Everything has a birthing, a beginning...
Rocks harden from molten lava. Seeds break apart as roots and shoots emerge. There is drama in the creation of new life, new matter, new ideas. The labyrinth is often looked upon as a womb – a place of safety and rejuvenation. It is seen as a place for the birthing of inspiration, understanding and creativity.
The Labyrinth Society was born on Thursday, November 6, 1998 by unanimous agreement of the 43 Founding Circle members present at the Caroline Conference and Retreat Center in St. Louis. This momentous occasion was duly celebrated with a birthday cake and appropriate festivities.
Since that time, we have held annual gatherings, created a communications network through this website, developed a traveling labyrinth exhibit and sponsored two symposiums in Europe. This is just the beginning.
We are creating The Labyrinth Society’s history every day. It is an adventure, a challenge and a joy. For however many years, we are linking our history with that of the labyrinth as it becomes more and more accepted throughout the world as a tool for peace and introspection.
1995, September 21-25
Labyrinth Conference
Gavilan Ranch, Lindrith, New Mexico, USA
Sponsored by The Labyrinth Letter (Jean Lutz)
1996, September 29 - October 4
Labyrinth Conference
The Myth, Mystery, and Music of the Labyrinth
Omega Institute for Holistic Studies
Rhinebeck, New York, USA
Sponsored by The Labyrinth Letter (Jean Lutz)
1997, November 7-9
Labyrinth Network Conference
“St. Louis One”
Caroline Conference and Retreat Center
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Hosted by St. Louis Labyrinth Project
(Robert Ferré & Ruth Hanna)
1998, November 6-8
Labyrinth Network Conference
“St. Louis Two”
The Founding of the Labyrinth Society
Caroline Conference and Retreat Center
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Hosted by St. Louis Labyrinth Project
(Robert Ferré & Ruth Hanna)
1999
Firsts
First TLS Board of Directors meeting, Barrington, IL
First TLS website launched
TLS officially incorporated
1999, November 4-7
1st International TLS Labyrinth Conference
First Annual Meeting of TLS Members
Teikyo Loretto Heights University
Denver, Colorado, USA
2000, November 9-12
2nd Annual TLS Gathering
Mount Sequoyah Conference Center
Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA
2002, May 17-19
TLS Glastonbury Symposium
1st Int’l Symposium with Veriditas
Town Hall
Glastonbury, Somerset, England, UK
2002, September 26-29
4th Annual TLS Gathering
Labyrinths Everywhere You Turn
Lionsgate Conference Center
Sacramento, California, USA
2003, November 6-9
5th Annual TLS Gathering
Resonance
Marriott Hunt Valley Inn
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
2004, October 7-10
6th Annual TLS Gathering
Art and Soul of the Labyrinth
Camp Courage
Maple Lake, Minnesota, USA
2005, May 21-22
TLS Labyrinth Symposium
2nd European Region Gathering
Woodgreen Village Hall
Breamore, Hampshire, England, UK
2005, October 20-23
7th Annual TLS Gathering
The Labyrinth and Sustainability
Eastover Resort & Conference Center
Lenox, Massachusetts, USA
2006, November 2-5
8th Annual TLS Gathering
Celebrate: Many Paths to a Joyful Center
T Bar M Conference Center
New Braunfels, Texas, USA
2007, November 8-11
9th Annual TLS Gathering
A Colorful Journey of Many Paths
Unity Village
Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA
2008, November 7-10
10th Annual TLS Gathering
Journey to Healing and Wholeness
Simpsonwood Conference Center
Norcross, Georgia, USA
2009, May 2
World Labyrinth Day
First annual World Labyrinth Day
2009, October 8-10
11th Annual TLS Gathering
Into the Labyrinth: Creating Space for Spirit
McMenamins Edgefield Lodge
Troutdale, Oregon, USA
2010, November 12-14
12th Annual TLS Gathering
New Harmonies in the Labyrinth
Historic New Harmony
New Harmony, Indiana, USA
2011, October 21-23
13th Annual TLS Gathering
Return From the Centre: Open the Heart of Peace
Kachina Lodge
Taos, New Mexico, USA
2012, October 12-14
14th Annual TLS Gathering
Timeless Flow: Reflections and Currents in the Labyrinth
YMCA Camp St. Croix
Hudson, Wisconsin, USA
2013, September 16-22
15th Annual TLS Gathering
Labyrinths for Global Healing, Landscapes for the Soul
Tigh-Na-Mara Spa Resort
Parksville, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
2014, November 14-16
16th Annual TLS Gathering
Embracing Liminal Space
Duncan Conference Center
Delray Beach, Florida, USA
2015, October 16-18
17th Annual TLS Gathering
Branching Out
Waycross Conference Center
Morgantown, Indiana, USA
2016, November 10-12
18th Annual TLS Gathering
Diverse Journeys on a Common Path: Building Community thru the Labyrinth
St. Paul’s United Methodist Church
Houston, Texas, USA
2017, October 27-29
19th Annual TLS Gathering
Honoring the Labyrinth Environment: Co-Creating with Nature
Islandwood Environmental Center
Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA
2018, May 4
World Labyrinth Day in Schools
First annual World Labyrinth Day in Schools
(now WLD in Educational Settings)
2018, October 5-7
20th Annual TLS Gathering
20th Anniversary Gathering
Bountiful Harvest, Sowing Seeds for the Future: Celebrating 20 Years on the Path
Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus
Woodstock, Illinois, USA
2019, October 18-20
21st Annual TLS Gathering
Journey of the Heart: Making Connections, Building Community, Finding Common Ground
Pearlstone Conference & Retreat Center
Reisterstown, Maryland, USA
2020, May 1-2
Walk around the World
24-hour virtual World Labyrinth Day event
2020, September 26
22nd Annual TLS Gathering
The Dromenon in Contemporary Times: Resilience, Reconnection, and Renewal
Held virtually on Zoom
2021, October 23-24
23rd Annual TLS Gathering
The Next Step: Labyrinth Turning and Returning
Held virtually on Zoom and Topia
2022, September 30-October 2
24th Annual TLS Gathering
2023, October 20-22
