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Fletcher, North Carolina (founded in 1859)
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Diocese of WNC
Episcopal Church USA
World-wide Anglican Communion
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What is a labyrinth?
The labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It merges the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back out again out into the world. Labyrinths have long been used as meditation and prayer tools.
Why do we walk the labyrinth?
We are all on a path, exactly where we need to be, and the
labyrinth is a model for that path. A labyrinth is not a maze. Mazes represent puzzles to be solved and contain twists, turns and blind alleys. A maze calls upon our capacity to engage in logical, sequential, analytic activity to find the correct path in and out. A labyrinth has only one path. It is universal. The way in is the way out, and this circuitous path engages creativity and imagination. There are many ways to describe the labyrinth: a path of prayer; a walking meditation; a crucible of change; a watering hole for the spirit; a mirror of the soul. The purpose of the labyrinth is nourishment for the soul and wisdom for our continuing journey. Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about to change.... You are on a path, exactly where you are meant to be Preparation for a labyrinth walk Begin in prayerful reflection and start to walk only when you feel ready. Let go of expectations about what will happen. Walk with an open heart and mind, allowing the Spirit within to guide you. Walk slowly, stop when you need to, if you meet others coming towards you, step briefly off the path to let them pass, and then continue from the same point. There are three stages to the walk: Releasing:
Letting go of the details of your life and letting your body guide your
pace. Begin to shed thoughts and distractions as you open your heart to Holy
Presence. Receiving: When you reach the center, stay there in a place of meditation and prayer. Receive what is there for you. Returning:
As you leave, following the same path by which you came, begin
prayerfully to absorb the gifts you have been given and prepare to take them out
into the world. As you leave the labyrinth, remain in
quietness for a while. You may want
to stay in the room as others walk and write in your journal or engage in silent
meditation. Remember: there is no "right" way
to walk the labyrinth. Your
experience is unique and will be different each time you choose to take this
path. Some other considerations:
Quiet music may be playing as you walk.
Refrain from conversation in the labyrinth location so as not to disturb
others. Remove your shoes before
walking to preserve the quality of the canvas. Warm socks are available for
those who wish to wear them. Sometimes you may be moved very deeply by
the experience of walking the labyrinth, or a long neglected problem may emerge
that asks for your attention. If you need spiritual guidance, please ask one of
the parish clergy for help. A Path of Grace . . . Walking the Labyrinth
Happy are the people whose strength is in you! whose
hearts are set on the pilgrims' way.
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Calvary Episcopal Church 
