A little over a year ago, my husband, Peter, and I were drawn to the space between four striking oak trees at the edge of an area in Earth Teach Forest Park that is called Big Sky Meadow. There we stood and imagined the recreation of a divine imprint. At 4000 feet elevation, with a breathtaking view of Ashland, the Siskiyou Mountains, Pilot Rock, and the Rogue National Forest, we envisioned the circuitous path of an eleven-circuit labyrinth.

From this place, we could be inspired toward where we were going, and simultaneously, we were invited to be conscious and mindful in the present. What better place for a dromenon, or labyrinth, which is an ancient symbol of wholeness? The next day we confirmed our suspicion of an auspicious alignment of the four trees with on another (Yes! Exactly North, South, East and West). Within a week leveling of the ground had begun. Within six weeks, the gravel base had been spread, and on the summer solstice of 1999 the pattern was painted, the center of the labyrinth was consecrated with a sunset-to-sunrise bonfire of deadwood limbs from the four equidistant oaks, and the laying of fieldstones, to mark the labyrinth’s path had begun.

The labyrinth is found in various forms around the world and is employed in many spiritual traditions. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. Known to humans since ancient times, labyrinths have been most frequently used as tools of meditation and prayer. The pattern has been carved in rocks, imprinted on coins, traced in pottery and recreated in mounds of earth, grass, wool tapestries, heavy canvas and stones of all types and sizes.

The classical, or seven circuit labyrinth, dates back more than 4000 years. Also known as the Cretan Labyrinth, it is associated with the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Seven circuits refers to the layers of paths that lead to the center. In the Middle Ages, a more complex labyrinth became popular – an eleven-circuit design divided into four sections, or quadrants. The most famous of these designs still exists today at Charters style labyrinth, the walker moves through each of the four quadrants several times before reaching the goal. At the center is a rosette design, which has rich symbolic value.

Labyrinths and mazes have often been confused. When most people hear of a labyrinth, they think of a maze. A maze has dead ends, tricks, and false passages: it is like a puzzle, which must be solved. Walking in a maze is a left brain task requiring logical, sequential, analytical activity in order to find the correct path into the maze and back out. The labyrinth, on the other hand, has only one, universal path that leads to the center: the way in is the way out. There are no tricks, though there are many turns.

Following a labyrinth path is a right brain task. It involves little cognition so it invites intuition, creativity and imagery. With a labyrinth there is only one choice to be made – to enter or not. At its most basic level, the labyrinth, as a tool for transformation, is a metaphor for life’s journey. By entering the labyrinth, you walk to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of yourself.

The labyrinth also represents our passage through time and experience. Its many turns reflect the human experience, which involves change, transition, cycles of nature, birth and rebirth. As in life, you choose your pace. For some people, a labyrinth walk takes longer than others. Sometimes we encounter others on the path and we choose whether or not to embrace them and travel together, or to travel separately and alone.

As in life, the labyrinth’s path can surprise you with unexpected turns. There are new perspectives at each corner. Often, it appears as though you are about to reach the center and then suddenly you are quite far away. The labyrinth shows us that no time or effort is ever wasted; if we stay the course, every step, however round-about, takes us closer to our goals, and like life, the walk doesn’t end once you reach the center – it begins anew.

There is no right way to experience a labyrinth. You only have to enter and follow the path. Your walk can contain and express a variety of attitudes, which you choose. It may be joyful or somber, thoughtful or prayerful. It can be moving meditation. Adults are often serious in the labyrinth. Children usually playfully run in and out as fast as they can.