Yesterday we discussed the fact that mystics, new agers and Wiccans practice walking a labyrinth. We asked the question, if walking a labyrinth has been practiced for 3500 years, by many pagan groups, (never by Christians), why should we bring this practice into our churches? Today were going to look at more belief systems that utilize walking a labyrinth.
Shamans walk labyrinths
Shamanism uses the labyrinth in the same way as most labyrinth walkers.
Native Americans walk labyrinths
Native Americans refer to the labyrinth as the medicine wheel as well as the man in the maze. Hopi Indians see the labyrinth as a symbol for Mother Earth and use the labyrinth in ceremonies.
Some Catholics walk labyrinths
A Catholic Church in France, the "Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres", contains a labyrinth that is open to the public, regardless of their belief system, once a month. As I mentioned yesterday, many Catholics will pray the Rosary as they are walking the labyrinth. To my knowledge, to be fair, I have not seen any official endorsement of this practice by the Roman Catholic Church.
Those who practice the Jewish mysticism called Kabbalah, walk the labyrinth
In Kabbalah, the labyrinth is referred to as Solomon's maze and is sometimes used in initiation rites.
Freemasons practice a form of walking a labyrinth
The influential esoteric author, 33 degree Freemason Manly P. Hall says the labyrinth is symbolic of man's search for Truth.
During the initiation of a new Freemason, the initiate is led through a series of stations where he is given an esoteric lesson. After journeying throughout the lodge room the initiate is taken to the center of the room where an alter is |
