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Labyrinths

  • Mazes and Labyrinths of the World—Janet Bord (Latimer, London, 1976)—best source on the possible origins, symbolic meanings and ritual uses of ancient labyrinths. The 270 photographs and drawings of every type of labyrinth and related spiral or labyrinthine design are coupled with a wealth of ritual lore and metaphorical and psychological interpretations of labyrinths, suggesting their possible connections with themes of creation, birth, death-rebirth, initiation, magical protection, gate-keeping and life's journey. 181 pp., hb.

  • Through the Labyrinth—Hermann Kern (Prestel-Verlag, Munich, 1982, in German, 2000 in English)—generally regarded as the most comprehensive treatment of labyrinths, with a catalog of different kinds of labyrinths, 666 illustrations and a bibliography. 360 pp.

  • Labyrinths & Mazes: A Complete Guide to Magical Paths of the World—Jeff Saward (Lark Books, New York, 2003)—the most recent and up-to-date story of labyrinths and mazes from the world’s leading authority on their history and distribution. Saward actually visited most of the examples documented here. Covers their origins, development of the designs, variety of forms and materials, the modern revival, and where they are found. 223 pp., pb.

  • Labyrinths: Ancient Myths and Modern Uses—Sig Lonegren (Gothic Image, Glastonbury, 1991)—a fantastic contribution to the enterprise of working with and learning from labyrinths intuitively and magically. Retells and offers new interpretations for many of the world myths associated with labyrinths, e.g., re-membering the tangential parts of the Minotaur myth and putting the Goddess back into the story. Offers new insights and suggestions on how we can use labyrinths for personal growth, facing our Shadow, intuition development and problem solving. Written to encourage direct involvement with the magic of labyrinths by drawing, constructing and traversing a variety of unicursal designs. Draws together aspects of sacred space, dowsing earth energies, sacred geometry, meander patterns, medicine wheels, mirrors of the Soul, the seven chakras and visible planets, Jungian archetypes, The Fool, Hermes, retrograde motion of planet Mercury and seasonal cycles in relation to the transformative uses of labyrinths. 154 pp. pb.

  • Mazes and Labyrinths—Nigel Pennick (1990)—scholarly, thoroughly researched treatment, documenting the evidence and commenting on the speculations about the history, origins, geometrical derivations and ritual and magical uses of ornamental and walk-through labyrinths and mazes in Europe and the Mediterranean. Discusses the spiritual powers inherent in labyrinths and the parallels with other symbols and their possible meanings. Gives detailed descriptions and histories of labyrinths in Britain. Particularly useful to serious students and scholars. 208 pp., hb

  • Art of the Maze (aka Labyrinths: Solving the Riddle of the Maze—Adrian Fisher (1990)—the first worldwide, color-illustrated survey of the different types of ancient and modern labyrinths and mazes. Gives an overview of labyrinth origins, myths, characteristics and history. Explores our fascination with mazes and the nature of puzzlement. Numerous aerial photographs place the mazes within their surroundings. Mostly focused on puzzle mazes (the branched path, walled or garden hedge variety) and their psychology, mathematical evolution and ways to solve the puzzle. 161 pp., pb.

  • Mazes and Labyrinths: Their History and Development—W. H. Matthews (1922; 1970)—earliest compilation of the history of mazes in ancient Egypt, Crete, Etruria, Rome and modern Europe. 254 pp.,

  • Caerdroia Magazine—Jeff Saward, ed. (since 1980)—the journal that connects labyrinth enthusiasts worldwide, presenting their ideas, research and activities. Published annually at year-end. Subscription also includes a small newsletter published annually at midsummer. Recent back issues and reprints of articles from older issues are available to subscribers and worth acquiring.

  • The British Maze Guide—Adrian Fisher & Jeff Saward (1991)—the definitive visitor's guide to the more than 100 ancient and modern labyrinths and mazes in the British Isles open to the public (more than anywhere else in Europe). Listed alphabetically and by county, with history, curiosities and location. 80 pp.

