Sacred Honey Bee: A Spoonful of Wisdom

Tuesday, 14 November 2023 Written by Nick Polizzi

A few months ago, my son River and I were outside playing when he spotted a family of bees buzzing around a bed of purple hosta flowers along the front porch.

Immediately mesmerized, the world around him stopped as he crouched down to get as close as he could to the insect action.

This kid — who seems to naturally be drawn to all things sacred — is one of my greatest teachers. He reminds me to slow down and notice.

Watching closely as the dutiful honey bees carefully gathered the white dust of pollen from the purple-petaled balloons in front of us, I recognized that they seem to have perfected the whole "work-life balance" thing that so many of us strive for.

Dancing from flower to flower, it was hard to say whether they were working or playing. Living fully in each moment, they seemed to be accomplishing both.

The following prayer captures the essence of the sacred bee and holds some sweetness for all of us...

A Honey Bee Prayer

Winged spirit of sweetness, I call on you.
Teach me the ways of transformation and fertilization,
The path from pollen to sweetest honey.
Teach me to taste the essence of each place I alight,
Carrying that essence with me to continue creation’s cycle.
Teach me the ways of hope,
Reminding me that what seems impossible may yet be achieved.
Flitting tears of the gods, draw me ever closer to the wisdom
hidden within beauty.
Give me flight and sunlight, passion and productivity,
Cooperation with those around me, and sharpened strength to
defend my home.
May I ever spiral out from my heart, searching for what I need,
And return there once again to turn those lessons into nourishment.
Bee spirit, I call to you.

— from A Book of Shadows

Bees played a big role in ancient spiritual traditions, from the temples of Egypt all the way to the rituals of the Maya and Inca. If we remember how to see nature with the curiosity and reverence we had as children, there are hidden truths waiting to be understood...

Nick Polizzi
Host of Healing Kitchen: Let Food Be Thy Medicine
& Founder of The Sacred Science

Credit

Nick Polizzi is the founder of The Sacred Science, a website and blog dedicated to explorations of alternative healing modalities and indigenous healing traditions. His work stems from a calling to honor, preserve and protect the ancient knowledge and rituals of indigenous peoples around the world. He has spent his career directing and producing feature-length documentaries about holistic alternatives to conventional medicine. His work illustrates the power we humans possess to overcome the many challenges that life can bring when we own our truth.