Jane Beckman wrote about the legend of Laimenkainen in the
Kalevala (one of my favorites)-- the story may have some
connection with astronomical calendars regulating beekeeping
activities (for more on this subject and on bees in astronomy and
astrological lore see the July 1991 Griffith Observer (Journal of
the Griffith Observatory).  The bee in the story eventually has
to fly over the Great Bear to obtain honey from the gardens of
heaven to revive the slain hero of the saga. In the general area
of the Great Bear, Ursa Major, can be seen the figure once
identified as Apis, the Bee (or Vespa, the Wasp). This
constellation is no longer officially recognized and has been
incorporated into the constellation Taurus, where the Pleiades
are found.  These, Seven Stars are referred to in the epic poem,
the Kalevala and, interestingly enough, were themselves perceived
by the Chiriguana Indians of South America as a swarm of bees.
Other constellations, Apis Indica (the Indian Bee) and again,
Apis (or Apis Australis), were first charted in the southern
skies by Dutchmen Pietr Dirkz Keyser and Frederic de Houtman
between the years 1595-1597.  The southern Apis is now known as
Musca (the Fly), and Apis Indica has become Apus, represented as
something similar to a humming bird.
 
        -
       "  `            Conrad Berube
       "   `           244 Linden Avenue
   _- -_`-_|'\  /`     Victoria, B.C.
 _/ / / -' `~()()      V8V 4E5
  \_\ _ /\-._/\/       (604)480-0223
       /   | |         email: [log in to unmask]
      '`   ^ ^
 
--
[log in to unmask]