Labyrinth

Treading the Labyrinth

Taken from D.J Conway�s book By Oak, Ash, and Thorn

Labyrinthine designs were common among the Celtic clans. The elaborate intertwining of their artwork, whether on jewelry or clothing, were a guard against the evil eye or curses, but were also symbolic of the mystical center� Walking these labyrinths must have held spiritual significance for the Celts.
The spiral and the simple inward-turning labyrinth are related in their symbolic meanings. Both patterns allow a person to move in toward or out from a specific center. This movement is what a shaman does each time she/he goes on a journey. Both designs tend to draw the physical eye inward, sometimes in an almost hypnotic attraction. Looking at a drawing of a spiraling labyrinth or tracing such a drawing with the finger can help a shaman turn the mind inward in preparation for shamanic journeying.
Whether one reaches the Underworld or the Upperworld depends upon which the shaman has in mind. On some occasions the shaman may find her/himself in an Otherwold area that was not held in mind; when this happens you can be certain that the destination is of importance. These occasions are not common, for the shaman knows that she/he cannot afford to be decisive in journeying. All journeys should be made for a very specific reason�
By using a pendulum or dowsing rods, a shaman should be able to discover energy lines in the neighborhood. Be cautious, for underground water pipes and electrical cables will influence any pendulum or dowsing reading. If you are fortunate enough to find such a line, of minor or major power, in your yard, you can construct a simple labyrinth to concentrate the power flow.
Begin�by outlining a circular center space, leaving it open on one side. Then curve your spiral path out from this. Keep the path wide enough to comfortably walk in� put a permanent flat stone in the center. This stone becomes a power-sink, drawing in and storing Earth energies.
Even if you are not certain that you have found a power line on your property, the very construction of the rock-lined labyrinth will concentrate a certain amount of power. One beneficial side effect of such a spiral is an improvement of the atmospheric vibrations throughout the immediate neighborhood, as well as on your own property....

Treading the Labyrinth, A Scripted Meditation.
Visualize before you a rocky cliff face with a door in it. As you reach out your hands, the door eases open and you go inside. To one side is a flaming torch in a wall holder. As you take it down, the door closes. The way ahead is a tunnel carved out of the rock. The floor is smooth. The walls are engraved with Celtic Symbols and occasionally inset with gems. You hear the faint sounds of a harp somewhere ahead in the tunnel.
You walk up the tunnel. Sometimes small rooms or short passageways lead off the main tunnel. You may explore them if you feel you should. You may see scenes from the past in this life or other past lives. You may even see the shadowy shapes of the dead or living. Decide if they send a message about something which you have not successfully faced and dealt with, Are they just old fears or resentments? Both fear and resentment, if clung to, will keep a shaman from seeing the truth and growing spiritually. Try to remember these scenes so that you can work on the problems when you have reached the center of the labyrinth.
After a long walk you come to a trickle of water in a wall-mounted basin. Beside it stands an Otherworld being who will be your guide through the rest of the labyrinth. This being offers you a drink of the cold water and talks to you.
You and your guide continue to talk as you walk further into the labyrinth. The harp music sounds closer now. You notice that the tunnel is beginning to curve noticeably to the right. Flickers of light from some place up ahead glint off the rocky walls. When you go around another curve, you find yourself in a great central cavern.
Stalactites hang down from a ceiling lost in darkness. Stalagmites rise in sculpted columns from the floor like a line of ancient stones, leading you to the center. At the center of this cavern is a fire on a great flat stone, and beside it stands a huge Cauldron. Behind the Cauldron is a throne-chair carved in stone. On this throne sits a shadowy figure wearing a hooded robe. Your guide leads you along the stalagmite-edged path to th Cauldron. The harp music is clearer now.
The caldron is black with silver beads around the rim. Other swirling Celtic designs in silver cover the rounded sides. As you stand looking at these mystic symbols, the figure on the throne rises and comes forward to greet you. This is the Underworld Goddess, she of many names.
Spend as much time talking to the Goddess as you feel necessary. Tell her about the scenes you saw in the tunnel. She may well explain what you need to do to correct any imbalances in your life, whatever they are and wherever they came from. Listen closely to her, and remember.
The Goddess leads you and your guide to the benches beside her throne. There, she pours a refreshing liquid into goblets and hands them to you. The harp music comes closer. You see a Celtic Harper threading his way through the cavern with many animals by his side. Behind him is a tall figure wearing antlers on his head. This is Cernunnos, Lord of Animals, the Underworld God.
The God and the Harper bow to the Goddess, then sit on the benches beside her throne to share in the drink. Cernunnos speaks to you, giving words of encouragement about your future.
At this time you may ask any questions you have either of Cernunnos or the Goddess.
Finally, the Goddess rises and takes your hand. She leads you back to the great Cauldron where she asks you if you are willing to be reborn into a new way of life. She explains that renewal can be difficult, although rewarding. If you answer yes, she waves her hand and you fall into the Cauldron. If you answer no, your guide will lead you back through the labyrinth to the cliff door.
If you go into the Cauldron, your experience cannot be described here, for each experience is different and of a personal nature. It will be strange, wonderful, and sometimes frightening. But always it will leave you with a feeling of being reborn, of new attitudes, of new perspectives on life.
If you have any fears and answer no, it does not mean you have failed a test. It simply means that you are not ready at this time.
When you finish with your labyrinth journey, whether by moving through the spiraling Cauldron or back up the twisting tunnel, move into the white light. Feel yourself re-entering your physical body, and it�s mode of thinking. Write down as much as you can remember about your journey. Some incidents, scenes, or statements may not make sense until a later time