Bees and Witchcraft

Disclaimer

This is NOT a page about Wiccans or neo-pagans, and I do not advocate the belief that Wiccans are Satan-worshippers and/or baby-killers. I am well aware that they are not. This is a starting point for historical research into the great witch craze of 1100-1700 AD. And please, don't ask me for spells.

Bees as Familiars

According to many demonologists, if a witch or sorceress managed to eat a queen bee before she was arrested, she would be able to withstand torture and trial without confessing. This was one of many ready explanations offered by witch-hunters when their victims refused to confess. In this way, many witches were condemned to death despite the lack of a confession (Guiley 1989 22).

Bees were also valued familiars because they made wax. From this wax, witches were thought to have fashioned images with which to practice their arts upon (Lehane 111).

Lost?

Bees and Witchcraft copyright 1997-1998 to Shantell Powell.