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Both a timeless work of art and an ancient meditative tool, labyrinths are found in virtually every culture on across the globe, from Siberia to the American Southwest. Unlike a maze, which features false starts and frustrating dead ends, a labyrinth leads walkers step by step along the path to a place of rest, then back out along the same path to the entrance. According to labyrinth scholar Jeff Saward, founder of Labyrinthos, labyrinths are a potent symbol in many cultures and have been for thousands of years. Roman mosaics often depicted labyrinths as fortified cities, while in medieval Europe they symbolized the one true path to Christian salvation. They have been used as ceremonial pathways, protective sigils, traps for unwelcome spirits, and for games and dances. For a fascinating history of the history and diversity of labyrinths, we encourage you to visit the Labyrinthos Web site.
Today, labyrinths are more popular than ever before. Thought by many cultures to represent the journey of life, the labyrinth is seen as a universal symbol of an internal pathway and an archetypal metaphor for the healing journey. In recent years, as the stresses and distractions of daily life have rapidly increased, the labyrinth has once again emerged in contemporary culture as a powerful tool to help quiet the mind, relax the body, and refresh the spirit.
During the past decade, there has been a remarkable resurgence of interest in the artistic. spiritual, and therapeutirc use of labyrinths. In 1996, Rev. Dr. Lauren Artress founded Veriditas and reintroduced the labyrinth as a spiritual tool. In 1999, The Labyrinth Society was created by labyrinth enthusiasts from around the world "to support all those who create, maintain and use labyrinths, and to serve the global community by providing education, networking and opportunities to experience transformation." Labyrinth-related businesses and organizations are now sprouting in communities throughout the United States, introducing more and more people to the benefits of using labyrinths in a multitude of ways for a variety of purposes.
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