While I was on the phone with the patio door open a few inches without the screen door pulled closed (it is off track and needs help), a big black bumble bee flew in. It immediately caught my attention as it was very big and buzzing all around. I got up, got the fly swatter, and attempted to shoo it back out the door. That did not work! Reggie got into the act. Then the bumble bee disappeared. After I got off the phone, I looked through the house but could not find it.
Then this morning, there it was in the window over the kitchen sink stuck between the window which I had open and the permanently closed window. It was frantically trying to get outside through the window, its little legs clawing and clawing forward where it could feel the outside air. The rubber barrier between the window was keeping it back. It had been there all night trying to get out and I could tell it was getting too tired. I noticed that it had a little white on its head. I felt its panic and decided to get a paper towel, try to catch it, then take it outside, if it would let me.
This was a tricky process as I had to close the window enough to let the bee know that it would not get out that way without crushing it. I wanted it to see that there was another way out if it would just back up. So, I waved the paper towel between the two windows. It backed out, then put the single sheet of paper towel over the bee and tried to grab it. It immediately stung me on the index finger but didn’t leave the stinger. It stayed by the window, didn’t go back to the area between the two windows, but was still frantically clawing the window to get out.
I then doubled the paper towel and carefully put it around the bee tucking in the corners. I kept telling it that I wasn’t going to hurt it, that I was trying help it. Its loud buzzing sound let me know it didn’t like being enclosed, that it was panicked and angry. I ran to the patio door, opened it, and set it free. Staying outside, I closed the patio door so it wouldn’t fly back in. It flew off and came back around in a circle by me. I felt like it was saying thank you.
When an animal or insect comes directly into my awareness like that, I often pull out Ted Andrews’ books, Animal Speak, Animal Wise, and Nature-Speak to see what meaning it has for me. I will paraphrase his writing.
One Bee: The meaning of the number one in Nature is: time to initiate; new beginnings; take charge-leadership role may be upon you.
Bee Colors – Black with White:
The meaning of the color black in Nature is: Black is found commonly throughout Nature in both the plant and animal kingdoms. It is often associated with mysticism, magic, and new birth. It is the color of quiet strength and protection. It can indicate a need for secretiveness and sacrifice. Black is also associated with the feminine energies, the creative and intuitive. When found with other colors, it often indicates a grounding and even a more mundane energy or issue at play.
The white which reflects the energies of truth. White is soothing to our spirit and even indicates the presence of spirits about us. White is always a reminder to follow our creative inspirations. If we have doubts about issues or activities or even people in our life, white is a color that reminds us to be patient. The doubts will soon be alleviated. We will get our answers.
Other Meanings:
Bees are long-time symbols for accomplishing the impossible. The stinger is often seen as a phallic symbol. Most bees only sting once. The bee is a reminder to extract the honey of life and to make our lives fertile while the sun shines. The bee reminds us that no matter how great the dream, there is the promise of fulfillment if we pursue it.
From D. J. Conway’s, Animal Magick, the sacredness of the bee has a long history throughout the world. A superstition and some of the magical attributes are paraphrased.
A bee flying into your house means a visitor is coming.
Concentration necessary to carry out a task. Planning and saving for the future. Prosperity. Astral traveling to the real of the Goddess to better understand the cycle of reincarnation. Talking to a deceased person. Helping an Earth-bound spirit move on to its proper place.
This big black bumble bee had many spiritual messages for me. It validated that I changed my ways of being and chose better ones. It validated that it is time for me to initiate new friends and activities. Since moving here three years ago, I have gone to church and dancing but am wanting to expand my circle of social and spiritual friends. This means exploring other groups and different activities letting my feminine creative and intuitive energies guide me, trusting I will find the perfect places for me. This may mean letting go of something.
It is time for mysticism, magic and new birth within myself and with others while knowing that I have the quiet strength and protection to open to what is mine to experience. The bumble bee brought me the message that my dream of having a companion is possible. One sting (a phallic symbol) to my finger was a reminder not to let that dream go, but to allow the companion to come to me through my heart fulfilling me in new wondrous ways. It validated that other hearts continue to help me extract “the honey of life”.
In my spiritual practice, I have helped Earth-bound spirits move on, so the bumble bee’s message is for me to keep on doing that.
I communicate with my deceased husband and many other deceased spirits, known and unknown, which expands me in unimaginable ways.
I choose to open to Spirit, to carefully listen to the messages that are sent to me in each moment. I choose to call for help immediately when I get out of spiritual alignment, so that I no longer do the same things, the same way. I choose to be patient with myself and others, no longer clawing to get where I want, but rather know that those called easily flow into my life. I choose to let Spirit visitors into my house, my life, my world, and magic happens.
Reggie tried to catch the bumble bee to eat it. It flew too high for him, but he barked at it and chased it around until he could no longer see it. His job was to protect me and he made a valiant attempt. He listens to Spirit and acts immediately, then happily goes on about his play or takes a nap. Nancy and Reggie♥
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