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The labyrinth at La Paix was created by members of the Mountain State Dowsers in 1997. At first, as shown here, it was made up of circles of bamboo with batik dyed silk fabric attached. The labyrinth was hard to maintain this way, and in 1999 it became a high grass, low grass labyrinth similar to those in England. |
| In the year 2000, I created a silver labyrinth on the same site. With the invaluable help of my wonderful summer apprentice, Judith Vojik, we redid the seven paths of the labyrinth in silver herbs: artemesia, lavender, yarrow and lamb's ear. Judith cleared each of the seven circles, weeding and cultivating the soil before transplanting the silver herbs. Each circle was dowsed to determine which herb would be planted in it. |
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Yarrow, long considered sacred, was used by the Druids to divine seasonal weather in Europe, while in China yarrow stems were used to foretell the future with the assistance of the I Ching. Lamb's Ear is named for the soft feel of the silver leaves. Artemesia is named for the famous botanist and medical researcher. Lavender has been valued over the centuries, not just for its beauty and fragrance, but also for its culinary and medicinal uses. |
The Silver Labyrinth, An Herbal Journey for Those Who Seek Peace
| "More and more people are walking labyrinths, in search of inner peace, healing or deeper spiritual awareness. Not to be confused with a maze, which is intended to confuse and amuse those who enter, a labyrinth is an intricate, geometric pattern laid out on the floor or ground that provides an elaborate but unbroken path for contemplation. There is one way in and one way out." (John Rivera, Baltimore Sun, Sunday, March 7th, 1999) |
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| In the year 2002, the silver labyrinth was completely weeded, replanted in places and crushed limestone mulched between the plants - creating an easily seen seven circle labyrinth. My 2002 apprentice, Helen Caldwell, two other helpers and I labored over the labyrinth for two weeks. The benches were painted and new ones added and it was ready for the Sustainable Fair 2002 at La Paix. Because lamb's ear is still visual in the winter and the crushed limestone remains, the labyrinth circles are easily seen in the winter months and may be walked on a pleasant snow-free day. |
| Andy Andryshak begins the multi-denominational ceremony in the newly renovated labyrinth. The ceremony opened the Sustainable Fair 2002 which was held at La Paix Herb Farm. The group's emphasis in 2003 will be building with cob. The seventh circle or key of the labyrinth is planted with lavender. Lamb's ears and Silver Artemesia delineate other rings. |
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WALKING THE LABYRINTH Of course, people may walk the labyrinth any way they would like, but I discovered Marty Cain's way of meditation at the American Society of Dowsers Convention and liked it. So I have coached walkers at La Paix on this suggested meditation and many people who have walked La Paix's labyrinth have found answers this way. Here is the suggested meditation: First, decide on an issue you would like to concentrate on and word it clearly. 1) First Circle in: think about the issue. |
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Top Photo: Entrance to the Silver Labyrinth |
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2) Second Circle:
Clarify and name the emotions for you around this issue. 3) Third Circle: How does this issue effect you physically, including your pocketbook? 4) Fourth Circle: How does this issue effect you personally and spiitually? 5) Fifth Circle: Ask whoever or whatever is your higher power to guide you and help you. 6) Sixth Circle: You get a manifestation - an answer. It may be what you had already worked out or it may be something completely new and creative. 7) Seventh Circle: You get the first step. Middle or Key: Just stand in the center and do nothing - admire the scenery - relax. When returning, reflect on what you learned in each circle. Exit: Bow and thank the Labyrinth. |
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Photo Above: Torma, like most pets and wildlife, loves to walk the labyrinth. I have seen flocks of migrating geese overhead who seeing the labyrinth make a complete 90 degree turn to fly over it. |
| The labyrinth in August 2004: Looking west toward Pavilions in the Big Fragrant Garden. Again weeded and plants replaced (mostly Lamb's Ear) the labyrinth was readied to star in a documentary film by WVPBS "Outlook" program to be displayed sometime in September or October 2004. The rose quartz in the foreground was brought as a gift to the labyrinth three years ago by a fellow dowser visiting from New England. It sits on the moss covered stump of an old apple tree that died. |
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Chuck Kleine of West Virginia
Public Broadcasting raises the camera high (about 20 feet high) in order
to video the Silver Labyrinth from above. The video is being taken
for a program on Dowsing and The Silver Labyrinth to be broadcast this
fall on West Virginia Public Television. Art Digman (see Dowsing
page) also stars in this documentary. Chuck, his wife, Larry and
Erin came to La Paix in August to do the story. |
La Paix Herb Farm
3052 Crooked Run Road
Alum Bridge, West Virginia 26321
(304) 269-7681
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