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Reflections on the Annual Gathering 2011: Taos, New Mexico

2011 Retrospective by Lisa Gidlow Moriarty

In October 2011, we traveled to the Southwestern area of the USA for the 13th Annual Gathering of The Labyrinth Society. Held in Taos, New Mexico, the Gathering was coordinated by co-chairs Sandra Wasko-Flood and John Ackers, both of Living Labyrinths for Peace, and a great planning team.

As seems to be a signature for our Gatherings, the weather was superb. The host location was the Kachina Lodge and optional pre- and post-gathering tours took participants to visit labyrinths and other sacred locations including the Rio Grande Gorge to the Ojo Calienta hot springs spa, and Stardreaming to south of Santa Fe.

Following the opening ceremony led by Mayan Grandmother Flordemayo, Virginia Lonesky opened the featured presentations with “Exploring the Cosmology of Labyrinths” on Friday evening. On Saturday, Lucy Pringle of England presented “Crop Circles – Windows of Perception,” and on Sunday morning, we heard James Jereb tell his personal story of discovery, “Alchemy of Stone”. The Gathering included a vendor marketplace, Silent Auction, and nightly Navajo Dance performances. There was plenty of time to network and visit the art and history-filled Taos area. Those in attendance also had the opportunity to experience several temporary labyrinths built on the grounds. Saturday was filled with workshops supporting the theme, Return from the Center: Open the Heart of Peace, and the day closed with spectacular experiential presentations, a world peace candle-lit labyrinth ceremony by Mayan Messenger Ac Tah, and a musical Dance of Peace with Wagogo Banda.

Our Annual TLS business meeting included elections for board members and a by-laws revision. On Sunday, near the closing of the Gathering, the installation of the 2012 Board included the announcement of our new TLS President. I stepped down from the president position, having fulfilled my term, and am very excited to hand the leadership over to Dr. John Rhodes, who will steer the organization for the next three years. Please join me in congratulating John on his new role!

Whether you joined us in Taos, or missed that opportunity, please mark your new 2012 calendars and watch the TLS website Gathering pages for information about the 2012 Gathering to be held in the Midwest Region, on the river boundary between Minnesota and Wisconsin, October 12-14, 2012.

2011 Retrospective by Neal Harris

I returned from the Taos Gathering and felt compelled to share with other members who may not have been able to attend this year. The pre-gathering tour, Snapshots of Taos Labyrinths, showed me incredibly creative ways to create sacred spaces. The depth of the keynote speakers (Lucy Pringle-Crop Circles, Virginia Lonesky (native traditions and spiritualiy) and James Jereb (his guided journey into creating the sacred site Star Dreaming) was truly phenomenal. As a founding member of the society, I’ve been around. But frankly, the information imparted just blew my socks off! 

Then there was Ac Tah, the elected voice of the Mayan people, who gave us the ancient energy transformational gifts known to the Mayans and created a public community labyrinth (with I’m guessing over 150 people in attendance-many from Taos and towns surrounding it)that was made from 1352 luminaria. The labyrinth was created in a huge barn and when all the candles were lit and the lights in the space turned off, we truly were in for a magical experience. Some of us meditated, some sang, some danced some did energy work, some made music with drums, flutes etc. The result was a joyous compilation of movement and unity consciousness-what a treat. 

I had the pleasure also of attending Dorit Brauer and her healing generational issues through labyrinths and going back 7 generations in the family. Her family constellation exercises were very transforming for those of us who chose to volunteer for these experiences. Kudos to you Dorit.

Then came the post-gathering tour to Star Dreaming. After James Jereb’s keynote, I thought I was prepared for visiting his sacred site…I was wrong! I’ve never seen anything on earth to match his 22 acre, 13 labyrinth (temple) compound. What a masterpiece of visionary creation. 650 tons of stone and crystal with each of the temples (labyrinths) having a specific connection to all that is. 

What can I say beyond this? The gathering just kept getting better with each new speaker, workshop and experience. Major kudos to Sandra Wasko-Flood and John Acker for envisioning and creating an experience I will never forget and will probably be processing and learning from for years to come. 

This communication would not be complete without also mentioning how open and alive the other attendees were this year. As a caretaker of sacred space myself, I can only attribute this to the behind-the-scenes efforts of Sandra, John, TLS board members/officers, volunteers and the staff at the Best Western going out of their way to provide a very welcoming environment. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Continued Blessings on your Path, Neal Harris 

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