Taft Labyrinth

Walking Meditation Path

A Journey into the Timeless

As we continue to evolve, expand, grow, and find our way into the awareness (and hearts) of more people, it’s important for us and the future of the Gardens, that the land is seen and experienced as a sanctuary – a place for spiritual connection, quietude, and inner exploration. We believe our latest addition to Taft Gardens does just that.

In May of 2022, the Taft Labyrinth was completed. According to Lars Howlett (DiscoverLabyrinths.com), creator and designer of the Taft Labyrinth, labyrinths are archetypal designs with a history that expands over 4,000 years. We created a variation of the classical labyrinth called the Baltic Wheel that has roots in Germany where it is found in forests. It sits right next to a gorgeous oak tree and looks like a shadow of the tree itself. The design allows for a one-way processional walk or a traditional journey retracing the path back from center when alone. Labyrinths are used for walking meditation, problem solving, prayer, stress reduction and connecting with nature among other things. 

Located adjacent to the Studio Garden, the labyrinth represents so much – not just within its larger symbolic context but to each of us here. The Taft staff and many family members, including John Taft, contributed to the construction of the labyrinth, each laying stones and infusing the process with the intention of love, connection, and the passing of intergenerational wisdom. Half of the stones used to create the labyrinth came from the grounds, with the others sourced from the local quarry and riverbeds. Interspersed within the design are gorgeous Mexican onyx crystals that Taft supporter and champion and visionary of the labyrinth, Nita van der Werff, found. The presence of these stones helps to enhance the energy of the space. 

The Labyrinth is a part of the development of Taft Gardens’ “Nature Immersion” programming. We currently offer guided Nature Immersion Walks guided by Association for Nature and Forest Therapy (ANFT) certified Guide Elena Rios (check out this article about Elena and her walks at Taft) and are in the process of implementing a self-guided ANFT Nature Therapy Trail within the South African and Australian Garden. The Taft Labyrinth is a self-guided Nature Immersion experience that was built to offer an opportunity for visitors to deepen their connection with themselves and nature. 

“Taft is so much more than just a garden; it’s a place where one can commune with Nature, the wonder of its beauty, and remember what it feels like to allow the natural world to embrace you, help you, and heal you,” said Jaide Whitman, steward of Taft Gardens and CEO/President of the Conservation Endowment Fund. “The labyrinth is a symbol of the process we undergo when we exit our minds and enter the meditation and healing Nature has to offer.” 

We are excited for Taft to be a space where people come to receive the medicine and wisdom that permeates and exudes from the land.