Creating Sacred Space

A Woman's Medicine arises 
from the West arm of the Wheel
A ceremonial incense
Fragrantly purifying
helping us to cleanse, calm and heal...

"We curl our scented arms 
in a welcoming embrace
Conferring strength
imparting Wisdom
evoking Clarity
Reconnecting you with Grace
Stripping away 
accumulated negativity
Cleansing psychic litter 
from your space
We announce 
clearing the air
Smudging 
without leaving a trace

Recalling memories 
of ancient breezes
from Aegean to Mediterranean,
savory with desert sunshine 
Our Wisdom steams
from the Lodge's blessed stones
opening pores from soul to skin
wiping sweat from your brow
singing health and youthfulness
into your bones

Humble panacea 
You might find me
on any given day
darkening Elders' roots
sharing a steaming cup of tea,
preserving meats or stuffing birds.
Perhaps tending the ill with infamous 
Four Thieves oil, or
Preparing the People
ready to celebrate their Way 
Carrying intentions on the Winds
from your Heart
to Creator
to the Ancestors
to All Our Relations
and back again 
carrying Creator's love 
home to your heart.

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant, etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today? 

Her Shadow Across the Moon

“Herald of Athena,
the Battle Maiden,
I am the bright Moon’s hawk.
Silent Death,
I speak of many lives,
bring Wisdom from Blue Road to Red,
and teach you how best to walk.

Who hears all hidden messages?

Who knows Truth from Lie?

Who teaches the shifting of shape, 
and warns of Reaper’s stroke 
with eerie cry?

Darkest night cannot withstand
my penetrating gaze
swinging from side to side
Patrolling silently
dusk til dawn
Roosting safely at last
to sleep away the day
talons gripping
our Dreams

My mate and I 
singing 
contented songs,
sharing 
Wisdom and Visions
gathered 
as we journeyed.

Magic and Mysteries 
sift from every plume,
as endless as Mother’s love.
Nothing remains hidden from our sight.
We bring messages from Creator.
a Parliament of Strigidae
ruling the night.”

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today? Congrats to Sacred Rememberance/Jaguarwombyn, Jan Neavill Hersh, and Shay for naming this Teacher; well done!

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely of places. Those who don’t believe in magic, will never find it.” Roald Dahl

“O’ GREAT SPIRIT

help me always

to speak the truth quietly,

to listen with an open mind

when others speak,

and to remember the peace

that may be found in silence.” Cherokee Prayer

“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” Edward Hersey Richards

There are over 200 species of Owl most of which are nocturnal and live solitary lives. Found everywhere in the world except Antarctica, Greenland and some remote islands, owls are a specialized member of the Raptor family, order Strigiformes, that is usually kept separate from it’s diurnal relatives. Owls have fixed forward-facing eyes with special facial disc feathers surrounding them, and they can turn their head 135 degrees in either direction for an extremely wide field of vision. Their binocular vision which is so keen in low light also makes them unable to see anything clearly within a few inches of their eyes. Their hawk-like beaks and mighty talons mark them unmistakably as Raptors. 

The Great Horned Owl is one of the most widespread of this family, and can be found from Arctic tundra to the tropical rain forest. Being a top predator, Owls have very few enemies other than Man. Although young owls can be snatched by foxes or snakes while nesting or learning to fly, and owls are often harassed by other birds like Crow, Blue Jay, and other Raptors. The Welsh story of Blodeuedd who was made from flowers to be the wife of Lleu ends with Blodeuedd being transformed into an Owl for her betrayal, condemned to be harassed and hated by all other birds. Several cultures have tales to explain this harassing behavior from other birds.

Owls are strongly associated with Death in many cultures. In Arabia the Owl is a bird of ill omen, an evil spirit that carries children off during the night. In ancient Sumeria the goddess of death, Lilith, was attended by Owls. Many Native Traditions also fear this Teacher as a harbinger of Death, a deliver of ill omens, curses, and view the Owl as the familiar of demons and evil witches (male or female). In some cultures people will not even name this bird, calling it by some other name like “the bird who makes you fear”. Not everyone views this mighty hunter with such fear and anxiety though. 

