What is Walking the Labyrinth?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Luigi_Daniele
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
Iā€™ve only briefly Googled it but it sounds pretty New Age to me.
 
Labyrinth

A complicated arrangement of paths and passages; or a place, usually subterraneous, full of windings, corridors, rooms, etc., so intricately arranged as to render the getting out of it a very difficult matter.

The labyrinth as an architectural term derives its name from the famous ancient or mythical labyrinths of Crete and Egypt. Geometrical figures composed of various pieces of coloured marbles and so disposed as to form labyrinths were frequently found in the pavements of French cathedrals and so-called labyrinthes de pavƩ . The finest remaining example is in the centre of the nave of Notre Dame, Chartres, and a person following the various windings and turns of the figure would walk nearly 800 feet before he arrived at the centre, although the circumference does not exceed thirteen yards. Similar labyrinths formerly existed at Notre Dame, Paris, at the cathedral of Reims, and at Amiens. This latter was only taken up in the latter part of the last century, and the centre stone (which is octangular and was formerly inlaid with brass imagery) is still preserved in the museum of that city. These labyrinths were supposed to have originated in a symbolical allusion to the Holy City, and certain prayers and devotions doubtless accompanied the perambulation of their intricate mazes.

In modern times, generally a fantastic arrangement of lofty and thick hedges in a garden as at Hampton Court, where it is difficult to find oneā€™s way to the centre.

catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6756

Not new age, but some new age churches have started to use labyrinths. That doesnā€™t mean though that the Catholic communities that have labyrinths are new age themselves.
 
PatriceA said:
Labyrinth

A complicated arrangement of paths and passages; or a place, usually subterraneous, full of windings, corridors, rooms, etc., so intricately arranged as to render the getting out of it a very difficult matter.

The labyrinth as an architectural term derives its name from the famous ancient or mythical labyrinths of Crete and Egypt. Geometrical figures composed of various pieces of coloured marbles and so disposed as to form labyrinths were frequently found in the pavements of French cathedrals and so-called labyrinthes de pavƩ . The finest remaining example is in the centre of the nave of Notre Dame, Chartres, and a person following the various windings and turns of the figure would walk nearly 800 feet before he arrived at the centre, although the circumference does not exceed thirteen yards. Similar labyrinths formerly existed at Notre Dame, Paris, at the cathedral of Reims, and at Amiens. This latter was only taken up in the latter part of the last century, and the centre stone (which is octangular and was formerly inlaid with brass imagery) is still preserved in the museum of that city. These labyrinths were supposed to have originated in a symbolical allusion to the Holy City, and certain prayers and devotions doubtless accompanied the perambulation of their intricate mazes.

In modern times, generally a fantastic arrangement of lofty and thick hedges in a garden as at Hampton Court, where it is difficult to find oneā€™s way to the centre.

catholic.org/encyclopedia/view.php?id=6756

Not new age, but some new age churches have started to use labyrinths. That doesnā€™t mean though that the Catholic communities that have labyrinths are new age themselves.
Click to expand...
Ah okay. So itā€™s been co-opted by the New Age rather than actually being New age?
 
It is a traditional Catholic form of prayer that has been co-opted and reinvented by New Agers both within and outside the Church.
 
There is actually an article on this subject in the latest edition of Catholic Digest magazine.
 
Iā€™ve walked a Labyrinth many times - 2 of the retreat houses Iā€™ve attended, each have one. Iā€™ve said my rosary while walking it. Itā€™s been relaxing for me.

I havenā€™t heard about it w/ the New Age. I believe itā€™s very old and related to prayer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top