Maze of the Week #143 - Koala

Maze of the Week #143 is a Koala maze to help celebrate Save The Koala Day September 27 and is celebrated yearly on the last Friday in September.

Here was my preview image. My Star Wars hint was not correct.

Koala Bear shadow outline

Here is the first version of the maze. It is easy.

Koala Bear Maze

And the alternative version. A slight color change to the fur, etc.

Koala Bear Maze

Downloads are available in the comic book style maze section. Come back tomorrow to see what the comic book cover looks like !

Next weeks Maze Preview: A portrait ?

Chicken shadow outline

10 Labyrinths to Visit in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has over 200 labyrinths ! I think you should visit a few of them, so I have selected 10 of the best that are accessible to the public from around the state. If you want a full list of labyrinths in the state check out the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder.


Why visit a Labyrinth ?

Labyrinths are ancient and mysterious symbols that have been used for centuries for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. They are also a lot of fun to explore! If you're looking for a unique and challenging experience, walk a labyrinth with intention - it often leads to self-discovery. Personally, I like to walk labyrinths between dawn and sunrise or at sunset until dusk, but any time of day works. You may not realize it, but there is probably a labyrinth near where you live. Today we explore…


10 Labyrinths to Visit in Pennsylvania

1. Blackwell Community Gardens Labyrinth

A new labyrinth built in the Fall of 2023, this contemporary labyrinth is a dual entrance version (resolution type) and is located at the corner of 47th and N Markoe St. It is made from bricks/pavers with a gravel pathway. Benches are in the center.

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Address:
4700 N. 47th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19139


2. Saint Paul's Episcopal Church Labyrinth

I normally do not include indoor labyrinths on my lists, but this one caught my eye. The labyrinth is a 5 circuit octagonal design made from limestone and slate with a rose design in the center. The church website mentions it may be walked Tuesday - Friday from 9-5, but check before going,

Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Address:

22 E. Chestnut Hill Ave.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19118-2715


3. Southminster Presbyterian Church Labyrinth

This 7 circuit labyrinth made from bricks/pavers is located across the street from the church (Castle Shannon Blvd). You will see a white sign “Prayer Labyrinth”. Here is a street view of it.

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Address:

799 Washington Rd
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15228

4. Chatham University - Jessica's Labyrinth

A medieval Chartres replica 11 circuit labyrinth that is dedicated to the memory of Jessica G Davant. This campus map will help you locate it, between the admission office and the athletic center. While this 3D photo can give you a great view from the center !

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Address:
106 Woodland Road
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15232

5. Penn State University - Berks Campus Labyrinth

This 11 circuit labyrinth is made from painted concrete and is located at the Janssen Conference Center. It has an entry of Google Maps to locate easily. The labyrinth also has it’s own page on the university website.

Location: Reading, Pennsylvania

Address:
Tulpehocken Road
Reading, Pennsylvania 19610


6. Crowley Park Labyrinth

 

Located directly off of the parking lot of the park, this 8 circuit medieval labyrinth is made from bricks/pavers and is surrounded by bushes/shrubs. Dwight and Angela had a date here (I made that up).

Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania

Address:

1199 Highnett Pl #901
Scranton, Pennsylvania 18509



7. The Labyrinth at LEAF

Labyrinth featured at 1:40

Made from stone pavers set in the grass, this labyrinth is located at LEAF (Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier Park). It has an entry on Google Maps to locate easily. Plan a trip to LEAF on the website, which includes a section on the labyrinth.

Location: Erie, Pennsylvania

Address:

8th St. and Seminole Dr.
Erie, Pennsylvania 16505



8. Advent Moravian Church Labyrinth

 

A classical 7 circuit labyrinth made from bricks/pavers is located on the south side of the church. Learn more about the labyrinth on it’s page on the church website. Here is a pin to find the labyrinth easier on the map.

Location: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Address:
3730 Jacksonville Road
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18017



9. The Spiritual Center at St. Thomas Episcopal Church Labyrinth

A classical 9 circuit labyrinth with a spiral center made from rocks and gravel. It has a 78 foot diameter and is located on the SE side of the church; take the pathway at the far end of the parking lot. Learn more about the labyrinth on it’s webpage.

Location: Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Address:
301 St. Thomas Road
Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601

10. Unitarian Universalist Congregation of York Labyrinth

All photos courtesy of the church.

A 7 circuit medieval style labyrinth made from bricks/pavers with a mosaic center is on the north side of the church surrounded by trees. If you like to see a labyrinth being made check out the church photo gallery showing the process !

Location: York, Pennsylvania

Address:

925 South George St.
York, Pennsylvania 17403


5 TIPS FOR VISITING A LABYRINTH

  1. Set an intention for your walk so you can walk with purpose. It could be prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or openness.

  2. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.

  3. Bring water with you, especially if you are visiting on a hot day.

  4. Take your time and enjoy the experience. There is no need to rush through a labyrinth.

  5. Be respectful of other visitors. This includes not making noise and being respectful if walking with other people.


5 BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LABYRINTH WALKING

I wrote a blog post reviewing the following 5 books, each that deals with walking labyrinths. You can check them out yourself at the Amazon links below or read this blog post: 5 Books about the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths to learn a little about what each book teaches.

  1. Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by Dr. Lauren Artress 201 pages. AMZN

  2. Labyrinth : Your Path to Self-Discovery by Tony Christie 312 pages. AMZN

  3. Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide For Healing and Spiritual Growth by Melissa Gayle West 209 pages AMZN

  4. Walking the Labyrinth: A Place to Pray and Seek God by Travis Scholl 240 pages AMZN

  5. Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight by Rev Dr Donna Schaper and Rev Dr Carole Ann Camp 187 pages AMZN

If you are interested in more spiritual labyrinth aspects I suggest the following websites:

  1. Lauren Artress website - For coaching, workshops and classes.

  2. Veriditas - The nonprofit labyrinth group founded by Lauren Artress

  3. Worldwide Labyrinth Finder - Find a labyrinth to walk near you, or while on vacation


I am a maze artist but I have never made any mazes from Pennsylvania. If you have suggestions - drop me a note. Otherwise here are some mazes of famous buildings:

Taj Mahal Maze

The Louvre Maze

Templo de Sangre de Cristo Maze

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Maze

Lavender (2016) Movie Review

Lavender (2016) IMDB AMZN

Lavender movie poster

So the storytelling in this movie revolves around a woman who as the result of an accident has amnesia. The amnesia also seems to shake loose some early memories of trauma she had as a young girl. Combine a slow recovery with moving to the country to the house you grew up in and it, well, hinders the recovery. As our main character remembers her past (and the secrets it holds) we get a tense, dark movie. Oh, and it takes place near a farm with a maze made of haybales (thought it was going to be corn, didn’t you !). Overall the story is ok. The acting is ok. It’s just ok all the way around.

I give it a 5/10.