There are quite a few Empress Tarot cards that feature bees and with good reason. In today’s post, we take a look at the link between the bee goddess and The Empress. I also share a Bee Goddess Tarot Spread inspired by this association, aimed at helping you become your bravest and most loving self.
Jump to the Bee Goddess Tarot Spread
Bhramari Devi, whose name derives from the Sanskrit word “Bhramara,” meaning “bee,” is revered in Hinduism as the goddess of bees, hornets and wasps. She is considered an incarnation of the goddess Mahadevi in Shaktism.
According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana, Bhramari Devi played a crucial role in vanquishing the demon Arunasura. Arunasura had obtained a boon that he could not be killed by any man, woman, or weapon. To circumvent this, the goddess manifested as Bhramari Devi, emanating countless bees and hornets from her body. These swarms attacked Arunasura, stinging him to death, thus liberating the heavens from his tyranny.
The Goddess of the Heart
In yogic practices, Bhramari Devi is associated with the heart chakra (Anahata). The humming sound of bees, known as “Bhramaran,” is linked to this chakra and is emulated in certain pranayama (breathing) exercises to promote calmness and focus.
The symbolism of bees in Hinduism extends beyond Bhramari Devi. Bees are seen as divine assistants, ensuring pollination and maintaining harmony in nature. The humming of bees is often considered to represent the essential sound of the universe.
The Power of Transformation and Overcoming Obstacles
Bhramari Devi’s mythology underscores themes of transformation and the power of nature’s smaller creatures to overcome formidable obstacles. Her association with the heart chakra highlights the importance of inner harmony and the resonance of universal sounds in spiritual practices.
For more detailed accounts of Bhramari Devi and her significance, you may refer to the Devi Bhagavata Purana and other Hindu scriptures that explore her role in mythology and spiritual symbolism.
The Tarot Empress and the Bee Goddess
The connection between Bhramari Devi and the Tarot Empress (Venus) is rich in symbolic correspondences, particularly through their shared associations with nurturance, creativity, and the heart chakra’s resonance. Here’s a detailed breakdown of their alignment:
1. Correspondence Through the Heart Chakra (Anahata)
- Bhramari Devi: In yogic traditions, she is linked to the heart chakra, which governs love, compassion, and harmony. Her buzzing sound (the “bhramaran” hum) resonates deeply with the universal vibration of love, nurturing life and balance in nature.
- The Empress (Venus): Tarot’s Empress card embodies the archetype of unconditional love, abundance, and nurturing, qualities that stem from an open and harmonious heart chakra. Her role as the “mother” of creation aligns with the heart’s capacity to give and receive love freely.
2. Connection to Nature and Creation
- Bhramari Devi: As the bee goddess, she is intricately connected with pollination, a process essential for nature’s fertility and abundance. She demonstrates how even the smallest forces of nature (bees) are critical to the cycle of creation and destruction, reflecting the divine feminine’s nurturing power.
- The Empress (Venus): The Empress is deeply tied to nature, creativity, and fertility—she is the Tarot’s archetypal mother figure. Often depicted amidst lush landscapes, she represents the divine feminine’s creative force in the material world, much like Bhramari’s role in pollination and regeneration.
3. The Divine Feminine and Protection
- Bhramari Devi: Her myth centres around her ability to overcome obstacles and protect the divine order, even using small creatures like bees to defeat Arunasura. This aspect emphasises the fierce yet nurturing power of the divine feminine.
- The Empress (Venus): While the Empress’s nurturing nature is often emphasised, she also holds a quiet strength and let’s not forget that shield leaning against her throne! She provides a protective and stable foundation, ensuring the growth and safety of what she nurtures—whether that be a child, a relationship, or a creative endeavour.
4. Fertility, Creativity, and Abundance
- Bhramari Devi: Bees are vital for pollination, symbolizing fertility and abundance in ecosystems. Her divine presence signifies how small, interconnected efforts lead to life’s flourishing abundance.
- The Empress (Venus): Venus rules fertility, creativity, and sensuality, making her the ultimate archetype of abundance. The Empress card represents growth, creation, and the manifestation of desires, just as Bhramari oversees nature’s life-giving processes.
5. Sacred Sounds and Vibrations
- Bhramari Devi: Her association with the humming of bees connects to the primordial sound of the universe (Aum or Om). The vibration she embodies is both healing and transformative, resonating with higher spiritual frequencies.
- The Empress (Venus): Venus, through the Tarot Empress, resonates with beauty, harmony, and creation. Sound and vibration are tools for creating and maintaining harmony, aligning with the Venusian ideal of balance and unity in relationships and the world.
6. Connection to the Sacral Chakra (Womb Chakra)
- Bhramari Devi: Although primarily connected with the heart chakra, her role in fertility and nature’s cycles ties her to the sacral chakra, the centre of creativity, sensuality, and life force energy.
- The Empress (Venus): The Empress corresponds to both the heart chakra (love and nurturing) and the sacral chakra (creativity and fertility). Together, these energies represent the creation of life, whether through childbirth, artistic endeavours, or emotional fulfilment.
Embodying Feminine Divinity
Bhramari Devi and the Empress (Venus) share an intricate link as embodiments of the divine feminine principle. Both represent fertility, love, protection, and the nurturing power of creation.
- Bhramari Devi’s connection to bees and the heart chakra amplifies her resonance with the Empress, as they both symbolise abundance and love in harmony with nature.
