Song of Increase: Listening to the Wisdom of Honeybees for Kinder Beekeeping and a Better World

The most joyful emanation produced by a colony of bees is the "song of increase"―declaring that the hive is flourishing and the bees are happy in its abundance. Song of Increase takes us inside the world of the honeybee to glean the wisdom of these fascinating creatures with whom humanity has shared a sacred bond for millennia. Within these pages is a bee-centric approach to living with honeybees, rather than advice for simply maximizing the products they provide. Jacqueline Freeman takes us beyond traditional beekeeping and offers a way to work in harmony with honeybees for both their good and ours. "Our way is one of kind observation," she explains, "where we create supportive homes and fields for bees to live in, as well as tend the heartfelt relationships we form by being together." Song of Increase focuses on hidden aspects of apiculture that lead us naturally to more sustainable practices. Freeman illuminates the unity consciousness that guides every action in the colony and how this profound awareness can influence the way we see both the natural world and ourselves. Each chapter presents a wealth of information about the life of bees, including Freeman's personal insights and direct teachings received from the bees themselves. Contents I. The Song of How Bees See Themselves, Their Colony, and the World II. The Song of The Sacred Work of the Queen, Drones, Maidens, and Pips III. The Song of How Bees Create a Perfect Home IV. The Song of the The Communion of Bees and Flowers V. The Song of The Blessings of the Swarm and the Ascension of a New Queen VI. The Song of The Generosity of Bees VII. The Song of How We Can Help Our Bee Friends