Two labryinth walks tonight.
First at the Nature Center. The later rising full moon glowed red through the eastern sky. Thus one of its names. Red Full Moon. In response to my question, “What would you call this moon?” visitors to the Nature Center’s Full Moon Labyrinth walk shared some of their ideas: Corn moon, Harvest Moon, Naked Lady Moon (in honor of the plant that emerges this time of year with a single stalk and a beautiful pale pink bloom.) and Cicada Moon. All are just right! Other names included MidSummer, Dog, Sturgeon from the Great Lakes Tribes, Lightning from the Neo-pagans, Dispute from the Celts, Woman’s from Choctaw, and When All Things Ripen from the Dakota Sioux.
Rich and I shared information and activities on moon phases and the ecology of prairies. One participant mentioned that she did not realize that prairies need disturbance. Then, we expanded her thinking to include woods to the realization that all natural areas require disturbance to maintain their climax state. Otherwise, both native and exotic species invade and overtake the natural status. Same as Faulkes Woods Oak forest. It soon will become a maple grove unless maintained as an Oak Savanna.
I will write in the Nature Center’s blog more about the Full Moon Prairie walk which was wonderful.
When we got home, we ate some Chinese, watched some Olympics and I walked the 1080 Laughing Labyrinth recalling the wonder and joy of earlier this evening. To walk with others – curious, interested, invested – is a different experience and worth participating in. Again, the Prairie Labyrinth invited joy as it emitted a coolness to offset the heat of this baking summer. The 1080 Laughing Labyrinth was noisier what with the trees that house the cicadas. The lights of passing cars blinded my still migraine-sensitive eyes so I shielded them and kept putting one foot in front of the other – and made it! The Magnolia Tree’s bark was actually cool to the touch and ducking under the branches gave me pause.
Each walk is different and ultimately satisfying. I do not know how it is that I had such a debilitating headache all day and into the early evening. I just know that I responded to it with rest, water, and medication. And, that I was home when “Martha” called. She is the woman who since her 60th birthday aimed to walk 60 labyrinths between the equinoxes and has done 75+ so it aiming for 120! So, I welcomed her to our home and told her about the Nature Center’s program – so she came! And, today she just walked the Laughing Labyrinth and, I hope, Johnson School’s labyrinth. I am off to that one now.
1080 Labyrinth 