The origins of labyrinths have been found in different regions of the world. They were found in ancient Greece, the British Isles, ancient India and Asia, and also in Meso-America (Mexico, Central, and South America). Unlike mazes, which are supposed to confuse and challenge, labyrinths offer one, winding path leading to the center and back out again. This simplicity is done on purpose, because it encourages those who walk the path to focus on a particular direction and journey.
When you walk this labyrinth you not only enjoy the twists and turns around the stones, but when you arrive to the center, you are sitting in an astronomical observatory that aligns with the stars in outer space! Do you see the largest stone? This is the North stone. It aligns with the direction of North, which points to the Earth’s North Pole. And do you see the second largest stone? That stone points to the South Pole, all the way around to the bottom of the Earth. Look at your compass and see for yourself.
These pillars are marker points that represent the calendar year. The sunsets on the horizon line up with them in the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall every year. In the winter the sun sets on the Winter Solstice, low in the sky. In the Spring it sets on the Equinox in late March. In the summer it sets on the Summer Solstice. This is the highest point in the north and the longest day of the year. Then in the autumn, the sun creeps back South again and sets again on the Equinox, before continuing to move South to winter again. This is why there are only 3 pillars, but 4 seasons.
1. The science that studies celestial objects and phenomena by using mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution. Objects of interest include planets, moons, stars, nebulae, galaxies, meteoroids, asteroids, and comets; this science is known as?
a) Philosophy
b) History
c) Gym class
d) Astronomy
Answer: d. Astronomy – The labyrinth is an Observatory to study Astronomy.
2. True or False: The pillars track the sun throughout the year by lining up with the sunsets on the horizon, marking the changing seasons.
Answer: True – when sitting in the center of the bench, you can tell what season it is by looking at where
the sun is between the pillars. Further North is Summer, further South is Winter, and Spring and Fall are right in the middle.
3. True or False: The Earth revolves around the Sun.
Answer: True – when sitting in the center of the bench, you can tell what season it is by looking at where
the sun is between the pillars. Further North is Summer, further South is Winter, and Spring and Fall are right in the middle.
4. True or False: The earth is rotating around the Moon.
Answer: False, while the Earth rotates the sun, the Moon is rotating around the Earth. The planets are
connected by gravity.
5. If there are only 3 pillars, then why are there 4 seasons?
Answer: Because the Spring and Fall are represented by the Equinox.
6. The mathematics that uses angles, degrees, and distances is known as:
a) Fractions
b) Multiplication
c) Geometry
d) Algebra
Answer: c) Geometry
7. True or False: Labyrinths are found in ancient cultural sites throughout the world.
Answer: True – Labyrinths have entertained human beings for thousands of years.
8. True or False: The act of walking the labyrinth represents life’s journey, with its single path, winding
turns, and its ups and downs. This is why we remain quiet and respectful when walking the labyrinth.
Answer: True – take the time to listen to your inner self, listen to nature and look at the sky, listen to what
your heart is telling you, breathe the fresh air and enjoy the view.
Items you need:
A String
A pointed weight of some kind
2. Now hold it out in front of you and let it hang.
Can you see how gravity is pulling the string?
If you move to the side, it stays level It acts as a pendulum if you swing it, but if you hold it still…. If you look through it, you are looking at a zero degree zenith angle which means that the string is pointing directly to the center of the earth and straight up to the sky.
What kinds of things is this useful for? How about building a house? Isn’t science cool?
Now hold up the plumb bob, and look with one eye through the string and see how they compare to things, like the trees, or pillars in the labyrinth.
