30 replies to this topic

[Peregrine]

Hi All,

For a long time I am utterly intrigued by the design of the circular Cretan labyrinth.
After studying it, and toying around with it, I think I have found an interesting angle from which to look at it with regards to it's essence.
The labyrinth is not an easy object to study because of the almost hypnotising effect it has on any onlooker, as you may have experienced yourself.  

The single winding path through the labyrinth has a certain consistency, however.
The circular labyrinth can be devided into four quadrants and every loop of it's path never exceeds two quadrants. (some occupy one, some two quadrants).  

In order to study the labyrinth more closely, and guided by the above mentioned consistency, I have freed it from it's original circular form and have 'straightened ' it's curved loops.
In doing so, the true essence of the labyrinth emerged before my eyes and I must say that it's quite amazing (no pun intended) and a real eye-opener.  

Here is where I saw some sort of similarity between the essential line of the labyrinth and the Z-rods on the so-called Pictish stones.
Although far apart (Mediteranean / British Isles), they have something in common and thus may have the same origin or point out the same thing.

If you are interested, I will gladly share with you the way I  'straightened ' the labyrinthine path, so you can see for yourselves.

All best,  Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

I am interested, I find you can take several paths, but which one is the straight and narrow path that we should follow, not the yellow brick road ?
kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

The straightening of the path through the labyrinth is quite easy and great fun.
All you need here is a good image of the circular labyrinth and a piece of squared notepaper.
The way to draw the straightened path is as follows:

Place the circular labyrinth in front of you with the 'entrance' on the lower side.
Observe the four quadrants of the labyrinth.
Now start at the lower part of the squared notepaper.
For the distance of the point of entrance to the start of the first loop, draw a line with a length of 3 squares in an upward direction.
For every loop that covers 1 quadrant, draw a line with the length of 2 squares sideways in the same direction as the loop goes.(left or right)
For every loop that covers 2 quadrants, draw a line with the length of 4 squares sideways in the same direction as the loop goes.
For every turn in a loop, and the space between loops, draw a line with the length of 1 square in an upward direction.
Although the various loops inside the circular labyrinth re-curl in order to fill up the circle, always keep drawing in an upward direction on your notepaper.
(The farther you penetrate the labyrinth, the easier this goes).
For the distance between the end of the last loop and the centre of the labyrinth, again use a vertical line with the length of 3 squares.

When you've drawn the path through the labyrinth this way, you will end up with a somewhat bizarre but extremely interesting image.
I believe that this image is the very thing that the design of the labyrinth is all about.
Although it is one continuous line, it consists of two halves which are the exact mirrored and reversed images of each other.
When you determine the midpoint of this image, you will find that the true centre of the circular labyrinth is not the end of the winding path, but a point between the middle of the circle and it's upper rim.

There is a lot more to this outcome than this, but this must be all for now.

Good luck,  Peregrine.  

[Peregrine]

Hi all,

Does anybody know how to add an image to a post?
I would like to add 2 jpg images to my last post, but have no url availlable.
Can I send them in a mail to someone in order to attach them?

Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

Perigine, Are you a mind reader,
                                                I was going to ask for a diagram, that which is clear to one, may be as clear as mud, to another ?
Kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

I've just sent you a mail regarding this subject.
Perhaps we can take it from there.  

All best,  Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

Perigrine, thank you, that is inspired.
Difficult at first, but I can follow it, what area do you live in?
There are two ways of solving all problems,
1, practical
2, theory
Put the two together and you may have the answer ?
As I said earlier I am drawn to Chartes, the labyrinth there I have walked along, but at the time didn't dowse, perhaps the time was not right ?
To put this in a cathedral of this size and importance, means it is important, I have studied the Normans, and especially abbot suger, he ran France, what he said the king did, WHY?
He and his fellow monks, translated earlier dionistick light books, these I believe are held in the St Dennis cathederal, where all the trouble flared in Paris, they learned enough to create gothic architecture, and built all the churchs in England, all to devine measure, all to East/West alignment for very good reason.
Kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

I'm glad you received my mail in good order.
To answer your question, I live in the south of the Netherlands, just about 1 mile from the Belgian border.

When you look at the diagram of the straightened path through the labyrinth, you will probably see why I think it has a strong similarity with the Z-rods on the so-called Pictish stones.
This path (or base-line) reflects a certain sense of mirroring/reversal.
When re-incorporated into the circular labyrinth it speaks of: inner / outer.

