Calming for Troubled Times: Troy Stones and Finger Labyrinths

“I have a choice about where to stand in my inner landscape. I can consciously make the decision that I’m not going to stand in my fear, and I am going to stand in my hope.”

— Parker J. Palmer

I was speaking with a friend the other day who saw my post on walking a labyrinth as a centering tool during difficult times.

“I wish we had a community labyrinth here in town. I would surely be walking it.”

Though having access to an actual labyrinth is a marvelous thing. It allows us to embody our walking meditation, gives impeccable calming, and insights.

The same can happen wherever you are by simply using a finger labyrinth. Finger labyrinths also have an ancient history and equally as powerful. Finger labyrinths are known as Troy Stones, named after local labyrinths called Troytowns. We have a magnificent 1000 year old Troy labyrinth in Visby Gotland.

Calming for Troubled Times: Troy Stones and Finger Labyrinths

500-year-old Troy Stones have been found in Cornwall, England. They were etched in local slate and used by the wise women to go into altered states of consciousness by tracing the circuits with their fingers and humming. Troy Stones were sacred and passed down from generation to generation or destroyed once the owner died.

Finger labyrinths are used not only for meditation but for prayer, healing, to center one before a meeting, they can help cure writer’s block, can help make you drowsy for sleep, ease anxiety and tension and ultimately bring a calming state to those who use them.

How to Take A Finger Labyrinth Journey

What you will need:

A finger labyrinth image (download printable below)

A journal or paper and a pen to write down any insights.

Music

Take a deep breath in for a count of 4 and then exhale with a long sigh. Do this 2 more times.
Set an intention. An intention is what you’re going to focus on. Where we place our attention is where the energy flows. Our attention becomes our intention. It’s important to set an intention so that we aren’t aimlessly moving our finger over the labyrinth hurrying to get to the end and back again. This tool is for you. To take you deep inside. You can also say a prayer or call in for guidance from those you consult with to give you support and/or healing.
To begin, place your finger from your non-dominant hand at the beginning/entrance of the labyrinth. By using your non-dominant hand you access your intuition easier.
As you trace the meandering pathway stay aware of any feelings, thoughts, feelings, sensations, images, ideas, or simply just knowing something, that comes up for you.
As these things surface allow yourself to stop and take a deep breath in and exhale. Be with your memory, feeling, sensation. Let it move through you. You can also take a pause to breathe to simply relax and experience this moment.
When you reach the center of the labyrinth, pause and take a few deep, slow breaths. How does the center of the labyrinth connect with your very own center? The center of any labyrinth is your sacred center. Feel free to sing a song, read a poem, chant, or pray.
Before leaving the sacred center of the labyrinth, pause and take a few moments for a gratitude practice. Breathe in for 4 counts and out for 4 counts. Open your heart wide and start breathing in-and-out all of the things you have to be thankful for.
When you’re ready, trace your way out and stay open once again to those things that float up to your mind, the sensations and feelings you have as you make your way out.
As you come to the labyrinth entrance. Take a moment once again to offer gratitude for this finger walk and the insights it has given.

Other Ways to Walk a Labyrinth

(download printable below)

(right-click on the image below to copy-n-paste for printing purposes)

This can pertain to both finger and walking labyrinths.

Before starting the labyrinth ask a question as your intention.
Use a favorite word as a mantra.
You can also use the labyrinth on behalf of someone else. Whether that is offering prayerful petitions, questions that need answering, or sending them healing thoughts and love.
You can use the labyrinth as a tool for insight and guidance such as what must I release to shift this situation? What am I not noticing right now that can help with this problem?
You can use the labyrinth walk as a tool to restore balance.