The Lavender Labyrinth of Laveanne

In the shadow of Ontario’s mighty Ganaraska forest, lies a magical respite from the hustle and bustle of Toronto. And within it can be found a mystical lavender labyrinth. I’m referring to Laveanne Lavender Fields. I had the good fortune of spending a wonderful afternoon there this week with my dear friend Carla and her pixie of a grandson, Kaiden.

Lush Lavender

Upon our arrival, we were greeted by row upon row of gorgeous lavender shrubs, each about to reach full bloom – ten thousand of them in all!

A Bee Paradise

And we weren’t alone. For, happily buzzing among the cerulean blooms were, among other things, an industrious group of honey bees performing the alchemy of turning pollen into honey. I couldn’t imagine a better place for them to call ‘home’, especially when I saw their wonderfully colourful, hand-painted hives.

Circle and Spiral

After enjoying a picnic lunch on Laveanne’s lovely terrace, we made our way to the lavender labyrinth. Laid out behind a canopied yoga space, it beckoned us to enter and experience its mysteries. Labyrinth’s are ancient symbols that combine the shapes of the circle and the spiral into a meandering, but purposeful, path. Dating back to ancient Greece and revived in the middle ages in Catholic settings such as Chartre Cathedral in France, they act as a metaphor for life’s journey; the journey to our own centre and then back out into the world. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has but a single path. And, a single choice point: to enter or not – to walk a spiritual path or not.

We chose to enter. And, while Kaiden sat quietly in the centre, Carla and I travelled silently, mesmerized by the meandering path and the intoxicating scent of the surrounding lavender. As promised, our meditation lead us inward, to the centre. Here, we sat in the energy of the lavender labyrinth for a few minutes. Then, we expressed our gratitude and made our way out into the world once more.

Magical Creatures

As we continued our stroll through the lavender fields, we discovered signs of some of the other mystical creatures that inhabit them. For, under a fruitful crab-apple tree, we came across a village of charming fairy houses tucked in amongst the chive and lily blooms. And, roaming the petals one of the golden lily blooms, a rare, and perfectly camouflaged, Yellow Crab Spider lay waiting to dispatch her next meal with her poisonous venom.

Bountiful Harvest

The charms of Laveanne went beyond the soothing lavender labyrinth and fields. In their petite gift shop, we found a wide selection of lavender-based products made from their very own harvest.

The lavender blooms are expected to be in their prime next week. So, if you’re looking for a marvellous retreat from the world, visit the lovely, lavender labyrinth of Laveanne. And, if you’re looking for a great springtime Toronto day trip, check out my post A Quilt Community.

Laveanne Lavender Fields  8667 Gilmour Road, Campbellcroft, Ontario, Canada