WELCOME TO THE BIRTH DANCE LABYRINTH
This sacred prayer path is created in close association with Spirit guidance. It continues to receive gifts in accordance with God’s will, including the beautiful energies of all who walk, dance and sit in stillness within this space. It is dedicated with love to serve our Mother Earth, our Creator in Paradise and our brothers and sisters.
Using the Birth Dance Labyrinth in video form asks you to visualize yourself on the path. As you follow the steps of the guide, pause wherever you feel nudged to spend more time so you maximize the experience of being in a place of beauty and peace.
Why Walk a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth can be used as a prayer path and a walking meditation. There are as many reasons and benefits to spend time in a labyrinth. One is the opportunity to slow down, de-stress and receive restorative energies of renewal, healing, compassion and love. It is a safe space to be open and vulnerable. It is a time to temporarily leave the outer world and go within, listen for guidance, and refresh your relationship with the Divine. In this particular labyrinth, Birth Dance, you are invited to engage all of your senses and to step into the fullness of the beautiful energies of the Mother Spirit’s great compassion.
Why the Name Birth Dance?
There are many levels of meaning to these two words. “Birth” hints at experiences of being re-born, even of “birthing” the labyrinth itself. It also grows out of the vision of a woman giving birth. Conception and birth themselves are a sort of dance, and many times people in a labyrinth feel compelled to dance. Think how all indigenous peoples have their own types of dance to express their joy and gratitude and to strengthen their connections to Creator and Mother Earth, usually in a circle or spiral form. Our sojourn on this planet can be thought of as a dance in which we all participate, whether alone at times or with others.
Other meanings within this name may emerge for you as well. Welcome to the dance!
Allow your body to be free to move in the labyrinth any way that it wants, any way your inner spirit wants you to move. You may want to imagine that you sway, twirl, skip, stand still, step deliberately, walk slowly or lay on the moss. This is your time and space with God. Each time you come will be a unique experience, customized by Spirit to bring you just what you need most at that moment, for your highest good.
Preparation to Walk: The Releasing Bench and Tree
A stone bench overlooking the Labyrinth is an area designed for people to sit (preferably with bare feet on the earth) to release stress, emotional disturbances, old hurts from the past, physical pain and so on before entering the Labyrinth itself. The oak tree nearby which appears to be dead remains a vital part of the labyrinth, absorbing the energies people need to release and sending them into the earth to be transmuted.
Remain here as long as you need. You may feel some emotions or memories coming to the surface, or a few tears may signal a release. Perhaps you will perceive movement of energy out through your feet. There is an energy being (akin to an angel) here to assist you in this important process. Simply allow and let go. It is safe. When this feels complete, you are ready to step to the entrance of the Labyrinth. The area from the bench to the entrance stone is a non-visible circuit such that as you walk there, you become energetically encircuited with the Labyrinth environment. You are better prepared to receive during your Labyrinth experience.
Your Journey in the Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is best done with bare feet, or in socks made of natural fibers. This will ensure a better connection of your body’s electromagnetic energies with those of the earth. For those of you using the labyrinth in video form, visualize yourself walking with bare feet. This process of earthing is foundational for vibrant health.
The angel statue at the entrance is here to welcome and remind you of the angel guardians of this sacred space. Pause to acknowledge and appreciate their presence and loving care.
The basic elements of fire, water, earth and air are represented; as you move along the pathway, you are invited to reflect on each one.
Fire: In some way acknowledge or touch the standing stone to your left just inside the entrance (there may also be a candle). Touching it with your hands or feet grounds your body with the earth, increasing your connection to it. This gives you that “electrical spark” to begin your labyrinth experience. Fire is at once consuming and creative, for it burns away what no longer serves you, making way for what wants to grow in your being. Reflect on “fires of creation”, the refining fire that leads to new growth, or the spark of creation which begins new life.
Water: Here at the stone bird bath, splash and play with the water or gaze at the lake, giving thanks for the life-giving “waters of renewal”. Perhaps you will reflect on your own baptism into the family of God. From the creative spark given by Fire, Water helps the current flow, giving life to all it touches.
Earth: Find the smooth flat Lake Superior stone at the top of the slope between paths 3 and 4. It represents “rebirth of the Earth”, or rebirth of the physical body. Here creation and water mix and go into the earth, magnetizing new energies of renewal into it. You may place your foot on the stone or touch it with your hand.
Air/Breath/Wind: The heart-shaped center of the Labyrinth is the Breath of Spirit. Just as the newborn babe needs air to breathe, we crave the creative breath of the Holy Spirit to move and transform us. Thanksgiving is key here for your process of renewal and transformation. Take your time in the center to become aware of the fragment of God that dwells within you, to be in communion with your indwelling spirit and to receive from the Divine.
Feel free at any time to stand, sit, or lay on the mossy area to receive as well. This time is yours to share with God, for communion and re-birth. Allow yourself to be embraced in love and bathed in the Light of Christ.
Stepping Out
When you sense your time in the center is complete, you can follow the same path back out of the Labyrinth. Pause again at the “Earth stone” to recognize and feel your innate worth, your great value to God. Realize your life is a gift to the earth. Stop again at the water and be reminded to step into the flow of God’s Plan for your life. Realize that God has seeded something in you and now you can take it into the world. As you are nearing the end of your labyrinth journey, carry the intention to walk out in divine Will. Touch the Creation/Fire stone again and consecrate your life in divine partnership. God will provide what you need to become who you are created to be, showing you each step of the Way. As you step out, do so with thanksgiving.
