The Honeybee Tribe and their Inspiring Symbolism

What most people don't know about me.....I am a politics and news junkie. I follow on several different sources to learn as much as I can, because while I know many people think it to be depressing...I believe that Knowledge is Power. Between the state of our politics and the seemingly endless run of tragedies in the news, I am deeply saddened for us as people. Often I am shaking my head in disbelief, simply bewildered because some days it seems that we Humans haven't evolved at all. 

I watch growing numbers of people allowing their Fears to take over their spirit, sometimes to the point that their authentic soul becomes unrecognizable. The Scales of Balance are tipping out of control, and Kindness and Empathy are becoming overrun by Anger and Bigotry. 

The other day I sat on the porch and was thinking on the Honeybee. I thought about them as a huge family...a Tribe..and how they all worked together as a collective for the greater good...for a purpose. As humans we often will say..."What can I do? I'm just one person." But, I just can't buy into that precept. 

When you look at the Honeybees, yes, they do a vast amount of work as a whole....but each individual bee is busy making change, hard at work, and his work makes a difference in the world. We humans are the same. It may seem like "How could I possibly make a difference in the world?" but truly it starts with each one of us....doing the work...being kind...having empathy and understanding..and Love. We must not let the Fear and Anger  steal the goodness in our hearts. 

The Honeybee Tribe is my reminder. 

My Return to the Abundant Earth

Sometimes we step away from the things that are a core part of us - our rituals or ways of life - often  not because we have abandoned them but simply because our spirit needs something different in the moment. I feel, in part, that this has been the case for me. 

Over the past year I had stepped back from the intrinsic part of me who's spirituality and healing based from nature, my animal totems, and Earth Mother.

 For the most part I think this was on a subconscious level, for I was experiencing such loss in my heart that my soul urged me to immerse in the Feminine. I placed my heart within the Goddess's hands, needing to heal, to understand, and to be still. 

Many lessons flowed, some sweet and with ease, and some painfully difficult. I was able to come to understandings about myself and how I walk in the world, along with even greater understandings about humanity. 

I believe that healing and self growth are a lifelong process - that we reach levels of  understanding and then continue to ascend. Now I feel that it is time for me to broaden my scope again, integrating my refreshingly, deep nourished Goddess sense with the balanced, grounded Nature Sage. It is time for me to reconnect the Bridge between Earth and Sky. 

Outwardly I suppose that people will notice this within my artwork, which I feel will be turning, in some senses, to a more balanced feminine and masculine slant. 

I return with excitement, for I have especially missed my strong focus on the animal totems, who are all chattering incessantly, like old friends catching up in a flurry. 

My conscious thought on this spiritual and artistic transition came to the canvas a few days ago, creating "Abundant Earth". 

Symbolically the painting was satisfying, incorporating black lava medium, handmade paper, cotton canvas, liquitex acrylics, ink, gesso, textile, and clay beads - each component bringing outwardly meaning to the balance I spoke of. 

Quail Totem Symbolic Meaning

The Quail Totem is a wonderful Animal Teacher, bringing lessons that focus on Self Care, Grounding, and the importance of doing so. 

With the Quail being a bird that is widely hunted, he has much he can teach us humans about living and surviving symbolically in this big ol' world. Awareness is needed in order to not only see Opportunities, but to see where dangers and pitfalls lie. It is the calm, grounded soul that can be fully aware of their surroundings. If were are to make wise decisions in the face of adversity or crisis, those decisions must come from our balanced self. It is from this place that we know when to move forward and when to hang back, when to be open and when to protect ourselves. 

In order to be at our best in balance, we  must become a master in self care, nurturing the body mind and spirit. Eating well, sleeping well, having "me" time, and surrounding ourselves with healthy relationships...all can help us breathe deeply and calmly. Above all, Quail reminds us to listen to our inner voice, for there lies many answers that can be useful on this journey.