In Afghanistani tales, Owl gave the gifts of flint and iron to man, the ability to make fire, and we gave the Owl his feathers. In ancient Babylon, Owl amulets were given to protect women during childbirth. Aborigines believe bats represent the souls of men, and owls the souls of women. A Belgium legends says that a priest offered Owl his church tower as a home if this fearsome hunter would keep the place free of the rodents who plagued it. Romanians believed the Snowy Owl was the soul of a repentant sinner flying off to heaven. And in China, the Owl is associated with lightning and thunder. Placing Owls at each corner of the home will keep it safe from lightning. It is also considered a symbol of too much Yang (positive, active and masculine energy).

All birds are Messengers of the Spirit World, and each Owl will carry it’s own specific lessons for those who follow it. Screech Owls, for example, teach you how to be more vocal, to fearlessly express yourself yet still cooperate with others. Snowy Owls with their dramatic black and white coloring are especially adapted to the cold of Winter. They teach us how to stay alert through periods of transforming hibernation so that we may grow in the best way possible. They combine the mothering wisdom and compassion from the North direction on the Medicine Wheel with the transcending wisdom that comes from beyond the Void, our intuitive and emotional selves that rests in the West.

Through balancing our Earth and Water natures, Snowy Owl brings great visions and prophetic dreams. The European Eagle Owl would combine the lessons of Owl and Eagle to serve as a special messenger from Creator. One Winter Solstice, I had a very vivid dream that was completely silent until the final moment. In this Dreaming I found myself surrounded by a Henge of  Standing Stones. The Moon was balanced in a keyhole frame of stone, the last rays of the Sunset still lingering on the opposite edge of the Sky. Dazzled momentarily by the brilliant Moonlight, I suddenly realized that the only sound was the barely audible sigh of Wind and every Stone had an Owl perched on it, staring at me! 

While looking into the red amber eyes of one Owl and asking for their message to be made clear to me… Owl cried out in a thunder-loud voice, waking me even as they all flew towards me. After combing through all kinds of information on owls, I discovered that these special messengers had appeared in the form  of the European Eagle Owl, a species unknown to me until this powerful dream. For this article though, I will stick to another favorite of mine, the Great Horned Owl.

This is one of the most widespread of the Owls, and can be found from Arctic tundra to the tropical rain forest. As adults Great Horned Owls reach sizes between 18-25 inches in body, 40-57 inches in wingspan and 32-88 ounces in weight. They are easily recognized by their large ear tufts (which are not actually ears) giving them the “horned” appearance, and their plumage (which will vary with terrain) is a barred mixture of reddish brown, gray, black, and white with a white throat patch. 

They are feathered right down to their gripping talons. Females are larger than males, a common trait in Raptors as it is the female who guards the nest. Though smaller, the male has the deeper voice, and hoots more during the courtship. At first, the male keeps a distance of 45 to 60 feet, flying from branch to branch, bowing to the female. If she is somewhat unresponsive at first, he will bring her a gift of food. With eyes closed, she will accept the gift, the encouraged male moves closer, and they begin hooting and chirring at each other often spreading wings and bowing.
Owl courtship is actually quite vocal and amusing to watch. 

Eventually they will end side by side gently stroking each others feathers. Young produced will vary with breed, genetics and food supplies. A mated pair of owls may produce anywhere from 2 to 6 young at one time! Owls are shy and rather reclusive creatures that actually need to overcome their fear of another Owl in order to pair up! Owl people can be very similar in behavior; shy, quiet, solitary, but fiercely loyal and dedicated friends.

The favorite food of the Great Horned is the bold and confident Skunk, so those drawn to this Totem should take a close look at that Teacher as well. Great Horned Owls will also eat other Raptors, and they have kept the numbers of Osprey and the Peregrine Falcon in check in many areas. Their diet is primarily made up of small mammals like rabbits, rats, bats, shrews, weasels, gerbils, mice, squirrels, and even porcupines! They will eat amphibians, insects, and reptiles, but they often hunt larger prey like small deer, geese, great blue herons, opossums, raccoons, ducks, small dogs and cats! 