- Similarly, The Empress holds the Venusian balance of love, creation, and beauty, reflecting the life-giving qualities that Bhramari Devi nurtures within the cosmos.
By exploring this connection, we can deepen our understanding of both figures as archetypes of feminine empowerment and creative flow.
Other Bee Deities
Austeja: The Lithuanian bee goddess associated with fertility, marriage, and family life. She is the protectress of beekeepers and their hives.
Melissa: In Greek mythology, Melissa was a nymph who discovered the use of honey and cared for the infant Zeus. She later became associated with bees and was sometimes referred to as the goddess of bees.
Ah-Muzen-Cab: The Mayan god of bees and honey, often depicted with outstretched bee wings.
Colel Cab: Another Mayan bee deity, this time a goddess, associated with beekeeping and honey production.
The Bee Goddess Tarot Spread
This 9-card spread inspired by The Empress and the Bee Goddess can help you cultivate self-love, harmony, and compassion for all living beings.

1. The Hive Mind
This position represents your current state of inner harmony and connection to the collective consciousness. It asks you to consider how well you’re balancing your individual needs with those of your community.
2. Nectar of Life
This card symbolises the sources of nourishment and sweetness in your life. It encourages you to identify and appreciate the things that bring you joy and sustenance.
3. Pollination
Representing your creative potential and ability to spread ideas, this position asks you to consider how you can contribute positively to the world around you.
4. Queen Bee’s Wisdom
Drawing on the nurturing aspects of the Empress and the Queen Bee, this card offers guidance on cultivating self-love and inner strength.
5. Worker’s Dedication
This position reflects your capacity for devotion and hard work. It asks you to consider how you can channel your energy into meaningful pursuits that benefit yourself and others.
6. Honey of Compassion
Representing your ability to offer kindness and support to others, this card encourages you to explore ways to extend your compassion.
7. Swarm Protection
This position symbolises your defensive mechanisms and how you protect yourself and others. It asks you to consider whether these defences are serving you well or if they need adjustment.
8. Sacred Buzz
Drawing on the vibrational aspects of Bee Goddesses, this final position represents your spiritual resonance and connection to the universe. It offers guidance on how to align yourself with higher frequencies of love and unity.
Bee Goddess Sample Reading with the Keeper of the Sacred Bee Tarot

1. The Hive Mind – King of Swords
The King of Swords in the Hive Mind position suggests that I am currently in a state of clear, logical thinking and strong leadership. As a result, my connection to the collective consciousness is intellectual and strategic. Furthermore, I’m able to make decisions that benefit both myself and my community, effectively balancing individual needs with group harmony. However, I may need to remain mindful of the possibility of becoming too detached or overly analytical.
2. Nectar of Life – 6 of Pentacles
The 6 of Pentacles as the Nectar of Life indicates that my sources of nourishment come from a balance of giving and receiving. Specifically, I find joy and sustenance in acts of generosity, both in offering help to others and in graciously accepting support when needed. Moreover, this card highlights that fair exchanges and a sense of material and emotional abundance serve to sweeten my life.
3. Pollination – 8 of Wands
With the 8 of Wands in the Pollination position, my creative potential is charged with swift energy and enthusiasm. Consequently, I have the ability to spread ideas quickly and effectively, much like bees pollinating flowers. This card encourages me to act on my inspirations without delay. By doing so, my contributions can create a rapid and positive impact on the world around me.
4. Queen Bee’s Wisdom – 7 of Cups
The 7 of Cups in the Queen Bee’s Wisdom position suggests that my path to self-love and inner strength lies in navigating my emotions and dreams. At this time, many options and fantasies are presenting themselves, and the challenge is to discern which are truly nourishing for my soul. Therefore, this card advises me to look beyond illusions and carefully choose the cup that aligns with my authentic self.
5. Worker’s Dedication – The World
The World card in the Worker’s Dedication position is a powerful indicator of completion and wholeness. As a result of my devotion and hard work, I have reached a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Furthermore, this card suggests that my efforts have come full circle, leaving me ready to begin a new cycle of growth. It encourages me to celebrate my accomplishments while remaining open to fresh challenges.
6. Honey of Compassion – King of Wands
The King of Wands representing the Honey of Compassion indicates that my ability to offer kindness and support is both charismatic and inspiring. In particular, I have the power to lead by example, showing others how to be compassionate through my own actions. Additionally, this card encourages me to use my enthusiasm and creativity to discover new ways of extending compassion to others.
7. Swarm Protection – The Hermit
With The Hermit in the Swarm Protection position, my defensive mechanisms are rooted in introspection and wisdom. As such, I protect myself and others by seeking inner guidance and withdrawing from external chaos when necessary. However, this card suggests that while solitude and self-reflection are key to my sense of security, I should remain mindful of not becoming too isolated.
8. Sacred Buzz – Page of Cups
The Page of Cups in the Sacred Buzz position indicates that my spiritual resonance is one of openness, intuition, and emotional sensitivity. In essence, my connection to the universe is fresh and full of wonder, much like a child discovering the world anew. Therefore, this card encourages me to approach my spiritual journey with curiosity and to remain open to messages from my intuition and the realm of emotions.
If you enjoyed this Tarot Spread, you will love the Melissae Bee Priestess Tarot Spread!
