May 2026 - Inaugural Meet n Greet.
May saw our Inaugural launch gathering.
We welcomed old friends and new, as well as adopted our own lovable mascot Tallulah the French Bulldog.
The elders gathered to go through the history and importance of Bee's within the ancient pagan world, as well as why we chose the Old Norse name for Bee, Byfluga.
For those that unfortunately were unable to attend, then this small talk is below for you to read.
In honour of the Bee's we were also given the opportunity to handroll our very own pure beeswax candles.
Byfluga Moot Opening Talk: Bees, Community, and Sacred Connection
Welcome to the Byfluga Moot
Good evening everyone, and welcome to the first gathering of the Byfluga Moot.
The word "Byfluga" comes from old Norse meaning bee or flying insect, and it felt fitting for a community like ours. Bees are not solitary creatures. They thrive in community, in cooperation, in shared purpose. A hive survives because each member contributes in their own way.
That is exactly what we hope this moot can become.
Not simply a place where people meet once a month, but a living community: somewhere people can share knowledge, stories, skills, spirituality, friendship, and support.
Like a hive, we are strongest when we gather together.
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Why Bees Matter
Bees have held an important place in many pagan traditions and folk beliefs across Europe.
They are creatures that move between worlds:
* They travel from flower to flower.* They transform nectar into honey.* They create wax, which humans have long used for candles, offerings, and sacred rites.* They live in ordered communities, yet remain wild and untamed.
Because of this, bees were often seen as messengers between the human world and the spirit world.
In many folk traditions, people would “tell the bees” when there had been a birth, death, marriage, or major family event. Bees were thought to be connected to the household and the ancestors, and if they were not informed, the hive might leave or fail.
This old custom reminds us that our ancestors understood something important: community is not just about the living people around us. It includes memory, tradition, ancestors, land, and the relationships we build over time.
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Bees in Pagan Symbolism
Across many pagan paths, bees can represent:
* Community and cooperation* Hard work and devotion* Fertility and abundance* The soul and the spirit world* Wisdom carried from flower to flower* The sacred relationship between people and nature
Honey itself was considered sacred in many cultures.
In ancient times, honey was one of the few naturally sweet substances available, and it was often given as an offering to gods, spirits, and ancestors.
Mead, made from fermented honey, has deep associations with celebration, ritual, poetry, inspiration, and the divine. In Norse traditions especially, mead appears again and again in stories of wisdom and sacred feasting.
Wax too has spiritual significance. Beeswax candles have been used for centuries because they burn cleanly, smell beautiful, and carry the work of many bees within them. Lighting a beeswax candle can feel like lighting a small piece of the sun.
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What We Hope This Moot Can Be
We hope the Byfluga Moot becomes a place where people can:
* Learn from one another* Explore pagan traditions in an open and welcoming way* Share crafts, rituals, folklore, and practical skills* Build friendships and support* Feel safe to be themselves* Find a sense of belonging
Not everyone here will follow the same path, and that is a strength rather than a weakness.
Just as a meadow needs many different flowers to thrive, a community is strongest when it includes many different voices, experiences, and perspectives.
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To close tonight, we are going to make a small beeswax candle each.
This is not only a craft activity, but also a chance to pause, reflect, and set an intention.
As you shape your candle, you might think about:
* What you hope to receive from this moot.* What you wish to welcome into your life in the coming season* Where you would like more warmth, light, and strength in your path
The candle can be a symbol of the sun: of light returning, of growth, of life, and of the spark we each carry within us.
When you light your candle later, you can remember tonight: the beginning of a new circle, a growing community, and the shared light we create together.
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Closing Words
Bees remind us that small things matter.
A single bee may seem tiny, but together bees can build something extraordinary.
Hopefully, over time, we can do the same.
Thank you all for being here, and welcome to the Byfluga Moot.