THE ASTROGEOMANTIC LABYRINTH   

Harmonising Exterior and Inner Spaces

© Xavier de la Huerga 2023

One of the most important applications of astrogeomancy is that of harmonising and spiritualising space through the construction of "power structures". The labyrinth, whose origins are to be found within prehistoric megalithic culture, is one of those structures already possessing an inherent power, which can be amplified by the astrogeomantic methodology through the integration in its design of sacred geometry, astronomy, sacred metrology, mythology and the multidimensional and symbolic use of number.

The oldest labyrinths in the world are the petroglyphs found in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, dated around 3,500 to 4,500 years ago. (Image: maxpixel.net)

The Difference between a Labyrinth and a Maze.

The maze is designed to make difficult the transit and exit of those who enter it. The labyrinth has instead a path that always leads from the entrance to the centre and back through a series of circumvolutions.

(Left) Maze. (Right) Labyrinth. The difference between them can be easily noticed by following their paths with the eye, a finger or a pointer.

The maze is characterised by having multiple dead-end lanes; it triggers tension, agitation, anxiety and the hyper-function of the left brain hemisphere with its competitive focus, centred upon survival and the analysis of individual parts isolated from context. The labyrinth, on the contrary, propitiates a relaxed meditative state, facilitating the mode of global attention brought about by the right brain hemisphere with its integrated holistic perception, allowing the walkers to identify themselves with the path, without obsessing about the destination and opening a door to revelatory experience.

The Labyrinth Effect

As Dr. Lauren Artress¹ perceptively says: “walking the labyrinth is a spiritual discipline that invites us to trust the path”

When walking a labyrinth it is a common experience to think that we have missed a lap, taken the wrong turn, or similar doubts. If we do not react negatively to that fear and keep on walking, we learn that we can (and must, indeed) trust the path. When we consider the labyrinth as a symbolic abstraction of life's course, with its twists, changes of direction and unexpected diversions, the simple act of trusting the path is a subtle but profound lesson that is internalised directly, through the body itself. It is the act of trusting goodness, beauty and truth as essential elements of existence, admitting the reality of a mysterious blueprint, unpredictable but paradoxically predetermined in its geometric intelligence, which invariably takes us to the right destination. Thus, this is a form of both protection and therapy against the prevailing materialist cynicism and superficiality of postmodern western societies.

The research undertaken about the so-called labyrinth effect indicate that walking a labyrinth generates a series of physical and mental responses; higher levels of mental clarity and focus, relaxation, inner peace, an increased receptivity, intuitive flashes, inspiration, etc. Kay Sandor²  refers to the labyrinth as a “tool for ritual and for the development of a personal healing practice¨. Katja Marquart³ also considers it a tool “both ancestral and emergent, to improve creativity and problem solving”. Neal Harris⁴ defines it as “a playground for the spirit”. And Jeanne Peel⁵ classes the labyrinths as “a symbol that creates a sacred space for spiritual and psychological growth”.

The labyrinth at Notre Dame de Chartres cathedral was built during the beginning of the 12th century. It still attracts thousands of visitors to walk its eleven circuits every year. (Image: fabulo.blogspot.com)

An Example of Astrogeomantic Labyrinth.

The specimen portrayed here was built during an astrogeomancy and permaculture course in southern Portugal.

The Aljezur (Portugal) oval astrogeomantic labyrinth plan and the actual ground layout in its initial phase of construction 
(© Xavier de la Huerga 2022)

Mythological Symbolism: The outline of this labyrinth is generated from a central oval space that symbolises the cosmic egg, whilst the circumvolutions of the path stand for the serpent coiling around the egg. The egg and the serpent conform a dual symbol of the cosmic generative principle, an allegorical image of the creation of the universe found across a multitude of ancient cultures. It appears in the Greek Orphic Mysteries, throughout the cosmogonies of Gnostics, Taoists, Egyptians, Hindus, Phoenicians, in the Finnish Kalevala, the Persian Avesta and in many other traditions with prehistoric roots. In all of them the egg represents the primeval unity, which after incubation by the snake breaks into two fragments spanning the Sky and the Earth - the intrinsic duality pervading the whole universe - from which the principle of light and consciousness emerges.

