Transformation of our Backyard Labyrinth
FEBRUARY 1, 2007
In 1999, I installed our backyard labyrinth. It was quite a learning for me and a lot of work, digging out the ground for each brick...
In 2002 I added an additional ring around the perimeter...
This made such a difference in experiencing the labyrinth...
Lots of things have happened here... weddings, birthdays, parties, ceremonies and celebrations, grief walks, classes, beginnings and endings... my dissertation would never have happened without this labyrinth...
Over the years, the grass has become problematic. This is mostly because the worms have decided that this is (to paraphrase Luther Burbank here) "the chosen spot of all the earth" to live. They pop their little heads, or tails, up and leave behind miniature dirt volcanoes that have turned into mud spots and have rendered the path un-walkable in the winter.
I didn't want to let it go in this old form... but I've learned to listen and the labyrinth has been asking for some time to be allowed to transform...
So... after placing all those bricks... I am now taking them out...
First, I measure... so when it comes time to replace the bricks, I will have some of the old measurements to go by... unless that changes too...
Upon moving the center gazing ball, I discover eggs...
a wonderful symbol for this first day of February, full moon,
Imbolc and Candlemas time of the year...
This earth is going to be moved to the front yard project. There the worms will be in mulch heaven and greatly appreciated for their earth-moving-transformation abilities...
I begin digging...
and digging...
and digging... and moving bricks...
Three rings to start...
stacked and ready for when they will be returned...
I sometimes...
cannot believe the things I get myself into...
but... it is so much fun,
this being in the earth...