Dancing Bear Labyrinth

Labyrinths are ancient symbols used as walking meditations: a prayer to the Great Spirit, a healing to the heart, a balm for the troubled soul, and a way to answer private questions. Combining the imagery of a circle and a spiral, a labyrinth is a metaphor for life's journey. A labyrinth always has one path to walk towards the center. From there, you turn around and walk the same path back out; not like a multi-path maze.

Labyrinths are thousands of years old and have been found in Egypt, India, France, England, Algeria, Iceland, Peru, and the USA (Native American). They come in many different patterns. The most widely known and oldest is the Classical 7-circuit labyrinth. Labyrinths can be made out of almost anything -- stone, grass, brick pavers, shrubs, orange tape, string, shoes, tin cans, painted cloth, and lights. It is in the walking that the experience happens. Walking a labyrinth can be a transformation!

So what is so great about a labyrinth? Its power comes from you, when you give yourself permission to take the time out of your day to walk, talk, and listen to God.

Our Dancing Goddess/Dancing Bear Labyrinth was created in 2004 in the front yard of Bear Manor. It is always open to all for walking, free of charge. The stages of creation are shown here!

Built in the Classical 7-circuit style, with a "body" at the front like the Dancing Goddess pattern, this Dancing Bear Labyrinth is composed of stone wall-lines, stepping stones with thyme paths, and a gazebo at the center with magical chimes.

It is aligned on a North/South axis, with North, East, & West marked in stained-glass stepping stones, with the body and Entrance on its South side. The beginning of each circuit is also marked with a stained-glass stepping stone. It is 28 feet in diameter and is surrounded by a crab-orchard stone circular walkway and patio. The Winter Solstice sunset is marked with a tall perimeter stone, as is the Summer Solstice sunset.

The seven circular paths can be walked as a representation of the seven major chakras and their influences on the following issues: 1st path (next to the outside) = physical body & family; 2nd = relationships & emotions; 3rd = your power & career; 4th = loving oneself and others; 5th = communication; 6th = intuition & worldview; 7th (next to the gazebo) = your certainty & the appearance you show to the world. In the center, and as you walk out, you will find your answers.

The 7-circuit labyrinth begins on the 3rd path, at the big "Heel" stone (see Entrance sign). Come walk the labyrinth, and experience ancient peace!