Fierce and fearless night hunters it is no wonder that they have so often evoked fear! In many cultures, to hear or see an Owl is a fearful visitation and a message of imminent death. I often wonder if this is where the concept of the Beansidhe (Banshee) began, and there are several tales which point in this direction.

While this Teacher may be warning of an actual physical death, it is important to remember that more often than not, She is telling us of a metaphorical Death which is a reason to rejoice. New life cannot begin without Death making way for it, and we cannot grow beyond our self-imposed limitations, habits or other harmful situations without first allowing for the death of that cycle. It is important for Owl people to remember that often the best lessons are unsought and rather painful, like most change. Resisting the motions of change will bring greater pain and perhaps even more profound troubles! 

Owl people need to develop comfort with transition, learn to surrender “control” without resentment, and embrace the Life Lessons we encounter with trusting faith. Remembering that every change is an opportunity for growth, not a threat or punishment, is often a Big challenge! When we learn to meet Change in this positive way, we can become successful assistants to others facing this challenge. Death, after all, is just one portion of the motion that is Birth, Life and Rebirth. 

Where other birds have stiff feathers that make a whooshing sound when they fly, owl feathers have softened edges that allow them to fly in eerie silence. This is important for owls, and allows them to swoop down on prey without being heard. They fly low to the ground and pounce with a dazzling speed and strength.  

Silence is very important to Owl People. It is important to set aside time in today’s busy world, to sit in silence and listen to all that is being told to us. If we are never silent, we are never listening, and if we do not listen, we cannot learn. The combination of Knowledge and Wisdom that Owl represents begins and ends with Silence. Only in the Silence can we turn within, and only there will we hear the voice of Creator most clearly. 

Owls have very strong connections to female energy, magic, the moon, knowledge and wisdom that are evident throughout history and in every culture. Perhaps it is their connection to the Moon, and goddess like Athena and Diana that strengthen these ties to the feminine and magic in general? Owls speak of feminine intuition, the Divine feminine, the cyclic nature of Triple Goddesses, all with the hidden 4th face that symbolizes Rebirth. Athena’s owl was her constant companion. It is the Owl’s great vision which allows it to see unerringly in the dark which gave this goddess the power to see through the surface to the truth in all things.

In our darkest moments, in our greatest pain and fear, there is always a lesson and there is always something to be thankful for. Knowledge cannot come without some sorrow and loss of innocence. Strength cannot come without challenges or exercise. Wisdom cannot come without many experiences, a willingness to sacrifice even if it is only pride that you give up, a willingness to serve others, to accept change both within and without Self. 

In these ways, Owl teaches us to better our selves and our world with wise and loving hearts. Owls have been represented as great Dreamers, Teachers, Guides and Messengers in everything from children’s movies like Disney’s Bambi to ancient myth and legend from cultures around the World. Often a guide to psychics, shapeshifters, and clairvoyants, Owl teaches us to have courage and face our fears, to look clearly into our darkest shadows within to hunt successfully for spiritual growth.

“We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature- trees, flowers, grass-  grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence. We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Mother Teresa

”Learn to get in touch with silence within yourself, and know that everything in this life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.” Dr. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

“You must understand the whole of life, not just one little part of it. That is why you must read, that is why you must look at the skies, that is why you must sing, and dance, and write poems, and suffer, and understand, for all that is life.” Krishnamurti

Key Concepts: Lunar energy, Wisdom, Knowledge, Birth/Life/Death/Rebirth cycle, Transition/Transformation, Shapeshifting, Natural Magic, Courage/Facing Fears, Femine Intuition/Power/Wisdom, Silence, Dreamtime, prophecy, clairvoyance/clairaudience, foresight, Spirit world, Watchfulness, Gaurdianship, Protection of the Dead, Mystery, Secrets, Transcending Darkness, Shapeshifting, Trust

