"ROCKY BEAR" LABYRINTH

August 2001 marked a wonderful shift. The labyrinth was created at last. The following list of people was very instrumental in making this a reality. The list is phenomenal. In total over 35 people participated in one way or another.

"The Labyrinth worked it's magic! I have a direction and a goal - a purpose for being… I was meant to come here for so many reasons."
R. W.-Robinson Alvinston, ON

Numerous friends, some who went beyond the call of duty, our guests who pitched in (literally), our rockhounders, rock dealers who stay with us, advised us and encouraged us, our deputy mayor and CAO from the Town of Bancroft, some local businesses and the "girls" who were visiting for their semi-annual spiritual retreat. Finally, thanks to those who donated their own rocks that they painted or had collected.

"Enlightening" J. Irwine, Toronto, ON

Labyrinth Fun Facts 50 feet in diameter 45 tonnes of natural fine stone 550 quarry rocks to line the path

"I walked the Labyrinth for the first time .. what a fabulous experience this has been - it was the most powerful experience - it moved me to tears - it has opened my inner being. Thank you!"
D. Kemp Hamilton, ON

Labyrinth History

Labyrinths date back to early Crete, Egypt, Peru and India and were used for ritual walking and spiritual contemplation. Labyrinths come in many designs with lots of variation but two main styles have been in contemporary use. These are the 3500 year old Cretan Classical Seven Circuit style (the "Rocky Bear" Labyrinth) and the 'Eleven Circuit Chartres' Cathedral in France. The name, Labyrinth, comes from the double ax, the Labris, which is evident in its design. Unlike a maze, it is unicursal meaning being on one course or path.

A Labyrinth is an ancient symbol that represents wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. It also symbolizes a transformative journey to your own centre and back out into the world. As the Labyrinth is walked, awareness will be shifted from the right brain to the left. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth can induce receptive states of consciousness. Resonating to the vibration 'seven' the Round Classical Labyrinth has a direct correlation with the Primary Chakras of the Human Body, Tones of the Scales, the Seven Days of Creation and the colours of the Rainbow.