The world is steeped in symbolism. Numbers, signs, glyphs, memes, archetypical images throughout time, images we all know as humans the world over. Symbols are found in constellations, artistic expression, spiritual totems like crosses, the ankh, all seeing eye, triangle, square, circle, flower of life, etc. Most of these symbols have been around for thousands upon thousands of years and yet nothing much is taught about them in formal education; in specialized education (or self study) sure, but you have to seek it out. Symbols are powerful and play a daily role in how humanity conducts itself. I’d say that’s a pretty big deal and worthy of study.
Lately, I’m getting messages from birds. Not so much as feathers on my path but what I consider more direct interactions. They’ve ranged from bright sparrows or finches dropping onto a tree to sing next to me, a rare sighting of a hummingbird flitting for just a few moments near my porch, to a stoic hawk on a stack of branches in the middle of a creek along my bike path. Every interaction has meaning. The Native Americans and all indigenous shamans of the world have long taught the significance of animal encounters; all encounters with Nature from plants and trees to the weather itself. Other traditions in Natural Magick, Wicca, Kabbalah and Ancient Mysteries teach of the flow of intelligence radiating from all Earth’s beings. These omens and synchronicities are the way Source communicates with us. What a beautiful variety of beings with which to commune!
I spotted this Hawk sitting on a branch in the creek. I was riding my bike and looked ahead at a clump of branches and noticed him right away. He or She was just chilling on the branch and I stopped to look at it. I didn’t take a picture at first because I wanted to experience the moment with purity. I stayed still and looked at the hawk, thanked him for the encounter and expressed gratitude for all of Nature. I decided to ride on but knew I’d be circling back pretty shortly so I decided if he was still there when I got back, then I’d take pictures.
When I came back, he jumped from one branch to another and got a little closer to me. I was careful as I got off the bike to not startle him. Maintaining a still posture, I moved slowly, bowing my head a bit to show respect and that I was not a threat. Then I positioned myself to take pictures. I took a ton of shots of him sitting here like this. He played a good model for a bit, then decided to take flight toward a nearby tree.
I started rapidly snapping, not sure if I was going to get any action shots, but I did. It was cool to have him to myself, watching him go from chilling on a branch to flying up overhead. I finished my ride resolved to delve into the sacred and mystical meanings behind the hawk. Focus on your transformation. Enlightenment is yours, be methodical and prepared for change and adjustment. The old you is falling away. The work you’re doing is toward a greater breakthrough, keep going. You are in the midst of personal and spiritual transcendence.
I fully acknowledge that it is very common to see hawks in our area of Colorado, especially now that it’s late Spring, but typically you see them in tree tops or flying overhead — and that is an encounter in itself. It was surprising, though, to find him on the ground. I saw him so distinctly in all his camouflage. The hawk was the same color as the tree branches, brown and lighter cream brown. He was still. My eyes went directly to him. It filled my heart to know that I was sharing a moment with a beautiful messenger of Nature.
To anyone who dismisses such connections, it’s okay, no judgment. The lower ego has a stronghold on most minds here on Earth, but that is changing. The lower ego, the overly cautious, insecure, thirsty part of us that always needles us (also known gremlins or negative voices), is part of the Operating System (OS) of our original programming we all get from ages 1-7. No one can escape the programming, it’s not our fault we are like this, but we can unlearn old, stale programming through mindfulness and spiritual work.
I choose to focus on the personal symbols and omens I receive on a daily basis. If you pay attention, you’ll notice them all the time.
We are in the New Moon phase as I type this — it’s wrapping up. It’s a wonderful time at the New Moon, as I always say, to plant seeds of intention for the next 28-ish day Lunar Cycle. Grab a simple moment of quiet outside or in a special part of your house, facing North, and set your wish upon the stars. How would you like your next month to go? What parts of your life need more attention and which parts could use less? Finding your words and how you wish to “dance with the other” is key right now as we go into Gemini season, which started today, May 21, and goes until the Summer Solstice on June 21. It’s not about figuring out all of life in a Lunar or Solar Cycle, it’s about creating a plan for where to emphasize energy and be aware of pitfalls that may present themselves along the way. Always prepare for adjustment in any plan or goal!
A doorway is a symbol, a symbol of both a beginning and ending. It’s an entrance and an exit. Right now we are being given a doorway to expansion with Jupiter in
Taurus (entered on May 17 and will be there for just over a year). Jupiter is a planet and Taurus is a constellation of stars — both inhabitants in our galactic neighborhood.
Dear friends, this is a doorway deserving of your attention. Jupiter is presenting an opportunity to use his juju of good luck toward the areas of life in which Taurus touches. Jupiter brings growth and development to all signs it visits. The archetype of Jupiter is God of Gods, ruler of all Life, expansion, benevolent power. The archetype of Taurus is about the beauty & embodiment, health, gardening, physical senses, money/finances, status in work, spirituality and your values. Where Jupiter expands, Taurus creates beautiful structure. This is an auspicious placement! What do you truly value and where are you wasting your time and energy? Where can you increase your prosperity and health, enjoy more beauty and taste the flavors of life? The trick is to expand without overdoing it. Try aligning your routine with the cyclical flow of nature to harness the abundant powers of Jupiter.
Examine the narratives you tell about yourself. What stories do you believe about you? What do you say about yourself when you say “that’s just how I am,” or “I could never do that?” Try to deconstruct those stories — WITHOUT JUDGMENT — discard what feels constrictive and keep what feels expansive. Cultivate the qualities you know are there and release the binds of an old framework. Jupiter is here to help! You are the writer, director and actor in your own life story. The planter in your own garden. It’s time to own that and create a story you want to experience, one that includes your relationship to others. They define you as much as you define yourself.
We are here together and we’re in this together.
The heavenly bodies in our Solar System perpetually provide doorways, or potentialities, for us. Just as it can provide holes and bumps to slow you down or challenge you to see a new perspective. You can choose to walk through the doorway or not, but the quantum field of possibility is always awaiting your choice. Potential paths are only presented when a decision is made.
Jupiter will not be back in Taurus until 2036.
The doorway has presented itself. Will you walk through or simply contemplate? It’s a short window, just one year, so this fire sign tells you to go for it — walk on through to the other side!
Images Pixabay
* Jupiter and the Moon - beate bahmann
* Gemini graphic - Dorothe_Darkmoon_Art
* Doorway to Ocean - Dean Moriarty
Hawk images by Holli’s iPhone