Modern Hill Woman

Telling the Bees

Becoming more self-sufficient is a goal I continually work towards. Growing a garden, canning, pickling, and preserving its abundance, and raising our own beef, are goals we’ve achieved.

There may be chickens in my future.

I’d love to have fresh milk, but I’m not sure if I’m ready for that kind of daily commitment to a milk cow. If my honey has his say so, honey bees may take up residence in our field.

The thought of beekeeping sounds idyllic and a bit romantic. The reality of hundreds of stingers poised to get me doesn’t sound romantic at all. I may not be quite ready to don the hat and veil, but I do like the idea of “telling the bees.”

“Telling the bees” is an ancient tradition in which bees are informed of important life events, such as births, deaths, marriages, and changes in the beekeeper’s household. If the bees are not kept abreast of household events, all manner of calamities might befall the house and the hive.

By forgetting to inform the bees of goings-on, they might leave, stop producing honey, or even die.

This custom is best known in England, but has been recorded in many other countries, including the United States.

The Aegean Civilization believed bees had the ability to travel between the natural world and the afterlife. Celtic mythology also held that bees were the link between our world and the spirit realm, and could relay messages to the departed.

Following the death of a household member, the bees must be “put into mourning,” and were properly informed. The informant knocked on the hive, then announced the death, while singing a song asking the bees not to leave.

The hive was decorated with black crepe. Funeral biscuits and wine were left for the bees, and they were invited to the funeral.

The bees were also told of happy events. If the bees weren’t invited to celebrate weddings, it was feared they might leave. The hive was often festooned with scarlet fabric and slices of wedding cake were left for them.

Recently-married couples going to their new home must first introduce themselves to the bees to avoid bad luck in their marriage.

Throughout history, bees have been prized for their honey and wax.

Honey was used as food, and as medicine for many ailments. Mead, possibly the world’s oldest fermented beverage, was made from honey. Beeswax candles burned brighter, cleaner, and longer.

It was considered rude to quarrel in front of bees, and was bad luck to sell hives, possibly selling your luck alongside your bees.

Instead, they should be bartered for or given as gifts.

Humans share a deep connection with bees, in fact, bees help humans survive.

Seventy of the top crop species that feed humans rely on bees for pollination. The loss of bees could have a catastrophic effect on our food chain.

The act of “telling the bees” emphasizes the important relationship we share with our little friends.