The creation of a Labyrinth begins with a vision
a venue and a specific view of purpose
a venue and a specific view of purpose
The East River Labyrinth at Wise Acre, Crested Butte Colorado.
THE VENUE ~ Mountain and river valley wetlands terrain. The East River Labyrinth is created from over 900 native stones carefully culled from the river bank. It is an example of what we call a Wild Labyrinth. The circuits are designed to incorporate native fescue, river alder, willows, raspberries and wild roses. This labryinth is also inspired by the Ulmekarr Labyrinth, an ancient European monument which is almost 2,000 years old. The original labyrinth is still being walked by those who know where to find it! It was created near ancient burial grounds and walked by women of the ancient Norse tradition in a ritual request of the gods and goddesses for the gift of fertility and harvest blessings of fish from the sea and grains from the land.
THE SPECIFIC VIEW OF PURPOSE ~ The East River Labyrinth was created for individual meditation and creative inspiration as well as communal ceremony and celebration. It has been the site of weddings, family rituals, all-community seasonal celebrations, healing ceremonies and therapeutic eco-psychology counseling programs.
THE VISION ~ The 3 photos below are of the original Iron Age Labyrinth inspiration at Ulmekarr on the SouthWest Coast of Sweden.
THE SPECIFIC VIEW OF PURPOSE ~ The East River Labyrinth was created for individual meditation and creative inspiration as well as communal ceremony and celebration. It has been the site of weddings, family rituals, all-community seasonal celebrations, healing ceremonies and therapeutic eco-psychology counseling programs.
THE VISION ~ The 3 photos below are of the original Iron Age Labyrinth inspiration at Ulmekarr on the SouthWest Coast of Sweden.
|
Mark chose almost 1,000 native stones, carefully curated from the property. He then used the above Ulmekarr design, similar dimensions and a very similar siting in the leigh of a wood, to create a 21st Century celebration of the 2,000 year old Swedish ceremonial and ritual labyrinth. The beauty, simplicity and resilience of the above ancient earth monument shows that it does not look much older than the "comtemporary" labyrinth below!
Out of Bronze Age tradition and contemporary ingenuity the East River Labyrinth of Life is born! |
Laying-out and Landscaping the designs for a civic and institutional Labyrinth of Life and Summer Solstice Celebration.
The Creation of a Labyrinth begins with a vision, a venue and a specific view of purpose... 
|
Laying-out the initial circuitry for an original, never-before constructed double-entrance design. This Labyrinth was landscaped as a planted-growing garden meditation path which will mature and develop over the seasons and years. It was commissioned by a County Hospital and Integrative Health Complex, sited on a large multi-purpose civic campus. You can see in the photos that a helicopter Flight-for-Life pad, electrical/mechanical infrastructure, ambulance banks, patient and staff parking and flow of emergency vehicles must all be included in the planning and design-work. 
Mark guides interns in the laying out by making a giant protractor, siting and using the simple, very available tools that guide this creation. |
The helicopter pad and Flight-for-Life landing and launching location just across from the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth of Life is launched at a Midsummer Ceremony and all-community Celebration. Physicians, Integrative Medicine Practitioners, multi-generational community members, ambulances and even a horse were included in this beautiful Garden Party.
The unveiling of the Meditation Garden Labyrinth included all County residents, hospital staff, patients and family members. Since ancient times, labyrinths have been the traditional locations of ceremony, ritual and rites-of-passage around the world.
Below: Dr. Bonney leads the Labyrinth Launch and first walk. He carries the traditional Asclepius, or staff of the Medical profession as he leads hospital and community participants in the interweaving ritual of a double-entrance labyrinth. This staff will be permanently placed at the entrance to the West circuit of the double-opening garden.
Our promise to individuals and institutions:
We'll help you create the path you were meant to walk-- a Labyrinth for every reason, season and celebration of life! May every step become a walk into the sacred. |
The central altar and surrounding stone henges which define the entrance and 4 cardinal directions are wild boulders, drawn from the local mountains surrounding the hospital and environs. The eternal flame of the lantern above burns in the center of the labyrinth. Individuals who walk these meditation paths are invited to leave a stone, a hand-written note, a crystal or other object from nature. These commemorate wishes, prayers, blessings, gratitude of those visiting patients, hospital staff and community members who utilize this peaceful sanctuary.
|