May you feel renewed, transformed through your labyrinth experience. You can return here as often as you like!
Using the Birth Dance Labyrinth in video form asks you to visualize yourself on the path. As you follow the steps of the guide, pause wherever you feel nudged to spend more time so you maximize the experience of being in a place of beauty and peace.
Why Walk a Labyrinth?
A labyrinth can be used as a prayer path and a walking meditation. There are as many reasons and benefits to spend time in a labyrinth. One is the opportunity to slow down, de-stress and receive restorative energies of renewal, healing, compassion and love. It is a safe space to be open and vulnerable. It is a time to temporarily leave the outer world and go within, listen for guidance, and refresh your relationship with the Divine. In this particular labyrinth, Birth Dance, you are invited to engage all of your senses and to step into the fullness of the beautiful energies of the Mother Spirit’s great compassion.
Why the Name Birth Dance?
There are many levels of meaning to these two words. “Birth” hints at experiences of being re-born, even of “birthing” the labyrinth itself. It also grows out of the vision of a woman giving birth. Conception and birth themselves are a sort of dance, and many times people in a labyrinth feel compelled to dance. Think how all indigenous peoples have their own types of dance to express their joy and gratitude and to strengthen their connections to Creator and Mother Earth, usually in a circle or spiral form. Our sojourn on this planet can be thought of as a dance in which we all participate, whether alone at times or with others.
Other meanings within this name may emerge for you as well. Welcome to the dance!
Allow your body to be free to move in the labyrinth any way that it wants, any way your inner spirit wants you to move. You may want to imagine that you sway, twirl, skip, stand still, step deliberately, walk slowly or lay on the moss. This is your time and space with God. Each time you come will be a unique experience, customized by Spirit to bring you just what you need most at that moment, for your highest good.
Preparation to Walk: The Releasing Bench and Tree
A stone bench overlooking the Labyrinth is an area designed for people to sit (preferably with bare feet on the earth) to release stress, emotional disturbances, old hurts from the past, physical pain and so on before entering the Labyrinth itself. The oak tree nearby which appears to be dead remains a vital part of the labyrinth, absorbing the energies people need to release and sending them into the earth to be transmuted.
Remain here as long as you need. You may feel some emotions or memories coming to the surface, or a few tears may signal a release. Perhaps you will perceive movement of energy out through your feet. There is an energy being (akin to an angel) here to assist you in this important process. Simply allow and let go. It is safe. When this feels complete, you are ready to step to the entrance of the Labyrinth. The area from the bench to the entrance stone is a non-visible circuit such that as you walk there, you become energetically encircuited with the Labyrinth environment. You are better prepared to receive during your Labyrinth experience.
Your Journey in the Labyrinth
Walking the labyrinth is best done with bare feet, or in socks made of natural fibers. This will ensure a better connection of your body’s electromagnetic energies with those of the earth. For those of you using the labyrinth in video form, visualize yourself walking with bare feet. This process of earthing is foundational for vibrant health.
The angel statue at the entrance is here to welcome and remind you of the angel guardians of this sacred space. Pause to acknowledge and appreciate their presence and loving care.
The basic elements of fire, water, earth and air are represented; as you move along the pathway, you are invited to reflect on each one.
Fire: In some way acknowledge or touch the standing stone to your left just inside the entrance (there may also be a candle). Touching it with your hands or feet grounds your body with the earth, increasing your connection to it. This gives you that “electrical spark” to begin your labyrinth experience. Fire is at once consuming and creative, for it burns away what no longer serves you, making way for what wants to grow in your being. Reflect on “fires of creation”, the refining fire that leads to new growth, or the spark of creation which begins new life.
Water: Here at the stone bird bath, splash and play with the water or gaze at the lake, giving thanks for the life-giving “waters of renewal”. Perhaps you will reflect on your own baptism into the family of God. From the creative spark given by Fire, Water helps the current flow, giving life to all it touches.
Earth: Find the smooth flat Lake Superior stone at the top of the slope between paths 3 and 4. It represents “rebirth of the Earth”, or rebirth of the physical body. Here creation and water mix and go into the earth, magnetizing new energies of renewal into it. You may place your foot on the stone or touch it with your hand.
Air/Breath/Wind: The heart-shaped center of the Labyrinth is the Breath of Spirit. Just as the newborn babe needs air to breathe, we crave the creative breath of the Holy Spirit to move and transform us. Thanksgiving is key here for your process of renewal and transformation. Take your time in the center to become aware of the fragment of God that dwells within you, to be in communion with your indwelling spirit and to receive from the Divine.
Feel free at any time to stand, sit, or lay on the mossy area to receive as well. This time is yours to share with God, for communion and re-birth. Allow yourself to be embraced in love and bathed in the Light of Christ.
Stepping Out
When you sense your time in the center is complete, you can follow the same path back out of the Labyrinth. Pause again at the “Earth stone” to recognize and feel your innate worth, your great value to God. Realize your life is a gift to the earth. Stop again at the water and be reminded to step into the flow of God’s Plan for your life. Realize that God has seeded something in you and now you can take it into the world. As you are nearing the end of your labyrinth journey, carry the intention to walk out in divine Will. Touch the Creation/Fire stone again and consecrate your life in divine partnership. God will provide what you need to become who you are created to be, showing you each step of the Way. As you step out, do so with thanksgiving.
May you feel renewed, transformed through your labyrinth experience. You can return here as often as you like!