Happy World Labyrinth Day

Today is World Labyrinth Day. The labyrinth above is at Arlington Garden in Pasadena. 

A labyrinth is a path that leads, via a circuitous route, to the center of an intricate design and back out again. The route is unicursal; that is, it has only a single path. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is designed for ease of navigation, and it is impossible to get lost within one.

The University of Edinburgh::

Most labyrinths are meant to be contemplative experiences. It is impossible to predict the twists and turns the future holds, but we know the path will eventually arrive at the center. We slowly meander through its circuits that combine spirals and circles as we ponder our respective, personal journeys.

This labyrinth is on the grounds of Türnich Castle in Germany.

Labyrinths date back to ancient times.

The monkey labyrinth in Peru's Nazca Desert is more than 1,500 years old:

This image of a labyrinth is on a coin from Knossos, Crete, circa 400 B.C. 

Closer to home, this labyrinth is in the courtyard at the Neighborhood Church in Pasadena. . .

. . .and this one is indoors at All Saints Church.

Medieval Roman Catholic cathedrals throughout Europe are famous for their labyrinths. 

This beautifully preserved labyrinth, surrounded by candles, is in the 13th century Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathredal in France.

Since most people during the Middle Ages could not make the grand pilgrimage to Jerusalem, considered by Christians at the time to be the center of the world and symbolizing the Kingdom of Heaven, they would make pilgrimages to important cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Chartres, Canterbury in England and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. 

A person's pilgrimage was complete after walking the obligatory labyrinth to the center and then slowly retracing their steps to regain the outside world and return to their homes.

Since the turn of the 20th century, labyrinths have seen a resurgence all over the world.

This one is in Saffron Walden, England.

And now I leave you with this thought:

Wherever you live in the world there is a labyrinth near you, perhaps indoors, perhaps outdoors. 

Seek it out and make your personal journey, whether you want to follow the labyrinth's path for spiritual or meditative reasons, want to take some quiet time to ponder that nagging issue in your life or just want to have an interesting adventure.

Your purpose on the path is yours alone.

Photo credits: Arlington Garden, University of Lincoln, Blog My Maze, Alamy, Asernes æt, Angelus Block Co. Inc., All Saints Church, Labyrinthos, Pictures of England, Corbis.

Springtime at Arlington Garden

Yesterday I had a nice visit at Arlington Garden, where the woman in the photo above was enjoying a leisurely stroll.

I was there to meet with Chuck Hudson, who serves on the board of the West Pasadena Residents' Association. We had been trying to get together for some time to discuss...well, I'll save that for later.

Arlington Garden is at 235 Arlington Dr. at Pasadena Avenue.

After Chuck left, I spent an hour or so meandering through this magnificent piece of heaven on earth and Pasadena's only dedicated public garden. I hadn't been there in a few months.

Dozens of intertwining pathways lead through three spectacular acres. Whether you're a hardy hiker or need a little ADA action, Arlington Garden can accommodate you.

You'll find pleasant surprises around every corner.

Benches, tables with umbrellas, comfortable chairs and bright pots invite visitors to slow down and stay awhile.

There are several entrances. This one on the Arlington Drive side has a few steps, but if you prefer flat surfaces there are plenty of those entrances as well. 

Some brief history: Formerly the site of the Durand Estate, the land sat vacant for more than 40 years after the mansion was demolished in the early 1960s. Pasadena City Councilman Steve Madison hosted a series of community meetings in 2004 to give residents the opportunity to provide input on potential uses.

When no consensus could be reached, Pasadena residents Charles "Kicker" and Betty McKenney came up with an inspired idea: create a Mediterranean demonstration garden. The City of Pasadena began leasing the land from Caltrans and students from Cal Poly Pomona created the conceptual drawings that helped guide the garden’s future direction.

Under Kicker and Betty's superb leadership and with support from Pasadena Water and Power, Pasadena Public Works Department, Steve Madison, dozens of donors, volunteers and others, the huge blank canvas was slowly and lovingly transformed into a beautiful refuge teeming with drought-tolerant trees and thousands of plant species native to Southern California or otherwise suited to our semi-arid climate.



It's now certified by the National Wildlife Federation (ducks, birds and butterflies, not bears or bobcats!).

Kicker and Betty are at Arlington Garden frequently, so be sure to say hello if you see them when you visit. (Photo credit for this shot only: Pasadena Now)

At this time of year the nearly 50 Washington navel orange trees are in bloom, which means it won't be long before a fresh batch of Arlington Garden Sweet Orange Marmalade will be available!

Beginning at the opening of the classic seven-circuit labyrinth, walk slowly and thoughtfully all the way to the center and then retrace your steps. Many find it a contemplative and peaceful experience.

Ready to take your own tour of Arlington Garden? There's an app for that!

Some words of advice:

* Clean up after Rover and keep him on a leash.

* There are no restrooms, so "go" before you come.

* Bringing food in? Take your trash out with you.

* No smoking!

* Stay as long as you like, sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year.

If you'd like to volunteer at Arlington Garden or donate dollars or materials, please click here.

Gardens help sustain us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. They differ from parks in that plants and trees provide the focal point in a garden. You won’t find play structures or merry-go-rounds here. . .A middle school student wrote that she likes Arlington Garden ‘because I can hear my thoughts here.' 

-- Betty McKenney