Bee the Magick
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.” - Albert Einstein
Witches have enjoyed a long and enchanting relationship with the bee, sharing many rituals, and magickal traits that we have in common. Bees provide us with many blessings, honey and wax are only the beginning of those blessings. Mead, for example, is similar to wine, only it’s brewed from the bee’s honey instead of sugar. It is an ancient beverage, and part of many witches brews and libations.
In some traditions, bees are associated with Artemis, who is a protector of nature and wild animals. In this context, the bee symbolizes the power of the natural world and witches who honor bees are ritually including the importance of preserving and respecting the environment in their practices.
Such amazing little creatures, bees use elaborate dances to communicate locations. Witches too have used tantric and shamanistic dance for centuries, either to raise energy for spell work, or to achieve hedge flight into other realms.
The fact that bees can fly at all is the stuff of magick, because they their body shape and size should make flight aerodynamically impossible. This observation was first recorded by French entomologist, August Magnan, in 1934, who noted that relatively large insects would be expected to beat their wings rather slowly in order to sweep across long distances. However, bees use a combination of choppy wing strokes and rapid rotations of the wing as it flips over and reverses direction with a very fast wing-beat frequency. Basically, bees exploit some of the most exotic flight mechanisms in the animal kingdom.
Bees have held a significant place in the history and mythology of many cultures throughout the world. In ancient Greece, bees were considered sacred to the goddess Aphrodite and were believed to bring good luck and prosperity. In Egyptian mythology, bees were associated with the goddess Neith, who was considered the mother of the gods and the embodiment of creation and fertility. Bees were thought to have special knowledge, and the ability to foretell or see into the future. In Greek mythology the God Apollo was taught how to see into the future by the Thriae: the three pre-Hellenic Bee Goddesses, Melaina, Kleodora and Daphnis.
In many cultures, the bee was also seen as a symbol of the soul and was used as a symbol of resurrection and immortality. In the Middle Ages, the bee was used as a symbol of the church and was often depicted in religious art, representing hard work and cooperation.
Bees are sensitive to electromagnetic fields, which enables them to predict and react to weather changes, and to navigate. Witches as we know, have been known to have their own ways to predict and react to energy changes and ground themselves to the Earth. The white noise that beehives make is thought to have connections to Chaos magick.
In witchcraft, the bee is often associated with hard work, organization, and communication. Bees are known for their ability to work together as a community, making them a symbol of unity. They are also seen as messengers between the spiritual realm and the physical world, conveying important messages and bringing sweetness and life to their surroundings. Bees are often called upon for their ability to bring abundance, fertility, and prosperity.
Bees in history have appeared in Mycenaean tomb decorations, with beehive shaped tombs. Making one speculate that people believed bees to possibly be psychopomps, or messengers of the dead. Transforming the human soul into bee after their passing.
Valencia Spain Cave Painting 13,000 BC
The bee has also been used in many ancient cultures as a symbol of rebirth or resurrection. The Egyptian goddess Isis was believed to transform into a bee when resurrecting Osiris after his death. Similarly, in Greek mythology it was said that Apollo revived two bees from the ashes of their dead Queen to give new life to their hive. This powerful connection between bees and matters of life and death shows us that they can serve as more than just insect pollinators.
Their symbolism has endured throughout history and reminds us that even something as small as a bee can have great significance when it comes to themes like love and renewal.
In dreams, the bee can hold a variety of symbolic meanings. Generally, bees are seen as a positive symbol, representing industry, productivity, and success. If the dreamer is being stung by a bee, this may represent hurt or betrayal, or a warning of potential danger. If there is a swarm of bees in a dream, this may represent situations of overwhelm. On the other hand, if the dreamer is observing bees going about their work, this may indicate a sense of order and harmony, or a desire to be more productive.
In folklore it is said that if one dreams of bees, they will therefore be blessed with good omens. Which makes sense when you think of all the positive things bees contribute to our planet. Like butterflies, and dragonflies, bees are symbol of the soul, and its ability to fly between the worlds. In is said the voice of the soul is thought to be the buzzing sound of the bee.
Bees also have connections to the fae, due to their purpose in nature, and are thought to be preservers of the natural world due to their vital role in the pollination. Bees can sting, bringing forth that fire of Mars, and that fiery energy can be used for hexing, cursing, and protection. The fae too, are wild, untamed, and often very dark unpredictable creatures.
In very old English folk customs, honeybees are believed to be members of the family, and so they are kept up to date with all the families news and doings. As is the tradition, the bees would be informed when someone in the family, especially the bee’s keeper had passed on, but traditionally all family life events such as births, marriages, separations, etc., even news about upcoming visitors to the home, where reported to the bees as a courtesy. This is referred to as “Telling of the Bees.” It’s believed that failure in doing so, would swiftly result in the bees leaving their hive for good, dying, or stopping all their honey making activities which would bring a bad omen to the home.
Honeybees were on the guest list to both Weddings and Funerals, and if for any reason the bees could not attend these festivities, then food and libations would be left for them at their hive. So witches have long shared their magick, and practices with the bee, even referring to their coven as “The Hive.”
Bernadette Carter-King, author of The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle Deck, writes about bees as a spirit animal. She says, “If bees appear in your life, the most common message it carries has to do with your personal productivity.”
She goes onto explain that, in some cases we are not working hard enough, in other cases we are overdoing it. Bees are busy at their jobs, but also take time to “smell the roses.” (Actually, bees get drunk on nectar, so they know how to party too.) The bee’s main job is for pollination, but they also provide wax and honey. This is very symbolic for the rewards of labor. Bees also work in a colony, which reflects our need for community in order to succeed. “Bee people” or those in harmony with bees are often down to earth and natural healers. I bee honeycomb represents the heart chakra and wetness of life. Though most bees are venomous, and can deadly to those with extreme allergies, bees become metaphors for the riches life can give, honey, and the agony of death, the pain of the sting and suffering from poison.
When reflecting on bees as an animal familiar, take inventory of your responsibilities. Are you working hard enough for the rewards you desire? Is your energy harmonious, or toxic and repelling?
To sweeten and existing relationship, or perhaps add a little extra sugar to that bank account or business deal, consider adding honey to your spell or creating a honey jar. To make a honey jar, simply write your desire on a piece of paper three times, fold the paper three times, and place it into a jar of honey. You may want to take some of that honey in a cup of tea to sip and reflect on your desire. Add some herbs, essential oils, or crystals to your spell that correspond with the desire. Seal the jar with a lid, and can further seal the jar with wax if you choose. You may also opt to bury your jar near some flowers or plants.