Guelph Junction Community Labyrinth

What is the Guelph Junction Community Labyrinth?
The Guelph Junction Community Labyrinth is a free winter snow local labyrinth located in Howitt Park beside Silver Creek for anyone to use for their own reflection and contemplation, for their joy and fun. Have a slow meditative walk to the centre and back out again, or playfully skip to the centre, or hop sideways from path to path until you reach the middle. There is no wrong or right way to use it!

A labyrinth is not a maze. The labyrinth is not meant to confuse you--it has no wrong turns, no dead ends. It is one continuous path that you walk in to the centre and back out again. 

Who made this?
My name is Chris (they/them) and I am a local Ceremony Guide who has a passion for ritual and a fascination with spiraling shapes. I live in the Junction neighbourhood, walk in Howitt Park often, and love this as a space to clear my mind and connect to nature.

Walking Meditation
We live in a time that has plenty of chaos and sorrow--living under white supremacy, racial capitalism, and climate change can be difficult! We need practices that help us ground and come back into our centre so that we can make decisions and take action to co-create a community and world from a place of justice and love. 

Wondrous Play
Labyrinths can be playful! Playing outside, taking in the wonder and beauty of the plants, the sky, and the creek opens up a space of joy and awe that is soothing and healing. 

Add to the Labyrinth
Feel free to add to the labyrinth if you feel inspired! Decorate the path, add a geocache to the middle, leave painted rocks of inspiration in the centre--whatever you’re drawn to! I request that we only place materials that will naturally biodegrade or are stable enough that they won’t harm local plants or wildlife. Messages of inclusion, community and love on your items are welcome--any racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise oppressive viewpoints will be removed. 

The Classical Labyrinth Shape
This labyrinth shape is called a Classical Labyrinth, or Cretan labyrinth. I’ve heard labyrinths described as “a human archetype” to reference how common various versions of labyrinths are across cultures and across time, found as early as 4000 years ago in Europe, North Africa, and India, among many other places. Their spiritual meaning and use is as varied as the peoples and traditions from which they grow. 

Honour Whose Land You Are On
If you enjoy the peace of this land, consider donating to local Indigenous organizations as a way to honour the original stewards, and as a way to say thank you to the people whose land you’re on.   

You are Not Alone
As many of us walk the labyrinth, we strengthen the path. Though we may walk one at a time, unseen by others, we see the other footsteps before us and know we are not alone. 

Get in Touch
Tag your use of the labyrinth with #JunctionLabyrinth. If you want to get in touch with me, email [email protected]

Categories

All Community Ceremonies Nature-based Rituals Rites Of Passage

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