Love Labyrinth Opening

Saturday October 19th 2024   1 – 2 pm

Welcome - Hello All, Thank you for coming to this amazing Community Project!

I would like to thank the Neighbourhood Small Grants, the Neighbourhood Association of BC, the Owners and amazing Team here at Persephone for their enthusiasm in the project, B& K Landscaping for their gracious donation of pea gravel …..the Community love of the Sunshine Coast, as well as people from beyond that came to paint rocks or dropped them off during the summer, or that simply came to chat and ask questions, the support of friends & family, and everyone here NOW - all has contributed  to make the Love Labyrinth come to life.

Land Acknowledgement  - I would like to thank and acknowledge in love & spirit the gift it is to create on the lands and waters of the unceded & ancestral territories of the skwxwu7msh…..and in the language of the  shishalh swiya, where I live, I would like to thank all to be here today…. ?ul nu msh chalap.

My Intro - I’m Joanna, a local artist and labyrinth lover.   My first experience with a labyrinth came almost 25 years ago, during a challenging time of transition.  Somehow in an open area in the midst of East Vancouver I came across a giant circle with magnificent rocks placed all around it and benches for seating.  I had absolutely no idea it was interactive, so I sat at the bench in silent contemplation.  This I did a few times, and coming to this spot I somehow felt a sense of peace in what was happening in my life.  I decided to map out the rocks one day, and had come up with a visual of what this rock circle was.  I then went to the library and sat at the computer doing research.  (yes that was a real thing back then before our handheld computers– hahhaha!)

Oddly when I came to know what it was, I could not believe I had never encountered it in any of my spiritual references thus far in life.  It was all in divine order as I look back now.  In retrospect I am quite positive that I was magnetically drawn there!

From that point I began obsessively painting and drawing them and started walking the Giant Wheel as often as I could get to it, as I had started calling it in the beginning.  This expanded over the years to larger paintings and then workshops and then larger walking labyrinth creations both in Canada and Mexico. 

It is a part of my life experience and the scared path I walk!

Labyrinth vs Maze - Often there is a confusion between a labyrinth and a maze.

The simplest way to define a labyrinth from a maze is that in a Maze you are directed into dead ends and often isolated from the senses, with a feeling of anxiety or elevated levels of adrenalin, to find your way through to the end.   A Labyrinth leads you to the centre by simply following the path, where you may pause in stillness to absorb the energies.  Which then the path is traced backward to integrate and follow the path out, carrying with you what was integrated within.

The use of a labyrinth can take many forms, walking, a table top design, art….and in various shapes other than the classic round symbols found scattered amongst the earth.   I won’t go into the history and urge each to do their research.  It is a tool that is helpful with clearing the mind and bringing into balance a left/right brain coherence and beneficial in meditations and contemplation.  I believe the experience of a labyrinth is very unique to each individual and can never be experienced the same way twice.

Housekeeping - As this is a small labyrinth I would like to ask that one at a time go through, this also gives you a more inward personal experience.

Before entering it is common to pause for a moment with a thought or intention to reflect upon the path.

When exiting, please follow the arrows out to either completely exit or go into the contemplation grove for some extra time of silence and integration.

Also have awareness to the natural ‘rawness’ of this area, there are uneven spots for walking, so please ask for an arm of assistance if needed.

There is a waiver to sign for photos taken contributing to my final submission of the project to Neighbourhood Small Grants. If you are a new face, please introduce yourself to make sure I have a face to recognize in the photos.

Lastly, parking, please make sure your vehicle is on site and mindful of the neighbours and smoking only at the front entrance.

Welcome to the Experience - If you have never experienced the labyrinth I welcome you now, and for those who know this powerful energy, I welcome you back.   Any feedback I always appreciate, so please feel free to contact me at any time.

We have some sacred cedar for anyone who would like an energy cleansing before entering or at any time during your visit today.

Thank You - A final thank you for the simple love of community spirit!!!

Please take a rock of your choice from the plate as a token of love & gratitude for sharing this time and space together.

Live music begins at 3 so please In-joy the ambience at Persephone at your leisure.

“Follow The Path Of Love”

Eros Erotic Exhibit

Opening Night May 31st 20224

Exhibit runs until June 14th 2024

At The Wishing Well

In the Rodmay Hotel  6251 Yew Street, Powell River