The cosmic egg; space/matter as receptacle. The serpent; time/energy as generatrix.

Sacred Geometry: As it can be appreciated in the labyrinth plan above, the oval centre space is defined by an ellipse resulting from two adjacent circles with diameters in golden ratio to each other. This contributes to the overall symbolic content and reinforces its cosmogonic character, since the golden ratio is the mathematical expression of the generative principle in nature.

Astronomical Alignment: The central longitudinal axis of the labyrinth is aligned towards the summer solstice sunrise / winter solstice sunset. The time span between these two dates encompasses the dark-feminine-yin half of the year during which the solar power starts to decline - from midsummer day 21st June - until it reaches the shortest day of the year on midwinter 21st December. This astronomical and conceptual alignment confers to the labyrinth a quality conducive to introspection, initiatic ceremony, meditative and therapeutic work, etc.

Sacred Metrology: The ancient Drusian foot module was chosen to define the labyrinth's dimensions, because doing that achieves a spatial correlation with the solar year. The longitudinal axis measures 36.525 Drusian feet, equivalent to 12.03 meters. Dividing each foot into ten segments gives us the exact duration of the year; 365,25 days. This complements perfectly the subdivisions into meters, which correspond to the 12 months. The transversal axis is 30.44 Drusian feet in length (10.02 meters), which gives us the duration of a twelfth of the year pretty accurately, since 30.44 x 12 = 365.28.

Multidimensional Use of Number: The subdivisions described above can be marked with a peg or stone along the the labyrinth's axes to indicate the current day and month of the year.       This way, a transposition is established between the spatial and the temporal, conferring number the multidimensionality that characterises the megalithic canon. This transposition between space and time is an exercise that can be implemented for educational, therapeutic, calendrical and ritual purposes. Where in the labyrinth would the Spring equinox be? It is possible to time-travel when space is a metaphor and we live symbolically. This is what happens in the Pilgrimage Way of Saint James, where the path takes us to the Finisterrae, the End of the Earth, the sea of mystery and the setting Sun.

Different types of labyrinths from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages. (Image: DiscoverLabyrinths.com)

Amplification and Expansion of the Labyrinth Effect

As we can see, the application of astrgeomancy to a labyrinth results in an enhancement of its symbolic dimensions and an extension of its possible uses. To the harmonisation of inner space triggered within those who walk it, it is added the harmonisation of the physical space where the labyrinth is located. This happens through the connection with the genius loci, or local telluric field, which  through group and ritual activation, can expand into a radiant vortex. The astrogeomantic labyrinth potential includes functioning as a syncronicity amplifier and, given the right conditions, the capacity to induce the right-brain mode of unified perception, propitiating a direct experience of the primeval unity with the Cosmos.

The genius loci, or spirit of place (depicted in company of two lares, or domestic deities) is an anthropomorphic expression of the spiritual potency and quality of a specific point upon the Earth. The serpent under their feet is a universal symbol of that elusive spiritual terrestrial force also known as telluric energy.   

Bibliography and References

Jackson, Eve. Dancing the Dance On. https://uat.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429459252-9/dancing-dance-eve-jackson

¹ Artress, Lauren. Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Practice. Revised edition New York: Riverhead, 2006.

² Sandor, M. Kay. The Labyrinth: A Walking Meditation for Healing and Self-care. EXPLORE The Journal of Science and Healing, 2005.
³ Marquart, Katja. The Labyrinth: An Ancient and Emerging Tool for Idea Development. https://labyrinthsociety.org/who-we-are/20823-marquart-katja

⁴ Harris, Neal. “Labyrinths: Catalysts for Therapeutic Growth.” Labyrinth Articles. Relax4Life, 2008.

⁵ Peel, Jeanne.“The Labyrinth: An Innovative Therapeutic Tool for Problem-solving or Achieving Mental Focus.”

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