Labyrinth

THE GREEN DRAGON
LABYRINTH
TRELINNOE PARK
Te Pohue
Napier 5km off the Napier–Taupo Road, SH5
The path of a labyrinth is like our journey through life. It has a path which twists and turns, leading into the centre and then out again. SUGGESTIONS FOR WALKING THE LABYRINTH There is no right or wrong way. The experience is different for each person, each time you walk. Pause at the entrance to let yourself find the pace your body wants to go. Reflect a moment on how you want to approach the labyrinth. What is your heart's desire? Do you have a question to ask, or an issue you are trying to resolve? Is there someone or some siuation you want to hold in mind?

Walking in

Once you enter, let go the details of your life and think only of the path you are on. Don't step over any line – simply follow the path and let the natural rhythm of your breathing guide your pace. You may like to take one step as you breathe in, the next step as you breathe out. Walk with an open mind and an open heart.

The centre

When you reach the centre, stay as long as you like. Wait, listen, receive what is there for you.

Walking out

When you are ready, begin the journey out. Think over what you have heard or learned. Let it sink into you. Notice if there is any change in your energy or pace of walking. Pause before you step out of the labyrinth to prepare yourself to leave this time of quiet and return to the everyday world.

Encountering other people

There may be other people walking at the same time. If you meet someone on the path, simply step aside or gently pass. You may want to look and smile or remain focussed on your journey. The way you encounter other people becomes part of your journey.

Afterwards

You may like to write about your experience. There is a Reflections Book alongside the pamphlets in the stand. Feel free to add your comments.

WHAT IS A LABYRINTH?

A labyrinth is not to be confused with a maze which has many paths and is used as a puzzle to be solved by our thinking

minds. A labyrinth is a tool for meditation and quiet reflection. There is one clearly defined path leading from the entrance to the centre and out again, and to follow it slowly through its twists and turns is like walking one's own life.

It can be used to reflect on a particular situation or crisis, to grieve or to celebrate. The walk in to the centre cleanses and quietens. The centre itself often brings new understanding. The walk out empowers and strengthens. Labyrinths are found in almost every religious tradition over the past 4,000 years, but their origins are lost in time. They may have evolved from a spiral pattern or from a dance.

The oldest design is the Classical or Cretan seven-ring labyrinth, used here at Trelinnoe.

Ancient rock carvings of this design have been found in Egypt, India, Italy and Sardinia. There are more than five hundred classical-style stone labyrinths in Scandinavia. Rome adapted the design for mosaic floors throughout the Roman Empire.

It seems that this seven-ring design sprang up in different parts of the world quite independently and was used in different ways – as an initiation into adulthood or in courtship rituals, to catch strong winds before fishing, as a protection against evil or to draw on spiritual powers.

History

In 1956 brothers Brian and John Wills took up residence on 2800 acres (1134 ha's) of waste scrubland that had not been successfully farmed. Their ambition was to create a profitable and pleasing farming enterprise. The result was Trelinnoe Park. The park’s 30 acres have an exceptionally wide and varied collection of trees, shrubs, perennials and natives. Landscaped woodland paths, wide sweeps of lawns, clipped hedges, hillsides of flowering trees and spectacular vistas make an exceptional garden. There are many unusual and rare trees and shrubs. Two Mexican hand flower trees Chiranthodendron pentadactylon flourish. You can enjoy our groups of Franklinia alatamaha , a tree sized hydrangea from Indo­china, a yellow flowered hydrangea from Yunnan. The clouds of golden flowers displayed by our parrotiopsis jacquemontiana are some of the treasures. The floor of the woodland garden displays plantings of perennials and ground covers. Early spring sees mass flowering of daffodils, jonquils and a wide selection of other spring bulbs. Clivias add their warm colours of orange and red. Iris cast their reflections in the small lakes. Drifts of astilbes and rogercias paint colour along the stream sides. In parts of the garden the lush leaves and strong perfume of Himalayan lilies, Cardiocrinum giganteum create an extensive understory of great interest in early summer. The garden has wide expanses of lawns which are a structural feature of the design, giving a feeling of freedom also setting off the slopes of woodland planting. The framing of vistas both within and beyond the garden is a strong element of its structure.

IDS plaque

Trelinnoe Park is an internationally renowned garden and arboretum and one of only four places in New Zealand awarded the International Dendrology Society's Merit Plaque. Over 45 years the Society has awarded just 26 plaques worldwide. Distinguised writer and photographer Derek Fell selected Trelinnoe for his book Great Gardens of New Zealand describing it as sumptuous as the world famous Bodnant garden in Wales. Its own micro climate means the gardens provide year round attraction and interest with almost always something blooming and constant changes of display. An extraordinary range of Camellias, Rhododendrons and Azaleas and many rare and scarce specimens share the 13 hectares with established exotic trees of many species and also native bush areas. Trelinnoe Park has featured in NZ Gardener magazine several times, callling it memorable and special in its entirety and famous for many things especially the extensive collection of magnolias, over 250 of them! Some of these trees are now over 20 metres in height making stunning displays for weeks from July to September.