The
Bees Knees
By Natalie Zaman
As you can probably tell by now--we're pretty crazy about bees--and no wonder! Besides flowers and food, bees have also buzzed their way into our language. Ever hear the expression, "The Bees Knees?" If you have some older folks in your family, they might know it. People used to use it when they thought that something was really cool--"Hey Matilda, that new dress of yours is the bees knees!" But where the heck did it come from--do bees even have knees? Actually, they have six. Like most insects, bees have six legs, and their thighs--the section just above their knees--is very special. Bees carry the pollen they use to make honey, feed themselves and fertilize flowers just above their knees. One might be tempted to say that the bees' knees are the best part of the bee... (they beat a sting any day!)
Here's a Summer Solstice craft that really is "the bees knees"--a protective bee poppet to hang in your home. All you need is some paper, cardboard, glue, a stapler and some fennel, and you're all set! Wait--I can hear you now--"I've heard of poppets! Aren't they little stuffed dolls?" Well, yes they are, but poppets don't have to be made out of cloth. A poppet can be made of ANY material--the important thing is the SHAPE. This poppet will be in the shape of a bee--he (or she) is a hard worker, responsible for our survival, and has a long history with the Goddess (just ask Puca!)--perfect for protection!
Click the bee and hive above to get a print out. Color in the bee and hive any way you like, and then cut them out. Because you'll be hanging the poppet, you might want to glue the bee and hive onto some recycled cardboard to make the pieces a little sturdier (cereal boxes are good for this!). Next, attach the bee to the hive with the stapler--BUT ONLY STAPLE AROUND THE BOTTOM OF THE BEE'S WINGS AND BODY. You don't want the bee to be flat against the hive. Staple around the bottom edge of the bee's wings and body so the staples look like stiches. The bee will form a pocket on the bee hive.
Take a few fingerfuls of fennel, and tuck it into the opening beetween the bee and the hive. Why fennel? Besides being protective, as an herb, it incorporates all the elements--earth, air, fire and water--that come together at the Summer Solstice--a double whammy of protection for you! No fennel? No problem! Visit Airmid for some other Summer Solstice-friendly herbs to use.
Where will you hang your poppet--and how? You can always tape your poppet to a window or wall, or you can tape or staple a piece of yarn or ribbon on the back to form a loop for hanging. Try gluing recycled magnets to the back side so you can put it on your refridgerator (You might need to cover most of the backside with magnets, depending on how heavy your poppet is).
Bee good, bee safe, and have a wonderful Solstice!