COVID Release Labyrinth Walk | Tuesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 23

Royal Recreational Trail, Speed River, Guelph
7pm to 9pm Tuesday and Thursday  |   Free

We need the strength of community to hold the magnitude of the impacts of COVID. The weight of grief is lessened when shared.
​
I feel guided to offer this labyrinth walk as one step in the unfolding process of grieving the losses all of us have faced during COVID. Many of us have lost loved ones who have died, and felt the pain of not being able to gather at their bedside or be together at a memorial. Jobs and housing and financial stability have been lost. Our mental and emotional wellbeing has suffered. And innumerable other large and small losses and challenges are ongoing.

The ancient ritual and magic of the labyrinth offers a healing container. A labyrinth is not the same as a maze meant to confuse. It offers a clear path to journey inward and back out again. 

The cycles and elements of nature support our healing work:
-Held on the day before and after the Fall Equinox, we call upon the energy of balance and equilibrium to assist us.
-Held at the edge of the Speed River, we are reminded by the flowing waters that change is constant. Each of us have been changed by this pandemic. May we hold our transformation with grace and compassion. 
-In a space anchored by a wise old willow, and by walnut, tamarack and maple trees, we are taught to anchor our roots deep, to find moments and spaces of stability.

We hold gratitude for the many Indigenous peoples who have been in relationship with and stewarding this land and these waters for thousands of years, including the Attawondaron, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinabeg on whose ancestral lands we are on, and the current treaty holders, the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. 

Here is the invitation:
- A temporary labyrinth, marked on the ground by yarn and lights, will be set up Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 9pm. Drop in whenever you wish between 7 and 9pm to walk the labyrinth (no pre-registration needed). Let the meditative walk, gently witnessed by those of us holding the space, offer you soothing. 
-Upon arrival, please check in at the tent to sign in for COVID contact tracing
-Then, ground your energy by standing or sitting on the outside perimeter of the labyrinth, thereby also acting as a supportive, silent witness to those already walking.
-When you are ready, walk the labyrinth. A labyrinth guide will greet and assist you
-We’ll provide pieces of cedar wood upon which you may write the griefs you are holding, or write your intentions for what you wish to release. At a later date the organizers will have a private ritual fire to burn the cedar and thus aid the energetic transformation and release.
-After you walk, you may head out or once again pause at the perimeter
-If you happen to be at the labyrinth right at 7pm, we’ll be doing a simple intention setting. Right at 9pm words of thanks and releasing the energy will occur. No participation required. 

COVID safety:
- To maintain social distancing the labyrinth has an entrance on one half, and an exit on the other half. Only 2 people will be walking at a time.
- We ask that you wear a mask the whole time you are at the event, regardless of vaccination status
- Hand sanitizer will be available. Contact tracing (taking your name and phone number) will be in effect.
- If you have any of the following symptoms (not present from another, known cause), or have recently come into contact with someone with a known or suspected case of COVID, please stay home. 

If you are unable to attend yet wish to have your energy and intentions part of the event, contact Christine at [email protected] and we can arrange for a volunteer to walk the labyrinth on your behalf.

There will be an active listener on site. If you have emotions come up which feel overwhelming, you can talk with the active listener for some brief support.

This space is welcoming to LGBTQ identified folks and to people who are Black, Indigenous and People of Colour. Let’s work together to make this a safer space.

Children who can help us maintain a quiet, meditative space are welcome to attend and participate.

If you feel like you have grounded energy to share and want to help us hold the ritual space, or you feel called to offer gentle live music or sound healing, contact Christine at [email protected] to collaborate. 

We could use 1 or 2 volunteers to help set up from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, to welcome people at the sign in tent, and to help tear down from 9pm to 10pm on both Tuesday and Thursday. Contact Christine at [email protected] to arrange to help. 

Located on the Royal Recreational Trail on the south side of the Speed River, between Edinburgh and the McCrae Blvd stone bridge. See map image posted below. A small parking lot is adjacent to the space, accessible at approx 184 Edinburgh Rd. S. (keep your eye out for a sign at the road). Closest bus stop is at Edinburgh and Wellington (a few minutes walk). 

This is a free offering to the community. If you feel moved to show your appreciation through a financial contribution, donations for the Overdose Prevention Site will be gratefully accepted. #SupportNotStigma

​Connect to the event on Facebook.