The Magickal Bee

When spring comes, so does the abundance of beautiful flowers, plant life, and the fruits and vegetables that we eat. While it may seem magickal that these items appear, it is not a strange phenomenon. We would not see these wonders of nature were it not for the magickal bee. When we think of bees, honey is most likely the first thing that comes to mind. Yes, these busy little bugs make the sweet honey we use in desserts, but that is not all they do for us. Bees are one of the most essential and magickal beings on Earth, and we are going to learn why.

Why Bees are Important to Nature

Bees are essential to nearly every aspect of life. Here are the five most important reasons why bees are important to nature.

Pollination

For plants to grow or develop fruit, they need pollen to be transferred from the male part of the flower, the anther, to the female part, the stigma. Many plants cannot do this alone, which is where bees come in. As they move from flower to flower, collecting nectar, pollen sticks to their bodies, which then sticks onto the flower, thus pollinating it.

Plant Growth

Plant growth is not limited to the foods we eat but to what grows naturally on the Earth. Bees are responsible for producing seeds, nuts, berries, fruit, and other vital food sources wild animals need. Pretty much any plant you see that grows and produces in nature has bees to thank for its life.

Food Source

Bees produce honey that has been harvested by humans for thousands of years. But we aren’t the only species that consume honey. Creatures like birds, raccoons, opossums, and insects eat honey and bee larvae. Bees are also consumed by a wide variety of birds and other insects as well.

Habitat Creators

We know bees create hives to live in, but they also help grow the trees, plants, and flowers many other species consider their homes. Without them, a lot of wildlife would be left without a home and at risk of going extinct.

Biodiversity

Bees play a part in every aspect of the ecosystem. They are the glue that keeps everything together. Without them, nature would crumble, and we would lose nearly all plant life and food sources.

Magickal Bee Lore

Bees have had a presence in many lores around the world. Here are a few fun ones:

In some parts of New England and Appalachia, beekeeping was a common practice. And whenever someone died, the person caring for the bees had to tell them about the death so the bees could spread the news.

The Greeks believed that if a bee touched a baby’s lips, they would be a great speaker or writer.

When a bee flies into your home, it means that someone is visiting you. If the bee stays alive, they will bring good news, but if you kill it or the bee dies, they will bring bad news.

If a bee were to land on your hand, there is money coming your way.

Since worker bees produce honey without ever mating, they are often associated with purity. So, in many cultures, virgin brides would wear bee pendants on their wedding day.

The Celts believed bees were messengers between our world and the spirit realm. So they would carry messages to us that may or may not be easily interpreted.

Using Bees in Magick

The bee itself symbolizes creating a sweet seal. This can be used in spells meant to benefit friends and family to almost always have a positive outcome from the spells you perform. You can use images of the bee to create this seal or use honey.

The bees’ bodies can also be used in magick, but it is best to keep them alive and release them when done. You can usually find bees in autumn near their favorite foraging spots or in their hives resting. They may appear to be dead, but once they warm up, they start moving. A good rule of thumb is that if you see a bee on a plant, they are sleeping, but they are most likely dead if they are on the ground. Dead bees can be used in spells once given a blessing of thanks for their sacrifice.

Bees are believed to be closely associated with the fae. Having an abundance of bees in your garden can lure the fae to bless it for good growth. By making your garden bee-friendly with hives, waterers and by using no pesticides, the fae will offer their aid to you easier.

Of course, you can never go wrong using honey in your spells. The sugary sap can make any spell sweeter for positive results. You can also rub honey on your lips before speaking a spell to make your words sweeter.

Without bees, we would not have the wonders of nature we do. We need their dedication to pollination to see the beauties of nature and feast upon the fruits and vegetables our bodies need. But even knowing that, bees today are at risk of being wiped out. Their homes are being taken over by industry, or their hives destroyed due to being labeled “nuisances.” But if we allow the bees to disappear, the world will disappear right behind them. So it is our duty as Witches to protect the humble bee to ensure they can do their job and we can survive. You can leave sugar water for bees to take a sip on, or if you see one trapped indoors, help it return outside rather than killing it. And if you see a hive in an unsafe location, call experts to remove the bees and safely relocate them. Together, we can ensure that the bees stay well into the future and continue to help the Earth grow and flourish each year.