Help! Was given some big HONKING signs...

[Iora Rua]

Greetings!

I'm hope that someone can give me a bit of guidance on this...I'm in a holding pattern right now. LOL

This'll take me a second to explain...so, please bear with me!

First off...I've discovered that the Goddess...is very patient. Oh, is she ever. About 3-4 years ago (or there-abouts) I was introduced to paganism and wicca. I'm sure ya'll have heard this a gazillion times...but, it was like I'd finally found home after being just a wanderer and nomad for most of my life. Though I assimilated most of the information that I was studying...one thing that seemed to keep giving me fits...was the idea of the Goddess. My logical mind accepted female deity...but, my heart just kept tripping up and over my Fundamentalist Christian upbringing (not slamming it, just giving ya'll some background). I tried a number of different things....all, to no avail. So, I let it go...and just kept studying. What's weird...I'd come across books that were absolutely perfect in their timing. They could be from a number of different disciplines...scads of different topics...but, the timing of the finding...was perfect. After reading them....I'd have "eureka" moments, and then move on a bit more.

So, basically....though never completely putting it out of my mind....I didn't stress over the whole Goddess issue. I figured that if I didn't ever embrace the Goddess wholeheartedly...well, I guess that would just have to be ok.

Strangely enough (and without trying) I began seeing things in a more female light. The idea of a Female deity....became more acceptible to me and in fact....I could relate better to a female deity! I felt much more comfortable....I don't even know when the transition occurred. Wow!

So, flash forward to this spring......

I decided to actively seek out the Goddess. One evening I lay in bed half-meditating....I put it out there that I would like a relationship with the Goddes...and I would greatly appreciate guidance. I would be tickled, if she would reveal an aspect of herself to me....to whom would she like me to address, with whom should I be working with?

The next morning upon waking...I instantly recalled a dream I'd had. Ya'll have to know....this was a very big deal. For several years....my dreams (which I had previously been able to recall in great detail, every morning) had come to almost a complete stop for me. Very frustrating. Occasionally, I'd be able to recall my dreams....and they'd be very vivid and useful...but, it had become a rarity. So, remembering my dream....was a BIG deal.

In this dream...I was surrounded by bees. Thousands and thousands of bees. There were other people around too...but, they were frightened and seeking shelter. Me...my silly self was just going about my business, like a happy little camper....bees all around...completely fine and gettin' long peachy with the 1000's of bees as I went about my business.

Big Sign!!

That day...I went out to the lake as I frequently do to recharge and for inspiration for some artwork. It was still very cold outside...spring hadn't quite broken through yet. I was sitting in my car, sketching with the windows cracked down a few inches. The wind was whipping off the lake. Huge gusts rocked my car. Before long, a lone honey bee flew in through the window and softly lit on my bag of munchies in the seat beside me. After a time, it acted like it wanted out (like after it made sure it had my attention!!) and another flew in to take its place!!! Unreal!!

Anyways! I did some research into honey bees and their Goddess associations (an area that ya'll know from reading this, I greatly neglected in my studies) ....I discovered that the bee was one of the most ancient symbols of the great Goddess. I also found that Hecate was associated with the bees.

Advice? This is all unchartered territory for me!!! Your input is greatly appreciated! Heck, I don't know what to ask, what to do...what to think!!

On a side note...I'm drawn to a number of different Goddess from a whole variety of pantheons...so, choosing (after I decided that I wanted to & was ready) is/ was very difficult for me. I like Arianrhod, Hecate, Bast, Sekhmet, Gaia, Inanna, and a few Hindu Goddess too. Ya, I'm a mess.

Anyways....I couldn't ask for clearer signs! Now what?!

Help!

[RainInanna]

"Bee" was the title given to the priestesses of Aphrodite

"The Melissae

Aphrodite, Greek Goddess of love, was worshipped at a honeycomb-shaped shrine at Mount Eryx. Her High Priestess was called Melissa (meaning bee) and the other virgin priestesses melissae. "

http://www.cassandraeason.co.uk/candles.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_(mythology)
http://www.google.ca/search?q=melissa+bee+goddess

Edited to add - To be clearer, Aphrodite is who popped into my head reading your post. I get the impression she wants you to learn more about her and bees. You can always cast circle or meditate and ask the Goddess herself? As you open yourself to her she will be easier to understand.

[Agaliha]

Not just Aphrodite. Bees are linked to many deities. Demeter and Artemis, for example in the Greek.

I actually did tons of research on bees recently over an odd dream myself. I considered it a sign. I actually think it's just one of many that might make a full picture. Of what I don't know.

