While originally the labyrinth had been constructed for the beauty of its design, it was only through walking it as a means of meditation that its significance as an archetypal symbol emerged. When the differences in experiences encountered in both the maze and the labyrinth were identified, it became evident that the labyrinth was significant to the overall theme of spirituality in the Aistear.

While the maze has many paths where one can get lost when walking it, the labyrinth has only one path which leads directly to the centre and out again. The journey in the maze is educational, entertaining and informative while the journey in the labyrinth can be completed as a meditation that reaches below conscious  level to gain a deeper level of experience. Every walk that is undertaken in the labyrinth, whether on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, is a new experience and is unique to each person walking it.

As a result of these experiences, research began on the labyrinth, its uses, history and origin and it became clear that it was very ancient and had been used over thousands of years in most cultures throughout the world. Its re-emergence in many areas, including Ireland, was indicative of a psychic change in the welfare of humanity. As well as other labyrinths that were  emerging in Ireland, it was discovered that two other Chartres style labyrinths had been created in churchyards in Furbo in Co. Galway and Shrule in Co. Mayo.

Contact was made with the priest responsible for the construction of the labyrinth in Furbo and he directed the group to the website set up by Dr. Lauren Artress of Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. She had created a Chartres style labyrinth in the cathedral which was being used for meditation, walks and other related purposes. Her description of the labyrinth as an ancient archetype brought more clarity on its significance, especially when she described is as the archetype of transformation.

The research showed that archetypes are part of the unconscious that one may not normally be aware of. They emerge in different periods in time and are indicators of psychic change. They exist to help with the maturation and transformation of human awareness or consciousness. Archetypes are the ’a priori’ inborn forms of intuition and provide an experience of what is ancient yet new; the sacred beyond the symbol. 

The archetype that is enlivened in the labyrinth is the archetype of transformation. Transformation is an inner or unconscious process that happens to one, in one, but is not done by one.  The word archetype comes form the Greek ‘Arch’ meaning origin and ‘Tupos’ meaning imprint.. Since the group were unaware of the nature and symbolism of the labyrinth at the time of its creation, its true meaning and significance as a metaphor for the individual and collective journey, as well as for the Aistear, began to emerge. Though many archetypes exist, the labyrinth is different because one can have a direct experience of what it symbolises by walking it.

The experience of each walk in the labyrinth is new. Each walk serves to deepen the connection to the creative source thereby contributing to the experience of unity with all of life.  Once the significance of the labyrinth archetype became clear, it had a direct impact on the meaning of Aistear InisCealtra as a metaphor for journey.

The Aistear - A Resource within the Community