  • Caerdroia Field Guide—Jeff Saward (1987)—comprehensive survey of the various kinds of labyrinths currently or previously existing in the British Isles. History and usage of each type discussed, followed by over 150 examples of turf, stone, pavement labyrinths, rock carvings, Roman mosaics, the Glastonbury Tor labyrinth and modern constructions using ancient designs. Does not include hedge and puzzle mazes. 64 pp., pb.

  • Labyrinths: Their Geomancy and Symbolism—Nigel Pennick (1986)—booklet explaining mystic principles under-lying unicursal labyrinth patterns existing since the ancient Roman period. Connections between labyrinths and the geomantic layout of the landscape, sacred geometry, magic squares, Kabala, Earth Mysteries, shamanism, Etruscan and European augury, cosmological divinatory board games, justice, the sacred journey, archetypal mythology, etc. 39 pp., pb.

  • The Mystic Spiral: Journey of the Soul—Jill Purce (1974, 1987)—short section on the symbolic meanings of labyrinths and a few hints on their geomantic use. Rest of book delves into spirals and vortex rings, which are incorporated into and precursors of labyrinths. The leaps I have made in interpreting labyrinths stem from the understanding of spirals and spiraling vortices that I acquired from this book.—also in Earth Wisdom section. 128 pp., pb.

  • The Goddess in the Labyrinth—John Kraft (Åbo Akademi, Finland, 1985)—booklet summarizing Kraft's conclusions after ten years research into worldwide mythology and rituals connected with the seven-circuit unicursal (aka classic or Cretan) labyrinth. 41 pp., pb.

  • Glastonbury Tor Maze—Geoffrey Ashe (1979, reprint)—booklet postulating that the ancient alterations of the contours of the Glastonbury Tor (a holy hill in Somerset, England, shaped like the pregnant Goddess) into a series of terraces comprises a three-dimensional 7-circuit unicursal labyrinth. 16 pp., pb.

  • Chartres Maze: A Model of the Universe?—Keith Critchlow, Jane Carroll, Llewylyn Vaughan Lee (RILKO, London, 1975)—original study of the geometric relationships linking the pavement labyrinth with the rest of the cathedral. Suggests that the relationships of the length of the interior, height of the towers, position of western rose window, and circumference, position and hidden generating geometry of the labyrinth are related to a cosmological schema of reconciliation between solar and lunar forces and cycles. The progress of the traveler through this mandala re-enacts the process of incarnation from World Soul to physical body. 25 pp., pb.

  • Ancient and Medieval Labyrinths—E. Trollope (in Archaeological Journal, v. XV, 1858; Caerdroia/Institute of Geomantic Research reprint, 1981)—early important source on church and British turf labyrinths.

  • Earth Mazes—Alex Champion (1990)—description of mazes author has designed and built; how he became involved and his theories on why they have magical qualities. Color photos. 48 pp., pb.

  • A Celebration of Mazes—Adrian Fisher, Randoll Coate & Graham Burgess (fourth ed. 1986)—booklet by Britain's most active maze designer/builders. Includes a history and photographic survey of ancient and modern labyrinths and mazes, a map and list of mazes and carvings worldwide including 15 in the US, and some P.R. for their own maze designs and installations.

  • The Idea of the Labyrinth from Classical Antiquity through the Middle Ages—Penelope Reed Doob (1990)—"intensely academic study of the labyrinth symbol during the most important stages of its development" –Caerdroia.

  • The Shire Guide to Mazes—Adrian Fisher & Diana Kingham (1991?)—Introductory booklet illustrated with a list of public mazes in the UK

  • Nottingham's Mysterious Mazes—R.W. Morrell (1990—Study of the lost turg mazes of Sneinton and Clifton, Nottingham. 30 illustrated pages

  • The Saffron Walden Mazes—An illustrated leaflet with map covering the turf and hedge mazes in this charming N. Essex town