There's tons of sites online about bees and their mythology, lore, etc.
Bees are also found in Kemetic pantheon, and tons of pantheons. I do obsessive research (and note taking), so I'm not sure how much you researched bees. The signs might not just be about the Greek pantheon, for example, it could be others. Even the Hindu pantheon has references to bees. There's even the Baltic Austeja, a bee goddess. They're basically found all over (bee symbolism in mythology and with deities). Too many to narrow down right away. Oh and often in mythology and lore, the bee symbolizes something like enlightenment, so it's possible that that's the meaning of it and not a particular goddess.

Another possiblity is it's not a deity, but a totem or something like that. Paying attention should help you figure this out. Don't get stuck in the "it has to be a deity" mindset. It's possible the goddess sent you this to help you grow and progress. It might also not be a deity you ever considered or even "like." It could even be a sign to point you in a direction, not that the bee itself is the sign...if that makes sense. Just be open to all the possiblities.

I think you should meditate on all this new info, process it and ask for a sign or message as to what to do next. Perhaps do a little ritual or offering (honey!) on your altar and give thanks. You don't have to know who is behind it to do this, just show you're listening and appreciate the signs. The specifics will come later. See if any other signs/dreams/etc come. Do research. If you have an idea of who it might be start a dialog with her, do simple things to show her your there and ready. Just know that you might be wrong (I've experieced this before, many have). Oh and don't jump to conclusions and rush things :) If a goddess is there, calling you, you'll know. In due time you'll know.

I hope that helps.

Here's another general site: http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/beeclass/facts.html
Searching Yahoo/Google for:
Bee Totem (these sites tend to have a lot of info about lore, symbolism, etc)
Bee Goddess
Melissae
Bee Mythology
Bee Symbolism
...
If you narrow it down to a pantheon, then that'll help with the search.

[Nitefalle]

I agree with Agaliha, it could just be a sign that the Goddess is listening and paying attention to you, and to let you know that. I would meditate further on it....perhaps draw a circle and ask for some clarification. Or, if you have a gut feeling, go with that. If you are sure that it's the goddess herself trying to contact you, go with that and perhaps just research all deities associated with the bee until something pops out at you. You seem to have a great radar for "eureka" moments, so perhaps rely upon that to help you out while you research.

[Iora Rua]

Hi everyone! Sorry, it took me so long to get back on here...life's been nuts since I yelped for help! I sure do appreciate all of the responses and advice!! Thank you, thank you!

RainInanna...I really appreciate your input and the links. Your suggestions give me a most excellent place to start...so Aphrodite it is, sounds like a fabulous place to start in on the serious research. Thanks! :)

Agaliha...how fascinating the similarities....both of us dreaming of bees! Interesting! (I love little coincidences!) I did very little research after the incident. For whatever reason...I've held off until now. Waiting for.....? I don't know. Maybe the quick response to my request threw me a bit psychologically? I dunno! But, I am ready to dig in and get busy on what I was given now.

I'm really big into animal totems and signs/symbols myself...so, that was one of the first things that popped into my head. You may be right (now that I'm thinking about what you said)....it may have been a symbolic message for me without any nudging towards any particular Goddess. Hmmm! You've given me much to think about....and I really appreciate your suggestions on how to proceed!

Thank you Nitefalle...will do! I've got to find myself some quiet time and get serious about this. I've wasted enough time as it is! I'm not getting any gut feelings about anything (which is so frustrating)....it's like I'm a null right now. But, that's how things go with me. I'll get nudges and information....and then things are dead, dead, dead for a bit. It's just to give me time to learn what I need to, I know...but, it is frustrating....I want more info NOW! So, I'm being taught patience too!!! ARGH!!

Anywho...Thanks everyone for your input and guidance!!

[Fiamma]

Hi everyone! Sorry, it took me so long to get back on here...life's been nuts since I yelped for help! I sure do appreciate all of the responses and advice!! Thank you, thank you!

RainInanna...I really appreciate your input and the links. Your suggestions give me a most excellent place to start...so Aphrodite it is, sounds like a fabulous place to start in on the serious research. Thanks! :)




More on Aphrodite here than you can shake a stick at

http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Aphrodite.html

I would also recommend the book Devoted To You: Honoring Deity in Wiccan Practice by Judy Harrow. Roughly a quarter of the book is a section written by a woman who is a contemporary priestess of Aphrodite. The entire book is very well-written, and despite the mentioning of Wicca in its title, the book is not about Wiccan practice, but about getting to know and building close relationships with a particular deity. (I recommend it for anyone who is intrested in doing such a thing, whether or not they're interested in the particular deities written about in the book.) It's very easy to find (Heck, as I write this, it's available used on Amazon for 49 cents! I think I paid thirty cents plus shipping for my copy and I would have happily paid the cover price had I not found it so cheap.)

