Myth & Magick Monday - Part 2
Welcome to part 2 of Myth & Magick Monday, in this half we are going to talk about one of the graceful bee goddesses, Melissa...
Melissa was the Goddess nymph of bees, who discovered the use of honey and taught mankind how to cultivate it. Melissa was considered one of the goddesses responsible for civilizing mankind. The Grecian word for bees is "Melissa", named after the goddess herself. The name Melissae was also given to priestesses of the lands as a symbol and reflection of the purity of the bee. It was especially used by those who where followers of Demeter, Persephone, and to the priestess of the Delphian Apollo.
The famous myth involving Melissa was the marital rites of Zeus and Hera. During this ceremony she gave the gift of honey to the gods of Olympus. Zeus and Hera’s marriage ceremony was the first of its kind in Olympia. It was hugely celebrated with lots of feasting and merriment at the Garden of the Hesperides.
All of the deities were in attendance and they presented the couple with lots of magnificent gifts. Gaia, gifted Hera with an enchanted tree that when planted would produce exquisite golden apples. Hundreds of nymphs brought the heavenly couple wedding gifts to try and taste. One nymph however, stood with no embellishment. Round and furry with small, translucent wings that made the most incessant noise, her name was Melissa and she offered only a golden libation in a plain bowl. Zeus and Hera tried the golden libation, out of good courtesy and a sign of good faith. What they were not expecting was the most sensational tasting food they had ever come across in their boundless lives. Zeus raised the bowl, and blessed it as Ambrosia, the food of the gods forevermore. In reward for her contribution to the gods, Zeus promised to grant Melissa anything she wanted.
The thing Melissa struggles most in life was everything. She was too round, her wings too small and the ingredients for her honey too widespread to maintain any consistency in its production. Animals far larger and terrifying reaped the fruits of her labours, stealing her stores until only a puddle remains. All she asked of the All Father was the ability to defend what she had suffered the effort to make. She had no weapon, not like the scorpion had a sting or a wolf had canines. Attempting to manipulate the fabric of creation, Melissa’s wish was to bear her own weapon. Zeus was infuriated by this request. This creature, blessed by the king of Olympus to exist and roam in peace, asked for something to wreak violence. All to ensure she could not share her gift. It was the greatest offence one could imagine on a king’s wedding day, a day meant to celebrate unity, a connection that ought to exist amongst all manner of life. But Melissa threw it in the gods face before the attendance of everyone. Melissa’s punishment was one fit for her insolence and selfishness. First, the King of Gods gifted the nymph a colony of bees to help gather ingredients to ease her effort and she would lead them as their queen. Disappointment slumped Melissa, but the king had not yet finished. Secondly he granted her a weapon. The hall watched as she shrieked and screamed, a giant, black sting slowly protruding from her belly. At its end was a barb, to latch onto all she would use it on. As promised, Zeus had given her what was asked for, and more. In doing so, he condemned her. For Melissa could not use that sting without ripping out her very innards in the process. The stories of Greek mythology are lessons. The fate of Melissa teaches all who hear it that it is all too easy to view the world through the lens of our own shortcomings. We do not realise that we sometimes place ourselves in the centre of that world. If Melissa had shared her honey willingly and selflessly, she would not have been cursed by Zeus. Relating to this myth, the order to which bees belong is called Hymenoptera, which in Greek means 'wedding wings'.
Bees are at the upmost importance to our lands they gift and support life itself, so let's support them in return!
Happy World Beee Day to each and everyone one of you! 🐝🪻
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