Welcome to Part 3 of my look at Labyrinths in Texas. There are over 200 in the state so I broke them into 4 parts:
5 Labyrinths to visit in Houston, Texas
5 Labyrinths to Visit in Dallas / Fort Worth
6 Labyrinths to Visit in San Antonio/Austin
7 More Labyrinths to visit in Texas (everywhere else)
For this post I have selected 6 of the best from the San Antonio - Austin metroplex area (there are over 30) that are accessible to the public and worth a visit. If you want a full list of labyrinths in the state check out the Worldwide Labyrinth Finder, or for Austin check out this list and for San Antonio this one.
Why visit a Labyrinth ?
Labyrinths are ancient and mysterious symbols that have been used for centuries for meditation, contemplation, and spiritual renewal. They are also a lot of fun to explore! If you're looking for a unique and challenging experience, walk a labyrinth with intention - it often leads to self-discovery. Personally, I like to walk labyrinths between dawn and sunrise or at sunset until dusk, but any time of day works. You may not realize it, but there is probably a labyrinth near where you live. Today we explore…
6 Labyrinths to Visit in the San antonio/austin area
1. Lake Travis United Methodist Church Labyrinth
This large (70 ft diameter) Chartres style labyrinth is located behind the church. Made from stones, the labyrinth is open during daylight hours. Check out the church’s labyrinth webpage for more information.
Location: Austin, Texas
Address:
1502 RR 620 North
Austin, Texas 78734
2/3. Ascension Seton Southwest Hospital Labyrinths
Located next to each other, these 7 circuit labyrinths are each made from rocks. One has a classical shape and the other is medieval. They can be found in the NE section of the parking lot. Here is a pin to see the satellite view.
Location: Austin, Texas
Address:
9409 Granada Hills Rd.
Austin, Texas 78737
4. University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) - The Labyrinth Gateway
If you like unique labyrinths, this one is for you ! The Labyrinth Gateway is an art installation of a 6 circuit labyrinth by Lewis deSoto. The labyrinth hangs above you in a small courtyard and during the day the shadow is projected onto the ground below. What a great idea ! It is located on the SW corner of the campus on the corner of West César E. Chávez Boulevard and N Pecos St. Learn more about the installation on the artists site. Here is a view from the street.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Address:
501 West César E. Chávez Boulevard
San Antonio, Texas 78207
5. Church of Reconciliation Labyrinth
This Chartres style labyrinth is made form colored and textured concrete is found on the NE side of the church facing Barrington Street. Learn more about this labyrinth on the church webpage dedicated to it.
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Address:
8900 Starcrest
San Antonio, Texas 78217
6. Jacob's Well Natural Area Labyrinth
Famous for the watering hole and network of caves, the Park also features a labyrinth made from limestone rock and mulch. It is located a 4-5 minute walk along the trial north of the well. This pin will locate it for you on the map. Plan your trip to the area on the county website.
Location: Wimberley, Texas
Address:
1699 Mt. Sharp Road
Wimberley, Texas 78676
5 TIPS FOR VISITING A LABYRINTH
Set an intention for your walk so you can walk with purpose. It could be prayer, reflection, meditation, contemplation, or openness.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, as you will be doing a lot of walking.
Bring water with you, especially if you are visiting on a hot day.
Take your time and enjoy the experience. There is no need to rush through a labyrinth.
Be respectful of other visitors. This includes not making noise and being respectful if walking with other people.
5 BOOKS TO READ ABOUT LABYRINTH WALKING
I wrote a blog post reviewing the following 5 books, each that deals with walking labyrinths. You can check them out yourself at the Amazon links below or read this blog post: 5 Books about the Spiritual Aspect of Labyrinths to learn a little about what each book teaches.
Walking a Sacred Path: Rediscovering the Labyrinth as a Spiritual Tool by Dr. Lauren Artress 201 pages. AMZN
Labyrinth : Your Path to Self-Discovery by Tony Christie 312 pages. AMZN
Exploring the Labyrinth: A Guide For Healing and Spiritual Growth by Melissa Gayle West 209 pages AMZN
Walking the Labyrinth: A Place to Pray and Seek God by Travis Scholl 240 pages AMZN
Labyrinths from the Outside In: Walking to Spiritual Insight by Rev Dr Donna Schaper and Rev Dr Carole Ann Camp 187 pages AMZN
If you are interested in more spiritual labyrinth aspects I suggest the following websites:
Lauren Artress website - For coaching, workshops and classes.
Veriditas - The nonprofit labyrinth group founded by Lauren Artress
Worldwide Labyrinth Finder - Find a labyrinth to walk near you, or while on vacation
I am a maze artist and I HAVE made a maze from Texas (see The Alamo Mission link below). If you have suggestions - drop me a note. Here are also some mazes of famous buildings from around the world: