Three Good Reasons to Register Early for the 16th Annual Gathering of the Labyrinth Society: Embracing Liminal Space

Our Gathering Liaison Chair, Stephen Shibley, has written an enticing overview, below, of the upcoming 2014 Gathering, which promises to be another memorable adventure with wonderful companions in a gorgeous setting. If you've been to a Gathering in the past, you'll understand. If this is your first Gathering, you are in for a treat! But first, read these three reasons why you should register early for this not-to-be-missed experience:

1. If you register before August 15th, you'll save $100USD on the registration cost. That $100 could go a long way at the Gathering Marketplace, TLS Store, or the Silent Auction!

2. Space onsite at the Duncan Centre is limited to 41 rooms, with overflow going to the Wyndham. Your early registration will secure your lodging at the heart of the activities.

3. If you register by June 15th, you will be entered in the draw for a free annual membership, worth $75USD! ...mmmMarketplace ... Silent Auction ...

4. Surprise! A 4th good reason! You will receive the feel-good benefits of altruism, knowing that your wise decision allows The Labyrinth Society to plan ahead with confidence to provide the best Gathering possible for the whole labyrinth community. And that is priceless!

So ... journey to the Sunshine State for the 16th Annual Gathering of the Labyrinth Society this November 14 – 16th! Featuring both indoor and outdoor permanent labyrinths, the Duncan Center in Delray Beach, Florida is the destination for labyrinth facilitators, builders, researchers, historians, artists, devotees, and those new to the path. Our theme this year is "Embracing Liminal Space," stepping together over a "threshold" into a place of not knowing and waiting, in between that which we have known and that which is yet to be revealed.

We will explore how to get comfortable with the uncomfortable, and embrace the liminal nature of the labyrinth as Sacred Space, Healing Space and Creative Space. Joining us from mystical Glastonbury, keynote speaker Sig Lonegren will draw upon his experience as a Spiritualist Minister, Dowser, and Sacred Geometer. Experts on pilgrimage and reconciliation, co-keynotes Zara Renander and Rev. Kerry Holder-Joffrion of Alabama will shed light on the gift of labyrinths for transformation and community wellness. Winding his way from Scotland, visual artist Jim Buchanan will create a projected light labyrinth for an evening walk and a closing keynote reflecting on his permanent and temporary installations.

Registration and planning couldn't be simpler with an all-inclusive fee for conference keynotes, workshops, programming, venue, meals and accommodations! Save $100 with early bird registration by August 15th and sign-up by June 15th to be entered into a drawing for an annual membership!

For more information on the Gathering location, travel planning, workshops and presentations, pre- and post-Gathering activities, and to register, see the TLS Gathering website.

For information on Marketing opportunities for Vendors, please go to the Gathering Vendor page.

To stay current, check out The Labyrinth Society Events Facebook page.

Remember, if you register by June 15th, you are eligible for the Annual Membership Contest draw, worth $75 USD!

2014 Online Auction Report

Total income generated from the online auction was $3,901.  Heartfelt thanks to member volunteers Sarah Nash and Jodi Lorimer for their tireless coordination work.  It could not have happened without them.  Thank you, Sarah and Jodi!

Nineteen donors merit great appreciation as well.  Collectively they placed 72 items in the auction.  Thanks and gratitude to all!

Equally critical are the bidders.  Eighty registered this year, with 64 submitting an average of five bids each.  The most active item was Temporary Labyrinth Tattoos (donor: Lisa Moriarty) which attracted 18 bids.  Nine items received bids in excess of $100.  The leading income item was the TLS Lifetime Membership, won by TLS Founding Member and former Membership Chair, Neal Harris.  Neal also donated four items to the auction.  Applause, please, for our bidders!  Thank you, every one.

And do stay tuned for next year’s installment.  Now onward to Gathering!

Caerdroia Issue 43 Now Available Online

We are happy to announce the publication of a new digital edition of Caerdroia. Founded in 1980 and published annually by Labyrinthos, Caerdroia is the journal for the study of labyrinths and mazes, from the earliest rock carvings and artefacts through to modern installations of ever increasing ingenuity. Each edition contains illustrated papers, notes, news and views on the latest discoveries, theories and ideas from researchers and enthusiasts worldwide. Of particular interest in this edition are two papers that take a revisionary look at the question of the age and purpose of stone labyrinths in the far north of Europe. Notes on labyrinths on two antique needlework samplers, a commemorative medallion, the discovery of two ‘new’ labyrinths in Italy – actually both medieval and in the form of decorative architectural features on churches – and a diverse collection of labyrinths reported from several temples in India, are also featured in this edition. 

English Sampler 1798. Photo: Labyrinthos

The Caerdroia journal is provided electronically to all TLS members as a member benefit. Also available on the TLS website, for free access by members, are digital editions of the Labyrinth Pathways journal.

The Day the World Walked as One

On Saturday, May 3rd, 2014, an estimated 5,000 people celebrated the 6th Annual World Labyrinth Day in more than 24 countries. Organized by The Labyrinth Society, participants were encouraged to "Walk as One at 1," encircling the globe with the shared intention of peace. Over 300 people responded to our survey from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and the United States (plus one barnyard at an undisclosed location).

Two-thirds of the responses came from the U.S. where forty-four States were represented, missing Alabama, Alaska, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Utah, but we did get three from Hawaii! Dozens of newspaper articles, a handful of blogs, handmade flyers, and countless posts on social media helped to spread the word of the global event. The TLS Events Facebook group of over 2,500 members served as a worldwide bulletin board for people to share their events, photos, and stories. It was awe-inspiring to see so many different people walking such a diversity of labyrinths in so many environments (and weather)!

Workshops were organized, presentations given, public walks facilitated, tours meandered, and labyrinths created. An official proclamation of World Labyrinth Day (WLD) was delivered by the Mayor of Surrey, British Colombia, at an event organized by Diana Ng. Ronald Esquivel led a group walk of five labyrinths in Costa Rica. Marlies Zijlstra created a stone spiral at 1pm on the island of Crete. The Very Rev. Jane Shaw dedicated the new outdoor labyrinth at Grace Cathedral in honor of WLD. The Delaware Art Museum hosted a celebration organized by Carol Maurer, with the Cathedral Choir providing a blessed soundtrack.

​Custom t-shirts were worn at the Unity Spiritual Center in Bethelem, New Jersey, and featured in this newspaper article, Labyrinth Day and Free Yard Sale at Unity, inThe Hunterdon County Democrat.

Meryl Ann Butler published her sixth annual article, "The Healing Power of the Circle." 

Ray Waddle wrote a touching editorial, "Labyrinths can create lightness of spirit" in The Tennessean. 

An insightful article by Emily Priddy,"Long and winding road: Labyrinths offer paths for spiritual journeys," appeared in The Southeast Missourian.

Personal accounts, such as John Willmott's blog in Ireland, detailed the day's activities.

Thanks for supporting and sharing your intentions for World Labyrinth Day! There were far too many to include all the wonderful photos, anecdotes, locations, and events. An expanded slideshow is being prepared for the Annual Gathering in Delray Beach, Florida this November. For those who did not complete the World Labyrinth Day Participation survey or know of others who would like to be counted (anonymous ok) it's still available. Stories, photos, and links to video can be emailed toTLS World Labyrinth Day Coordinator, Lars Howlett.

Next year's 7th annual celebration will take place on Saturday, May 2nd, 2015! May we all have the strength and fortune to continue this shared journey and continue to connect with others in simple and profound ways along the path...