The hidden jewel that is James Bay

By Joy Jeffries

There, in the heart of James Bay, unnoticed by many, discovered by a few, she sits silently waiting. Her heart opens to embrace all, to take you on an inner pathway to your heart centre.

Her history is ancient; her ancestors spread throughout the world; all waiting to be discovered.

Beneath the tree of Irving Park in James Bay, nestled in the back corner of the park, she sits waiting. In spring, the path of Japanese flowering trees leads you to her majestic presence.

Yes, indeed, a jewel in our own backyard. The dream of this creation came into being with a man and his father pushing a lawnmower through the green grass to create the first inward spirals. Many thanks to so many people who supported and worked to make this wonderful hidden jewel in James Bay, many years ago.

Yes, indeed, a jewel in our own backyard. We have our own labyrinth right in Irving Park, nestled in the back corner. Follow the path that takes you to your centre. We have Sacred Space, a tool to guide healing, self-knowledge, empowerment and creativity. A Sacred Space for transformation. Lauren Artress in Walking a Sacred Path writes "The labyrinth is truly a tool of our times. It can help us find our way through the multiplicity, to the unity of source...The labyrinth provides the sacred space where the inner and the outer worlds can commune , where the thinking mind and the imaginative heart can flow together."

September witnessed people gathering from across Canada and the United States for the labyrinth conference on Vancouver Island. It was a wonderful week of labyrinth walks. There was a candle light walk and crystal bowls at the Church of Truth. There was also a walk at the majestic Christ Church cathedral. It was on a cloth labyrinth brought from the University of Victoria by its chaplain. The University of Victoria chaplain also gave an informative talk at the central library. There are other hidden jewels of labyrinths in the greater Victoria area. Everyone creates his/her own experience. Just follow the grass spiral inward and create a new experience for yourself!