Honey Bee Animal Guide Spagyric
.: Honey Bee :.
Animal Guide Spagyric
Species: Italian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera ligustica)
Secured: Spring & Summer 2024 in Santa Fe, NM
Parts Used: All parts were used
Method of Extraction: Advanced Alchemical lab processes combining Plant, Animal, and Mineral works to achieve the secretive and powerful Animal Alchemy. -- The Spirit/Alcohol used was rectified from raw honey mead and Sulfurs/Essential Oils were extracted from propolis, royal jelly, and fresh - unprocessed - local bee pollen. --
Correspondences: Solar, Venusian
Highlights: Divine Order, Community, Hard Work, Abundance, Preparation, Collaboration, the Greater Collective, Unity, Productivity, Transformation, Metamorphosis, Endurance, Selflessness, Diligence, Cooperation, Prosperity, Sweetness in Life, Communication, Life/Death/Rebirth, Perseverance, Love...
~ Apollo tells Hermes he can’t have the Oracles he’s always asked about. Apollo had sworn that only he among the Gods shall know the divine secrets of the proud will of Zeus: I shall harm some men, help others, bothering many of the race of unenviable mankind. Apollo does pass onto Hermes a very interesting Oracle-a Bee-3 fates who are virgin sisters. The Bee Oracle is associated with the feminine and the 3 sisters with the Triple Goddess. The sisters like Maia, Hermes mother, “apart they dwell” and their activity was not heeded by Zeus, Hermes father. They taught divination independently from Apollo and Zeus didn’t stop them. They get inspiration and pronounce truths when feeding on golden honey, but lead astray if denied this “sweet food of the Gods”- if the feminine isn’t acknowledged and nourished in a sacred way(seen as sacred) we not only lose its inspiration and prophetic attributes, we are also lead astray. Hermes connection with the Bee leads to his association with oracles and synchronicity whereby meaning chance the outer mirrors the inner. Not only eyes to see and ears to hear, but - what are you doing/offering to feed this ability to see and hear what’s ALWAYS being shown? Ritual leads to magick. Being conscious of how you move, eat, speak, shower, think, love, breathe, drink, sleep with... All with conscious intent. ~
Bees have been around approximately 120 million years around the time flowering plants began diversifying on Earth where bees evolved from predatory wasps and the true honey bee (genus Apis) is relatively newer appearing around 30 million years ago with fossil amber evidence.
~ Queen honey bee laying an egg ~
Here's a breakdown of the process from egg to adult:
- Egg Stage -
The queen bee lays a single egg in a honeycomb cell.
Worker bees prepare and clean these cells beforehand to ensure they are suitable for egg laying and food storage.
The eggs are tiny and resemble grains of rice.
- Larva Stage -
After about three days, the egg hatches into a larva.
The larvae are fed by nurse bees. Initially, they are fed royal jelly, a nutrient-rich substance produced by the nurse bees' glands.
After a few days, the diet for worker and drone larvae switches to a mixture of pollen and honey (bee bread), while future queen larvae continue to receive royal jelly exclusively.
The larvae grow rapidly, shedding their skin several times. They are helpless and completely reliant on the nurse bees for food and care.
Nurse bees are incredibly attentive, checking on the larvae frequently, sometimes up to 1,300 times a day.
Worker bees cap the cell with a wax covering when the larva is fully grown.
- Pupa Stage -
Inside the capped cell, the larva spins a cocoon and transforms into a pupa.
During this stage, the pupa develops into an adult bee, growing its wings, legs, and other body parts.
The pupa stage lasts about 12 days for worker bees, 14 days for drones, and 16 days for queen bees.
- Adult Stage -
Once fully developed, the adult bee emerges from the cell by chewing through the wax capping.
The newly emerged bee is initially involved in housekeeping tasks, such as cleaning out the cell it emerged from.
As the worker bee ages, it will progress through various roles within the hive, including nurse bee, housekeeper, guard bee, and finally, forager bee.
This coordinated effort by the worker bees ensures the survival and growth of the colony by nurturing the next generation from egg to adult.
.: The Colony :.
The honey bee colony is a busy structure consisting of three types of bees (queen, drone, and worker) with their own importance's and responsibilities. Each bee caste plays a vital role in the honey bee colony's survival and success, showcasing a highly organized and cooperative social structure.