Associated with: Bad omens, Death, the Grim Reaper. Xibalba. the Underworld. the Moon and Night. Blodeuedd, Hecate, Diana, Athena, Selene, (Fate and Crone aspects(, Hulda/Holla, Arianrhod, Yama, Lilith, Inanna, Mictlantecuhtli, Lakshmi. shamans and witches from various cultures, and popular stories from Merlin to Harry Potter

Possible Balancing Energies:
Animals like Bat , Rat/Mouse, Voles and other rodents, Skunk, Rabbit, Bear, Squirrel, Porcupine, Raccoon, Dog, Coyote, Wolf, Fox, Cats, Deer, and Horse. Birds like Red Tail Hawk and other Raptors, Sparrow , Chickadee , Crow/Raven, Great Blue Heron ,Swan. Trees like Pine , Cacao , Cottonwood, Oak , Apple , Rowan/Mt Ash , Amphibians and Reptiles like , Frog, Toad, Newt, Lizard and Snake. Dragonflies, Flies, Moths, Glowworms, Bees and  other insects. Arachnids. Earthworms. The Moon and Stars. Plants like Triphysaria, Mammillaria parkinsonii, Juniperus virginiana, Tobacco, Sweetgrass, Moonflowers, Night Jasmine or Cedar. Stones like Gold Calcite, Agates, Moonstones or Malachite. The direction East and element Air

An Bradán Feasa or Swimming in Wisdom

"Leaping! 
Striving against the currents
Running legless up 
each craggy watercourse
Slicing joyously through 
each battling wave
We come… 

Armored, 
Flashing and Bright, 
like Knights of Olde 
Braving hungry teeth 
wicked claws
perilous odds 
Press on! 
Be Bold! 
We are so many stories 
just waiting to be told

When we’ve returned at last 
to our humble homes… 

Quests fulfilled… 

Treasures hidden along the Shore,
promises for tomorrow.

Toasty at the hearthside, 
Content to feed 
the new generations 
with epic tales. 

Content… 

No more to roam 
the wandering waters and 
restless Seas of Life! 

Some have waited a lifetime 
beside their vigil fires 
hoping for a single taste 
of the Wisdom I bring. 

Who has heard me sing?”

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today? 

“We learn a lot of lessons from watching animals. The salmon are one of our best teachers. We learn from them that we have to do certain things by the seasons. We watch the salmon as smolts going to the ocean and observe them returning home. We see them fulfill the circle of life, just as we must do. If the salmon aren’t here, the circle becomes broken and we all suffer. ” Leroy Seth of the Nez Perce

“We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.” Proust

“As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live.” Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust

There are two groups of Salmon, Atlantic and Pacific, and eight species of Pacific salmon alone: chinook, coho, chum, sockeye, pink, steelhead trout, masu and amago salmon (two Asian species).Salmon typically have a high mortality rate due to predation, and changes in habitat due to the human influence; such as pollution, siltation, high water temperatures, low oxygen conditions, loss of stream cover and reductions in river flow. 

Those called by this Teacher will progress through stages, and will need to examine these different predators at various points in their life as potential balancing energies. They are a key species in the food chain, and their rapidly disintegrating numbers really should be cause for more concern from society than is currently apparent to me.

Fionn MacCumhaill is a great leader of the Fianna in Ireland's history. As a boy he waited with a great druid/poet known as Finn Eces (Finneces, Finegas, Finnegas) who was at the banks of the river Boyne trying to catch the Salmon of Knowledge/Wisdom. This fish had swallowed nine Hazelnuts / Acorns  from the Tree of Knowledge/Wisdom, becoming a living embodiment of Wisdom. 

Finnegas catches the Salmon, and Fionn cooks it for him while he sleeps at last after so many days in pursuit of the Salmon. Fionn burns his finger while serving this magical dish and instinctively puts the offended finger in his mouth. Finnegas relinquishes his prize to Fionn believing it is rightfully his, fulilling the prophecy given to Finnegas by the Oracle. Thus Fionn gained all the Wisdom of the World, the ability to understand the speech of Animals; his entire life changed because of a fish.

