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Mary, like Demeter before her, was known as the “queen bee,” Christ the “honey.” Christian tradition kept up the bees’ connection to the underworld, too, calling them “little winged servants of God” and comparing their springtime emergence from hives to Christ’s emergence from the tomb. New stories about bees also arose, such as the Welsh legend that they originated in Paradise, where they were white, and turned brown only after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. Modern beliefs emphasize the bond between bees and beekeepers. Bees will not stay with a bad-tempered keeper. Bees must know everything that happens to the owner’s family; births, illnesses, deaths. Some cultures go as far as including bees in weddings or funerals, tying red or black cloths to the top of hives and bringing sugary food to the bees while guests are feasting. Cornish tradition warns that you will get stung if you move a hive without telling the inhabitants. |
In many parts of the world a keeper’s heir must inform the bees of the keeper’s death by knocking three times on each hive with an iron key. If the bees buzz response, they are assuring their new owner that they will remain. Bees also remain creatures of prophecy, but only single bees signify luck. Swarms of honeybees are ill omened and associated with bereavement. A honeybee landing on a hand means money coming in. A honeybee landing on a head indicates great future success. In Wales, a bee flying around a child’s head foretells a happy life. A bee in the house assures good luck in Cornwall, as long as it is allowed to fly away or remain of its own will. Nine thousand years of history and impressive powers indicate that the “wisest of insects” deserve respect. Little wonder that at one time you could only purchase bees with gold, and to gift a friend with a hive assured both honey and good luck. |
| - Moondancer | |
