Pythos dates about 1200 B.C. A Cretan coin, which depicts the labyrinth of Knossos, dates around 500 B.C.<\/p>\n
The Meander or Greek Key- if the symbol is rotated outwards it becomes a labyrinth. Found in old Europe 5000-6000 yrs. before Greeks.<\/p>\n
Orientation- Prehistoric labyrinths in Sweden were oriented towards the summer solstice. In Gothic cathedrals, the labyrinths were on nave of floor usually oriented towards the axis of cathedral- many towards the rising sun on a saints day.
\nThere are 3 circuit, 7 circuit, eleven circuit (Chartres Cathedral in Paris) and 15 circuit labyrinths. A circuit is a distance around the space.<\/p>\n
The Chartres Cathedral- built on a pagan site, located in the nave, under the circular stained glass window above the door to the cathedral. Window is the same size as labyrinth and same distance from floor to glass as door to labyrinth down the nave. The labyrinth is 40 feet across, an eleven circuit, four quarters, seven- 180 degree turns with seven paths and 272 tiles (same amount of average days in human gestation) . Chartres labyrinth completed around 1225 A.D.
\nVictorian drawings show monks of the Middle Ages crawling the labyrinth\u2019s path on knees. Medieval, full size labyrinths can be found in Gothic cathedrals. Many cathedral labyrinths were removed or covered.
\nThe four quarters of a labyrinth- four had a great significance to the medieval mind.
\nLuke-bull-Taurus-earth
\nJohn-eagle-Scorpio-water
\nMark-lion-Leo- fire
\nMathew-young man- Aquarius- air<\/p>\n
THE SEVEN CIRCUIT LABYRINTH: 22 FEET ACROSS<\/strong> The Native American Medicine Wheel-12 sections- The Cycles of Truth<\/strong> In archaic art- labyrinth is represented by spiral. The labyrinth mirrors itself \u2013if hold drawing of labyrinth in light, you see the back will reflect the opposite direction. There is a shifting back and forth, light and dark, negative and positive.<\/p>\n Myths- The hero, Goddess, ruler of the underworld, shadow and messenger are associated with labyrinths. The Minoan labyrinth in Knossos of Crete had a minotaur in the center. The myth tells of king Minos of Knossos who asks for, and receives, a white bull from Poseidon to use as a sacrifice to the Gods. Minos decides to keep the bull and Poseidon angrily curses queen Pasiphae of Minos to be sexually attracted to the bull. The consummation of the bull and Queen results in the birth of the Minotaur. The Greek architect Daedalus constructs a labyrinth to hold captive the unmanageable and deadly beast, which was half bull and half man, (Minos and Taurus). Theseus, born of the King Aegeus of Athens and Aethra from Troizen, travels to Crete and slays the Minotaur. The myth changes over the years from a labyrinth to more of an impenetrable maze that was underground.<\/p>\n Sacred spaces- tunnels are associated with them<\/strong> Time Line<\/strong> Labyrinths are all unicursal \u201ca single course or path\u201d with no dead ends. Labyrinths are described by the number of circuits they have- for the number of rings that comprise a labyrinth, not including the center. The circular path of the classical labyrinth is part of a tradition of symbols that involve circular movement as in sacred circle dances from around the world. Archetypal symbolic circles represent wholeness, unity and the divine center around the globe and in prehistory to present. The word labrys (from the Mediterranean region) means \u201cdouble axe\u201d and is believed to be the root of labyrinth.<\/p>\n Locations of Labyrinths A Pathway to connect to the sacred within<\/strong> The six petal center of Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth<\/strong> Transformation and Change<\/strong> Who knows what will be possible for you as you travel it\u2019s pathway? May you encounter blessings. Who knows what you will connect? May blessings abound. Who knows what transformation and illumination may occur? May your movements be blessed. Let us pray before the awesomeness of such a mystery.<\/p>\n We can value each step we take and each step can bring us happiness because we\u2019re in touch with life, with the source of happiness and with our beloved planet. The following notes are taken from five books and are shared to assist in finding symbolism and inspiration for producing a performance art piece for the labyrinth at Prince of Peace Church. The Once and Future Goddess- Elinor Gadon The universal meaning of the Labyrinth form is a symbol for the journey into the other … Continue reading Labyrinth Arts Ministry Program: Reference Notes<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-73","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-labyrinth-information"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=73"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":90,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/73\/revisions\/90"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=73"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=73"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lamp.popnj.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=73"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n A PROBLEM SOLVING DEVICE- THE CHAKRAS<\/strong>
\nroot- physical- state the problem or opportunity (red)
\nsacral- emotional-feeling (orange)
\nsolar-mental-how will it affect me (yellow)
\nheart- personal spiritual- call for help
\nthroat-manifestation- intuition-open up (blue)
\nbrow- vision- solution to fruition (purple)
\ncrown-God or Goddess- evaluation and (violet)
\nBreathe then turn back and reverse the process<\/p>\n
\nLearn \u2013the truth
\nHonor \u2013the lessons\/ knowledge of experience
\nAccept \u2013 the lesson\/ responsibility\/ changes coming
\nSee \u2013potential for positive or good from experience
\nHear \u2013harmony
\nFaith \u2013trust your faith
\nLove \u2013unconditionally love ourselves\/others
\nServe \u2013intuition to find what we need
\nWill \u2013 to live in truth
\nWork \u2013produce creatively
\nWalk- in truth and attract positive energy\/ release negative
\nThank- give thanks for healing and becoming whole
\nUnite our gifts with those who love us.<\/p>\n
\nThe Minotaur- ruled by animal nature- Theseus must defeat the self conscience- the shadow
\nThe Centaur- human nature rules
\nThe Crane Dance- from the island of Delos- Dancing into the Labyrinth in a chain often described as the feeling of being born.<\/p>\n
\nB.C.
