It was the first of two plant medicine ceremonies in which I was participating in the Andes Mountains.
We had trekked two hours into the jungle to a secluded location only known to our Shaman Kucho. The vegetation was lush. The spot rustic and Machu Picchu Mountain towered overhead.
Before the daytime ceremony began, Kucho led us another 20 minutes deeper into the jungle to a Crystal Cave he discovered during his explorations. While we meditated with the crystals a huge black bumblebee buzzed around me. Never a fan of bees I tried to move away from it; swatting it with my hand but the bee persisted.
Kucho told me to leave the bee for it was a spirit that has come with a message.
We made our way back to the ceremony spot and began the proceedings. I had just drank my plant medicine and settled in for four hours of healing and ceremony whcn the bumblebee appeared again.
I wondered if it in fact was the same bee as up at the crystal cave and then quickly remembered the words of Kucho. I trusted that it was the same bee and that a spirit had a message for me.
The bee buzzed around me while I sat still. I felt like it was checking me out from all angles. It always hovered about 10 Cm in front of my face. Never coming closer. At one point the bumblebee hung as if suspended in the air right in front of my eyes and stared at me. I stared right back into its eyes.
It was the most magnificent encounter I have ever had with a bumblebee and knew it was significant.
Many people in our group noticed the interaction and commented on it afterwards all agreeing that something important was at play.
Upon my return home I researched the meaning of a bumblebee as an animal totem.
I learned that if a bumblebee finds you– follow it for it is leading you to a new awakening. How appropriate.
The bumblebee is also a sign of good fortune, joy and harmony. It is a symbol of community, the sun, celebration and personal power. A bumblebee is an animal of service; pollinator of plants.
I reflected on how I aim to be of service to mankind and a pollinator of new ideas, concepts and thoughts, change and transformation.
My encounter with this bumblebee was moving and full of strength. It reminded me that everything has meaning and that we are all –human, nature, animals and the elements– interconnected.
Love, Esther
Thank you for sharing. Ive just had this similar experience in Sedona, while preparing for a medicine wheel ceremony. Singled me out and hovered around me the Lakota Shaman was as captivated as I was. A day later the same occurrence on horse back in a different town…same behavior, the bee followed for sometime. We rested our horses, when we saw our first Eagle in the skies. The bee left. Its here to tell me something…will journey, to find out what it wants me to know.
Spirit Wolf
It is such a wonderful experience Jason. Thank you for sharing.
Our 33yr. old son died unexpectedly in April. He had a tough young adult period but had gotten on his feet and was moving forward with a new beginning. at his death, he left behind a special needs toddler and many shocked loved ones. His family and loved ones worked diligently to have a wonderful service and an uplifting experience for all those in attendance. He would have been overwhelmed. We raised our children in church with a religious background. The day of his funeral it was a windy, yet sunny spring day. As we made our way to the gravesite and took our seats, the spring breeze was pushing against us. As we began to pray, a single bumblebee started buzzing around mine and his fathers head. It moved down the row of seated family to his siblings, especially his sister who,he was close to and then to his girlfriends and sons heads and after coming back to me then rested on top the casket flowers. He continued to stay around the immediate gravesite until all were gone. As we arrived home from the cemetary, our extended family had been preparing food for our arrival with all the guests and loved ones. As my husband and I entered, our two neices (who were not at the gravesite) began telling us of a bumblebee who got in the house and relientlessly would not leave the food alone. ( a trait our son possessed at EVERY family gathering! ) they proceeded to tell us that they shewed it towards the window and trapped it between the screen and pane of glass. And lo and behold there it was. As weeks passed we would all be gathered together or I would be alone collecting my thoughts and many times a single bumblebee would appear and pass by just enough so you would know it was there. Never a honeybee always a bumblebee. As of this date we still have no answers for the cause of his death but I have had a strong feeling that this is a spiritual sign from him in some way. Could I be just being hopeful , or do you think there is some connection to this all. I have read your writings and have been researching the meaning of the bumblebee since his death and an anxious to hear your feelings on this.
Thank you for sharing Pam your very personal and inspiring story. The information I have is that bees are a very high vibration life force. While I am fairly certain the bee is not your son, the bee is a connection between you and your son. Sounds like he is buzzing around letting you know he is okay and close by. xo