The design of our labyrinth draws inspiration from the sacred geometry of the ancient labyrinth found in the stone floor of Chartres Cathedral in France, a testament to the timeless journey of the soul. Crafted with care from Te Moata red clay and hand-molded stones, each element is infused with intention and reverence.
The labyrinth is a sacred space in which to symbolically walk your life’s journey; a place of contemplation and inspiration. The labyrinth is not a maze and you cannot get lost, there is one entrance and as long as you take one step after another as a walk of trust, you will eventually arrive at the centre.
The idea for a labyrinth was conceived in the first moments of the new millennium after retreatants had walked a portable canvas labyrinth, brought to the new year gathering by Jessie and Misha. To solidify the idea of creating a labyrinth, Simon passed around his sun hat to collect the dedicated donations. Then it was over to Marnie and her strong intent to see this manifest. Marnie walked the land and found the perfect site beside the stream, which was at the time sloping and covered with head height gorse.
Over the next eight months many willing hands helped clear and level the site and sift the clay for the earth paths. Copper strips were rolled and hand stamped to form the shapes of the lunations and the six petaled centre. While the materials of the labyrinth differ, the size and pattern are an exact replica of the 13th century labyrinth created in limestone on the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France. Hand moulded pottery marker stones with a spiral pattern on the top surface and palm prints underneath, were lovingly created during a workshop at Mike O’Donnell’s Tarariki Pottery near Paeroa. These form the paths together with beach stones collected over many excursions by Maia and Marnie to Te Karo bay.
Over the years the labyrinth has aged gracefully with paths adorned by moss. Some say a ley line runs through the middle of the labyrinth and many consider the labyrinth to be the heart centre of Te Moata.