Also, Artemins:

http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Artemis.html

And Demeter:

http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/Demeter.html

[Fiamma]

Also...I know that you're looking specifically at goddesses, but you *might* also find of interest Aristaios, who was a god associated with bees, beekeping and honey, and the Melissae and Meliae...the Melissae were honeybee nymphs (yes, that is the same name as given for the priestesses of several goddesses), and the Meliae were ash tree nymphs, also said to be nymphs of honey and honeybees.

[Theres]

... I also found that Hecate was associated with the bees.
do you have a reference for this? i have never heard of this association before.


Also...I know that you're looking specifically at goddesses, but you *might* also find of interest Aristaios, who was a god associated with bees, beekeping and honey, and the Melissae and Meliae...the Melissae were honeybee nymphs (yes, that is the same name as given for the priestesses of several goddesses), and the Meliae were ash tree nymphs, also said to be nymphs of honey and honeybees.
bees were definitely associated with Demeter in ancient times (as opposed to during internet times), and in fact Her priestesses were known as 'Millissae'.
this is also a rather cool connection between Greek culture/mythology and the earlier cultures of Anatolia (Hittite, Sumerian, etc).

the Hittites had a god known as Telepinus, who was associated with fertility, husbandry, etc.
one day He turns up missing and all of the animals stopped breeding, all of the plants stopped growing, and no new children were born.
when the people couldn't find Telepinus to propitiate Him they turned to their Great Goddess for help, who then sent one of Her smallest and most reviled creatures to find Him... the bee!
the bee found Telepinus asleep in a meadow on the far side of the world and stung Him to wake Him up. Telepinus was a little pissed by this, and returned home in a bad mood.
the people immediately set out to propitiate Telepinus by standing a long pole in the center of the village where everyone could bring offerings of fleece, nuts, fat and honey (but oddly enough no grain) which were wrapped up in a sheepskin and hung from the top of the pole. soon after the fields started growing again, animals started breeding again, and the people became fertile again.
doesn't all of this sound a lot like the Demeter/Persephone myth?

and strange as it seems there are scholars who consider this early oriental practice to be a possible origin of the European Maypole!

[Fiamma]

do you have a reference for this? i have never heard of this association before.


Kinda curious about this myself. Did a little google-fu, and this is the only mention of Hekate and bees that I could find that didn't look like some sort of modern fabrication, and I'd hardly say that this is grounds to associate Hekate with bees....


And propitiate only-begotten Hecate, daughter of Perses, pouring from a goblet the hive-stored labour of bees. And then, when thou hast heedfully sought the grace of the goddess, retreat from the pyre; and let neither the sound of feet drive thee to turn back, nor the baying of hounds, lest haply thou shouldst maim all the rites and thyself fail to return duly to thy comrades.

-From Apollonius Rhodius, book 3 of Argonautica

[Theres]

yeah, but an offering of honey was pretty common to most ancient rituals wasn't it? so i'm not sure if that's a bee reference or not.

nice catch!

[Fiamma]

yeah, but an offering of honey was pretty common to most ancient rituals wasn't it? so i'm not sure if that's a bee reference or not.

nice catch!


Yeah, honey was a common offering, so I don't think this is a direct reference to bees either..I was just saying that it's the only mention that I found of Hekate and bees together is all

[Willow Rosette]

I agree with Agaliha. When I was in need of a message from the Goddess she sent me a sign from my animal guide! Mine is also very common to be seen just not at the time of year I saw it as well. Now whenever I see them (now that it is summer I see them alot) they warm my heart and remind me of the message.

[Iora Rua]

Good morning everyone! Thank you so much for the replies!

Unfortunately, I didn't save the original links to the information I found on Hecate/ Hekate and the association to bees....BUT, I went ahead and did a bit of re-tracing this morning to try to find y'all the references. My searching jogged my memory as to why I linked Hecate and bees.

According to some historians and researchers...not only is Hecate linked with Artemis in a number of respects....some say that they may have been one in the same.

Because I know ya'll are familiar with the Artemis-bee connection I won't go into that...but, I'll post a few of the other links I found...maybe that'll help. I don't know if my conclusions on Hecate-bees from this spring was accurate or not...but, this was some of my reasoning for it. I wish I could find that original information!! Anyways....here's what I've got for you this morning.

