The Mazes of Amaze  There are nine mazes in the Amaze program. Each of them provides a unique experience. All but one are simple unicursal labyrinths or single path mazes designed to sooth and center rather than puzzle and frustrate. These mazes are not puzzles to be solved or games to be played, but rather journeys to be traveled. It is your experience during the journey that is the goal and not the finish.
	A unique adaptation of the classical seven-fold path labyrinth, this maze takes the traveler around seven concentric circular paths, working first outward then inward toward the heart. At the heart of the labyrinth is a heart shaped loop that can be rounded either left or right-hand to return by the same path back to the beginning. The Seven-fold Way is an especially satisfying maze with a soothing rhythm to its looping concentric paths. This is a short maze, easily traveled and gently satisfying in its moves.
	This symmetrical maze is designed especially for this collection and is particularly suited to tracing with the mouse pointer. Its paths are all either straight vertical or horizontal. In spite of its name, the only diagonal moves are as you change direction. Begin, from the lower left and choose either left or right turn from the diagonal. Whichever direction you choose, you will stay on that half until you reach the center, approaching always from outside in. Crossing through the center, you work your way outward and end your journey where you began.
	This unicursal labyrinth is patterned after the turf maze called Shepherd's Path or sometimes Shepherd's Race in Boughton Green in England. Turf mazes in England consist of a raised turf path with divides cut as trenches, or as worn dirt paths. This maze no longer exists, but drawings of it persist. It is similar in pattern to the traditional eleven-fold maze of which the most famous example is the Cathedral Maze of Chartres France and as a turf maze called Julian's Bower. or Shepherd's Way or Race.  This unique rendition, however, ends in a spiral center.
	This maze, also a unicursal labyrinth is patterned after that found inside the Ely Cathedral in England. It is a unique design, created by Sir Gilbert Scott in 1870 and made of inlaid stone tiles. When first viewed it seems like it might be a puzzle maze, but in reality it is a single path to the center. It's angularity, sharp turns, and corners contrast sharply with the gentle sweeps of the turf mazes. One source mentions that the path length of the Ely Maze matches the height of the Cathedral tower which rises above it.
	Perhaps the most famous of the cathedral mazes, the Maze of the Cathedral at Chartres, France has been copied many places. Nowhere else but in its original location, however is the pattern quite so majestic. The center of Chartres maze is an echo of the Rose Window just above it at the entrance to the towering medieval cathedral. The eleven-fold path follows the same pattern as the English turf mazes that date from about the same time. Traditionally the pattern represents life's journey, beginning with birth and culminating in salvation represented by the Rose Window center. As with the Julian's Bower and the similar Shepherd's Path, it is long and deceptive as it first approaches the center then takes you back out to the edge. Follow its symmetry and graceful curves with deliberate careful moves and you will be rewarded with a calming and centering conclusion.
	The mosaic labyrinth designs seen in Roman ruins around Europe are generally not pavement mazes, but wall decorations or inlays in the floor too small to be walked. But the patterns lend themselves to traversing. Roman labyrinth mazes tend to be rectangular and repetitive. This pattern, rendered here as a maze is often seen repeated in tiles. This maze, however is an original created for this collection. The four-way symmetry of this pattern is complemented by the colors of the divides. Although this is basically a unicursal labyrinth, it has a unique central chamber with four entrances. Avoid the center space, however, because there lie monsters. In homage to the many existing Roman maze mosaics, this rendition includes a Minotaur at the center. Your task is to complete the maze without awakening the beast.
	Robin's Race is another English turf maze pattern. Tradition claims that this maze represents the twists and turns of Robin Hood's elusive paths through Sherwood Forest. The basic pattern of this maze is similar to the Chartres Cathedral maze or the Julian's Bower, another English turf maze, but unlike those, there is no center. Instead, the path doubles back on itself to conclude at a single branch near the entrance. The corner lobes or bastions add to its apparent complexity, but except for the entrance branch, it is a traditional unicursal labyrinth. The bastions also create a sweeping movement that can be an almost hypnotic part of the outer traverse. As you enter the Robin's Race maze, take the right-hand branch near the beginning. That direction will take you through each of the bastions before approaching the center of the maze.
	The same, but different. St. Quentin's Path follows the traditional eleven-fold pattern seen in the Julian's Bower and the Pavement Maze of Chartres. But there is an important difference, which changes the experience. The path of this maze in St Quentin's Cathedral in France is angular and consists of straight lines only - no curves or sweeps. The result is a very different feel, even though the basic pattern is the same. The octagonal pattern is said to reflect the Maltese Cross and there are claims that the pattern was created by Knights of St. John when they returned from the crusades.
	Our centerpiece maze, The Hopeful Way was created especially for this program and for the therapeutic work of Hopeful Way Counseling Services. It is an adaptation of the ancient mandala for Change. The Hopeful Way has four entrances and multiple paths through the center. Pick an entrance to represent where you are now and trace your way through the maze to find an exit which symbolizes where you want to be. There is no right or wrong choice for your entrance and exit, but your goal is to find that Hopeful Way which leads to the change you want in your life. In the center, at the crossroads of change, you will find the pattern of the maze repeated, and inside that, repeated again. Changes within changes - but within all - the Hopeful Way.
The Uniqueness of Each Amaze Maze Each of the mazes has its own feeling and style of movement. Some are flowing rhythms of sweeping curves and impart a soothing tranquility, others are angular with sharp turns and corners that constantly challenge the follower. Some may please you and draw you back again and again like a comfortable friendship. Others may present an almost irritating counterpoint to your own modes and take you places you would not otherwise know. Try them all. Use them each as they speak to you.