The
Bee
As
the long days of summer begin to reach their zenith, we gather in the
first harvest which we have labored toward all year. The days are hot,
the earth is dry, and plants are beginning to go to seed. But the flowers
still bloom, and bees buzz around them gathering their harvest of pollen
to create their own bounties. By doing so, the bees help to pollinate
the flowers that become the fruits that we harvest for ourselves, both
now and at later harvests.
Bees
evoke feelings of both fear and admiration. Though they can inflict
a painful sting when frightened or angered, this is not their predominant
behavior. Like the ant, the bee is a communal insect that symbolizes
cooperative industry, social organization, and diligence. It was thought
in ancient times that they never slept, since they tirelessly work together
and combine their individual harvests to ensure the entire hive will
survive. And since it hoards and protects the product of its industry--honey--it
also represents thrift.
Because
they feed off of blossoms and will not go near areas of filth, bees
came to symbolize purity in many different cultures. The bee is associated
with the Virgin Mary in Christianity because she gave birth to Christ
as purely as the queen bee produces honey. Virgin priestesses, or Melissae,
of ancient Greece were termed "bees" (the queen being the Great Mother).
Possibly because of this connection to the sacred, bees were regarded
in many cultures as messengers to the gods so it was necessary to inform
them of important events.
Bees
served as not only messengers to the gods, but also as heralds of the
gods. In ancient Egypt, the bee represented the pharaoh, the soul, and
the sun (by virtue of its golden stripes ans power of flight). Collectively,
bees were the tears of Ra. Bees are seen as solar symbols in many cultures,
due to their coloring and the fact that they are so finely aware of
the position of the sun in the sky. In the Druid tradition, bees come
from the paradisal world of the Sun and of the Spirit. The Greek bee
symbolized work and obedience and was sacred to Demeter and Artemis.
In India, blue bees rest on the forehead of Krishna. Bees form the bowstring
of the god of love, Kama, symbolizing sweet pain. Honey and milk are
foods of the gods, a symbol of abundance and sweetness.
Honey
is an important aspect of bees' relationship to humans as well as gods.
Bees must harvest pollen and nectar to create their bounty, which we
harvest in our turn. It is the bee who brings the sacred solar drink
of mead to humanity. Mead is one of the most ancient alcoholic beverages
in the wold. Made from honey, water, malt, and yeast, it has been brewed
for at least 6000 years. It is a central part of the Celtic, Scandinavian,
and Egyptian religious traditions. In addition to honey, bees provide
us with many other beneficial products such as bee pollen, beeswax,
and propolis. Propolis is an antiseptic solution that bees smear on
their hives to prevent infection, and it has been shown to have remarkable
healing properties.
As
you bring in your harvests literal and symbolic, think about the bees
and the contribution they have made to your life. Raise a glass of mead
in their honor--thank them for their industrious assistance and their
willingness to share their harvest. Then complete the circle by sharing
your harvest (and your mead!) with the members of your community. Blessed
bee!
Sources may include:
Becker, Udo, ed. The Continuum Encyclopedia of Symbols. Continuum,
NY 1994
Beiderman, Hans, trans. James Hulbert. The Dictionary of Symbolism:
Cultural Icons and the Meanings Behind Them. Facts on File, NY 1992
Bruce-Mitford, Miranda., The Illustrated Book of Signs and Symbols:
Thousands of Signs and Symbols from Around the World.
DK Publishing, NY 1996
Gibson, Claire. Goddess Symbols: Universal
Signs of the Divine Female. Barnes & Noble, NY 1998
-----------------. Signs & Symbols:
An Illustrated Guide to Their Meaning and Origins. Barnes &
Noble, NY 1996
1997-2001 by Regina M. Raab
This page created 21 February 2000
This page last updated: 18 February 2001
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