Galleries:

I don't believe we will ever have definitive sets of photos of our many activities but nonetheless, we have assembled a few groups to illustrate some of what we've been up to.  We hope they inspire you as much as they remind us of the fun we've had.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank the contributors, particularly David Thornburg and Mike Rose who have been so supportive and generous with their time and talents.

And speaking of Dr Rose, I wish to extend my particular thanks to him for this first photo - a panorama of our beautiful mesa - obtained with no lack of nagging on my part, effort on his, nor reminder from nature and art of what is sometimes necessary to obtain a successful outcome. Do click on the photo to see the larger version

Kites

March and April are the windy months in New Mexico. So we celebrate the wind by having a Fun Kite Flying Picnic on the first Saturday in April. More than a hundred people bring their kites, picnics and laughter. 

Please join us on 7 April 2012 from Noon to Dusk.  You can download the event flyer here.

Our thanks to Dave Thornburg for these wonderful kite photos.

Maypole

The Danes dancing in their labyrinths at Beltane are my inspirations. Whenever there is a gathering at Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths we dance the maypole in our Classic labyrinth as pictured below.   We weave a wide length of ribbon which, as we walk the labyrinth, furls and unfurls around the maypole.

In 2010 Ole Jensen came from Labyrinthia in Denmark to New Harmony, IN and we held a workshop "Maypole Dancing in the Labyrinth: A Modern Tradition" We made a labyrinth out of pumpkins as it was Halloween and, mixing Danish and American ribbons, danced around a maypole carved by Curt Schmitt especially for the occasion. With 32 - 100 people in the labyrinth we taught Danish, Swedish and American dances.

In the spirit of the season as pictured just above, pumpkins were employed to create this labyrinth for our Halloween Maypole Dance.  Many thanks to Jessica Thompson for her photo, copyright 2010. 

Shuffle

Shuffle is an empty space of soft dry clay [or mud if it rains] raked like a Zen garden. With a group of people shuffling their feet in line behind me I lead them in a labyrinth design carried in my head. They are so careful not to step out of line or on the person ahead of them that they do not realize until they have got to the middle, that they have made a labyrinth. Then they walk their ephemeral labyrinth back to the entrance. Children love to make their own free-hand shuffle labyrinths.

Teaching

Ben Nicholson and I both teach about labyrinths at Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths or in other lectures. We encourage others to share their knowledge and ideas, for example clapping your way across a circular labyrinth to find the point where it sounds hollow. The equine labyrinth teaches horses to be more flexible and attentive and riders to be more accurate with their aids.

Group Walks

Group walks produce a wonderful energy and sense of community. I have seen people who have not spoken to each other for years smile at each other as they tread oncoming paths. At Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths we participate in global walks with the appropriate intention, for example World Healing Day.

Standing Women

On Mother’s Day first we gather in a labyrinth, ring our bells and stand silently creating an intention to make the world a better place for our children and the seven generations beyond. Then after 5 minutes and another ringing of our bells we walk the labyrinth.

Other Labyrinths made by Whitewater Mesa Labyrinths

I have made permanent and temporary labyrinths for friends, for a retreat center, for Cabinetlandia, and for two New Mexico Art in Public Places projects.

In 2010 I made an ephemeral version of my equine labyrinth Syzygy in New Harmony to show spectators how to introduce a young horse to a labyrinth. When the leaf mould and lime was removed a ghost labyrinth remained which will reappear in the spring as healthy new grass. 

The most unusual labyrinth was made as a result of a group of riders on a pack trip asking to celebrate Madonna’s birthday.  While the riders were out on a trail ride, I made a labyrinth out of empty beer bottles which sparkled in the sun.    A ghost labyrinth of footfalls may still be at the Flying V camp in the Gila Wilderness as we packed out what we packed in.