Ritual to help the bees

Greetings my beloved family and friends! :)

This was posted on the Covenant of the Goddess discussion e-list, and I feel
very strongly about the issue of bees and their pandemic disappearances the
world over. Please consider doing this working, or something similar, on Wed.
June 20th, the eve of the Summer Solstice. Please pass this on and spread the
word to all Witches, Pagans, Heathens, Shamans, Lightworkers, Gardeners, and
anyone else who cares about the health of our environment and planet.

Dear Friends,

You are my vanguard. Until recently I never thought a whole lot

about the Bee-friends. But just recently I've felt called --
well,
more like compelled -- to draft a ritual to lend them magical
> > assistance during this time when so many of them -- honey bees
> in
> > particular -- are just disappearing for reasons that no one
> seems
> > to understand. I was googling for updates today and found that
> the
> > theories include pesticides/herbicides, virus, parasites, cell
> > phone emissions (although that one is less popular than it was a
>
> > month or so ago), and -- wouldn't you know -- stress. This is a
>
> > simple "do-it-yourself wherever-you-are" ritual, although I am
> sure
> > people could have fun getting together and doing it in groups if
>
> > they wanted. I would appreciate it if you would all send it on
> to
> > anyone you know (with or without this introduction), post on any
>
> > lists where it would be appropriate, and otherwise help to get it
>
> > out there to as many people as possible before June 20th. Let's
>
> > see how easy it can be to start an "internet movement." Thanks
> and
> > Love to all,
> >
> > Dara
> >
> > Ritual for the Bees
> >
> > To all Energy Workers, Shamans, Pagans, Faeries, New Age
> > Visionaries, Healers, Lightworkers,Tree-huggers, Bambi-lovers,
> > Gardeners, and other custodians, caretakers and Stewards of
> Mother
> > Earth:
> >
> > For any of you who are concerned about the recent flight of a
> > significant percent of the world's honey-bees through the veil
> and
> > away from our Earth, then please consider joining one of your
> > number in the following ritual to encourage the return of our
> > Beloved Bee-friends -- those joyously industrious pollinators and
>
> > fertilizers, builders of hive, colony, community, and makers of
> > sweet honey who dance so devotedly to the buzz of their own
> > passionate flight.
> >
> > To be performed on the Eve of the Summer Solstice, Wednesday,
> June
> > 20, 2007.
> >
> > As the longest day fades into night, light a candle. Let the
> > candle be of beeswax. If you don't have a beeswax candle (or
> > prefer not to use one) then dab a bit of honey on the candle of
> > your choice. If you have no honey or beeswax -- or even if you
> do
> > -- feel free to choose a bright yellow candle, or other candle
> that
> > reminds you strongly of the energy of Bees. You might like to
> > decorate it with images or symbols that make you think of Bees
> and
> > the role they play in our lives. You could even prepare a
> special
> > place for it -- make an altar or a spot on your altar --
> dedicated
> > to the Bees. Perhaps have some fragrant flowers near by. (These
>
> > things are not necessary, just good to do if you desire.)
> >
> > As you light your candle, think of the Bees. At this point, if
> you
> > are aware of any fear or distrust you have of Bees because of
> their
> > stings (a purely defensive weapon that carries the heaviest
> penalty
> > for use), then consciously release it now. Send it into the
> flame
> > and watch it go up in smoke.
> >
> > Think of all the good that Bees bring to our planet and to each
> of
> > our lives through their work of pollinating the plants and
> > flowers. (Do you like almonds? Did you know that bees pollinate
>
> > 100% of California's almond crop?) Think of their buzzy-hoppy
> > fertility dance and the determined, hardy fragility of their
> > industrious, interconnected, community-based, hive-minded
> > uniqueness. Think of the taste of honey. Be in appreciation.
> Let
> > your heart fill with love for our Bee-brothers.
> >
> > See, sense, feel the Bees flying -- singly, in pairs, in small
> > groups -- through an invisible gateway into the blue sky of
> earth.
> > Imagine them greeting, and being ecstatically greeted by, the
> > flowers who have longed for their delicate touch, the
> encouragement
> > of their voices, and the stimulating buzz of their presence.
> >
> > See them joyously making their way home, flying eagerly into the
>
> > doors of hives and colonies that have waited patiently for their
>
> > return. Welcome the Bees back to their homes, their hives. Make
>
> > Buzzing sounds. Don't be overly quick or perfunctory about this.
>
> > A friend of mine, who teaches shamanic drumming, says "risk
> > boredom"; buzz for at least 3-5 minutes and really get into the
> > feel if it. Dance around. Place a taste of honey on your tongue
>
> > or in your tea and savor the taste extravagantly. Sensously rub
> a
> > salve or ointment containing beeswax into your skin. Do any or
> all
> > of these things. Thank the Bees for their service to the Earth.
>
> > Thank the Melissa, the ancient Greek Bee-Queen, for the labors
> and
> > blessings of her people to the Earth in any way that feels joyous
>
> > and true for you.
> >
> > If you like, you may use this chant:
> >
> > Bzzzzz Bzzzzzz Bzzzzz Bees!
> > Bzzzzzz Bzzzzzz Bzzzzz Bees!
> > We call you home to the Hive.
> > We call you home to the Hive.
> > Striving, Thriving,
> > Striving, Thriving,
> > We call you home to the Hive.
> > We Light your Way.
> >
> > On this longest day we Light your Way
> > Home to the meadows
> > Home to the skies,
> > Home to the Flowers
> > Home to the Trees.
> > We light your way Home.
> > Bzzzzz Bzzzzzzz Bzzzzzz Bees!
> >
> > (If this chant doesn't work for you, feel free to make up your
> own,
> > or do the ritual without one.)
> >
> > If it is safely possible, burn the candle down during the night.
>
> > (Be safety-minded. Do not leave candles insecure or untended).
> If
> > it isn't possible, then re-light the candle on consecutive nights
>
> > until it is burned through. If enough of us do this, the bright
>
> > beacon of our focused Love, Will and Intention will guide the
> Bees
> > safely back to their homes to the continued health and joy of
> > Mother Earth.
> >
> > Whether or not you feel drawn to perform this ritual yourself,
> > please forward this email to anyone and everyone you know who
> might
> > remotely be interested. The more people who participate the more
>
> > powerful it will be. I thank you. The Bees do too.
> >
> > Bright Blessings to all. Blessed Bee!