Fish swim through the water, feed countless creatures, and live in harmony with their environment as an example to us. We too should move fluidly with the many changes of Life, live in harmony, and be willing to sacrifice something of our selves for the benefit of others. Salmon teaches us that everything has a proper season. All stages of life are sacred and must support each other; youth must respect elder just as surely as the elder must pass their wisdom to the next generation. 

Prayer and spirituality are vital in a balanced life, but action is equally necessary. To truly become the caretakers of our world we must understand, balance and utilize both Spirituality and Action. Prayer alone, however powerful, will not right the imbalance we have created, and all the spiritual beliefs in the world will not save a single drowning child if action is not also taken. Passionate and creative Salmon encourages us to be bold and take action.

The most commonly quoted estimate says that there are 20,000 different species of fish in the waters of the world. Each carries their own messages and associations. Those called by a Fish Totem will need to look at which specific fish is calling, their nearest relations, and the balancing energies of prey and predator. 

Salmon is often the patron of healers and Salmon people can be far more resilient and hardy than they appear. This Teacher encourages us to be sensitive to others, to trust our instincts, to stop fighting the currents of our life when we have not developed ourselves enough for the spiritual/life challenges ahead of us, to remember that everything has a proper time and season, to respect the cycle of Life, honor our heritage, to decide wisely, to leap over obstacles and see them as opportunities for growth, act with determination, to trust in self and Creator, and live passionately. How does Salmon appear in your life?

Key concepts: Wisdom, instinct, fertility, persistence/determination, trust, faith, spirituality, thought, creativity/creation, cycle of birth/death/rebirth, courage, loyalty, pride, passion, heritage/ancestors, overcoming obstacles, returning home, ancient lore

Possible balancing energies for Salmon: eagle/hawk, bear, otter, fisher, fly, dolphin, the sea/water, whales, sharks, plankton, worm, other fish, wolf/coyote, hazelnut tree, borage, lepidolite, raspberry, carnelian, raccoons, cats, snakes, forgs, kingfishers, herons, osprey, dolphins, seals and other pinnipeds, the Moon,

Associated with: Fionn Macumhail, Lugus/Lugh Lamfada/Lleu Llaw Gyffes, Cerridwen, Gwion, Brighid, Boann/Sionna, Orcia, Nodens, Loki, Nechtain, Daghda, Taranis, Aurora Borealis, sacred wells and the watery entrances to the Underworld, Latis, Cernnunnos, Taranis, Oghma, the Milky WayIshtar, Isis, Aphrodite, Freya, Venus, Poseidon, Dagon, Kwan Yin, Hermes, Vishnu, Jesus, Ku-ula

Beloved

When my heart 

gutters out, 

you rekindle the flame. 

In darkness, 

your soul-light 

is the beacon 

that whispers my name.

One touch, 

like the Sun, 

a winter-starved craving 

for the promise of more. 

One kiss, 

a sweet promise, 

tastes of timeless rapport.

Your scent, 

an addictive lure, 

fragrance of home, safety, calm, 

Draws me close. 

Embraced by your love, 

the rarest of balms.

In sorrow, 

you are 

the only comfort. 

In joy, 

we become 

happiness squared. 

All that you are 

makes my every trial 

worthwhile, 

a blessing shared

Clear as a Blue Bell

In feathered robes the choir collects;

shuffling,

rustling,

warbling erratically

until one Singer interjects…

“I am a common guest 

at houses around the globe,

yet I am seldom noticed

in my drab and earthy robe.

Appearances are deceiving,

and size is no measure of worth.

Accept no less than your true value

for nobility can be found

in those of basest birth.

Awaken and give voice to joy

that wells from heart and throat!

Assertion, humility, co-operation and hard work

will help you hit the highest notes.”

The next voice arises

like an amiable shout.

This Teacher keeps Truth

from simply flickering out…

“Do you accept Truth with a smile?

Or do you deny, hide and pout?

It can sometimes seem brutal,

but that is not what Truth is really about…

Truth is a Joy,

lying hidden in plain sight!

Truth is a Healer,

that can set all broken things aright.

Truth is a Warden

freeing you from bonds

you didn’t even see.

