Bewitched by Bees!

photo by ana traina ~ 2012 ~

Yesterday, my block was buzzing with excitement due to the wondrous fact that a swarm of bees had settled in a young ash tree just outside my building.   I was in utter and complete awe because in the pass few years bees have been, and still are, mysteriously dying.  Most probably due to a combination of pesticides, parasites, disease and poor nutrition -- The exact cause is still not known.  That is why, dear Zingertalers, as I stood staring up at this busy bee’s swarm it occurred to me that, just possibly, I was witnessing a small but O’ so glorious miracle!  Now, with my curiosity all a humming, I simply had to do a bit of research, so here is a bit of honeyed lore that I was able to uncover and discover ~

Legends about honeybees are widespread throughout the world, it was believed that bees would thrive only in harmonious families, and they were supposed to be included in family happenings.

In some areas of New England, telling the Bees" was vitally important, whether it was good or bad news or simply everyday happenings. The Bees had to be told about a death in the family or they would die too. The bad news had to be given before sunrise on the following day for all to be well.

Sometimes a piece of funeral cake and a drink of wine was left by the hive after a funeral. The bees might also be formally invited to the funeral, or the beehives turned round as the coffin was carried out of the house past them.

The Greeks believed that a baby whose lips were touched by a bee would become a great poet or speaker.

If a bee flies into your house, it means that someone is coming to visit. If you kill the bee, the visitor will bring you bad news.

Ever hear the phrase "busy as a bee"? According to the National Honey Board, a bee may visit more than two million flowers to gather enough nectar to make just one pound of honey. Thus, bees are associated with hard work and diligence.

If a bee lands on your hand, it means money is coming your way. 

Bees are, in some cultures, associated with purity. This is because the worker bees that produce honey never mate.

In Celtic mythology, the bee is a messenger between our world and the spirit realm. Bees are also associated with wisdom.

Last bit of Odd and End ~

A swarm of bees in May


Is worth a load of hay;


A swarm of bees in June


Is worth a silver spoon;


A swarm of bees in July


Is not worth a fly.

Life is so momentous, therefore let us be beedazzled!