Book Review: Esoteric Mysteries of the Underworld

October 14, 2023

Esoteric Mysteries of the Underworld: The Power and Meaning of Subterranean Sacred Spaces (2020) - 320 pages. AMZN. by Jean-Pierre Bayard

My focus for this book was Chapter 2, titled The Labyrinth: A Symbol of the Underworld. After the background and overview of Chapter 1 I was less interested in the Telluric Currents or Denizens in the Underworld sections that followed. But if you like to read about ley lines, dwarfs, gnomes and the hollow earth - it is all covered !

What you can expect in this book:

Labyrinths are often seen as symbols of the underworld. This is because they are typically maze-like structures with a single path leading to the center. The journey through a labyrinth can be seen as a symbolic journey into the underworld, where the individual confronts their shadow self and undergoes a process of transformation.
Labyrinths are also seen as symbols of the journey of the soul. This is because the path through a labyrinth is often winding and challenging, just like the journey of life. The journey through a labyrinth can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual journey, where the individual faces challenges and obstacles on their way to self-realization.
Labyrinths are also seen as symbols of initiation. This is because the journey through a labyrinth is often seen as a rite of passage, where the individual is transformed and reborn. The labyrinth can be seen as a symbol of the process of initiation, where the individual enters a new stage of life and takes on new responsibilities.

What this book does best: This is very different than most books because of the perspective it is coming from since everything is seen through the lenses of the underworld !

Book Review: Follow This Thread: A Maze Book to Get Lost In

October 12, 2023

Follow This Thread: A Maze Book to Get Lost In (2019) - 240 pages. AMZN. by Henry Eliot (Author)

The first thing you are going to notice about this book is the unique format. The text of the book follows red thread through the pages. I don’t think there is any grey with this - you’ll hate it or love it.

What you can expect in this book:

The book begins with a discussion of the history of mazes, from their earliest origins in ancient Egypt and Greece to their modern-day use in everything from video games to corporate logos.
It then explores the psychological and spiritual significance of mazes, arguing that they can be seen as symbols of the journey of life, the process of self-discovery, and the search for meaning.
The book also includes a number of personal essays by Eliot, in which he recounts his own experiences with mazes, including his childhood visits to the Hampton Court Maze, his attempts to solve the Chartres Labyrinth, and his participation in a modern-day mystery school that uses mazes as a tool for spiritual development.

What this book does best: The illustrations and format of the book are wonderful. If you click to the Amazon link above you catch watch a short video and see the book layout. Very cool !

Book Review: Mazes for Programmers by Jamis Buck

October 10, 2023

Mazes for Programmers: Code Your Own Twisty Little Passages (2015) - 288 pages. AMZN. by Jamis Buck (Author)

The book is a comprehensive guide to generating mazes using a variety of algorithms. It covers both the theory and practice of maze generation, and includes working implementations in the Ruby programming language.

What you can expect in this book: The book is broken into 3 parts:

Part 1: Basic Maze Generation introduces six different maze generation algorithms, including the Binary Tree algorithm, the Eller's algorithm, and the Hunt and Kill algorithm. It also covers how to draw mazes and how to solve them using Dijkstra's algorithm.

Part 2: Advanced Maze Generation shows how to constrain mazes to different shapes and outlines, how to cull dead-ends, and how to make mazes weave over and under each other. It also covers how to generate mazes in multiple dimensions and on curved surfaces.
Part 3: Appendices includes additional information on maze generation, such as a list of maze generation algorithms, a discussion of maze properties, and a collection of maze puzzles.

What this book does best: The book does a good job of explaining the trade-offs between the different maze generation algorithms. This is important information for anyone who wants to choose the right algorithm for a particular application.

Maze of the Week #93 - London City Hall

October 9, 2023

Maze of the Week #93 is of a cool building in the great city of London, England, London City Hall, which is located on the south bank of the River Thames near Tower Bridge. Well that is not entirely true, because this was London City Hall between 2002 and 2021, but the city hall has since moved ! Here is the crazy thing - I like that building too and may make a maze of it ! This is my second maze from London, the first being a maze of the iconic building The Gherkin. You can read about the City Hall building on the Wikipedia page. I loved the architecture and knew it would make a great maze.

YouTube: A 3 minute long open house showing the building.

Photo: flickr, Garry Knight