Bees

Bees are a type of insect that are reputed to have a number of roles in the occult.
== Legends ==
Some claim that if a witch had eaten a queen bee before being caught, she would be more likely to resist the tortures of a confessor. de Plancy, J. C., (1863). Dictionnaire Infernal. 6ed. pg.2
In parts of Brittany, it was said that bees were sensitive to the emotions of their owners, and that they will do poorly if their owner doesn't tell them about events which interest their household. As part of this same belief, when there is a death, a piece of black cloth is attached to the hive, and if there is a wedding or some other feast, a piece of red cloth is attached to it. 
The Circassians honour Merieme/Melissa, who de Plancy equates to Mary, as the patroness of bees. They believe she saved their species by keeping one of their queens in her sleeve on the day when storms threatened to wipe them out. De Plancy also states that the Circassians make a good amount of money from their hives, and are thus grateful for the species surviving.
According to Isidore's The Origins and other texts, bees cannot live in Ireland, those taken there soon die, and if Irish soil is taken to another land and scattered, bees will abandon the region. Father Lebrun, in his Histoire critique des superstitions explains that this is a mistake, since there are many bees in Ireland. The origin of this belief is unknown. 
== References ==
Category:Dictionnaire Infernal
Category:Animals