BEEKEEPING

I am with a group of people, who are rather indistinct.  We are parked on a lonely stretch of road out in a rural area.  It is getting dark, and we are concerned that we may be lost.  One man steps up to me and tells me to move closer to the field, and actually pulls me into the tall swaying crops.  I am unable to determine whether its wheat or corn; what concerns me more is why he is so anxious not to be seen, since I do not see or hear anyone but us.  Before long, though, I do see a group of women coming down the road.  They have baskets, and are dressed in colourful floral-print dresses.  I feel I know them, and in spite of my companion's urging to stay hidden, I walk out and greet them.  They call out to me with warmth and hugs, as though they too were acquainted with me, treating me like a long-lost sister.


Now I find myself in large hall or lodge.  It's made of wooden logs, and is filled with long tables and chairs made from the same wood.  The feeling of belonging here grows with every passing moment - it's like I'm finally come home.  We are all chatting away while the women with their baskets begin sorting all the herbs and botanicals they have gathered.  The talk turns to horror films, and we laugh at what would be the scariest parts.  I ask them if they have ever seen a movie entitled, "Christiana", and immediately correct myself, but not before someone says, "Oh, wasn't that about a mistress to the French King?"  I respond, "No, not "Christiana", I meant to say, "Carrie", the one that has buckets of blood poured down."  "Oh yes," one of the women responds, "that was so hokey!" And we all laugh again.


One of the women comes out with two outfits and asks me if I would like to go harvest some honey with her. I put on the suit that completely covers me, just as she does, but just before we go out, I realize I forgot to put on my gloves, which I go for.  Thus protected, we go out to the bee hives.  I fight the urge to keep walking without swatting the insects that now swarm around us.  I see how calmly she walks among them, and how they almost welcome her presence, and try to do the same.


Coming back to the lodge with a couple of buckets of honey and honey comb, my companion now begins to tell everyone that we must get ready for the evening ceremony.  She tells another woman to take me and show me what to do, since she wants me to lead the ritual tonight.  After the first instant of panic, I realize that I won't have any trouble doing the rite - again, its familiar to me, even though I know I've never done it the way it's done here.


I peel off my protective gear and go to prepare for the upcoming ceremony, and the rest of my life in this community.


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This dream is one in a long series of dreams dealing with a community of women.  The reason I found myself feeling so comfortable and "familiar" here is because I have dreamed of this and these women many times before.  This particular dream also was taking many elements from the latest remake of the movie, "The Wicker Man", especially regarding the bees.  What was lacking, thankfully, was the harsh exclusivity that the movie portrayed.  I knew there would be no human sacrifice, just a wonderful feeling of belonging.