\n18,000-15,000 Meander patterns on Bird Goddess figurines in Ukraine
\n1400 Daedalus builds the labyrinth\/ maze
\n1382 Theseus meets Minotaur and King Minos
\n1200 Pylos tablets, the oldest positively dated seven circuit labyrinth in southern Greece
\n900-500 labyrinth pecked out on rock face in northwestern Spain
\n800-500 labyrinth and Crane Dance petroglyphs in Italy
\n750 two labyrinths scratched onto a wall in Turkey
\n300- coins with classical Cretan labyrinth issued by Knossos
\nA.D.
\n1225 Chartres Cathedral \u2018s labyrinth<\/p>\nThe Way of the Labyrinth- Helen Curry<\/h4>\n
\n<\/strong>Labyrinths were widely adapted by the Romans ( mosaic pavement examples) and transported from Britain to Eastern Europe to North Africa. Turf labyrinths, ridges with shallow trenches and a mound in center, are found throughout Europe. The classical 7 circuit labyrinths were often called \u201cTroy Towns\u201d or \u201cWalls of Troy\u201d which also meant \u201ccity of turnings\u201d in Wales.
\nIn Scandinavia, more than 500 stone labyrinths, mostly near the coastline, have been recorded and similar labyrinths were found in Russia, Iceland and the Baltic. Ancient cultures walked the labyrinth for good fortune, protection, connection with the sacred center, pilgrimages and healing. Labyrinths were painted on church walls in Scandinavia. Some ancient labyrinths in Sweden were located high up in mountains and hills associated with ancient graveyards.
\nDiscoveries of labyrinths were found in India and in A.D. 1000 China, labyrinths were constructed out of incense for keeping time in ceremonial rituals. Labyrinth themes, in China, include motifs of meanders, caves, spiral towers, shells and pearls in Taoist texts represent life, death and resurrection.
\nThere were \u201cpower animal\u201d labyrinths constructed around A.D. 500 in Peru where it is believed they were used as a ritual for empowerment. Many of the animal labyrinths were meant to be walked on the line, not the path (mirror patterns). Where the entrance was, usually was the source of \u201cfertility, reproduction, and continuation of the species\u201d. Tribes in southern Arizona wove baskets with labyrinth imagery composed of dried leaves, stems and roots of desert plants.
\nThe Hopi saw the labyrinth as two forms, one circular (the Mother and Child) and one square (the Sun Father), as a representation of new life. The circular shape represents the female womb and the child cradled in its mother\u2019s arms after birth. The square shape was representing the seed and giver of eternal life.<\/p>\n
\nThe power of the labyrinth as with any spiritual practice, is in what you bring into it. Focus attention inward to be simply and fully present.
\nConscious intention, some degree of mindfulness is required. Don\u2019t have expectations or judgments. Consider a meditation or mantra to create a mental sacred space.
\nSpiritual transformation, worship, ceremony, psychological growth, stress reduction, healing, grieving, family issues, problem solving, mindfulness, team building, leadership development, change can be the goal for the journey to the center.<\/p>\n
\n1. mineral kingdom
\n2. (9:00) plant kingdom
\n3. (11:00) animal kingdom
\n4. (1:00) human kingdom
\n5. (3:00) angelic kingdom (mentors and guides)
\n6. unknown\/ divine kingdom<\/p>\n
\nCelebration, Rebirth, Journeying, Illumination
\nScience- butterfly
\nPsychology- shedding of old patterns and develop new patterns in stages of life
\nNew Testament- rebirth, conversion, reorientation and return to the center<\/p>\nHow to Relax- The Art of Mindful Living – Thich Nhat Nanh<\/h4>\n
\nBells of mindfulness for each other, supporting and reminding each other along the path of practice. With the support of the community, we can cultivate peace and joy in ourselves, which we can then offer to those around us.
\nHappiness and awareness, smiling, calming. Few desires- content with a simple life for desirelessness is the basis of true happiness. Peace, joy and ease- true happiness- your true home.
\nLet go of anger, jealousy, sadness. Never blame- understand- you can love the situation- will change. Body, speech and mind in perfect oneness.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"