- The Queen -
Role: She is the heart of the colony and the only bee that lays eggs.
Function: She is crucial for the colony's continuation, ensuring a constant supply of new workers and drones.
Key points: There is typically only one queen in a hive, although there might be more during periods of swarming or when a new queen is being raised.
Appearance: Larger than other bees with a distinct abdomen.
- Workers -
Role: These are female bees that perform all the tasks in the hive except laying eggs.
Function: They are the workforce, essential for the colony's daily operations.
Key points: They are sterile and take on various roles as they age, such as nurse bees, house bees, guard bees, and finally, foragers.
Tasks: Building and maintaining the hive, collecting food (nectar and pollen), feeding the young, cleaning, and defending the colony.
- Drones -
Role: These are male bees whose primary purpose is to mate with a virgin queen from a different colony.
Function: They contribute to the genetic diversity of honey bees.
Key points: They don't have stingers or participate in hive maintenance.
Appearance: Larger and fuzzier than workers with large eyes that help them spot queens during mating flights.
.: The Journey of a Honey Bee Colony: From Swarm to Honey Production :.
When a colony has outgrown itself and becomes congested worker bees begin to raise a queen in preparation to swarm and create a new colony elsewhere.
.: The Swarming Process :.
- Preparation for a New Home -
Worker bees inside a crowded hive sense the need to expand and start raising a new queen.
- Departure of the Swarm -
The original queen, taking about half of the worker bees with her, leaves the hive to find a new location.
- Temporary Stopover -
The swarm initially settles in a nearby location, often on a tree branch or other structure, forming a temporary cluster while scouts search for a more permanent dwelling.
- Finding the Perfect Spot -
These scout bees explore the surroundings, searching for a suitable cavity – a protected space like a hollow tree or a gap in a building – that meets specific requirements, such as a secure entrance, a certain volume, and protection from the elements.
- Collective Decision -
The scout bees relay information about potential sites back to the swarm through a unique "waggle dance," detailing the distance and direction of promising locations. The bees collectively assess the options and agree on the best site.
- Moving In -
Once a consensus is reached, the entire swarm takes flight and relocates to the chosen site, ready to build their new home.
.: Building the Hive and Honeycomb :.
- Beeswax Creation -
Special glands on the underside of worker bees produce tiny flakes of beeswax, a crucial building material.
- Honeycomb Construction -
The bees chew and shape this wax into the familiar hexagonal cells of the honeycomb. They maintain a warm environment to keep the wax soft enough to work with.
- The Power of the Hexagon -
The hexagonal shape isn't arbitrary; it's a marvel of efficiency. It minimizes the amount of wax needed while maximizing storage capacity and providing structural strength, allowing for secure storage of honey, pollen, and brood.
.: Foraging and Honey Production :.
- Leaving the Hive -
Forager bees venture out to gather nectar and pollen from flowers, which are essential resources for the colony.
- Locating Flowers -
Bees utilize their senses, including sight and smell, to find flowers. They also have a sophisticated navigational system that involves remembering landmarks and using the sun's position.
- Travel Distance -
While foraging efficiency is important, bees can travel several miles if necessary to find good nectar sources. They may also use their navigational memory of familiar linear landmarks, like roads or channels, to help them find their way.
- Pollination -
As they collect nectar and pollen, bees inadvertently transfer pollen between flowers, playing a vital role in plant reproduction.
- Nectar Collection -
Bees use their proboscis to gather nectar and store it in a special honey stomach.
- Returning Home -
Bees navigate back to the hive using their memory and landmarks.
.: Helping Native Bees :.
~ Native Anthophora (Digger Bee) in N.M. on lavender flowers ~
The honey bee species in this spagyric is the Italian honey bee which is an introduced non-native species to New Mexico. Although still beneficial in terms of being a pollinator it's necessary to local ecosystems that we be mindful of native bee species.
Native bees are competed with by non-native species for food resources which may already be limited due to pesticides, "weeding" of local flowers, and habitat destruction. Planting native flowers is a great way to assist native bee population's abundance.