If this base-line was indeed the embodyment of the concept from which the original designers of the circular labyrinth started out with, this base-line must stand for something really huge and important.
I believe it must be something universal and fundamental, hence it's counterpart's depictions in the form of double discs with Z-rods, opposing beasts such as bulls, dragons, snakes, etc., etc..

On a more practical note : Imagine how difficult it must have been to transform this relatively straight base-line into an extremely strong circular symbol (labyrinth).
In my opinion, this alone proves that the ancient designers of this symbol must have been true intellectual giants and it would be a big mistake for us, modern humans, to underestimate their capacities and capabilities in any way.
The fact that we do not (yet) fully understand the meaning of these symbols doesn't mean that they cannot have a significant meaning.
That's why I like to approach them in a somewhat broader perspective and try to think about them 'outside the box '.

The reason why the circular cretan labyrinth was incorporated into the gothic cathedrals has a far deeper meaning than that of their artistic beauty or their use as 'chemin de Jerusalem ', I can assure you.  

This must be all for now.

All best,  Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

Perigrine, If you want to discover more about gothic architedture, have a look at abbot suger, IMO, he and his fellow abbots translated books, these books are kept in the kings chapel, in Paris, they are from earlier times and to do with measurements and light.
PHi, 1.618, is at the route of this, how to square a circle.
I have the advantage over most people, I can dowse, not only can I dowse, I can measure to perfection that which I dowse.
At a point, where many lines cross, a measurable distance away will be where to place a well, from the point polygons will radiate outwards, many other points will be created by the geometric patterns that evolve.
If you can pinpoint these spots, and square the circles , you will create devine space, to perfect golden ratio measure.
Dependant on the distance apart( the more crossing lines the greater distance ) of the polygons will determine the floor area, then the walls have to be raised to achieve the octaves, for perfect sound( gothic architecture achieved this and abbot suger was showing his god that he could see him, circles )
Then you need the final part of the puzzle, I prefer to call this plasma, the ether.
I detect in all churchs bands of spirals, they fire across parallel lines, running east/west.
These spirals are perfect fibonacci spirals, and are related to the water.
Duality, two opposing forces fire across to each other, and energy is released.
The structure is built to perfection, to the lines, the structure is built on and of former life, this resonates to the plasma flows, we resonate to this plasma.
So, when you enter a cathedral, It looks perfect,devine.
                                              It sounds perfect.
                                              It FEELS perfect.
The result is , got you, another christian, very clever abbot suger, the people who wrote the books were even cleverer.
I am in tune to 1.618 , two flows of energy on top of each other, one is the creator, one is the destroyer, keep them in perfect balance, and all is fine.( your drawing )
But too much of the destroyer leads to the dragons firey breath, death.
I can draw what I detect, I come to France quite regurally, I am an antique dealer, brocanter.
Kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

The 'straightened' loops of the cretan labyrinth form an enigmatic base-line.
The peculiar shape of this base-line is not accidental, but provides for an extremely clever 'framework', on which a geometrical composition can be built.
Several specific points in the base-line dictate the positions and proportions of geometrical forms such as circles, hexagrams, pentagram, square, rectangle.
During the construction of this geometrical composition, one geometrical form generates the next one in a most fascinating way.
Next to this, the pentagram and hexagram, as a result of their position in this 'framework', line up with each other in at least 7 ways.

Best of all though is the way in which the total composition points in an undeniable manner to the golden ratio through the dimensions of it's rectangle.

I've taken the 'dynamics' of this geometrical composition a way further in another field with amazing results, but that's another story.

All in all, I am utterly convinced now that the design of the cretan labyrinth is far more than just a beautiful artistic achievement.
It's a depository of a scientific notion, translated through the universal and unchanging language of geometry and poured into the mould of an extremely powerful symbol.  

As I have said before : never underestimate the capacities and capabilities of the Ancients, for they were the most brilliant intellectual giants, on whom's shoulders we moderns stand. (although we find it hard to admit sometimes).  

All best,  Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

Perigrine, I hope we can meet one day, and walk the line together.
I don't underestimate our ancient ancestors at all, it is modern mankind I worry about.
Kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

You wrote:  <<I hope we can meet one day, and walk the line together>>.

Well, I think that, in a sense, we already do this.

and : <<I don't underestimate our ancient ancestors at all, it is modern mankind I worry about>>.

My remark about underestimating the ancients was just a general observation and I hope I have not offended anyone in any way.    

