Queen of the Sun

Or How We Can Save the Honeybees

I recently went to a showing of Queen of the Sun, a film about bees and the mutual dependence bees and humans have on each other. The film was made from a deep, loving soul level. Many of the concerned beekeepers are involved with the Anthroposophical movement, the philosophical branch of Rudolph Steiner's many teachings. It was mentioned in the film that Steiner had predicted in 1923 that as our agriculture becomes more mechanized, we would likely see the collapse of the honeybee.

As we lose thousands more bees every year, people from all over the world are creating bee sanctuaries in order to save them from the chemicals, toxic anti-parasite medications, overwork, and transportation from one part of the country (sometimes from another part of the world!) that we are weakening them with. They do this not only because they know that bees are supremely important to our survival, but because they feel a connection to them as the amazing creatures they are. Honeybees work so hard making their perfect octagonal beeswax honey combs, fertilizing flowers as they gather nectar, making honey, keeping their queen happy and healthy, making certain the developing pupae survive to adulthood, swarming in order to move with their new queen to a new hive, and scoping out the best flowers full of nectar and communicating to their hive mates where to find them.

The photography was gorgeous, the music was fun, and I loved seeing the many ways people showed their reverence for the beautiful Apis mellifica. I was seriously inspired to make my own bee sanctuary in my back yard in Berkeley. I have the flowers and the sun - all I need are the bees!