VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — The Edgar Cayce Center in Virginia Beach hosts the only known public labyrinth in Hampton Roads — for thousands of years, people have used these labyrinths to facilitate prayer and meditation.
“In medieval times, labyrinths were a source of spiritual renewal. They represent the spiritual journey,” said Jessica Newell, an archivist at the Edgar Cayce Center in Virginia Beach. “Its this nice circle of calmness that you can go outside and enjoy.”
Labyrinths are typically circles that have a spiraled meandering path.
“You’ll see in the pattern of the design that there is an entry point, and you start there. Then you make your way in and out around the circuits, around the circle, until you reach the center, which is considered the still point of the labyrinth,” Newell added.
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Some say it represents a journey to our center, then back out again to the world.
“Maybe there's a question you have in your life, and you’re trying to make a decision,” Newell explained.
“Just walk the labyrinth and think about that question. It’s in a space where all the sacred elements are. You have beautiful water, fire, sun, earth, and air. There’s always a gentle breeze out here, so that’s clarity in itself,” said Patricia Guerra, a Virginia Beach resident and regular at the labyrinth.
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“It lets you clear your mind as you're walking and connect with the positive, negative, or polarities. It just comes to a center. You may get an answer right then and there, and sometimes I don’t get an answer; I see a sign. I might see an eagle fly overhead or a crow, which means something to me,” Guerra added.
Labyrinths have been used in holy places like churches and synagogues for thousands of years.
“It's a wonderful, non-denominational way to enjoy the fresh air, and really it's a tangible way to give yourself some self-care,” Newell said.
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After doing a search online, we found that this is the only public labyrinth in Hampton Roads. The next closest one is the Chrysalis Institute Outdoor Labyrinth in Richmond.
“So it's a wonderful afternoon experience to come and visit us, walk the labyrinth, and enjoy the meditation garden. It's a calm oasis on the oceanfront,” Newell said.
The labyrinth on 67th Street at the Edgar Cayce Center is free and open to the public — a positive addition to Hampton Roads.
