Welcome June 2024

Picture of Fairy Tree in the meadow in Fish Creek Park – from Caro and used with permission.

 

As we move into the month of June, two things always jump to my mind. One – this is the sacred time of weddings, and two – this is the time of the power of Summer Solstice. What makes June sacred is that the Goddess, Juno (Roman) also called Hera (Greek) is the sacred patron of maidens and women. It is she who blesses unions and blesses the conception of children. In fact Juno blesses all creative acts and her power is strongest in mid summer. She is profoundly feminine, and powerful. Legend has it that Juno causes the wealthy to share their wealth with poorer folks, or for good causes. All the rivers, streams, lakes and oceans are her domain in summer because of the life that is created from the water.

Summer Solstice is a time of gathering of family and tribe. It is a time to celebrate the feminine – the ability to endure and to create. It is a time of healing when we cleanse to make ourselves stronger; when we ask for blessings to prevent tragedy and to protect us and our projects and crops for another year. This is a time of abundance for the first of the harvest – lettuce, green onions, peas, beans, and herbs are now ready.

The full moon in June is called “The Mead Moon” for this is the best time for making dandelion wine and honey wine.   June’s emotions are about loyalty and bonding.  Our Ancestors also knew that June, with its unpredictable weather, is about enduring and continuing.  Healers often pick herbs at this time because the strong summer sun and moon are good vibrations for the harvesting of herbs for cleansing, strengthening, and for protection.

May your June be sunny and happy!

Blessings,

Judy

The Power of Honey

                         Picture from Medical News Today - a honey bee, honey comb, and honey

I grew up in the country side on a farm.  Honey was part of our staple diet.  We had it on toast for breakfast, on a slice of bread covered in peanut butter and honey for an after school snack, and stirred into a hot lemon drink when we had a cold.  One never thinks about honey, it just is.

Several days ago, this great article on honey was forwarded to me by a friend. I learned lots of new things about honey.  I hope that you enjoy it.

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I did not know this. I have local honey in my tea. Always using a metal spoon. 
Did you know that one of the world's first coins had a bee symbol?
Did you know that honey contains live enzymes?
Did you know that in contact with a metal spoon, these enzymes die? The best way to eat honey is with a wooden spoon; if you can't find one, use a plastic spoon.
Did you know that honey contains a substance that helps the brain work better?
Did you know that honey is one of the few foods on earth that alone can sustain human life?
Did you know that bees saved people from starvation in Africa?
That a spoonful of honey is enough to keep a man alive for 24 hours?
Did you know that propolis produced by bees is one of the most powerful natural antibiotics?
Did you know that honey has no expiry date?
Did you know that the bodies of the world's greatest emperors were buried in gold coffins, then covered in honey to prevent putrefaction?
Did you know that the term "Honeymoon" (honeymoon) comes from the fact that the bride and groom consumed honey for fertility after their marriage?
Did you know that a bee lives less than 40 days, visits at least 1000 flowers and produces less than a teaspoon of honey, but for her it is the work of a lifetime.
Thank you precious bees! 
(Source: Robin Jackson)

Blessings,

Judy

Bear Comfort - Bear Is a Spirit Animal

  

Picture from notesfromthebartender.wordpress.com 

We give babies a teddy bear for comfort.  And, baby snuggles up to the teddy bear, and even cries if the bear is not present.  What is it that gives us comfort in this “bear” image?  Why are we not frightened, instead, of this representation of a large, fierce animal?

Well, Bear looks big and cuddly.  Bear is chubby and that says comfort and safety.  Bear hibernates through the winter so Bear is about sleeping through the tough times.  Bear eats honey so Bear is about sweetness.  Bear is a fisherman.  We all identify with the fisherman. Bear’s ears are just so darn cute!  And, Bear eats berries and grubs and roots and shoots.  All of these characteristics simply support the idea that Bear is not that scary.

When Bear comes to us as a power animal, do not be lulled into thinking that Bear is simply “of the Earth”.  The Greeks and Romans revered Bear so much that they named a constellation of stars after her. A different version of the story says that Zeus was so angry at the mother bear and her cub that he threw them up into the night sky to forever roam around the North Star.   

from www.nmm.ac.uk

So why does Bear come to us in times when we need comfort?  Well, when we need comfort, we are feeling weak or insecure.  Bear is a universal symbol of big and of power.  At our weakest, we need to be reminded that we have all the power that we require within us.  Bear, who hibernates, and who sleeps easily, reminds us to go in and reflect on what we do know and to honour our strengths.  Bear is about teaching the cub (often each of us) how to be a “big bear”.

I wish you a wonderful bear encounter.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Bee Healing - Spirit Animal

Have you ever had a cold like this?  The cold started in my body. Not only did  it slow me down but it actually put me flat on my back quite a few days. I know that a cold is a sign that you are  clearing something on all three levels of body, mind and  spirit. However, when my throat became quite sore, I was  mostly concerned with the physical. Nothing seemed to  either clear or soothe my throat. Then I remembered that  when I was little, Mom used to give me a spoonful of  honey when I had a sore throat. So, I tried that solution,  and “Presto” after several spoonfuls of honey, my throat  started to clear up.

When I was growing up, my only concern about a bee was  whether it was near me, and whether it would sting me. When I started studying Egyptian Magick, I discovered that the lowly bee (in my mind) was really an exalted friend and provider for the ancient Egyptian culture. In fact, the nobility were buried with most of their possessions, slaves, and large urns of honey. When the archaeologists have excavated these tombs, and opened the honey, it had crystallized but was without mould or spoilage. I thought this was pretty amazing. The article went on to talk about how the honey was used for healing. 

My interest in the bee was renewed when my husband Roger explained that he always has wanted to be a bee-keeper. I decided that I needed to investigate this little insect. As I started the research, I found that the oldest bee is believed to be 100 million years old. (That’s relatively young compared to the shark which is believed to be 450 million years old.) 

Through it has changed somewhat over the years, the bee still produces a nourishing, healing honey that is pretty much unrivalled as food and healer. The antiseptic properties of honey make it a natural healer for wounds by protecting the wound from infection and decreasing the swelling. As I experienced  through my cold, honey destroys mucus from the cold virus. Honey is also recommended for treating indigestion and heart or high blood pressure ailments. 

A few facts that I learned in my quest are:

• that bees do indeed create honey that is healing. 
• Bees are so sensitive to environmental toxins that they die  
  and do not carry the poison to the hive. Therefore, the honey is without toxins. 
• Honey in the bath water is relaxing and is recommended to relieve insomnia. 
• Although it is high in calories, athletes use it as a  
  quick “pick-me-up”. 
• Honey produced in one’s local area is a prescribed remedy for hay fever. 

Don’t take my word for all these remedies. I suggest that you buy some honey and try “bee healing” on yourself and family. Honey really does take the “sting” out of a wound. Oh yes, and “bee” happy.

Many blessings,

Judy