SYLVIA VILLA

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Bee Frequency | The Healing Power Of Bees

Sylvia Villa

Although frequencies are a major point of discussion when it comes to music (regarding their symbolism, how they should be used, how they should be put together…) we cannot forget that frequencies make up all sounds. Therefore, whilst we might endeavour to somewhat artificially infuse our music with usually digitally generated healing frequencies for the benefit of our listeners, it is important to remember that Mother Nature herself already has many of these healing frequencies woven into the fabric of our world; ones we would notice if only we would stop to listen.

A, perhaps unexpected, example of this is the buzz of the bees. I say unexpected because I suppose most people don’t associate bees with feelings of calm and repose, but instead fear and stinging. However, the hum of bees going about their daily work is a sound that has been found to promote relaxation and healing within the body. Increasingly popular in Central and Eastern Europe, is the practice of bee therapy also known as apitherapy, or occasionally “Bee-SMR”. The more extreme example of this therapy is the creation of ‘‘apihouses’ or ‘apipods’, which are small house type structures with built-in bee hives. An immersive experience, inside are beds where people can lie down, usually for 20-30 minutes, and encounter the full range of healing benefits the bees provide.

As fascinating as this is, lying down so close to several live bee hives isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and for most the prospect may seem completely terrifying. Fortunately, there are other ways to reap the benefits without needing to risk antagonizing the little honey-makers, one being to listen to soundscapes and recordings of bees buzzing away and tune into their restorative frequencies.

"Bee sound therapy involves creating a controlled environment where individuals can experience the gentle hum of bees in a safe and supportive setting. This therapy can be conducted in various ways, such as using specially designed beehive enclosures, audio recordings of bee sounds, or observing live bees from a distance. It has been scientifically proven that bees are most alert and happy when buzzing in the middle key of 'C'.”

A Bee In the Key of C

Although bees hum an array of frequencies at any one time, often between 200 to 400 Hz, they are, generally speaking, happiest when buzzing in the key of C. In spiritual circles, the note of C is associated with the root chakra which is responsible for your sense of security, stability, and safety in life. An unbalanced root chakra can leave you feeling anxious, stressed, and even depressed. A balanced root chakra will help you to feel grounded, emotionally strong, and able to withstand challenges. Although there are, of course, many ways to balance the root chakra, including spending time in nature, meditation, and earthing, one way is to tune to the frequency of C, either with tuning forks or listening to meditative music or recordings that contain this frequency. Therefore, would it be wrong to assume that listening to the sound of a busy beehive that functions in the key of C would be a beneficial sonic experience to help balance the root chakra? Personally, I think not.

There is evidence that listening to humming bees has helped many overcome PTSD. The low symphony of frequencies encourages deep relaxation, releasing tension and invoking feelings of inner peace and calm. Focussing on the sounds of the bees offers an opportunity for sensory stimulation that serves as a distraction from thinking about any distressing memories rather than a trigger. Although, currently, it is difficult to find specific scientific studies for these claims, there are many individual testimonies scattered across the internet from those who have benefitted from listening to bees. And hopefully, with time, there will be more studies conducted to investigate this phenomena, not just with bees, but about the relationship between sound and healing.

It is important to note that not all bees will buzz in the same range of frequencies at all times. This may depend on the species, for example, honeybees usually have buzz between 250-300 Hz while bumblebees are around 200-250 Hz. Nevertheless, these shifts are small and don’t tend to push the bees outside of the realm of ‘C’. The seasons can also affect the frequencies of their drone. For instance, in the summer, the bees store their collected nectar in cells for ripening, which they do by fanning their wings, whereas in winter they attempt to keep warm by vibrating in a cluster, each occupation causing them to resonate differently. Lastly, their mood can can alter their buzzing, if not by frequency, certainly by whether it is a relaxing sound to listen to or not. I doubt many would want to meditate or unwind to a soundscape recording of angry bees. We want happy bees, forever and always!

To conclude, there is no doubt that our beautiful bees provide a variety of healing possibilities. An integral part of our ecosystem, they are incredibly deserving of our respect and admiration. And although, listening to their constant murmur may not appeal to everyone, particularly if your fear and phobias pertain to the bees themselves, for those who are untriggered by our stripey friends, it may be something you would want to consider experiencing for yourself. You can find recordings of bees all over the internet, but I will link my favourite for your enjoyment here!

If you are interested the topics of frequencies and sound and their potential healing properties, please read my blog post all about the 440hz vs. 432hz controversy, linked below!

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