Life at White House Farm

Wednesday 24 June 2009

The Labyrinth at White House Farm

The turf labyrinth at White House Farm has a classical 7-circuit design and was created in 2008 by volunteers under the guidance of Jeff Saward (Author of Labyrinths and Mazes of the World and Magical Paths).

Labyrinths are unicursal mazes found represented in art, carved onto stone or as a physical construction. Labyrinths have historically been used for group ritual or individual meditation. If used as a form of meditation, the labyrinth can help you to gain greater awareness and connect with the life-force of the land. Walking the labyrinth can become a symbolic pilgrimage.Ancient labyrinth designs have been discovered in many parts of the world including Europe, North and South America (Tohono O'odham), Australia, Nepal and India. One of the oldest discovered labyrinth designs is at Goa and is dated to circa 2500 BC. A Neolithic tomb in Sardinia has possibly the oldest labyrinth inscription that is known. Two labyrinth symbols near Tintagel in Cornwall may date to 1500 BC.

Labyrinths were popular in medieval times, particularly in England, France and Scandanavia. Some impressive ecclesiastical labyrinths remain, such as the famous paved labyrinth at Chartres cathedral in Northern France. Many medieval turf labyrinths still survive in the UK including at Hilton in Cambridgeshire and Saffron Waldon in Essex. We are now seeing a resurgence of labyrinth creation and appreciation throughout the world. Many people again seek inspiration from ancestral wisdom and the labyrinth provides a remarkable tool for sacred exploration.

It is said that in a maze you can lose yourself but in a labyrinth you can find yourself!

(Above: Woodland path to labyrinth, Sign to labyrinth)

For further information......

The Labyrinth Society: http://www.labyrinthsociety.org/

Labyrinthos: http://www.labyrinthos.net/index.html

World Wide Labyrinth Locator: http://labyrinthlocator.com/

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GUIDING PRINCIPLES

DEEP ECOLOGY

Deep ecology encourages intimate contact with Nature leading to direct, intuitive experience as well as analytical understanding. Deep ecology calls for a recognition of the sacredness of Nature and direct, personal action to preserve and improve the environment. Voluntary simplicity is directed towards living in greater harmony and balance with the natural environment. Gaia Theory is naturally linked with deep ecology and expresses reverence for the animate earth. At White House Farm we aim to encourage a compassionate motivation for environmental stewardship.

HOLISTIC AWARENESS

Holistic awareness stems from principles found in nature such as transformation, balance, sustainability, interdependency, relationship. Holistic awareness is dynamic and expansive in nature and supports an integrated view of the world.

Deep ecology approaches Nature with a vision of depth and wholeness. Holistic health relates to the whole person including mental, emotional, physical, social, environmental and spiritual. Holistic education similarly regards the whole needs of a student with reference to the individual and the relationship with community.

The Hermetic tradition summarises an essential principle of holistic awareness "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above, corresponds to that which is Below”

HOLISTIC EDUCATION

Holistic education “finds identity, meaning and purpose in life through connections to the community, to the natural world and to spiritual values such as compassion and peace”. It is intended that through the nature of activities and the learning environment, visitors to White House Farm will be encouraged to have an intrinsic reverence for nature and life and a love of learning.

Holistic education emphasises the connectedness of all living things including the connection between inner life and outer life. At White House Farm, the term holistic education is used broadly to convey a range of subjects relating to Sinfield Nature Trust’s objectives. Themes that characterise the trust’s objectives, such as sustainability, creativity and spirituality will be involved in the educational programme of activities at White House Farm. Activities available at White House Farm will connect with the trust’s values, whether it is promoting a traditional craft such as willow weaving which helps to revitalise the craft and support a sustainable system for native wood production or dowsing where intuitive perception is developed while interacting with the natural environment. Some activities will engage participants directly and holistically such as the Perceiving Plants workshop, which focuses on experiential methods of intellectually and intuitively perceiving plants.

HOLISTIC HEALING/THERAPY

Holistic health relates to mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. By pertaining to the whole person the body is recognised as an interconnected whole system. Holistic therapy recognises the interconnection between mind, body and spirit. Examples of treatments include Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Reflexology, Shiatsu and hands-on healing such as Reiki.

SPIRITUALITY

When we refer to spirituality we do not refer to any particular belief system. We encourage reverence for the earth and for all life and a communion with Nature by people of all faiths and none. Our practice of spirituality focuses on an active connection to divinity/the source of life while advancing wholesome living.
Meditation forms part of our guiding practice and our spiritual practice has a sense of openness and inspiration. In recognising forces as complementary rather than opposing, spirituality can be balanced by healthy intellectual and analytical skills.