Labyrinth of Birth (2010), Pam England’s second book, hones in on a specific tool to help women prepare for one of the most important events of their lives.⠀
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Why is ritual so important to women during their birth year? Why is there a deep yearning to be connected to a greater story? Pam England uses the ancient art of creating a labyrinth to help us explore some of these questions.⠀
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The concept of a labyrinth dates back 4000 years and is found in many different cultures. Although used for many purposes, Pam England has developed her own "Laborinth" as a ritual and a physical metaphor for the journey a women takes to birth and back again. Unlike a maze that has dead ends and detours, a labyrinth is one single path, and though it has twists and turns, one can never get lost! While about a third of this book is full of practical instructions on how to make a personalized labyrinth, it also goes into the history of the labyrinth, studying its importance in ancient cultures, specifically Hopi, Tohoto O’odham Nations and India. ⠀
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Pam England also helps readers to create a “symbolic medical map” for birth, which unlike labour progress charts and graphs that many birth professionals use, gives a more realistic view of labour and birth. This shift in perspective prepares women far better for the unpredictability of birth. ⠀
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What is different about this book compared to many other birth related books, is that it is not a manual of facts and answers or even a list of what to prepare for in a hospital birth, but rather, it urges readers to look deeper within themselves. As Pam England writes “Make the Labyrinth a path of inquiry, contemplate your hearts question as you walk” (pg 57). As you finger-trace the Labyrinth and calm your soul, you are forced to face your own road-blocks, and overcome them. ⠀
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If you’re looking for specific answers or a "how to" guide to pregnancy, birth and postpartum, perhaps this isn’t the right book for you. Its intention is to empower you as you embark on your own birth journey, using this age old tool to discover your own Labyrinth of Birth. ⠀~ By Zoe Tuckey

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