“The road of life twists and turns,
and no two directions are
ever the same.
Dan Williams, Jr.
The Triangle T Harmony Labyrinth
Labyrinths were used by most indigenous cultures, from
The Papago (Pima) nation of south central
In the last ten years or so, many new labyrinth designs have shown up all over
the world with labyrinth designers adapting the basic patterns to create
labyrinths unique to a specific site or purpose. There are peace labyrinths,
goddess labyrinths, church labyrinths, school, prison, and hospital labyrinths –
all meant to be used by multiple communities without regard to race, color,
gender, creed, ethnicity, etc. Many private and public schools across the
Labyrinths find their place cross-curricularly in geometry, art, music, history
and geography classes. They encourage visual/spatial and bodily/kinesthetic
learning and foster community building. Studies have shown that when students
are allowed to walk labyrinths before tests, their scores are often
significantly higher. This is due to the stimulation of both sides of the brain
in the simple act of walking the paths: the walker must put one foot in front of
the other and stay on the path to get to the center and return (the logical,
left brain side), and can, simultaneously, allow the creative, intuitive right
side of the brain to wander, question, and ponder without the anxiety that mazes
so often produce. Often walkers express a sense of peace and reconnection upon
walking a labyrinth – something we all can use a little of in this hectic world
today.
The Triangle T Texas Canyon Harmony Labyrinth, a seven circuit labyrinth, is an
exact copy of the Tohono O’odham design mentioned earlier, except that there is
an opening into the center circle so that walkers can stay and meditate and
reflect there. Built in a nest of boulders to the east of the building housing
the dining hall, it is a public, permanent, outdoor labyrinth approximately
twenty-four feet in diameter. The rocks used for the lines were taken from three
different locations on the Triangle T’s 160 acres and all have quartz
properties.
The Triangle T Guest Ranch is
on land that was sacred to the Chiricahua Apache and Hohokam Native American
tribes. With deep respect and appreciation for this unique and sacred land, the
labyrinth location was established by dowsing for the correct site and by asking
permission of the spirits of the land entrusted with its protection. Permission
to remove the rocks for the lines was asked of each rock; none were dug out or
removed against their will. In fact, once the request was made, many rocks
literally tumbled down the hills to fall at our feet, so eager were they to be a
part of this healing, mandallic form. Prayers were made, the area smudged, and a
cornmeal offering ceremony performed once the labyrinth was completed. We
believe this is the first time that this ancient design is in a form large
enough to walk and it is because of the connection to the old tribes and the
desire for harmony and balance that this design was chosen. We hope that all who
walk this labyrinth will find what they need and that the Triangle T Texas
Canyon Harmony Labyrinth becomes a mecca for those wishing to renew their
connection to the land and to Spirit through the simple act of walking a sacred
path.