As for modern mankind, I share your worries here.
Although a lot was and still is accomplished in the scientific field, it worries me too that a great majority of us tend to become far too calculated and rational.
We are at risk of becoming an extremely cold and almost robotic society.
Somewhere along the line we have lost a great deal of our humanity and compassion.

Worse still, we have lost our bondings with the natural world we live in.
Our precious sensibilities in this area are blunted or are lost altogether and replaced by a carefully cultivated rationality which proclaims to bring us heaven on earth.
Gut-feeling or intuition are usually ridiculed or frowned upon these days.
I believe that modern mankind is moving in the wrong direction and we should re-trace our steps in order to find a new balance.
Not everything can be calculated, but rather be felt and interpretated or meditated upon.
I strongly believe we should slow down and re-think our ultimate aim and direction.

It's good and reassuring to know that there are still people around who are able to percieve things that cannot be explained by our over-rational minds.  

All best,  Peregrine.

[kevin.b]

Perigrine, Good to hear your wise words.
I go to La belle France quite often, If I go to Caen, I always look in at ouisterham church, St Sansom, it has a fabulous leaded glazed window over the door, of I presume Jesus surrounded by circles, at his feet are two straight pathways, I am afraid that we have gone along the wrong pathway.
I am sure that the builders of these churchs were aware of the correct pathway, but for some reason we have strayed off the straight and narrow pathway.
If we can re-learn what has been left in such as the Chartes labyrinth, and what is encoded in the ancient sites and Norman churchs, I am certain that the route back to this straight and narrow path can be found.
To demonstrate and show this will be difficult, but with the combined power that this device offers, I am confident it can be done.
Water will be a great part of this, and science is waking up to the quantum qualities it posesses.
I need to knuckle down and draw out that which I detect, the straight lines I detect are 1 inch wide, or in your money one euro wide, it is indeed a narrow pathway we walk.
It annoyed me when I found that the lines were one euro wide, as I don't like the euro, it is better to maintain each countries identity, we dont want to all end up as the same, I like it that we are so much better at football than the Dutch and Belgians?
Kevin

[Peregrine]

Hi Kevin,

The essence of the cretan labyrinth, i.m.o., is it's balance and sense of proportion.
I believe that modern society with all of it's technology is drifting towards one end of the scale.
You can compare it if you will with the left and right halves of the human brain, which needs to find a healthy balance between the two in order to function properly.
We desperately need to re-find this balance in our society, i.m.o..

Perhaps this is what the presence of the symbol of the labyrinth inside the gothic cathedrals is telling us.
Since the groundplans of most gothic cathedrals are based on the golden ratio, their architecture radiates this true sense of balance and proportion.
This resonates with some deep feelings within our very being, because we all are part of this natural and universal force.
This force allows us to be different from each other but at the same time binds all of us together in certain respects. (another issue to find balance in).

As for football : I really like to watch this game, no matter what club or country is playing.
All kinds of human behaviour and emotions can be seen on the field during a match, from extremely clever teamplay, through the grasping of opportunities to the most pathetic forms of foul-play.  
Yes, I like this game, a lot can be learned of it. (especially decent teamplay towards a common goal).
But this is, of course, just my 2 (euro)cents.  

All best,  Peregrine

[123hopp]

Hi, kevin b. and Peregrine

I`m new to this forum but not to the topic.
Well, those quadrants come out quite naturally from the fact that one starts drawing a conventional labyrinth from a cross core shape.
And then, Peregrine formed this thesis about two mirroring or reciprocating parts of a straightened track in a labyrinth. In my Swedish practice, I`ve worked out for myself a method of following how labyrinthian structures are located with respect to those "streams of plasma" in the environment. I use a scale based on the concept of chakras ("Man is measure of everything"). In this way I`ve come to the conclusion - which is not new for some of you on this forum, I hope - that labyrinths were located in such a way as to straddle a major contact line between a plasma path of the "earth chakra" quality and the "white chakra" quality. Thus, such winding path of a labyrinth
could be used for many different purposes; and in a different way - depending on if you are a woman or a man. When I`d  once tested a modern structure of this type, nearby my appartment at a suburb of Stockholm, it came out that walking clockwise was like sacrificing part of your life energy back to the local source of it, while walking anticlockwise was like building up your life energy back. (It could be also described in terms of mean personal aura frequencies)  
Well, it seems, a small local labyrinth - if properly located with respect to those plasma streams of kevin b. (earth aura!?), could be used
for cleansing your personal aura out of "alien imprints" you`ve gathered upon you during a day in a busy city!? I wonder, what do you think about it!?
123hopp