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Since creative intuition can be so ephemeral, note impressions as they come to you, even if they don’t make sense at the time. The walk is not necessarily the time for making sense of creative guidance, though you may do so if it feels right and doesn’t disengage you from your intuitive process. Otherwise, continue to breathe, walk, and remain open to the voice of intuition within you. When you get to the center, record any impressions if you haven’t already done so. If you’d like, you can ask your wisest Self or Spirit, “How does this image, song, feeling, reveal guidance for my intention?” and begin journaling.

Another way to experiment with guidance when you reach the center is to write a letter from your wisest Self to your small self in response to your intention or question. Write quickly, without lifting pen from paper. Don’t edit as you go or stop and think about what you’re writing. The point, in any journaling designed to tap into your own guidance and intuition, is to get out of your own way. You can read and think about what you’ve written after you’ve finished writing.

GETTING THE JUICES TO FLOW

What if the creative juices don’t flow once you’ve gestated an idea and are ready to begin the project? The blank canvas mocks you; you doodle with your pencil waiting for inspiration about that work project; you haven’t a clue if plaid or paisley is the way to go in decorating your bedroom.

It happens to all of us at some point. It may be that the juices have temporarily dried up. Remember that there are cycles to everything, including creativity. The labyrinth has reminded me that sometimes I simply need to rest and be fallow. I also have discovered in the labyrinth that the juices aren’t flowing sometimes because I haven’t taken care of myself.

Once I was writing an article against a looming deadline, and all I could do when I sat down at the computer was stare at the blinking cursor on my screen. Finally I headed out to my labyrinth with the intention of unblocking my creativity, expecting to receive guidance on how to start writing again. Instead, at the center of the labyrinth a quiet voice asked me, “You’re taking care of the story. Who is taking care of you?”

The question took me aback. I realized that I had been expending a lot of energy recently in other-care: child, clients, workshops. Everything and everyone, it seemed, except for me, had been cared for. I went upstairs in the middle of the afternoon and took a long fragrant bath.

I dried off, went back to my computer, and stared some more. What now? I thought. Didn’t I do what I was supposed to do? I went out to the labyrinth and began walking with a tinge of self-righteous indignation.

Whoa, that voice said as I walked. That was only one bath. Your energetic bank account is empty. How can you put out if there’s almost nothing there?

I had to take the rest of the day off, talking to my anxiety over the writing deadline as if it were a small child I needed to reassure. I took a long walk, went to my favorite bookstore, and made a commitment to myself to better self-care in the next month. I took another bath that night, went to bed early, and slept long and deeply.

The next morning I got up and wrote.

If you’re feeling stuck, walk the labyrinth with the question, “Why am I blocked right now?” Put aside any preconceived notions about why, and open your heart and mind to what comes through. Remember to take your journal with you; you may receive some information that is challenging or surprising, and easy to “forget.”

Others questions to walk with when blocked:

What in my life needs to change in order to keep the creative juices flowing?

How can I honor my own creativity more?

Walking the labyrinth with the intention to learn more about blocked creativity, and walking to allow your creative juices to flow more freely, is like inviting a divine Roto Rooter into your soul. Be prepared for the pipeline to open up!

AFFIRMATIONS

Working with affirmations is a powerful way to foster creativity. Most of us grow