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Labyrinths

Weathered grey stone carved with large interlocking spirals, including a prominent triple spiral cluster. The Greeks were building labyrinths over 3,000 years ago, in a form we now call the Classical seven circuit design. The labyrinth design which brings the walker to the centre through a single path may well have evolved from a basic spiral design, the archetypal symbol known to many ancient cultures.

The spirals carved into the entrance stone at Newgrange over 5,000 years ago have a similar feel to a labyrinth.

Classical circular stone labyrinth on a green lawn, with a hedge border and rolling green hill under a pale blue sky. Garden labyrinth near the ancient passage mound at Fourknocks, based on the classical 7 circuit design. The centre of the labyrinth has been modified so that there are no straight lines, like the entrance stone at Newgrange.

Labyrinths have been constructed in churches, hospitals and parks. These are often used for contemplation. Walking among the turnings, one loses track of direction and of the outside world, and thus quiets the mind.

Quadruple stone labyrinth on wet muddy ground, with concentric rings of dark stones, a stone cottage and green hills behind. Quadruple Labyrinth

Archetypal Energies Quadruple Labyrinth, at the Labyrinth Center for Peace & Reconciliation, Glore Mill Follain Art Center, Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo, Ireland.

Each Archetypal Energy Labyrinth contains 55 Runic Archetypal Energy symbols, a total of 110 symbols for a Double Labyrinth and a total of 220 for a Quadruple Labyrinth.

Circular hedge labyrinth covered in fresh snow, with a snow-capped brick building and bare trees in the background. Box hedge and grass labyrinth at An Tobar retreat house in Ardbraccan, Co. Meath.

In 1988 Fr. Michael Kane, director of An Tobar, had taken a training course at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco and on his return, with the help of Martin Dier had created a Cretan labyrinth in the grounds, using box hedges.

Person walking a candlelit labyrinth on a stone floor before tall Gothic double doors at Chartres Cathedral. Chartres Labyrinth replica at the Anglican Cathedral Liverpool. The canvas 11 circuit Chartres replica labyrinth was laid out at the Cathedral by Sarah Harrison and Eileen Wiggins.

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