Put on your black cap of Wisdom,

and think hard upon the truths

Mother shares with thee!

Expressing Truth,

like a cheery song,

is one small lesson that you may learn from me.

Modest scholar and Teacher,

robed in black and white…

Great ideas begin as small inspirations,

and Truth shared should be a welcome light."

A third voice lifts in liquid song.

Hooded in black, cloaked in gray,

Wisdom hidden ‘neath it’s scarlet vest,

hear now what this Teacher has to say…

“Do you feel challenged by Change?

Without it, your garden would not grow!

I’ll help you plant new seeds of thought,

and tell you when to strive for the next

spiritual plateau.

Compassion drove me onto the thorns,

that his torturous crown I might relieve.

I may teach you to manifest Creator’s will

in all you that you say, do, or believe.

Knight Errant for the lovely Springtime,

I herald Renewal,

Rebirth

Joyous Change and

manifesting the will Sublime."

A brash fourth completes this Quartet,

bearing lessons we best not forget!

“Like the Magician, I teach you

how to bring your tools to bear…

to balance between this world,

and the blue road of spirit, with tenacity and care…

How to use in proportion

your talents, learning, and intuition…

that you may reach your full potential

and become a virtuoso musician!

Although I sing of universal powers

and spiritual connection between

paternal Sky and maternal Earth…

I am a Robber Baron and few see my true worth..

My song is seldom held in high esteem…

my expression is oft perceived as an agitated scream!"

From first light to last

these Singers are there…

whistling,

laughing,

advising,

delivering,

chattering,

tattling

playing their games.

Who can tell me their names?

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. This poem contains 4 loosely related Teachers singing in quartet. Can you guess who is singing today? Congrats to Shay for naming all 4 Teachers! 

“Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.” Sigmund Freud

“The philosophy of mine earth can be summed up as this: Sunshine creates happiness, and I create myself. Nights are long and life is predominantly good. Wind is refreshing. Tea is wisdom. Do the best you can, and be good to yourself so that you can above all be good to others.” Jessi Lane Adams

“I have realized that the past and the future are real illusions, that they exist in the present, which is what there is and all there is.” Alan Watts

Blue jays belong to the family Corvidae, which includes crows, ravens, rooks, jackdaws and magpies. Blue jays can be found from Florida to Canada, from the coast to about the middle of the US. Their migration is still rather a mysterious matter. Some travel and others winter over in their home territory. A jay might migrate south one year and not the next, and while younger jays are more likely to migrate to find their own territory, fully adult jays could decide to migrate or not, as they see fit. At this point, there does not seem to be any real rhyme or reason to their choices, but I certainly enjoy the speculation.

Blue Jays are master communicators with the boldness necessary to stand down Hawks and Owls many times their size. These large crested songbirds are strikingly marked with black, white, gray and a lovely shade of sky blue. The blue color this audacious bird is noted for is not a pigment though. It is a refraction of light created by the internal structure of the feathers that leaves the color blue! So, if you were to crush a blue jay feather, the blue would simply disappear!

This illusory connection with light indicate a special emphasis on Divine Connection, Illumination, Illusion, Spirit, Spirituality, and learning proper Balance. Jay will reveal Wisdom through reflections of all sorts, and the study of light, color, and reflection is useful to Jay people. Jay people need to beware getting so caught up in their reflections that they don’t hit the proverbially window in mid-flight! We can get so caught up in the image we see, that we actually loose sight of reality within the situation or our view of that image, whether it is our own, someone else, or a reflection of the situation we are facing.

“As we struggle to make sense of things, life looks on in repose. " Author Unknown

“We mourn the transitory things and fret under the yoke of the immutable ones.” Paul Eldridge

“There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic.” Anaïs Nin

“I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.” e.e. cummings

In color therapy, blue is considered good for counteracting the manic phases of manic depression and a strong anti-septic color. Blue is generally considered to be a calming color, more useful for emotional healing and calming than green, a traditional healing color. In general, blue has represented harmony, sky, water, spiritual expansion, serenity, sincerity, intuition and higher mental functions.

