Friday, June 08, 2007

7 Circuit Labyrinth

There are many quotes about the journeys in life. One of my favorites is from Ursula K. LeGuin, “ It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters, in the end.“

The year long Bead Journal Project is a type of journey, so I have begun that journey with the path of a labyrinth. A labyrinth is a single pathway that curves upon itself leading to a center and out again. Labyrinths have been around for centuries and examples can be found in relics that date back to the Bronze Age. They have been found scratched into the ground, outlined with mounds of dirt or rock. They are etched into pottery, chiseled into rocks and outlined with mosaics. Labyrinths have been found in the artifacts of most countries including Greece, Middle East, North and South America, South East Asia, and even Australia. Today people use the labyrinth for meditation, religious purposed and more. One of the oldest is the 7 circuit labyrinth.

The 7 Circuit is a rough circular shape with the pathway forming semi-circles inside. Don’t mistake a labyrinth for a maze. They are different. A maze will have passage ways that are a dead end. The labyrinth has no dead ends, but is a continuous pathway that curves upon itself until the center is reached. Once you reach the center you will retrace your steps back out.

I’ve drawn the labyrinth on the fabric and am now waiting for the beads to come in. I went through my stash and didn’t find the color and size I wanted to use, so I had to order some beads. I don’t have a local bead store (LBS), so I get my beads on line or when we go to the Asheville, NC area. It’s more fun to pick the beads out in person than on line. I’m really not sure how the color or finish of the bead is going to look, so I end up getting more beads when ordering online. It’s easier to get something I really don’t like or won’t use when ordering.

As I wait for the beads, I am thinking of July’s page of the journal. Since July has the magic numbers of07/07/07 I want to use the number on the page. I have doodles, but no real plan yet.

2 comments:

Timaree said...

Thanks for the explanation of a labyrinth. I didn't know there was a difference between a labyrinth and a maze. Interesting. I don't like getting lost or feeling trapped so I guess if I ever see a maze I won't go in but if it is a labyrinth I should be able to check it out.

beadbabe49 said...

What a great theme!
I wouldn't worry too much about getting beads you won't use...time after time, I've ended up using beads that I was sure were going to be useless and ended up being just the right bead for a project I hadn't even thought of when I got them!