The Spiral Circle
The labyrinth functions like a spiral. The walk into the center moves in a clockwise pattern, and the path back out moves counterclockwise. According to Dr. Lauren Artress in her book Walking A Sacred Path: Rediscovering The Labyrinth As A Spiritual Tool (1995), “The spiral is a basic form in nature—although the labyrinth spiral is more complex. The circular path inward cleanses and quiets us as it leads us in. The unwinding path integrative empowers us on our walk back out. Walking out of the winding path, we are literally ushered back out into the world in a strengthened condition.”
Spiral
According to Melissa Gayle West, a psychotherapist and the author of Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide for Healing And Spiritual Growth (2000), the labyrinth evolved from the spiral, the universal symbol of growth and transformation. We see spirals in the scalar patterns of a pinecone, the chambers of a nautilus shell and in our own fingerprints. West says, “The spiral is literally encoded into the universe. The labyrinth, echoing the spiral’s transformational theme, has invited journeyers and spiritual seekers through the ages to contemplate the mysteries of life. Each time we walk the labyrinth we walk into a world that contains far more mystery and magic than our literal minds could ever grasp.”
Unwind through the labyrinth’s spiral circular path. Walk into the center pattern of the shell design. Meditate and go inward as you find the passageway around the circuit circle maze. Lauren Artress gives reference to the spiral circle as a spiritual pathway in her book “Walking a Sacred Path”.