This is the color to use for meditation, mental relaxation and stimulation of the Throat Chakra. This chakra is a center for creativity and will. It relates to how we truthfully express ourselves and also how we receive Truth. In Tibetan Buddhism, this chakra is associated with the dream state of consciousness. Both Tibetans and Taoists use this chakra to access the dream state and develop skill with lucid dreaming. Keeping a journal of dreams is important to all people called by a Corvid Teacher.

“If the sight of the blue skies fills you with joy, if a blade of grass springing up in the fields has power to move you, if the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” Eleonora Duse

When the Throat Chakra is properly balanced and functioning well, we find it easy to express ourselves, our speech is clear and free flowing. We are able to accept things as they are, and properly organize ourselves to meet whatever situation we have at hand. We are able to take responsibility for our needs with decisive action, and feel well able to make any necessary changes in our lives.

If this chakra is weakened or blocked, we find it difficult finding the right words, difficult to express ourselves clearly, an unwillingness to change or accept things as they truly are, difficulty in organizing or even motivating to work with situations. Excessive ego and/or prejudices may develop. If you tend to see the world as hostile, and expect violence, degradation and hostility rather than love and nourishment, your Throat Chakra is blocked! Singing, gargling with salt water or even screaming are all activities you can use to stimulate this Chakra. I have also found it useful to place my hands at my throat, concentrate on a vivid shade of sky blue and ask for this Teacher’s help in stimulating this area.

If there is not enough love or emotional nourishment flowing to the Heart Chakra, we may try to overcompensate by consuming physical nourishment through the throat, compulsive eating or gluttony. If the chakra at the base of the neck is also suffering, then the added blow we are feeling to our self image can result in bulimia or anorexia. If, however, our Throat Chakra (5th) is overactive we will be trying to take over and control everything, including peoples’ lives!

“Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee,

And I’ll forgive Thy great big one on me.”

Robert Frost

“Life is the hyphen between matter and spirit.” Augustus William Hare and Julius Charles Hare, Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers, 1827

“I say, if your knees aren’t green by the end of the day, you ought to seriously re-examine your life.” Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes

This bird’s prominent crest can be raised or lowered, and symbolically represents a connection to higher thought, Divine energy, and acting as a conduit between Heaven and Earth. It is also symbolic of a battle helmet when raised, and given this Teacher’s naturally aggressive behavior, this is something Jay people need to be aware of. I have seen a band of jays sound alarm to a predator and then work together to drive off combatants much larger than themselves. Choose your battles wisely, work cooperatively, keep a good sense of humor, and beware being too argumentative, combative or aggressive in word or deed.

The word “jay” comes from the Latin “gaia” or “gaea”, which has connections to both the concept of joy and Mother Earth. To me, these Jays represent a natural conduit between Divine and Physical planes. The main message delivered by this Teacher though is learning a proper balance of our personal Power. To use just enough efficiently to achieve our goals and also to learn to spot and avoid situations in which Power, personal or otherwise, may be misused against us.

Remember though that we are always are own worst enemies, and look there first for what you own in the situation! Jay has taught me to always look beyond the surface for the reality of a situation, and I am still learning to see through the many reflections I can encounter in any given day. Jay people tend to be curious, clever and creative souls who would do well to remember their higher purpose, and not get lost in dabbling in a variety of interests. Beware taking a naturally teasing and playful manner too far.

You might not think it to look at this pretty bird, but it’s jaws and beak are actually strong enough to crack an acorn. A subtle reminder to never underestimate the power of our words! I believe there are many Jay people out there who, for whatever reason, do not take into consideration what is or is not proper to say to a child whether that child is theirs or someone elses’. Unbalanced Jay people have a tendency to place blame on others, scold or even verbally abuse others, especially when deep down they feel at fault. Stealing the products of another’s labor, excessive ego, and laziness are also possible signs of unbalanced Jay energy.

