Guest Column: Walk the Labyrinth to Consider Beginnings and Endings

Ouroboros, a serpent eating its own tail as a metaphor for the eternal cycle of creation.

By Nancy Ayer

There is only one path in the labyrinth. We begin our walk on the same path where we end it…or is it that we end where we begin?

Beginnings. Endings.

There is never an ending without a beginning. There is never a beginning without an ending. The labyrinth is a symbol representing the great ouroboroc circle of life, or life everlasting.

OUROBOROS – An ancient Greek image of a snake or dragon eating its own tail. It is a metaphor for “something constantly re-creating itself, the eternal return, cycles beginning a new as soon as they end.” (Wikipedia)

Endings. Beginnings.

As the close of 2012 approaches we face global warming, natural disasters, warring nations, our own divided nation, massive job losses, and frightening predictions of ancient calendars. The world seems to be in chaos, which has the potential to fuel personal fears. But stars are born out of chaos. Chaos brings change – endings and beginnings. And yes, we are teetering upon a cliff – a cliff of change and new opportunities for growth. How can we trust these endings to bring new beginnings for our higher and greater good?

Auspicious numbers have always fascinated me.

And as we face the ending of 2012 here are two auspicious dates in this month:

Wednesday, 12/12/12
Friday, 12/21/12

Auspicious: favorable, promising, positive, fortunate lucky, good, propitious,

Walk the labyrinth anytime on one or both of these dates. The indoor labyrinth will be open on 12/21/12 from 4-6 p.m.

Let go and seek the beginnings in the endings. Find your own auspicious moments. Walk softly with an open heart. Encouraging new thoughts and answers reside right next to our fears.

The Emmanuel Parish labyrinth is located between the Church and the Parish Hall on Main Street in Eastsound.