The Shamanic Way of the Bee and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle. Learn more


or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
or
Amazon Prime Free Trial required. Sign up when you check out. Learn More
Kindle Edition
 
   
Sell Back Your Copy
For a $0.87 Gift Card
Trade in
More Buying Choices
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters
 
 
Start reading The Shamanic Way of the Bee on your Kindle in under a minute.

Don't have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App.

The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters [Hardcover]

Simon Buxton (Author)
3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

List Price: $20.00
Price: $15.30 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $4.70 (24%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Only 10 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).
Want it delivered Wednesday, February 1? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Formats

Amazon Price New from Used from
Kindle Edition $9.57  
Hardcover $15.30  
Paperback $10.17  

Book Description

July 9, 2004
Reveals for the first time the ancient tradition of bee shamanism and its secret practices and teachings

• Examines the healing and ceremonial powers of the honeybee and the hive

• Reveals bee shamanism’s system of acupuncture, which predates the Chinese systems

• Imparts teachings from the female tradition and explores the transformative powers of the magico-sexual elixirs they produce

Bee shamanism may well be the most ancient and enigmatic branch of shamanism, yet it exists throughout the world--wherever in fact the honeybee exists. Its medicinal tools are now in common usage--such as honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly--and even the origins of Chinese acupuncture can be traced back to the ancient practice of applying bee stings to the body’s meridians.

In this authoritative ethnography and spiritual memoir, Simon Buxton--an elder of the Path of Pollen--reveals for the first time the richness of this tradition: its subtle intelligence; its sights, sounds, and smells; and its unique ceremonies, which until now have been known only to initiates. Buxton’s footsteps were first put on the Path of Pollen at age nine when an Austrian bee shaman cured him of a near fatal bout of encephalitits. This early contact prepared him for his later meeting with an elder of the tradition who took him on as an apprentice. Following an intense initiation that opened him to the mysteries of the hive mind, the author learned over the next 13 years the practices, rituals, and tools of bee shamanism. He experienced the healing and spiritual powers of honey and other bee products, including the flying ointment used by medieval witches, as well as ritual initiations with the female members of the tradition--the Mellisae--and the application of magico-sexual “nectars” that promote longevity and ecstasy. The Shamanic Way of the Bee is a rare view into the secret wisdom of this age-old tradition.

Frequently Bought Together

The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters + Bees + The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore (Dover Books on Anthropology and Folklore)
Price For All Three: $44.10

Show availability and shipping details

Buy the selected items together
  • In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • Bees $17.27

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

  • The Sacred Bee in Ancient Times and Folklore (Dover Books on Anthropology and Folklore) $11.53

    In Stock.
    Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
    Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details



Editorial Reviews

Review

“A fascinating story of one man's journey into the shamanic realm and ancient wisdom.”
(Oriah Mountain Dreamer, author of The Invitation )

"Simon Buxton’s unusually wondrous tale combined with his exquisite use of words brings radiant life to an ancient shamanic path: the Way of the Bee. Delve into the mystery with Buxton--the story and teachings are brilliant!”
(Sandra Ingerman, author of Soul Retrieval and Medicine for the Earth )

“. . . offers ancient wisdom for the modern spirit. A truly remarkable book.”
(Ken Eagle Feather, author of A Toltec Path )

“Simon Buxton is a man with genuine miracles to impart, taking us inside a remarkable hidden world of wonders and magic. If you buy only one book this year to help you on your path toward Truth, make sure it’s this one.”
(Ross Heaven, author of Vodou Shaman )

"This book is like having a backstage-pass into the actual secret life of bees. Bee Master, Simon Buxton, takes us on his shaman's journey that unveils a tradition that has been held sacred for thousands of years. After reading this book, I felt I had been initiated into the ancient feminine mystery of sacred sexuality.
(Tori Amos, Performing Artist )

“Every now and then there is a book that is not only well thought out but well thought of, one that dares to offer ancient wisdom for the modern spirit. Simon Buxton's The Shamanic Way of the Bee is such a book. It offers a brilliant and timeless perspective while tantalizing the reader with a splendid, eloquent, and comprehensible presentation. A leading voice in shamanism, Simon Buxton has given us a truly remarkable book, one that is destined to withstand the test of time and lead us further down an ancient path in contemporary times.”
(Ken Eagle Feather, author of A Toltec Path )

“Simon Buxton's much-awaited debut is set to revolutionize the way we see European native traditions. This is a compelling read with elegantly chosen words that convey complex spiritual truths in a beautifully simple way. The Shamanic Way of the Bee promises to become a shamanic classic.”
(Prediction magazine )