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http://hekate.timerift.net/sacred.htm
At various times Hekate has been identified with other deities such as Ereschigal, the Babylonian goddess of the Underworld, the Thessalian Enodia and Brimo, the Sicilian Angelos, Iphigenia and especially Artemis. In fact later Orphic literature scarcely differentiates between Hekate and Artemis as far as titles and power are concerned. (See the Oxford Classical Dictionary and Farnell's The Cults of the Greek States for details).
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http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~clit387/Worship.html
In heroization stories involving females, when a heroine dies she is made immortal by Artemis. Then the heroine becomes assocated with Artemis and Artemis takes on the heroine's name or is said to be Hekate. A saying that reads "I lie here, the goddess Hekate, as you see. Formerly I was mortal, now I am immortal and ageless" is seen on a grave stone dating back from the Roman Period (Larson)

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http://www.undiscoveredworldspress.com/beelzebub.html
Don't forget that bees and their honey were for many centuries thought to be specially favoured by the goddess of witchcraft, Hecate, and sacrifices of honey were made in her honour. Remember furthermore that the Greek god of beekeepers was the rampant penis-god Priapus, who took command after the god of fair weather, Aristaeus, had provided favourable conditions. Between them both they indulged the demi-goddess Melissa, sweet personification of honey itself. Sex and the supernatural so often go hand in hand, enhanced by passionate exposure to the world of insects.
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http://www.widdershins.org/vol5iss3/03.htm
The threefold goddess Threefold goddesses, for example, appeared in many trinities outside the Olympian 12: as the Moirai (the three fates), the Graiai (the gray old women of the sea), the Erinyes (the Furies), the Harpies, the Gorgons, the Graces, the Charities, the Hesperides, the Sirens and of course as Hecate. But Hecate's identity extends directly and indirectly among the Olympians themselves. Apollo and Artemis, for example, were alternately known as Hekatos and Hekate. Kerényi notes in Gods of the Greeks:
It will be remembered that one of the names of the Great Mother of the Gods in Asia Minor (a goddess who besides being a mother also had strong hermaphroditic characteristics) was Great Artemis.
In the classical literary context, Apollo and Artemis are entirely distinct, and Artemis combines only two of the traditional three aspects, namely virginal maiden and death-dealing huntress. In her festivals, though, she seems to have taken on at times an erotic and even fertile aspect as well, particularly in relationship to Dionysos.
Other Olympian goddesses also showed clear vestiges of a threefold nature. Demeter and Kore/Persephone formed alternatively a crone/maiden/mother trinity or a mother-maid duality to which Rhea or Hecate played the crone.
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http://inanna.virtualave.net/hekate.html

Hekate

"The From-a-far Powerful"
Chtonian Greek Triple-Earth-Goddess,
representing the Maiden, the Mother and the Crone
- all aspects of the Mother Goddess.
Her origins are in Asia Minor,
where she was worshipped as the primary mother goddess.
Later transformed into a Goddess of Magic,
Moon and Night, Ruler of Ghosts, Underworld-goddess,
Protectress and Patroness of Magicians,
Fortunetellers and Witches.

Like many goddesses she who's name means
"The From-a-far-Powerful" had many names and titles.
Chtonian (Earth/Underworldgoddess),
Crataeis (the Mighty One),
Enodia (Goddess of the paths)
Antania (Enemy of mankind),
Kurotrophos (Nurse of the Children and Protectress of mankind),
Artemis of the crossroads
Propylaia (the one before the gate)
Propolos (the attendant who leads)
Phosphoros (the light-bringer)
Soteira ("Saviour")
Prytania (invincible Queen of the Dead)
Trioditis (gr.) Trivia (latin: Goddess of Three Roads)
Klêidouchos (Keeper of the Keys)
Tricephalus or Triceps (The Three-Headed)
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http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mgr/mgr08.htm

Artemis, undoubtedly, like her brother Apollo, is a Northerner. She was worshipped with the title of Queen in Thrace and in Pæonia, and it is there that her aspect as moon-goddess is most clearly evident. There, too, she has the title of Hekate, the Far-Darter, the feminine of Apollo Hekatos. As Hekate, as moon-goddess, she has her dark and spectral side, and is compact of magic and spells.
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Gonna go ahead and put this one on here anyway as it relates...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_(mythology)
The Mycenaean tholos tombs even took the form of beehives.
Winged, armed with toxin, creators of the fermentable honey,[1] seemingly parthenogenetic in their immortal hive, bees were emblems of Potnia, the Minoan-Mycenaean "Mistress" older than Demeter, who might herself sometimes be called "the pure Mother Bee."[2] If ever it is doubted that Demeter and the archaic Artemis as she was honored at Ephesus were Hellenic embodiments of the Great Mother,[3] it should be recalled that "Not only the priestesses of Artemis at Ephesus were 'Bees', but also those of Demeter", as Jane Ellen Harrison noted,[4] "and, still, more significant, the Delphic priestess herself was a Bee"

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And I had also associated Hecate with bees because of the Hecate's fertility aspect & bee symbolism itself.

Your questions & requests for substantiation of my claim...really got me hopping and researching (something I used to do extensively and in a volunteer capacity for a few different groups...but, since then, I've become very rusty!)....this is something that is/was much needed for me. So I really appreciate you guys lightin' the fire under my buns.


Thanks again for all of the responses on here....I appreciate each and every one!! Ya'll have been SO helpful to me!!