Speakers

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

The Inexhaustible Source of Labyrinths: An Excavation into the Roots of Mankind
FEATURED PRESENTERS: Marianne Ewaldt and Enrico Fauro

As in their first performance collaboration in the labyrinth - ABSOLU-TUM - where they represented the Sun and the Moon, the research in their own fields are at the same time diverse and complementary. Enrico and Marianne will first talk about their individual work, respectively the theatrical and visual performances and the building of labyrinths and ceramic craftsmanship. Thereafter they will focus on the work done together such as Mudra, Pythagoras and Siegfried. 

The land that hosted the first encounter between them, Sardinia, is also where the oldest documented labyrinth is located (in Benetutti), connoting a further connection between them and their interest in symbology and labyrinths.

Enrico Fauro will present:

  •  His personal Labyrinth in Santa Maria La Palma (Sardinia)
  •  The relationship between Alchemy and the Labyrinths
  •  The ARGONAUTI Research Group
  •  His connection with the labyrinth of Chartres

Marianne Ewaldt will present a video showing images and recordings of her art.

Performances that Enrico and Marianne have done together in different labyrinths include: 

  • ABSOLU-TUM (2019)
  • Mudra performance in the labyrinth (2020)
  • Pythagoras (2021)
  • Siegfried (film, 2021)

Enrico Fauro studied archeology at the University of Cagliari, music at the Cagliari Conservatory, and trained in the theatrical field with great Italian and European masters. His current investigation is focused on alchemical ways and Gothic architecture. For him the temple of temples is the cathedral of Chartres, especially its labyrinth.

After many experiences in Italy and abroad, as artist, artistic director, event organizer, performer and author, Enrico founded the ENRICO FAURO ARGONAUTI, a research group formed by six performers that deals with themes like inner investigation, ancient symbology and secret languages of initiatory rituals.

Marianne Ewaldt lives and works in Salzburg, Austria. The overriding theme of  her artistic work over many years has been the search for hidden principles of order in nature, which represent earthly and cosmic laws, and are depicted in patterns and symbols. For Marianne, this in particular includes the labyrinth, which is a metaphor for the human path of life.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 24
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Returning to the Chartres Labyrinth: Context Matters
Featured Presenter: Rev. Jill Kimberly Hartwell Geoffrion, PhD, DD

Would you like to experience the beauty of the beloved Chartres labyrinth more fully? The apparent simplicity of the eleven-circuit labyrinth that graces the floor of the Chartres Cathedral in France is rivaled only by its unseen complexity. This visual exploration will first situate the medieval Chartres labyrinth in relationship to the historical development of labyrinth patterns. Then, images will unveil how its placement within the Chartres Cathedral’s architecture include a detailed conversation between the many disciplines taught and practiced by the medieval School of Chartres including (sacred) geometry, astronomy, theology, music, and liturgy. The pattern’s layered meanings will come to life through examination of the stained glass that surrounds the labyrinth and the symbolic shapes within this carefully designed labyrinth. The goals of this presentation include inspiring wonder, offering new perspectives, identifying topics for future research, and encouraging consideration of local context as a vital part of labyrinth construction.

Rev. Jill Kimberly Hartwell Geoffrion, PhD, DD, has published seven books as well as numerous scholarly and popular articles on labyrinths. Her most recent book, Visions of Mary, Art, Devotion, and Beauty at Chartres Cathedral, is the fruit of many years of exploration and guiding in the cathedral. As a professional photographer, Jill’s visual work points to the unique character and inspiration of labyrinth prayer, the Chartres Cathedral, and sacred sites around the world. In her global ministry, Jill installs large-scale, Chartres-style labyrinths, often working in places of violence and acute suffering. Jill is a long-time member of TLS, having served as a Regional Representative, Energy Keeper, presenter at gatherings, contributor to TLS publications, and enthusiastic ambassador for the World-wide Labyrinth Locator.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23
2:00-3:30 PM EDT

                    
What does a compassionate labyrinth activist have to do with global change? 

