Were there really nine muses in ancient Greece? Where were they worshipped? And what do their stories tell us about artistic inspiration and the Greek landscape? In this episode, meet the Muses of ancient Greece and learn more about their special relationship with music, winged messengers, springs, and the Greek gods of prophecy and sleep.

In this podcast episode, we turn our attention to the Melissae, the oracular Bee Nymphs of ancient Greece. The Melissae are considered divine messengers, conduits for prophecy, speakers of divine truths, and a source for inspired thought and song. Today, I share with you some of the ancient Greek folklore associated with the Bee, as well as some of my favorite ceremonies and techniques for connecting with Bee.

In this episode we discuss the myth of Daphne and Apollo. Daphne, whose name actually means Bay Laurel in Greek (Δάφνη), was a nymph of ancient Greece who, while running from Apollo’s advances, was transformed into a sacred tree of prophecy and ritual cleansing.

Bay Laurel is an evergreen shrub or tree in the laurel family (Lauraceae) with dark green and smooth leaves, white-with-yellow flowers, and purple-black drupes. As an important tree for prophecy and divination, the Bay Laurel has a special relationship with the Pythia (Oracle of Delphi) and the Greek god Apollo; its leaves are burned to encourage visions or used in the casting of lots. Drought tolerant and aromatic, the leaves can also be woven into wreaths or dried and wrapped in incense bundles for everyday rituals and purifying ceremonies.