“It is our illusions that create the world.” Didier Cauwelaert

“The colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. Communication does not depend on syntax, or eloquence, or rhetoric, or articulation but on the emotional context in which the message is being heard. People can only hear you when they are moving toward you, and they are not likely to when your words are pursuing them. Even the choices words lose their power when they are used to overpower. Attitudes are the real figures of speech.” Edwin H. Friedman

Blue jays in captivity have exhibited tool using capability by using strips of newspaper to rake in food that has fallen outside of their cages. Although no such tool using by jays in the wild has been reported, I have seen them use twigs in a similar manner, and I have also seen them drop nuts on a cat to drive it away. Blue jays often mimic the calls of other birds, especially the Red-shouldered Hawk.

It has been suggested that this mimicry of a major predator is used to alert others to the presence of a hawk, or to deceive other into so believing. I can certainly attest to their fondness for such trickery! I have seen them use this technique to clear a crowded feeder on more than one occasion. They are definitely pleased with themselves when it works, and they always seem on the verge of laughter when it confuses other creatures. They do enjoy alerting everyone within hearing when they’ve spotted a hunter too.

Like other Corvidaes, they are extremely curious, gregarious, and intelligent birds who are attracted to shiny things like bottle caps or bits of foil. Studies have shown them capable of developing better food-finding skills than monkeys or cats! Food-caching birds in general seem to have a bit more in the way of brains than others. It is hard to judge the intelligence of other creatures, but tool-use, co-operative efforts and trickery are often used as markers.

I’ve watched countless jays forage together, and there is always one or two on guard while the rest are gathering the food. They love to follow behind me while I’m gardening too, and gather whatever grubs or other tasty critters I turn up. They can definitely tell the difference between a helpful and non-threatening individual and someone who is more likely to intend them harm. As a young girl, I’ve helped many a young jay stuck on the ground while learning to fly, and the parents have looked on impassively, although they can be quite aggressive in the defense of their nest or young.

“To live remains an art which everyone must learn, and which no one can teach.” Havelock Ellis

Since I am most familiar with the Blue Jay, which is found only in Northern America, I am not especially familiar with what Old World deities might be connected specifically to jays native to those locations. Although, being of the Corvidae family they could easily be connected to deities like Bran, Morrigan, Odin, and Hecate. Jays and Magpies (another Corvid) have been seen as birds who deliver Joy, Happiness, and Good Fortune. The appearance of these chattering messengers could herald good news, the arrival of guests, or coming tests in any of the Jay’s areas of expertise.

A clever, creative, tenacious survivor and master of communication, Blue Jay carries far more wisdom than his humble form might imply. He challenges us not only to examine how we see ourselves, others and the world around us, but to take positive action. Do you need to break out of a rut, or break free of a maze of reflections? Do find yourself looking into mirrors, windows, or other reflective surfaces? Perhaps this Teacher is trying to reach you. How does Blue Jay appear in your life?

“When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, “I used everything you gave me.” Erma Bombeck

“Who will tell whether one happy moment of love or the joy of breathing or walking on a bright morning and smelling the fresh air, is not worth all the suffering and effort which life implies.” Erich Fromm

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” Friedrich Nietzsche

“Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished. If you’re alive, it isn’t.” Richard Bach

Key Concepts: Balanced Power, Divine Connection, Illumination, Illusion, Spirit, Spirituality, learning Balance, Communication, Expressing Truth, Assertion vs Aggression, Cleverness, Curiousity, Vibrancy, Clarity, Determination

Associated with: Gaia, Bran, Morrigan, Odin, Alathea, Ma’at, and Hecate

Potential Balancing energies:
Crow/Raven , Sparrow , Chickadee , Robins ,thrushes, towhees, wrens and other birds, Cricket/Grasshopper, Grasses, Blackberry/Raspberry and other small fruits, Hawk, Earthworm, Snake , Owl , Cat, Trees like Pine ,Cottonwood , Oak , Apple , Rowan/Mt Ash , Cherry, Dogwood, Chokecherry, Hawthorn, Juniper, Honeysuckle, snails, Dragonfly , Bees , Flies , and other insects, Spider , Lepidoptera (Butterflies and caterpillars) , Squirrels and Chipmunks, Bobcat, Raccoon, Fox, Roses , Sunflower , Asclepias and other plants