~ Native Agapostemon virescens (Bi-colored Sweat Bee) N.M. ~
If pest insects are an issue in your garden - instead of insecticide chemicals that not only directly harm bees but also can be absorbed by plant roots and end up in nectar - you can purchase praying mantis ootheca (egg sacks) and live ladybugs from local hardware stores or online. These are exceptional predators of garden insect pests and are a much better alternative to wreaking chemical havoc not only on bees but also on beneficial organisms needed in soil for a healthy garden ecosystem.
Bees appreciate and will use small bowls with pebbles/stones/rocks filled just before the pebble line as a water source especially during hotter temperatures.
.: Spiritual :.
The spiritual meaning of honey bees is rich and varied, drawing from their fascinating behavior and essential role in nature. Across different cultures and traditions, bees are seen as carrying profound messages and symbolizing a range of spiritual concepts.
Here's a summary of their spiritual meaning, phrased to reflect these varied interpretations:
- Symbol of Diligence and Productivity -
Bees are renowned for their relentless work ethic. Their constant activity, dedicated to collecting nectar and producing honey, makes them a potent symbol of hard work and the rewards of diligent effort. Seeing a bee can serve as an encouragement to stay focused on your own endeavors and to remember that persistence can lead to a plentiful harvest, much like the honey the bees create.
- Emblem of Community and Teamwork -
The intricate social structure of a bee hive, where each bee contributes to the well-being of the colony, highlights the power of collaboration and unity. Honey bees teach us that working together for a common purpose can lead to greater success and a thriving community.
- Representation of Abundance and Prosperity -
The honey that bees produce is a tangible symbol of abundance and the sweetness of life's rewards. Their vital role in pollination ensures the growth of plants and crops, symbolizing fertility and the promise of a bountiful future. Encountering a bee can be a sign that your efforts are leading to prosperity and that you should be grateful for the blessings in your life.
- Messengers of Divine Wisdom -
In many traditions, bees are regarded as having a connection to the divine. They are sometimes seen as messengers from the spiritual realm, carrying wisdom and guidance. Some ancient cultures, like the Celts and Greeks, believed bees could communicate with the gods.
- Symbols of Transformation and Renewal -
Bees, in their life cycle and their role in pollinating and creating new life, can symbolize transformation and the journey of the soul. Their ability to turn nectar into honey reflects the process of transforming challenges into sweet rewards.
- Connection to the Divine Feminine -
The queen bee's importance in the hive, her role in perpetuating the colony, and her connection to fertility can link bees to the divine feminine energy in some belief systems.
- Reminders of Resilience and Perseverance -
The bumblebee's ability to fly despite its small wings and the resilience of bees in the face of environmental challenges can inspire us to overcome obstacles and keep going, no matter how difficult things may seem.
- Emblems of Environmental Awareness -
In today's world, bees have become a poignant symbol of the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of caring for the environment. Their declining populations serve as a reminder of our responsibility to protect the planet and its delicate ecosystems.
- Life/Death/Rebirth: Symbols of Continuous Cycles -
- Life -
Bees embody life and creation through their essential work of pollination, which allows plants to flourish and sustain ecosystems. Their highly organized colonies and diligent work within the hive also symbolize the value of community, collaboration, and a harmonious social structure.
- Death -
Bees have connections to the transition between worlds. Some folklore suggests they can travel between the realm of the living and the departed, acting as spirit messengers. The tradition of "telling the bees" about significant life events, especially deaths, in some cultures, further emphasizes this link.
- Rebirth -
Bees symbolize renewal and fresh starts, mirroring the cycles of nature, such as the changing seasons. Their transformation from young to adult and their role in bringing forth new life in the plant world also connect them to the idea of rebirth and spiritual growth.
.: Images of Some Processes :.
~ Euglossa mixta (Orchid Purple Bee) S. America ~
:: If you are aware (or uncertain) of any bee pollen allergies please start dosage with one drop and wait an hour. You can gently increase the dosage keeping an eye out for any allergy symptoms. Smaller doses are okay so as long as they're not increased if you have a slight reaction. If you have a serious allergy to bee pollen please do not purchase. ::
::By purchasing this product the buyer agrees that Materia Artium Laboratories is not liable or responsible for any negative side effects and that you will be using the Honey Bee Animal Guide Spagyric at your own discretion. ::