What happens when 500 labyrinth walkers all over the globe walk on one day, with an intention for individual and/or global change? What is learned when the same group walks in solidarity for humanity? Is it possible for labyrinth walkers to make global change? If so, would they be called compassionate labyrinth activists?

The Big Connection is a research study that began on World Labyrinth Day, 2021, with people walking labyrinths from 19 countries, and 45 US States. Veriditas, The Labyrinth Society and the Australian Labyrinth Network collaborated with the Legacy Labyrinth Project and Baylor University for this exciting research study. Come join the co-directors of World Labyrinth Day and the directors of the Big Connection for an enlightening presentation of how labyrinth walkers can be activists for significant change in the world.

Christine Katzenmeyer is the Founder and Executive Director of the Legacy Labyrinth Project (LLP), since 2017.  LLP started as a non-profit organization in 2017 and as a board of directors’ project with Veriditas in 2014. Christine has taught mindfulness for 9 years for the Sisters of Charity Health System of Colorado as a certified mindfulness instructor from University of Massachusetts, Medical School. Chris has a master’s degree in gerontology and in 2000, founded The Consortium for Older Adult Wellness and the Academy for Older Adult Wellness in Denver, Colorado and served as the Executive Director from 2000-2010.  Chris enjoys walking labyrinths, traveling and riding her Stella 150 scooter.

Dr. Jocelyn Shealy McGee is an assistant professor at the Baylor University Garland School of Social Work. She holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fuller. Postdoctoral fellowships were earned in clinical neuropsychology from Baylor College of Medicine and gerontology research from the Aging Treatment Studies program at Stanford.

Dr. McGee’s international interdisciplinary research team focuses on the role of spirituality and positive psychological factors in health and well-being. She has published and presented widely in the field of aging on topics such as spirituality and health, caregiving, living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the use of virtual reality to assist older persons, positive aging, and aging well in indigenous communities. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) and the past Co-Chair of the GSA Alzheimer’s Disease Research Interest Group.

Dr. McGee’s most recent research project, The Big Connection, aims to better understand how labyrinth walking can influence health and well-being as well as cultivating compassionate connection and global activism. The labyrinth has been key to Dr. McGee’s own healing journey which led her to become a Veriditas Advanced Trained Labyrinth Facilitator.  
Dr. McGee was the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Hope Award for her humanitarian work in Malawi, Africa and Haiti by Sister Rosemary Nyirumbe (Time 100 Most Influential People of 2014) and Pros for Africa. Recently, she collaborated on starting a telepsychology program in Haiti in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ellen Bintz Meuch has been a Veriditas trained facilitator since 2001 and initially focused her labyrinth energy on work with inmates. Her passion is helping those who are incarcerated to find healing and to move forward with their lives. That work has led her to collaborate with her dear friend, Mary Long, who lost her son to gun violence on the South side of Chicago in 2012. Together they have created a nonprofit organization called Sacred Ground. 
She was a founding member of the Veriditas Council serving from 2004-2018. In 2005 she created the Global Healing Response, a project of unified healing in the face of emergencies, disasters and community crisis using the labyrinth’s circle of facilitators and enthusiasts. She is fascinated with the study of intention energy and collective consciousness as it pertains to global healing potential.
Ellen resides in Wheaton, Illinois, is the mother of four grown children and works in her family business during the day. She fills her spare time training for triathlons, open water swimming and needlework.

Frank Faine, a spiritual guide, Veriditas-trained labyrinth facilitator, and retreat leader lives in Orlando, FL. A current TLS Board member, he chairs the Education/Outreach Committee where he’s working  on ways to share the labyrinth experience/walks on college university campuses nation-wide. In addition, he has begun to create a more collaborative model for World Labyrinth Day with emphasis on engaging and connecting the global labyrinth community in new, innovative ways. He also serves as the Project Coordinator for the Rollins College Labyrinth Project, which has just been designated a Legacy Labyrinth. With a rich and diverse background in companioning, healing, and teaching, he offers spiritual direction, labyrinth walks and retreats to all persons who seek to discover a life affirming spiritual path. He also a poet and author who writes a weekly inspirational newsletter Thursday Thoughts.