By Jamie Friddle

The winding circles of a labyrinth are nothing new. Labyrinths have been featured in European cathedrals (Chartres in Paris may be the most famous); Indian art, and Native American culture. Today modern Americans are experiencing the calming, meditative effects of labyrinth walking. In San Francisco there is a popular labyrinth in Grace Cathedral and over the past few years, I've walked several in New York City.

To calmly mark the passage from 2005 to 2006, attend a quieting solstice gathering, guided meditation, and labyrinth walk at St. John the Divine’s Synod Hall in New York City. The event, held in December, will allow to you retrace steps that have been followed for thousands of years––the steps of labyrinth walkers.

Not to be confused with a maze in which you can get lost, ala Harry Potter in his latest on-screen challenge, the labyrinth is a winding yet direct route that frees you up for spiritual contemplation as you traverse the ordered lines of its fingerprint in and out.