"As Simon remarks in his fascinating and inspirational book, sometimes we have no choice but to lie still, so that we may become a speck in the universe and drink in the nature of the world. I call my soul to be present, to witness the power of European shamanism and my friend’s journey with the honeybee. Ometeotl."
(Elena Avila, MSN, RN, Curandera/Aztec shaman healer and author of Woman Who Glows in the Dark )

“Written in a beautiful, lyrical and poetic way, with personal vignettes, anecdote and sacred teachings which, in a way, are reminiscent of the Sufi tradition but with the hard edge of realism characteristic of the Keltic Way--the Way of the Hero--this book is an absolute must-have addition to any serious collection of shamanic wisdom.”
(Sacred Hoop magazine )

“We search the exotic and distant for transformative secrets, well-being and healing. But are we perceptive enough to receive the gifts from the humblest of our own gardens? No matter. Simon Buxton has walked this path, from the primordial to the present, and freely grants us the exquisite treasures contained within The Shamanic Way of the Bee.
(Professor S. R. Harrop, Chairman of the Anthropology Department, University of Kent, England )

"This book is an absolute must-have addition to any serious collection of shamanic wisdom."
(Sacred Hoop magazine, May 2004 )

"This book will become the starting point for future generations of people interested in practically exploring bee shamanism."
(Prediction, September 2004 )

“An exquisitely written, powerful, and important book. Reveals for the first time a European form of shamanism and healing magic that arises lucidly and sweetly from the natural world immediately around us--the extraordinary details of which we so often overlook.”
(

Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing and The Last Ghost Dance

)

". . . engaging and revealing, and exposes a secret tradition few outsiders have heretofore been privy to."
(Patrick Brennan, Fate, Nov, 2004 )

"...a rare book that reminds us that we are surrounded by magic, that even the most mundane aspect of our world overflows with magic....Simon Buxton joins the ranks of my favorite shamans and my favorite writers with this groundbreaking book." (

Michael Peter Langevin, Magical Blend, March, 2005

)

". . . superbly written and powerfully engaging. Buxton is a gifted storyteller, a discerning writer and exceedingly sensitive to the synchronous patterns that link inner and outer worlds."
(Dawn Brunke, Alaska Wellness, Jan 2006 )

"In this extraordinary epic, Simon Buxton takes us through the various ordeals through which he passed. . . . This book is at one level an important contribution to the reinstatement of sacred sexuality, as well as an ethic of initiation leading to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of life and death."
(David Lorimer, The Scientific and Medical Network, March 2010 )

From the Back Cover

SHAMANISM / PERSONAL GROWTH

“A fascinating story of one man’s journey into the shamanic realm and ancient wisdom.”
Oriah Mountain Dreamer, author of The Invitation

“An exquisitely written, powerful, and important book. It reveals for the first time a European form of shamanism and healing magic that arises lucidly and sweetly from the natural world immediately around us--the extraordinary details of which we so often overlook.”
Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing

“We search the exotic and distant for transformative secrets, well-being and healing. But are we perceptive enough to receive the gifts from the humblest of our own gardens? No matter. Simon Buxton has walked this path, from the primordial to the present, and freely grants us the exquisite treasures contained within The Shamanic Way of the Bee.”
S. R. Harrop, chairman of the department of anthropology, University of Kent, England

“Written in a beautiful, lyrical and poetic way, with personal vignettes, anecdotes, and sacred teachings which, in a way, are reminiscent of the Sufi tradition but with the hard edge of realism characteristic of the Keltic Way--the Way of the Hero. This book is an absolute must-have addition to any serious collection of shamanic wisdom.”
Sacred Hoop magazine

Bee shamanism may well be the most ancient and enigmatic form of shamanism, existing throughout the world wherever the honeybee is found. Its medicinal tools--such as honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly--are now in common use, and even the origins of Chinese acupuncture may be traced to the ancient practice of applying bee stings to the body’s meridians.

In this authoritative account, Simon Buxton, an elder of the Path of Pollen, reveals for the first time the richness of this tradition: its subtle intelligence; its sights, sounds, and smells; and its unique ceremonies, which until now have been known only to initiates. Buxton unknowingly took his first steps on the Path of Pollen at age nine, when an Austrian bee shaman cured him of a near-fatal bout of encephalitis. This early contact prepared him for a later meeting with an elder of the tradition who took him on as an apprentice. Following an intense initiation that opened him to the mysteries of the hive mind, the author learned the practices, rituals, and tools of bee shamanism. He experienced the healing and spiritual powers of honey, pollen, and other bee products, including a “flying ointment” used by medieval witches, as well as ritual initiations with the female members of the tradition--the Melissae--and the application of psycho-sexual “nektars” that promote longevity and ecstasy. The Shamanic Way of the Bee is a rare view into the secret wisdom of this age-old tradition.

