Mt. Pisgah Wildflower Festival Labyrinth 2025

On Thursday afternoon, May 15, I went to the location where I would create my labyrinth at Mt. Pisgah Arboretum (behind the White Oak Pavilion). I made a 4’ offering to say “Hello” to the land once held by the Kalapuya people - orienting to the four cardinal directions. On Sunday afternoon, May 18, over 2000 people would flow in for the annual day-long Wildflower Festival where hundreds of wildflowers would be on display. Folks could enjoy the offerings from local speakers, info booths from many nature-based organizations, guided nature walks, music, food and locally roasted coffee by Café Mam. However, for the next few days, I could enjoy the relative peace of the arboretum.

As of 9:00pm Saturday evening, after 30+ hours of foraging for and creating this labyrinth, everything is ready. I have enjoyed the company of curious Robins and jays, serenaded by the songs and calls of Black-headed Grosbeaks, House Finches, Bullocks Orioles, Western-wood peewees, Western Tanagers, and others. As I prepare to leave at 9:00pm Saturday evening, a few deer are foraging in the field right near me.

9:00PM Saturday evening… all is ready…

The center, much transformed from the original “Hello”, was ready to receive the wishes, intentions, blessings, and offerings from people who would be here all day Sunday.    99%  of the flowers and plant materials on the labyrinth were foraged from the ground (mostly from nearby Hendricks Park and Mt. Pisgah) as I have a “no-pick” policy unless I really really want a flower for some place special.   The sticks used in the center came from a few of the 300+ trees who sadly surrendered to the weight of ice and snow in the ferocious January 2024 ice storm.   
They are precious remains. 

I dug a deep hole in the center of the labyrinth for people to place a nature gift they will offer and toss into the hole. At the end of the event, I’ll cover up the holes which will then hold all our wishes, blessings, and prayers.

Interestingly, the ONE special flower I picked for the entrance / exit of the labyrinth - a lavender colored clematis, disappeared between 9PM Saturday night and 8:30AM Sunday morning. Mysterious…. I assumed it was probably eaten by one of the deer who were foraging in the meadow right next to me Saturday evening as I was finishing up.

Below is a pic of that clematis taken on Saturday afternoon; it marks the entrance & exit of the labyrinth.

The one beautiful clematis I picked mysteriously disappeared…

Thankfully, I was gifted a beautiful magnolia blossom Sunday morning by two wonderful “neighbors” who made an amazing “Nature Portal” next to me.

The equally awesome magnolia blossom was a wonderful replacement for the missing clematis.

9:55 AM Sunday, May 18… Minutes before the opening of the Festival. The labyrinth and all the festival volunteers are ready!

The labyrinth is ready!

I posted an invitation to walk the labyrinth with some tips on walking mindfully. They were invited to take a nature gift from the bowl to offer to the Earth. For those who like to read, I shared a short history about labyrinths. My large wooden salad bowl had to be refilled throughout the day with nature materials to be gifted as offerings.   There were people on the labyrinth all day long - kids and adults.  

It didn’t take long for folks to find the nature art area behind The White Oak Pavilion. People of all ages came to walk the labyrinth after selecting their offering from the wooden bowl. Mussel shells seemed to be the most treasured offering. I heard one parent describe this activity to their young child as a “Wish Walk”. How sweet is that?!

While a labyrinth only has one way to walk through, unlike a maze that has many “forks in the road”, some people on the labyrinth said they were “lost”. I assured them that we had a Search and Rescue team nearby and that all would be well…. just follow the lines. And for some much younger kids, the concept of “staying in between the lines” (like in a coloring book) was meaningless. Fortunately, they got a parental assist. However, for a few kids who were a tiny bit older, they laughed gleefully as they ran through the maze as fast as they could and still stay just inside the lines. This was fine so long as they had the rare privilege of a solo experience on the labyrinth. When others were walking more mindfully, I acted as a Labyrinth Lifeguard and gently reminded the kids that this is a SLOW WALK. LOL. Someday, one day, they may have an opportunity to walk a labyrinth more slowly and mindfully. And when that day comes, may they remember the great pleasure they had on this labyrinth.

Some people walk the labyrinth as others ponder their nature gift infused with their wish before offering it into the center hole of the labyrinth.

Right next to the labyrinth was a tall circular installation called, "The Portal” made by two super friendly women. We befriended one another and became great neighbors over the last day or two. As I understood The Portal, the idea was that one walks through The Portal, where they might, if lucky, experience the spectacular vista of the up-sloping meadow and forest just on the other side. PURE MAGIC!  Some folks admittedly hoped for another outcome.

Our two installations were so complementary as they were both interactive.   

Standing inside the Portal was probably the most popular place for people to come have their picture taken.  I bet I took 60+photos for people upon request  My favorite pic was of a tall man in a velvety red jacket and striking hat standing on the other side of the portal pulling his girlfriend through.  Hilarious!   I noted that at least 95% of the people who went through the portal returned. When a few kids went through, people commented, “Where’d they go? I can’t see them? They’ve disappeared! I wonder where they landed?” Fortunately, they all returned - some with a good story to tell.

“The Portal” by nature art creators Freedom and Canda

The center of the labyrinth at the end of the day was filled with everybody’s good wishes, intentions, and blessings (rocks, shells, cones, dried magnolia leaves, and flowers.  

The center of the labyrinth fill with all the wondrous wishes and offerings…and The Portal just beyond

After the event, as promised, I refilled the center with the dirt which I had removed.  I placed the gifted magnolia blossom at the center.  I’ll plant some native Camus bulbs or some other native plant / bulbs there later in the week. 

The center all filled in awaiting a planting of Camus bulbs or some other native plant.

Before leaving Mt. Pisgah at the end of the marvelous event, I removed the non-native cones and rocks leaving only the flowers and soil lines which will be visible for awhile until they too will disappear into the Earth nourishing the meadow grasses.   

 For folks who enjoy the quiet beauty of Mt. Pisgah Arboretum rather than the festival atmosphere filled with 2600 people, the labyrinth will be available for a more meditative walk… but not for long.  If you’re near Mt. Pisgah in Eugene, Oregon in the near future, please come and enjoy!