| Curiosity Invention /inventtor Awakening to the Voice Within Introspection Inner knowing Keeper of Lunar Magic Power Intoition Healing Solitude Change Communication with Spirit Death and rebirth Transformation Astral travel Creature of dreams, shamans and mystics Visionaries Defense and revenge ~ Warrior Spirit Wisdom Strength Family and Mothering Below ~ This is your spirit of the inner Earth, and will teach you the ways of keeping yourself grounded, and your moccasins on the path. the strenth of this is ones connection to the teachings of mother earth |
| The Kingdom of Birds by Ted Andrews Birds were often considered the closest relatives to humans because they walk around on two legs like we do. The truth is, though, that most humans pay little attention to the presence of birds, even when most societies at one time or another taught that all birds were messengers with some symbolism associated with them. Usually they were considered divine messengers. All birds are governed by instinct with a unique ability to react automatically and quickly to whatever data is present. This same ability to respond automatically and quickly to stimuli within our own environments is part of what every bird can teach us. The individual species will let us know what and how specific the response should be. The thousands of species of birds have many characteristics in common. Most birds are designed for lightness, having hollow bones, which is essential to flight. There are, in fact, only a few birds that cannot fly. Birds also are distinguished from other groups of animals by their feathers, which facilitate their flight but also insulates and protects. Feathers are actually specialized skin scales. Like the fur and scales of other animals, feathers serve a variety of purposes, from insulation to balance to flight. All birds have excellent vision, giving them the ability to judge distances. Migration is also common among birds. While mammals may travel over a large territory for food, birds will migrate to an entirely different zone. Birds teach us how to see what is ahead and how to make the necessary migrations and movements in our life. Birds also have an accelerated metabolism to accommodate flight, and thus birds can teach us how to accelerate our own metabolic rate, primarily through breating techniques. This is what links birds to the element of air and all of its symbolic associations such as being linked to the suit of swords in the traditional taroat. For those to whom birds appear, working with the element of air can be very important. For our own well being, we must all have regular fresh air. Going outside and performing breathing exercises is essential. Breath and air are critical to life, and birds hold the healing and spiritual secrets to both. Birds show us how to use breath to move between realms, to lift our perspective, and to open our vision. They show us how to rise to new heights in all of our endeavors and hos to be grounded even while we reach for the stars. Birds are often considered some of the most important messengers whose role in many ancient traditions is to help humans understand the world around them and the spiritual forces playing upon them Air is as essential to life as water. Air is an active, creative element that is symbolic of thought, memory and even freedom. Air separates Earth and Heaven, and thus it symbolizes higher mind and inspiration, the link between physical consciousness and spiritual consciousness through knowledge and inspiration. Through air, we assimilate power. The coming and going of air in the breathing process reflicts the involution and evolution of life. The initiation of air is tied to the mental and intellectual energies of life, involving the understanding and working with the powers of the mind, the opening to new expressions of wisdom. Air in motion .. mind in motion .. is aforce we must learn to use. Our thoughts have power. An old adage tells of "strength through knowledge." Through the element of air..through applied knowledge..we learn to build bridges between realms within our life. Knowledge gives us the ability to overcome struggles and helps us to develop self-mastery. The initiateion of air involves discovering stregth through overcoming With the air as their domain, all birdss are the air's representatives. Since they move between the earth and the sky, between one realm and the next, and overcome gravity, birds can teach us how to lift ourselves up, how to rise above struggles. Through them we learn to make our wishes reality and learn to empower our thoughts. If there is a predominance of air or animals of air within our lives, we may need more mental stimulation. They are present to show us how to bridge to new levels or go beyond struggles through the right inspiration and wisdom. Birds can reflect issues of intellectual freedom and a need to visit the mountains in order to replenish ourselves .. a need to stregnthen our connections to the element of air |