Outdoor Labyrinths in Calgary Area

I’m back, apparently by popular demand. The Evergreen Tradition Facebook page received a number of new views in May and June, and I’ve been motivated to make it worth your while. The opinions expressed herein are my own.

Now that summer is here, it may be a good time to make use of some of the public outdoor labyrinths around the city. Though some are associated with churches, they are open to everyone, and may be easier to access than the indoor versions. Labyrinths go back thousands of years, and are a venue for walking meditation, as you follow the single path towards the centre, pause there for as long as you wish, and return with new insights. Most are based on the famous labyrinth in Chartres Cathedral, which is roughly divided into four quarters, with spaces resembling double-bladed axes (labrys) between facing corners. The Cretan, or classical-style labyrinth, frequently has seven circuits, and can easily be constructed by anyone familiar with the starter “seed” pattern at the centre.  (See for example,  http://www.labyrinthos.net/layout.html   Nerd alert: the 3:5:8 proportions in the pole method are indicative of the Fibonacci sequence, the “golden numbers” of organic growth.)  I’ll list the indoor labyrinths later this year.

1.      Silver Springs Labyrinth –  51° 6'23.55"N, 114°10'55.66"W – use alley behind 6243 Silver Springs Hill NW in the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs. A 60-foot diameter Chartres-style labyrinth, completed in 2012.

2.      St . Mary’s Parish Labyrinth, 10 River Heights Drive, Cochrane.  An outdoor, 44-foot medieval labyrinth, installed October 2014.

3.      FCJ Christian Life Centre, 219 – 19 Avenue SW.  Seasonal Cretan-style labyrinth on lawn, closed in winter.

4.      Christ Church Anglican Labyrinth – 3602-8 Street SW.  An outdoor Chartres-style labyrinth in Elbow Park, completed in 2014 as part of their centenary celebrations.

5.      Anglican Church of the Good Shepherd Labyrinth, 408–38 Street SW (Wildwood).  Outdoor labyrinth rebuilt in 2016.

6.      Southwood Community Association Labyrinth, Sacramento Drive and 110 Avenue SW. 50.953909° Lat.; -114.077836° Long.  Outdoor brick-on-grass Cretan labyrinth with easy access from Anderson LRT Station.

July Events:

Note these events are listed for information purposes only. Dates and locations may be subject to change; see the source for details. If I’ve missed anyone and you’d like to add to this listing, please contact me. All times Mountain Daylight Time.

Jul 1: Canada Day.  1:00 Grand Opening of Beloved Healing Arts, 827 – 17 Ave. SW.

Jul 1-3: Otafest 2016 at Telus Convention Centre. Info: http://otafest.com

Jul 2, 7:30 pm:  COGCOA Coffee Cauldron. http://www.cogcoa.ab.ca 

Jul 4:  NASA Juno probe arrives at Jupiter.

Jul 4, 5:03 am:  New Moon. Duir/Oak lunar month begins.

Jul 8:  Get out of Dodge (in your Ford or Chevy) week begins.

Jul 9, 10:00 am:  New Age Market at Hillhurst-Sunnyside Community Hall.

Jul 9-10: Vul-Con 2016 in Vulcan, with guests Adam Nimoy, Robert Beltran, Sally Kellerman, Robin Curtis, and others. http://www.vulcanconvention.com

Jul 15, 7:00 pm: Paranormal Pub Night in Inglewood, presented by Ghost Hunt Alberta.  Tickets $40 through eventbrite; food and drink extra.

Jul 17, 7:00 pm: Paranormal Pub Night in Kensington, presented by Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets $45 through eventbrite; food and drink extra.

Jul 19: Calgary Witches’ Full Moon Ritual, led by Heather Dawn.  Info: Calgary Witches’ Meetup on Facebook.

Jul 19, 4:59 pm: Full (Buck, Bear, or Blessing) Moon.

Jul 20, 7:30 pm:  Calgary Witches' meetup at Denny's McMahon.

Jul 21-24: Calgary Folk Music Festival. http://calgaryfolkfest.com

Jul 24, 7:00 pm:  Paranormal Pub Night at James Joyce, presented by Ghost Hunt Alberta. Tickets $40 through eventbrite; food and drink extra.

Jul 29 – Aug 1:  Panfest Alberta: Creating Balance, south of Edmonton. http://www.panfest.ca

Jul 30:  COGCOA Lammas Ritual.  See Jul 2.

Jul 30, 1:00 pm: Calgary Heathen Meet & Greet. Info: Calgary Heathens on Facebook.

Aug. 1:  Heritage Day (Alberta).  Traditional Lughnasadh, or Lammas.