What better way to celebrate the Winter Solstice then by gathering with community for a warm meal followed by a transformative candlelit walk through the outdoor labyrinth in Nanaimo.
The Bethlehem Centre is hosting the walk on Dec. 21 at 2371 Arbot Road as a welcoming of the festive celebration of lights season.
Holly Carnegie Letcher, a Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator, will facilitate the walk, which is open for anyone to attend.
Since 430 BC, labyrinths have consisted of a single path that always returns to the center. Labyrinths are thought to enhance right brain activity and can be useful for problem-solving, conflict resolution, meditation, and modern-day pilgrimage.
Activities get started at 4 p.m. with a vocal workshop led by Leah Hokanson. Participation is by donation.
Then at 5:30 p.m. a light supper will be served, with a suggested donation of $10. Lantern-making will start a half hour later as participants prepare for the labyrinth walk which starts at 7 p.m.
Letcher will guide everyone through a peaceful walk accompanied by the tranquil glow of candle-lit lanterns.
For those who don’t wish to walk the outdoor labyrinth, Nanaimo labyrinth author Carol Matthews will introduce participants to Bethlehem Centre’s impressive Godden Finger Labyrinth Collection in the museum.
Warm up after the labyrinth walk with a chat and a cup of hot apple cider with cookies in the main building and a tour of the Godden Finger Labyrinth Museum.
Everyone is advised to bring comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate attire.
For more information about labyrinths, please visit the Labyrinth Society website at https://labyrinthsociety.org or Holly’s website www.pathways2wellness.ca. To learn more about the outdoor labyrinth and The Godden Finger Labyrinth Collection or Bethlehem Centre, please visit our website at https://bethlehemcentre.com or telephone (250) 754-3254.