Labyrinths Ancient Paths of Wisdom and Peace

By Cindy A. Pavlinac and Virginia Westbury

A maze, a prison, a sacred precinct, a place of peace...for thousands of years the human mind has puzzled over the enigma of the labyrinth. At first glance, it strikes us as one of the stranger... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0306813106
• ISBN13: 9780306813108
• Release Date: October 2003
• Publisher: Da Capo Press
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 1.53 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.5" x 0.5" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Almost Impossible to Find a More Enjoyable, Better Illustrated, Basic History of Labyrinths

One would be hard pressed to find a better overview of labyrinths. This book is short, concise, and highly readable, and it contains an extraordinary collection of labyrinth photographs. A color photo, if not two or three, adorns nearly every page. There is also an abundance of illustrations. The book itself is well bound -- actually sewn instead of glued, which is a rarity these days. Although it is barely over 100 pages, this book is packed with information. There are numerous sidebars with quotes from labyrinth walkers as well as featurettes on subjects mentioned within the text. There is even one demonstrating how to draw a seven-circuit labyrinth. In the introduction, the author quickly distinguishes between a labyrinth and a maze, the two words often being used interchangeably and incorrectly. Sorry to disappoint fans of the movie "Labyrinth" with David Bowie, the structure in which that film takes place is actually a maze and not a true labyrinth. The history of the labyrinth unfolds in the first six chapters from its vague origins in the Bronze Age through to its reappearance in the 20th Century. The author does not go into great detail during the history portion of the book, but she provides key names, locations, and dates, enabling the reader to explore certain aspects further if so desired. The early uses and symbolisms of labyrinths are theorized, but in instances where little is known, archaeological guesswork is cleared indicated. The final four chapters are devoted to the reemergence of labyrinths in the 20th Century. An overview is given of the modern movement sparking renewed interest in this ancient design and resulting in the creation of the majority of the walking-size models ever to have existed. The current uses of labyrinths as tools for meditation, relaxation, stress relief, emotional healing, and nondenominational spiritual awakening among other applications are given detailed treatment. There is also an entire chapter devoted to nine contemporary labyrinth designers. The book concludes with a listing of some of the most famous labyrinths (complete with accompanying photographs) in North America, Europe, and Scandinavia. There is an index, a bibliography for further reading, and list of resources whose included web and email addresses may or may not be still available.

Both scholarly and spiritual

This book combines the best informational qualities of a thoroughly-researched scholarly work with the warmth of a journal of a personal pilgrimage. The author's broad experience with labyrinths casts a profound aura of spiritual authenticity over the whole presentation. The array of dramatic photographs alone would be worth the price of admission! I already knew a good deal about labyrinths and I learned even more from this book. I particularly appreciated the range of historical information presented. This is truly a seminal work in the field. Joyce Gibb, M.A. psychotherapist, Oklahoma City, OK.