Tonight, I walked the Labyrinth. We have a couple of churches that have a Labyrinth painted on the floor of their church halls. I didn't know anything about them, but saw one of these churches hosting a winter solstice walk, and felt it was exactly what I needed today.
First of all, I hate winter. I really do. I don't like the cold, I don't like clearing my car, I don't like icy roads, I don't like the short days. But I saw this incredible picture this morning:
I felt the "sacred" stirring in me. I felt hope and light stirring. After today, in the smallest of increments, the days get longer. It will be cold and snowy for awhile, but the sun will be most powerful in the end.
I remembered the Labyrinth walk at the church and decided I would go. When it started snowing (again) around 4:30, I almost changed my mind. It is my instinct to hole up at home when it's miserable outside. But I went. Here is a short description and video that describes the meaning of the Labyrinth (which I did not know until today!):
Walking the Labyrinth
I walked into the hall and it was immediate calm and peace. The Labyrinth was surrounded by candles and candles were lit in the windows of the room. A few chairs and meditation cushions on the floor were also set up around the perimeter. In one corner, a harpist was playing soothing, beautiful Celtic music. In another corner, a table was set up with small candles and two large bowls filled with sand. Anyone could take a longer candle, light it, and place it in the sand; for a loved one, for a heart intention, for whatever you wished to light the candle for.
The first thing I did was light a candle for my friend who has been fighting cancer for the past year and has shown more courage and grit and vulnerability than most people I know. She is my hero and I love her with all my heart.
Then, I entered the Labyrinth. As I walked, I deepened my breath, I felt waves of love wash over me, for people in my life who I know are hurting. I said their names in my head. It gave me connection. As I walked, I noticed something. There were about 20 or more people walking it at the same time, and sometimes, I would find myself walking side by side with someone, though they were in a different part of the path. Then we would move in different directions, and I would come across them later. We may pass, or walk together again. Some people followed others (or led). I was struck by the metaphor this is for our lives. We walk with people for a time, then sometimes branch off, then meet up again in a different part. It is about ebbing and flowing. It is about receiving and then letting go. This revelation struck me in a spiritual way.
The Labyrinth is set up in 3 stages: release, receive, return. As I walked, I released my worries and my pain for people and felt peace begin to fill me. When I reached the centre, I stood and received this peace and love. As I walked through the Labyrinth once more, and exited, I felt lighter. I felt calmer. Winter and darkness felt more beautiful. I lit a second candle, this time for the daughter of a dear friend. This amazing teenage girl has had a difficult year and needs all the light she can get.
I sat on one of the cushions for awhile and listened to the music, and watched those who were still walking. I was filled with goodness and light and didn't have to "do" anything. I didn't have to pray and say certain words. My whole body was a prayer as I walked and meditated. Just "being" was enough to be filled, spiritually.
I finished my evening by lighting a 3rd candle. This one, I lit for myself; to give myself grace, to allow myself to just "be", to pray for healing and wholeness in ways I can't pinpoint or imagine.
For my whole life, spiritual wholeness was taught in only one way. You do these things and pray this way, and act that way, to be a "good Christian". I am delighted to learn that my spiritual wholeness is much larger than that. God is much more all-encompassing and uses so many billions of ways to give us Light.
Happy Solstice, my friends! And Merry Christmas! And joyous whatever traditions and holidays you celebrate. May love and light and peace fill us all.
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