Just moments before the summer solstice officially arrived in the Northern Hemisphere on Friday, June 20, community members gathered at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in North Saanich to honour the ancient tradition of walking the labyrinth.
Led by Rev. Denise Doerksen, the event marked the longest day and shortest night of the year, inviting participants to experience the spiritual significance of the labyrinth located at the edge of the church's parking lot.
The labyrinth, originally constructed in the 1980s and modeled after the design of the Chartres Cathedral Labyrinth in France, offers a "sacred setting" amidst wildflowers, ocean breezes and a panoramic skyline.
Rev. Doerksen shared, "The story of the labyrinth is one as interconnected and encircling as the ancient design itself."
She described witnessing individuals find solace and connection as they navigate the winding paths, breathing in the ocean air, and immersing themselves in the natural surroundings.
According to Rev. Doerksen, the labyrinth serves as a spiritual space for personal reflection and connection to something greater.
"It is evident that they are filled with a sacred wonder as they do this, as they connect their life to the life all around them, to divine life."
The event provided a unique opportunity for community members to come together, embrace the spirit of the solstice and experience the meditative and reflective power of the labyrinth walk.
It served as a reminder of the enduring human need for connection to both self and the world around us.
