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Brian was meeting some of his Masonic brothers there to discuss plans for the new Youthful Masonic group they are forming. I made myself inconspicuous, curling up in a comfy armchair with a copy of Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice."
Next, it was off just down the road to the Triple Goddess bookstore, where we met our friend Emerald and our new friend, Kathy. The Triple Goddess has many interesting items to look at and I have never before emerged without puchasing something...but this time I restrained myself. Life without an income causes one to make some adjustments in one's spending habits! I still have lots of toys to play with at home, and lots of excellent books on our library shelves, so I am not deprived!
After this delightful turn through the bookstore, we gathered in one vehicle to visit a spot that Emerald had described to us. It is Michigan's first Healing Garden at a hospital, and is complete with its own Labyrinth. We were eager to visit, as Emerald gave it glowing reviews!
We arrived to find the Healing Garden accessible, but alas! covered with a deep coating of snow, so that the Labyrinth was not visible. Emerald saved the day by asking if maintenence could clear it off for us, which they gladly did. We waited in a warm and light-filled lobby and got to know Kathy. She is a physician's assistant, and works many long hours, but is able to help many patients during her day's work.
Finally, it was time to walk the Labyrinth. Emerald explained that the way in is the path of forgiveness, and one must open one's being to allow guilt, blame or other stressful emotions to leave. The pathway becomes a kind of meditation, and you can actually feel stress drain away as you continue through the Labyrinth.
The center of the Labyrinth is a place of great spiritual power, and is where the Deity speaks to you in whatever form is most comfortable or necessary to you at the time. I had a very Goddess-centered experience, while Brian's experience (he told me later) was decidedly non-feminine!
I noticed that the center of the Labyrinth had a six-sided petal shape, with a center almond or circle. This reminded me distinctly of the triple Goddess, it did resemble a statue that I have of Brigit who is facing three directions at once while in her three forms (most commonly, the triple Goddess manifests as Maiden, Mother and Crone.) The interior circle I sensed as a yoni, or womb of the Mother.
We all received healing from Emerald while in the center, and then we quietly and respectfully exited the Labyrinth by the same path we had entered. Now we were ready to share what we had received in personal insight with the rest of the universe.
Actually, we were ready to eat! Since we were near one of my favorite restaurants of all time (Clara's, combining my interests of tasty food, historic buildings, and antiques) we drove there and had some delicious lunch. So much lunch that I had to bring half of my sandwich home in a box! Clara's is in a Victorian railway station that has been converted into a restaurant. It has a HUGE menu, reasonable prices, and is filled to overflowing with gorgeous and fascinating antiques.
After this splendid time, we had to take our leave of Emerald and Kathy and head back towards our home. But not before stopping at a giant Antique Mall just off of the expressway! (Once again, no purchases, but it was fun to browse!)
And the weekend was just beginning! On Sunday, our friends Ryan and Danielle came over and we went out for Chinese. Our friends Henry and Lulu own the best Chinese restaurant in the county, and we had great fun visiting with them while we were there. Ryan, Danielle, Brian and I then went to see the movie "The Big Fish," which had been recommended by not one, but three different people we met on Saturday. It was indeed a very worthwhile movie, and I highly recommend it!