An invitation to walk a labyrinth on Toronto Island
solivitur ambulando
it is solved
by walking
it is solved
by walking
Walking a labyrinth is one way to experience a powerful ancient symbol with your whole body. Enter and follow the path all the way to the centre and out again. Enter with a question or a prayer or simply listen for what comes up as you walk this sacred path.
The journey is different every time.
For a long time I have wanted to create a walking path in the grass on the Island. This year I found the way to lay it out in a book about sacred labyrinths and the place to do it while walking with my daughter. 7000 beach stones later here it is; under the sky ride, beside a church, near a fire pit, around a tree, on the shore of the lagoon. It was a happy surprise to me that the entrance is aligned with the rising sun (I started on a cloudy day). Labyrinths trace a single path to the centre and out again and are found in many traditions, dating back at least 6000 years. This labyrinth is a fairly accurate replica of the one in the cathedral at Chartres, France. It is laid out according to sacred geometry and based on a thirteen pointed star. I hope you will walk intentionally, with an open mind and trust what you feel. Please leave a new stone on the path if you feel inclined to, or tend the path if you find stones have strayed. This way someday each stone will lie cheek to cheek on one long line tracing the path to the centre. As far as I can tell there is no right way to do a labyrinth.
One thing leads to another.
This has really been a project where the pleasure was in the doing and I am grateful for the inspiration.
Laurie Jones
September 2000
In summer 2005 lunations were added to the perimeter and wild thyme and moss plantings were made in the fall of the same year
Laurie Jones is a member of the Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitators Network. To reach her visit www.lauriejones.net
Directions * The labyrinth is on the west side of St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church. Look for concentric rings of stones around a maple tree.
From Ward’s ferry dock: head west along the paved road past two bridges , take the first fork to the right following the lagoon to the church.
From Centre Island: cross Manitou Bridge. You are now on the south side of the lagoon, head east to the church along the paved path that hugs the lagoon shore. (See * above)
The labyrinth is used by several groups and individuals including:
Resource books
Artress, Lauren Walking a Sacred Path: rediscovering the labyrinth as a spiritual tool. NY Riverhead Books, 1995
Matthews, W.H. Mazes and Labyrinths, their history and development. London: Longman’s Green and Co., 1922, New York: Dover Books 1970
Geoffrion, Jill Praying the Labyrinth. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press 1999
In summer 2008 the path was made clearer by the addition of red cedar chips. Lunations were added to the perimeter and wild thyme and moss plantings were made in the fall of the same year.
Laurie Jones is a member of the Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitators Network. From time to time Laurie may organize a walk or a maintenance day. To reach her visit www.lauriejones.net or email [email protected]
The journey is different every time.
For a long time I have wanted to create a walking path in the grass on the Island. This year I found the way to lay it out in a book about sacred labyrinths and the place to do it while walking with my daughter. 7000 beach stones later here it is; under the sky ride, beside a church, near a fire pit, around a tree, on the shore of the lagoon. It was a happy surprise to me that the entrance is aligned with the rising sun (I started on a cloudy day). Labyrinths trace a single path to the centre and out again and are found in many traditions, dating back at least 6000 years. This labyrinth is a fairly accurate replica of the one in the cathedral at Chartres, France. It is laid out according to sacred geometry and based on a thirteen pointed star. I hope you will walk intentionally, with an open mind and trust what you feel. Please leave a new stone on the path if you feel inclined to, or tend the path if you find stones have strayed. This way someday each stone will lie cheek to cheek on one long line tracing the path to the centre. As far as I can tell there is no right way to do a labyrinth.
One thing leads to another.
This has really been a project where the pleasure was in the doing and I am grateful for the inspiration.
Laurie Jones
September 2000
In summer 2005 lunations were added to the perimeter and wild thyme and moss plantings were made in the fall of the same year
Laurie Jones is a member of the Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitators Network. To reach her visit www.lauriejones.net
Directions * The labyrinth is on the west side of St. Andrew by-the-Lake Church. Look for concentric rings of stones around a maple tree.
From Ward’s ferry dock: head west along the paved road past two bridges , take the first fork to the right following the lagoon to the church.
From Centre Island: cross Manitou Bridge. You are now on the south side of the lagoon, head east to the church along the paved path that hugs the lagoon shore. (See * above)
The labyrinth is used by several groups and individuals including:
- Island Public Natural/Science School
- St. Andrew by-the-Lake congregation
- Workshop groups from Gibraltar Point Centre for the Arts
- Local residents
- Visitors to the island
- Retreat groups
Resource books
Artress, Lauren Walking a Sacred Path: rediscovering the labyrinth as a spiritual tool. NY Riverhead Books, 1995
Matthews, W.H. Mazes and Labyrinths, their history and development. London: Longman’s Green and Co., 1922, New York: Dover Books 1970
Geoffrion, Jill Praying the Labyrinth. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press 1999
In summer 2008 the path was made clearer by the addition of red cedar chips. Lunations were added to the perimeter and wild thyme and moss plantings were made in the fall of the same year.
Laurie Jones is a member of the Veriditas Labyrinth Facilitators Network. From time to time Laurie may organize a walk or a maintenance day. To reach her visit www.lauriejones.net or email [email protected]