You could be forgiven for thinking that this is not a labyrinth, but you’d be wrong, It is infact a dual spiral labyrinth. This shape has been knocking on my door for a while now, quite subconsciously.
I was carving slate labyrinths and some small resin cast labyrinth coasters, one of those was of two spiralling dragons.. one Cosmic and one Earthly, like Spiralling Galaxies. Heaven and Earth. I had no idea to the notion of a dual spiral labyrinth at this point.
The second time this similar pattern emerged after being asked my thoughts on a friends physic garden design, I had drawn a spiral so that people could view the plants on both sides walking in around one side of the curve and out on the other side of the spiral with access to both sides of the beds.
And Thirdly this Fire labyrinth Spiral was an installation for Shatwell farms Winter Solstice event as part of lillith Pipers Water and Fire exhibition. Though difficult to make out it is a Dual Spiral. Fire Labyrinth – https://www.instagram.com/p/Cm0-HV_IJ9-/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Dragons of Cole Manor
Having worked at Cole manor I had many discussions with Martine, the owner, on the theme of Dragons, Ley lines and elementals. The space has a strong energy, that I would describe as having a crystalline quality as the garden seems to shimmer at times. The river Brue runs through the property cascading in to waterfalls at several points, one of these points most notably is where the labyrinth is situated and where many people feel drawn to.
Martine was drawn to this spot during her first visit to the property. As she sat down and closed her eyes she was interrupted by an unexpected presence behind her which she initially thought was a dog, but upon turning around there was nothing there. Martine is accomplished in traversing the inner worlds and so checked in to see who it was visiting her? She was surprised to see a baby dragon! She then thought.. Well if there’s a baby dragon there must be a Mum and Dad around here too. There was…a Water Dragon resides around this spot at the waterfall.
After speaking to Martine about her experience I dowsed to find the spot, interestingly finding there to be a node point there of 6 intersecting Earth Energy Lines.
Another spot of interest for me had been the hillside adjacent to the garden, before starting the labyrinth I trundled up to connect with the spirit of place, ask permission and for any help or information. Later that morning Martine and I went to the builders yard, upon telling her of my visit to the hillside she informed me that the hillside was home of the Male Earth Dragon!
Design and Space
I’d considered different design options for the space, the undulating surface and slightly trianglular shape didn’t really lend itself to a classical or more rounded shaped labyrinth, I considered stepping stones, herbs, plants and beds. The dual spiral shape worked a treat with the two elemental dragons representing the male and female, a balance of yin and yang, with an entry and exit point between the flower beds and stone wall seemed to fit in very well.
The dragons appear to me to be of an elemental consciousness. Dragon lines on the other hand are large earth energy lines of ‘chi’ energy flowing through Earths meridian lines. Tuning in to these two dragons I experienced a swirling water world with the water dragon and a Red magma Earth vision with the Earth Dragon.
The build
After dowsing for any negative Sha lines,( underground water lines of negative charge), and connecting to and receiving the energetic green light from the dragons and over arching spirit of place as well as asking for permission from all benevolent spirits of place and welcoming help from those benevolent beings of place. I set about measuring up and marking out with rope, an eco spray paint also helps to get an idea of shape.
Next came the task of digging out and putting down a subbase, this installation technique was labour heavy, the lines too thin for a whacker plate so I used a tamper bar and the digging out all done by hand as too small and intricate for machinery.
At this point the labyrinth was also consecrated by myself and the owner, Martine, with Rose petals, crystals and a large dollop of love.
Below you can see the tamped down subbase with weed suppressant layer.
After the subbase was down it was time to start mixing cement and laying in the stone..
The stone used was 40mm slate chippings – Green, Plum and Blue as well as Blue, black, green and Rose glass chippings. A mixture of various stones and Crystals bought by Martine included Jasmine, Jade, Agate, labradorite, Tigers eye to name a few.
I also retrieved slate and stone from the river Tone for the ridges and spines of the dragons backs. Asking the river and stones that wished to be included in moving to the labyrinth.
Earth Dragon body
Water Dragons body in process
The Earth Dragon
The Water Dragon
