Visit Traditions

Lavender & Telling the Bees

What is the telling of the bees?  It is a medieval European tradition, apparently Celtic in origin that involves notifying honey bees of major events in the beekeeper’s life, such as travels, a death or marriage.  As this was done, a tiny piece of fabric was shared with the bees signifying the event (i.e. lace for a wedding; black cloth for a passing, etc.).  The notion was that the bees would share in the news, and in some cultures, the idea was that they would fly the news

to the heavens.

In addition, here on our tiny farm, we planted a lavender prayer labyrinth patterned after one found in a cathedral in Chartres France.  The labyrinth, (about ~75ft in diameter), contains just over 200 lavender plants – Munstead for cooking, Grosso and Phenomenal for essential oils and Edelweiss (a white cultivar) for bouquets and crafts.  This labyrinth offers a beautiful (and tasty) place for our bees to gather pollen, and for humans to unwind through meditation and prayer on days that fill our minds with the business of life.  While walking the labyrinth, one is able to watch and appreciate the tiny bee helpers.  It is also a time to lay personal burdens down.  Beautiful Lake Superior shore rocks – representing what might be heavy on one's mind - can be carried, and along the pathway, you choose just the right plant to give the burden away to.  While symbolic, it never fails to make visitors feel a bit lighter. 

Perhaps you have news or wishes to tell the bees?  Maybe you have a need to get out in nature, or desire to lay down a rock or two through meditation or prayer? With scheduled visits (June only), we provide rocks for placing, or colored ribbon that you can tie off onto a chosen lavender plant, as an invitation for the bees to carry your message away.  

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