A facilitator shares her labyrinth and her story
By Brenda Wivell
The Stone Garden labyrinth resides on the east side of my 4.5 acres of property west of Brantford. As a spiritual tool, I became acquainted with it in the late 90’s through a founding member of LCNO, Anne Tanner. I will be forever grateful for Anne’s influence, guidance and friendship. After becoming a facilitator, I worked with a canvas, Chartres-style labyrinth in my community. I still am drawn to its sacred beauty; however, when it came time for me to build a labyrinth on my property, I chose to build a modified Classic or Cretan left entrance one. My spiritual director, at the time, suggested this style for me, as it was a gentler walk. She was right. The Stone Garden labyrinth has given me 15 years of support and guidance through some very difficult times. I opened it September 15, 2006, with a gathering of friends. It was a beautiful ceremony, with all in attendance offering their prayers.
James Darrell, modified the centre, to enable walkers to rest and sit on lovely stones planted into the 18-inch gardens separating the 3-foot paths. The gardens within and surrounding are perennials, shrubs and cedars. The name “Stone Garden” comes from the fact I planted 19 blue granite monoliths. The labyrinth’s centre holds a replica of the Chartres cathedral’s six petal rose, outlined in red stones, as is the pathway defined by a narrower walkway within the larger 3-feet representing the rose’s stem. I find it helps me focus and once I was told this pattern is called a “soldier’s walk”. There are two pergolas; one at the entrance and the second covering a part of two rows opposite the entrance.
In the fifteen years, I have hosted small day or half day workshops, with various groups. The experiences were rewarding. I felt blessed and honoured, that people, often strangers and vulnerable, trusted me to facilitate their journeys. Over the years individuals came, bringing friends or family members, sometimes with experience, often out of curiosity, but always glad they did. This past year and a half I invited my neighbours to come, even though COVID curtailed many of our activities. Those who came, respected my request for safety procedures and found an outlet for their stress.
These past two years, I began expanding, with the expert advice and capabilities of my landscape gardener, spaces for meditation; by creating a woodland garden of healing indigenous plants. I’ve planted several Carolinian trees and have designs for more, hoping to plant a forested area. There will be art and dry wall installations creating meditative spaces with seating.
I hope to continue to share this space with others, in a more intentional way; something I know I was guided to do when I built it so many years ago. For me, the labyrinth’s welcoming nature to all, as a spiritual tool, fills my heart with joy, as it teaches me truths and leads me to the core of my soul.