SIMON BUXTON is a beekeeper, the British faculty for Dr. Michael Harner’s Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and the founder/ director of The Sacred Trust, a U.K.-based educational organization dedicated to the teaching of practical shamanism for the modern world. He lives in England and teaches internationally

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Destiny Books; First Edition edition (July 9, 2004)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 089281148X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0892811489
  • Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #999,855 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Simon Buxton is the Founder/Director of The Sacred Trust and British faculty for The Foundation For Shamanic Studies, the foremost core-shamanic training organisation in the world, directed by Dr Michael Harner. Simon has worked and trained within shamanic traditions for nearly three decades, including a thirteen year apprenticeship to a European Bee Master, as detailed within his book The Shamanic Way of the Bee, which was the recipient of the 2005 Canizares Book Award for non-fiction. He is also the co-author of Darkness Visible, and his third book, The Serpent Flight of the Honeybee is in preparation.

Simon is a Fellow of The Royal Anthropological Institute, the world's longest-established scholarly association dedicated to the furtherance of anthropology and his work has been profiled within several books including Travelling Between the Worlds by Hillary S. Webb and Soul Companions by Karen Sawyer as well as being featured in the documentary film Vanishing of the Bees. In 2007, together with Naomi Lewis, Simon opened The Sacred Trust Center in Dorset, England where he conducts his writing, research and teaching work.

www.sacredtrust.org

 

Customer Reviews

28 Reviews
5 star:
 (17)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (2)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
3.9 out of 5 stars (28 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars From shamanic visions to cheap romance novel, November 5, 2004
This review is from: The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters (Hardcover)
This book starts out very nicely. Good background on the authors life as it relates to the subject. Nice writing style overall in the beginning. Along with the meeting of the bee master and wisdom flowing like honey. The novice undergoes the 23 day hibernation/initiation transported by visions of transformation into the mind of the bee and the hive.

Then the story falls apart.

After the initiation the initiate meets the bee mistress and her enchanting apprentices. At this point the writing becomes chaotic and you end up with people smearing our heros naked body with honey so he can have some kind of ritualized sexathon with one (or more) of the bee mistresses.

This story had great promise but literally fell apart half way through. I consider it either a misguided set of sex fiction or a really weird sex cult. Too bad.

If you are looking for a book on genuine Shamanic experience then try Jungle Medicine by Connie/Constance Grauds. That is a potent, powerful, and poetic prose.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


23 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars an amazing initiation into bee magic, June 23, 2007
By 
This is my second book on shamanism I have read and I was prodded to read this book by bees. I was in a book shop about to put it back on the shelf when a large bee sound in my ear shocked me so much I had to look around the book store looking for the bee. So I followed this nudge from the bee and bought the book. I have not been dissapointed not only has it been beatifully written it has enlightened me on some other things that have been happening in my spiritual pathway so far, so much so I was astonished at how amazing inspired reading can be. If you are interested in shamanism, interested in shamanism within the UK and interested in bee magic this book is for you. I look forward to his new book coming out this year on the serpent flight of the honey bee.

[...]
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No


24 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, poetic and potent, January 31, 2005
This review is from: The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters (Hardcover)
As both a beekeeper and a shamanic practitioner I was amazed and delighted by this book, as it confirmed so much that I had intuitively realised through my shamanic practice and my work with bees over many years.

Other than Martin Prechtel (author of Teachings of the Talking Jaguar) I can't think of any other author of shamanism who writes so eloquently on the subject, and the intelligence, poetry and wisdom of the `Path of Pollen' that Buxton writes about radiates from every page.

Whilst this book is shamanically accurate in aspects of presentation, ritual and belief it is in many ways more about the authors teacher - a Welsh `Bee Master' - than the author himself, and furthermore is the most exquisite eulogy to the honeybee I've ever come across. The book is almost scriptural in its resonance's whilst at the same time is as gripping as a thriller, to the point that I read it in a single sitting, which is unusual for me. I'm now going over it more slowly and am uncovering some of its many layers. My only criticism? It wasn't long enough!

I also notice that an earlier review comments on the use of smoke within bee-keeping, careful readers of this book will note that Simon Buxton's teacher never uses smoke with the hives.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 
Was this review helpful to you? Yes No

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews











Only search this product's reviews



Inside This Book (learn more)
Browse and search another edition of this book.
Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Search Inside This Book:

What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?


Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
 
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 

Customer Discussions

This product's forum
Discussion Replies Latest Post
The disapearance of bees 0 May 2, 2007
See all discussions...  
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
 


Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
   
Related forums


Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

So You'd Like to...



Look for Similar Items by Category


Look for Similar Items by Subject