In the January/February 2009 issue of The Iowan
Landscape — Contemplating the Landscape
Building a Labyrinth
[ Story by Emily Grosvenor | Photography by Shuva Rahim ]
Labyrinths are easy to build using simple materials. During a “Labyrinth Immersion” workshop last summer at Soul of the Prairie, a Cretan labyrinth was created using a string, fencepost, flagging tape, wire anchors, and measuring tape.
|  | The workshop begins with a general overview of the historical and spiritual aspects of labyrinths. Participants — Beth Douglass, Diana Schmidt, Audrey M. Stromberg, and Jolita Uthe — then walk the three existing labyrinths at Soul of the Prairie.
|  | Mary Dreier initiates the layout of a Cretan labyrinth by choosing its center point.
|  | Anchoring a pre-measured and marked string in the center of the available space, and moving this measured and marked string around the anchor, the labyrinth comes into being. Participants follow the string, laying down and anchoring flagging tape along the marks.
|  | The center stake is moved twice during Cretan labyrinth construction to facilitate the marking of turns. Diana Schmidt carefully places flagging tape in just the right spot for a turn.
|  | Beth Douglass puts the final touches on the new labyrinth. |  | The labyrinth is blessed, becoming “holy ground” for all who choose to walk and pray its winding path.
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