Today is our last full day at Kells. Tomorrow at 8:00 we leave for Dublin with a flight the following morning at 6:20 am for Duluth, Minnesota.
Oh how we will miss Kells and the people of Ireland.
Yet, we are very excited for the privilege of being with children and grandchildren over the next three weeks.
If you read the whole post you’ll find directions from Andrew Honeyman for making a labyrinth at your church, or in your yard, on the sand of Siesta. Am wondering about the possibility of beginning an am labyrinth walk weekly on Siesta . . . hmmm.
Anyway, this is how our day began:
And this is what it was like by noon:
At noon water was very low from the tide being out. Where Patricia is standing, yesterday at about 6:00 pm a man was swimming in 25 feet of water. The ebb and flow continues to amaze us both.
If you want to make an impermanent labyrinth like this one – or a more permanent one in your garden or yard – this pattern of designing it will work easily. Remember that it is a very ancient pattern – much older and very much simpler than the one at Chartres.
We have used the labyrinth as a ritual for “centering” or “quieting” or “focusing” or “opening” or “listening”. It has many uses. Yesterday I walked into the center of the one we made at Rossbeigh Beach asking to let go of my resistance to leaving here. At the center I was facing West and into the sun lowering behind the hills and glistening a powerful light on the the water. What came to me was the constancy of the pattern of the waves, cresting and falling and washing onto the beach sand . . . over and over and over and over again. So as I walked out I gave thanks for the constancy of what we have opened ourselves to here in this ancient land. I feel quite sure it will continue to wash over us and over us and over us and over us again. I am ready to fly to Duluth . . . jut not quite yet.
Andrew Honeyman’s nine steps to making this labyrinth. You should try it on paper at home before you go to the beach and make sure you have made the connections you want/need to make.
And
here are three images
of the prayering
the earth offered,
on the Kells Bay Beach today.
Nature’s way of carving in the sand as the water of the Atlantic Ocean ebbs away with the tidal pull of the moon. Would love for you to reflect on these three images and write a reply with what it is you see/imagine:
May you at times of transition in your life be met by the prayering of the earth.
May the patterns of nature stir your imagination.
May you be guided beyond what you already know and believe to new beginnings.
May the play of the shadows of clouds on land delight you.
May the sound of water lapping against the shore calm and soothe you.
May the ache of your heart be lifted by the joyful song of little birds.
May your prayering lead you out of yourself and into the lives of those in need.
wells-of-wellness 
Dancers, hands high
Celebrating
Like children
Joy in where they are going
And where they have been
A stone strong heart
Have a safe trip home.
Ed and Cindy
I surely have never been “Dropped” thirteen times before, ( In one day! ) But persistence was so worth it, Thank you for the breath taking views from your front porch, Oh to wake up to such “never endings” What a gift each day that would be! ( Oops, please cows don’t take offense!) Have a fun last day in Dublin, Come back to us with your hearts full, Know you been missed and are loved so “very” nn
First thought like Ed and Cindy’s but also thought of dancing flames! It’s our heart that keeps beating until “the end of our days” wherever we are on lifes labyrinth. You ARE held in our hearts and prayers AND in God’s almighty hands! Enjoy your family time in Minnesota. C U in Jan.
Ron and Susie
It reminds me of the flams that have grown in your heats for you joy in Ireland. May you leave a little of your heart with those you have met. Thanks for all you have shared – it was almost like being there!
Safe flying and enjoy those families and especialy the grands. Have fun with the next adventure. Hugs, Fay
And the end of all exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And to know the place for the first time.
T.S.Eliot
Love you both, patti and keenan too
dearest phil and patricia, there’s plenty of land space here on the campus of st. A for a labyrinth! i have walked the ones at St. Andrew episcopal in Sedona arizona (right in the middle of their parking lot!) and the smaller one at Church of the Epiphany in Flagstaff AZ. easy to make. would be lovely here after your experiences with the richness and kindness of the labyrinth. glad you are safe and sound on minnesota soil again. hugs. linda lee and yukie
Bob and Jeanne mccue
To Phil and Patricia
We have been watching and reading and imagining the excitement,
and wonder and delight in the beauty and goodness of your journey.
Thank you so much for sharing with us…