Labyrinths: Ancient Myths & Modern Uses

By Sig Lonegren

For thousands of years, in many different cultures and in many diverse forms, the labyrinth's enigmatic shape has reappeared to tantalize archeologists and historians. What were these magical mazes used for, and why? What meaning could they hold for us today? Through myths, stories, and symbolism we enter the labyrinth's sacred space, and into its very heart where we can reach and understand its mysteries: how it enhances awareness and forces us to become attuned to the convoluted path in order to reach our goal. As we work our way through its various forms, from ancient Greece to Native America, through its legends, links with dream imagery, role in women's history, energies and planetary connections, we are given practical projects for personal growth. Draw your own labyrinths, use them as problem-solving tools, and even build real ones on a lawn or inside with a string and masking tape.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0806974079
• ISBN13: 9780806974071
• Release Date: December 2001
• Publisher: Sterling
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 7.8" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic - a classic

Sig's book has been a long-term favourite for many interested in labyrinths, and his sense of playful fascination with these tools sweeps you along. I'm surprised to see another reviewer say it is only good for beginners, for as well as successfully introducing the topic to readers, it is also the sort of book that will keep you working with labyrinths for your whole life, and has more passion for you finding your own way of working with labyrinths, than all the other books I've read on the topic (and I've read plenty!). It's been a key book for the Pagan labyrinth revival, but is carefully aimed to accommodate people of any faith and show how labyrinths work inside any spiritual tradition. Highly recommended!

In and Around

When I tried to buy this book years ago, it was out of print. I finally found it but I'm happy to see it's back in print now. It's one of the earliest books on the subject and one of the best. This book explores the stories and the symbols of labyrinths. It connects the ancient meanings to our modern thinking and even has an exercise to draw the labyrinth - which sets its meaning into your mind. I followed the author's instructions and felt more connected to the purpose of walking the labyrinth. A must read if you're going to walk the labyrinth. Elaine Maginn Sonne, Ph.D. Author of Legends of the Stones