KAPA‘A — The New Year’s Eve Moonlight Labyrinth invited people to meditate on new beginnings Monday night at the south end of Kealia Beach. Judging by the turnout — approximately 300 people attended — Kaua‘i residents and visitors alike were
KAPA‘A — The New Year’s Eve Moonlight Labyrinth invited people to meditate on new beginnings Monday night at the south end of Kealia Beach.
Judging by the turnout — approximately 300 people attended — Kaua‘i residents and visitors alike were looking for a way to leave 2012 behind.
“The turnout is always amazing,” said the Rev. Jasmine Schaeffer of Unity of Kaua‘i church, the organizer of the annual event. “This is typical of most years and was very meditational and very beautiful.”
The traditional seven-circle Hopi labyrinth was chosen because there is no particular spiritual meaning attached to it, Schaeffer said. The idea is for the labyrinth to be a community event and not a religious event, she said.
“This is about releasing what it is people are ready to let go of, and bringing in what it is that they would like to have in their lives,” Schaeffer said. “They can attach whatever spiritual meaning to it they want.”
Schaeffer was pleased to see that several newcomers to Unity church were on hand to help with the laborious chore of digging out the labyrinth on the beach. Some volunteers had only been attending the church for a few weeks and wanted to help out.
Cherry Midkiff, president of the Unity Board, said the event gives her a sense of spiritual renewal.
“It’s about putting 2012 behind us and renewing our spirit for 2013,” Midkiff said.
John Lydgate said the labyrinth event is about putting down roots and that we move forward as branches of a tree on the shoulders of our predecessors. An event like this puts people in touch with where they have been and carry the torch of our ancestors with in a synergy that moves forward, he added.
“It is a spiritual rejuvenation,” Lydgate said.
The numbers three and 13 are very strong and powerful in numerology, Lydgate said. It means that 2013 should be a “magical year.”
“This will be a good year for Hawai‘i and for the Pacific,” Lydgate said.
As the crowd grew to attend the labyrinth event, other groups gathered on the beach to start New Year effigy bonfires. Others lit sparklers and played music.
The weather was clear and wind was light enough not to snuff out most of the torches and candle bags that lined the route in the sand. As the event began wrapping up, the wind shifted and a light rain began to fall.
Omashar, the musical director at Unity of Kaua‘i, performed live meditative music for duration of the entire event. Sheltered by a small tent, he played a keyboard and other instruments and sang to enhance the experience as twilight turned to night and the hundreds of people who made their way through the labyrinth.
