Tag: Butterflies

A little honey too!

Bee and flower kiss and make nectar. Photo : Lynn Hurry

World Bee Day

According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way that a Bumble Bee should be able to fly. Its wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. It’s something to do with its body mass in relation to its wing span. It’s all been tested out, using the science of aerodynamics and a wind tunnel.
The Bumble Bee is, however, blissfully ignorant of this scientific fact and, possessing considerable determination, and refusing to accept a low expectation of its capabilities, it not only does fly, but it makes a little honey too.

[Perhaps we can bear that in mind when we are faced with difficulties about things we can or can’t do. Even more important when others tell us what we can’t do. Think of the bee and don’t let others put you down.]

Despite possessing determination, the bee population needs our help at present.

This week, the United Nations led us in the observance of a World Bee Day. It is generally held on May 20th. The date was chosen to honour Anton Jans̆a, a pioneer of modern beekeeping who was born on May 20th, 1734.The main purpose of the Day is to raise awareness about the essential role that bees and other pollinators play in “in maintaining healthy ecosystems and ensuring food security.” (UN).
By encouraging the observance of this day, it is hoped that actions might be promoted to protect and enhance bees and other pollinators and their habitats which are threatened increasingly by human activities such as habitat loss, increasing and indiscriminate use of pesticides and the effects of climate change.
Pollinators, which include bees and also endangered butterflies, are responsible for a staggering reproduction of over 75% of the world’s food crops BUT 40% of them are currently at risk of extinction.

The United Kingdom Government has issued suggestions how gardeners and other’s involved in the growth of plants, might help to nurture nature and help our pollinators to thrive:

  1. Grow more nectar rich flowers, shrubs, and trees. Using window or balcony boxes are good options if you don’t have a garden;  
  2. Let patches of garden and land grow wild;  
  3. Cut grass less often;  
  4. Do not disturb insect nests and hibernation spots; and  
  5. Think carefully about whether to use pesticides.  
  6. In addition you could build a bee hotel and make a bee watering station. Bees and butterflies, wasps and other pollinators need water and bowls placed around your garden or window box can be a real lifeline.

Don’t forget to commit this action to prayer:
In Ecclesiasticus Chapter 11, verse 3, we can read:
The bee is small among flying creatures,
but what it produces is the best of sweet things.

Here’s a prayer inspired by this:

O God, Creator of the earth,
We pray for tiny, buzzing bees
who work so hard and true to pollinate
and bring life anew.
May we protect them from harm and wrong
and cherish the gifts they bring along.
All creation speaks of Your divine glory.
May we honour and protect it, in Your divine name.
Amen.

Photo: Lynn Hurry

A Red Admiral calls

Photo of Red Admiral Butterfly resting on Cedum. (by Gill Henwood)

My friend Gill has sent me the lovely photo of a Red Admiral Butterfly basking on a pink sedum plant.
The Cedum is noted for the bountiful provision of nectar, hence the attraction.  Or is it just that?

A few years ago, a very dear friend died and within a very short period, a Peacock Butterfly had made its way into the home. It wasn’t the most seasonal time of year for such a butterfly but it stayed around.

There is a view in folklore that when someone special dies, a butterfly will come quietly to the home.  It is as if the butterfly touches you with some kind of assurance that your Loved one are OK. It is usually someone who has brought passion or deep love into your life. I’ve read that such a person is often someone who knew how to live life deeply.

This fits in with the colour red. Both the Peacock butterfly and the Red Admiral have touches of Red, though to be accurate, most of the Red Admiral is black and some of the colour splashes are orange.

Because, quite often, the Read Admiral and the Peacock fly close to and even on you, people sometimes talk about being blessed. You are certainly unlikely to miss them with their striking colours! It might be also that thinking about how the Butterfly flight is linked with someone who has died, then there may well be a message to contemplate.

There is a Christian interpretation about the colour red which links life here with life in heaven. Red is the colour the Church uses to convey the dynamism of the Holy Spirit. The tongues of flames at Pentecost are, like flame itself, tinged deeply with red. This is also the colour of love and God pours His love abundantly and freely upon us. This is particularly special when we are hurting and bereft. Red also is the colour of ‘martyrdom’ , witness. That the kind of ‘witness’ that draws its strength from the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

Two of  the things many have been doing over the past week since Our Gracious Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth died is to ‘reflect’ on her guiding principles, faith and character as we ‘give gratitude’ for her life.
It is partly those two things which encourage us to pray for King Charles and all who will share with him in the true leadership of our United Kingdom and Commonwealth.

As we form our hopes for the future so we now entrust Queen Elizabeth into God’s hands,
in the certain hope that she will receive the gift of Eternal Life. That’s the kind of assurance God likes to give so maybe the Butterfly has a calling card to leave!

[Mr.G.]