Having a labyrinth at a festival is a sacred space for healing
Recently, I had the honor to create a temporary labyrinth at the Wisdom Festival in Belgium (Diepenbeek). I was given a spot in the middle of the center of the festival space. After carefully choosing the right entrance, I started building a 7-arm Classical labyrinth. I chose this model because it had a strong link to the chakras, which fits the topic of the festival: healing and spirituality.
The creation of a 7-arm Classical labyrinth was a deliberate choice, as this design represents the seven main chakras of the body. By walking this sacred path, attendees could engage in a meditative experience that promoted balance and alignment of their energetic centers. This symbolic journey through the labyrinth mirrored the festival's overarching themes of personal growth, self-discovery, and holistic wellness.
Constructing a temporary labyrinth at the heart of the Wisdom Festival allowed me to share this powerful tool for introspection and transformation with the event's attendees. The centralized location ensured maximum visibility and accessibility, inviting visitors to pause, reflect, and embark on a mindful walking meditation amidst the festivities.
I began the opening ceremony by performing a walk around the labyrinth and placing the central stone at the heart of the design. In doing so, I imbued the labyrinth with the energy of "geborgenheit" - a sense of safety, security, and comfort. This feminine, nurturing quality was intended to provide soft, supportive energy to the intentions and transitions the participants would experience as they walked the sacred path.
Participants were welcomed one by one to embark on their individual journeys through the labyrinth. By entrusting their intentions to the labyrinth, they allowed it to become a vessel that would support their personal growth and transformation. As they navigated the winding circuits, the labyrinth held space for their process, offering a gentle, reassuring presence.
Upon completing the walk, the participants were blessed with a new soundscape, further enhancing the transformative experience. Some shared their observations and reflections:
- While walking across the grass, some participants suddenly recognized the form of the labyrinth, while others did not yet perceive it.
- The children delighted in running through the labyrinth, with one young boy even sitting on the central stone like a shaman.
- Participants expressed feelings of relief, a sense of reduced burden, and the problem they carried feeling less heavy to bear.
- Others were deeply moved, expressing a sense of "ontroerd" - a Dutch word conveying a profound emotional stirring.
- Many participants felt a renewed sense of hope after their labyrinth walk.
By creating this temporary labyrinth and giving it the energy of "feeling caried," I was able to facilitate a transformative experience for the festival attendees. The labyrinth became a sacred space that supported their intentions, journeys, and personal growth, leaving a lasting impact on all who walked its circuits.
This summer, I am also going to create a temporary labyrinth at the Healing Festival from August 16-18. At this event, I will facilitate the walks and introduce participants to the concept of finger labyrinths.
The temporary labyrinth I construct will serve as a focal point for meditation and introspection at the Healing Garden Festival. By guiding attendees through the winding path, I will provide them with an opportunity for personal transformation and spiritual growth, aligning with the festival's themes of healing and wellness.
In addition to the walking labyrinth, I intend to introduce participants to finger labyrinths - small, portable versions that can be traced with the fingers. This hands-on experience allows individuals to engage with the labyrinth's symbolism and meditative qualities in a more intimate, accessible way, even outside of the festival grounds.
My role as a facilitator, labyrinth keeper will be crucial in helping attendees maximize the benefits of their labyrinth experience. Through my guidance and expertise, I will enable them to fully immerse themselves in the journey, release their intentions into the labyrinth, and emerge with a renewed sense of clarity, balance, and inner peace.
Here are some key advantages of working with temporary labyrinths:
-You can make a temporary labyrinth when organizing short activities: from a couple of hours to multiple days.
-You just need an open space to create it.
-You can choose your own form from 3 arms until... but take into account that it takes time and some skills to create it. So for a temporary labyrinth, it is better to not go so big, e.g. 11 arms.
-The nice part is you can decorate it however you want with materials you bring with you, materials from the space itself, or materials the participants bring into the labyrinth.
-It's very nice to draw a labyrinth on the beach, in the snow, with leaves...
-Creating and for sure decorating is a shared activity. So a lot of people feel connected with the labyrinth.
One remark: A labyrinth is a sacred geometry form. To fully be in its strength, the form should be created geometrically correct.
Be welcome or if you organise also a festival and like the idea of putting a labyrinth? Please contact me
