The Spiritual Foundations of Beekeeping

by Iwer Thor Lorenzen, Gareth John (Foreword by), Paul King (Translator)

Overview

The honeybee has lived in close association with human beings for millennia. Tragically, however, humanity's once intimate connection with this unique creature has been harmed by our increasingly utilitarian and exploitative dealings with the natural world. We are now in urgent need of re-establishing a deeper relationship, not just for the sake of the bees themselves but for the whole of nature--and of course for ourselves.

Lorenzen--a true master beekeeper--provides numerous insights to enable a more fruitful engagement with the living world. Offering an enrichment of the knowledge and practice of beekeeping, he discusses the origins of the honeybee, its relationship to the floral kingdom, the digestion of the bee, the treatment of bee diseases as well as appropriate beekeeping techniques. He also develops subtle spiritual concepts such as the idea of the bee colony as an "individuality" and "group soul," providing new depth and wisdom to our understanding of how bees live and work.

This small book, a hidden gem that has never before appeared in English, is essential reading for anyone who cares about the future of the honeybee and the future of humanity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781906999988
Publisher:	Temple Lodge Publishing
Publication date:	07/15/2017
Pages:	98
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.20(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Iwer Thor Lorenzen (1895-1976) was born in Harrislee Flensburg, Germany, and began his career as a teacher in 1914. While serving in World War I, he became acquainted with Anthroposophy (founded by Rudolf Steiner) through a fellow soldier. Following the war, Lorenzen returned to teaching, later moving into special education. He established a school in 1949 near Hamburg, where he remained until his retirement. Having worked as a volunteer in the Zoological State Institute in Hamburg from 1935 onward, Lorenzen was also a biologist revered, especially among biodynamic farmers, for his love and knowledge of beekeeping. He published his key work on beekeeping in 1938, followed by another nine books, as well as numerous articles on the insect and animal worlds, metamorphosis, and evolution.

Gareth John is an Associate Member of the Natural Beekeeping Trust. The Bien has much to tell us. Will we heed its counsel? I hope to engage in conversation with many of you who are drawn to bees for whatever outward reasons. By working together in a spirit of enquiry and an attitude of humility towards the bees, I believe we have hope of addressing the many problems affecting our relationship with Nature as a whole, and the bees in particular.