Renewal & Opportunity

“Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity.” Buddha

“We need quiet time to examine our lives openly and honestly. . . spending quiet time alone gives your mind an opportunity to renew itself and create order.” Susan Taylor

“For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin – real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way. Something to be got through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life.” ~Fr. Alfred D’Souza

“Life is always walking up to us and saying, “Come on in, the living’s fine,” and what do we do? Back off and take its picture." ~Russell Baker

Everyone has some thing or activity that helps them to find renewal as we work our way along our life path. For me, silence and solitude in a natural setting is a daily requirement. Without at least a little time spent in simple enjoyment, quiet and on my own, I begin to lose the ability to see my situation clearly and make sound decisions.

The longer that state of being is allowed to grow, the less likely I am to be able to see the opportunity hidden in what appears to be the next obstacle in my path. If I am stumbling along weary and stressed, I cannot see the day. If I can’t see it, how can I seize it? In fact, before you know it, the smallest bump in your road can start looking insurmountable without anything laudable to extract!

So, no matter how stressed or hurried I may be feeling, I always make time out of every day to simply sit and be, to soak in the sunshine and other quiet delights, to renew myself from the inside out. Symbolically, vines represent regeneration, opportunity, connection, expansion and development. Today, this tiny vine working it’s steady way up a trunk was my reminder of these important actions.

While it may feel like a “waste of time” to sit and do nothing, sometimes claiming restful solitude and silence in our daily lives is the best, most pro-active choice we can make! All the better to catch you, my dear, when the next opportunity happens along! How do you find renewal?

Song of the Steadfast

Wild howls
fade like a sunset
in the distance
as you sit by your cozy fire

These Teachers
lift their voices rejoicing
spreading word of their deeds
in sweet oboe like tones

Singing of Wisdom
buried like bones…

"Stagchaser or Ratbane
Guardians at door and gate
We guide the herds
protect old and young
Offering loving therapy
from alleyways to hospitals
More faithful than your shadow
Noble yet humble
We only beg to serve
or dutifully clear your plate

Rogue genetics
tailored for work 
Trained for empathetic comfort
Defense and emergency response
Protection, Service and Loyalty!
Our songs 
are as varied as our breeds
Beloved by Divine, humble, and royalty
Our great hearts and spirits
only your care in return truly feeds

Yet beware
Don't bite 
where only bark will do
Nothing
twixt humble Truth and Self
should intercede!

Alpha to Omega
Packmates reporting eagerly for duty
awaiting your command
Playful hearts
At Humanity's beck and call
Fetched down throughout the ages
all for the sake 
of a warm meal and loving hand"


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 now?

“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion” Unknown

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” Roger Caras

Faithful Heart Waiting at the Gate

Dogs are as many and varied as Man, but have been more often glorified in story,
literature, poetry, song and film than possibly any other animal… and justly so! Some exemplify strengths, others demonstrate canine foolishness, and although each fictional Dog has a character all its own, together one can see the traits that make Dog so beloved by hum
ans.

The domesticated relative of the Wolf, dogs retain puppy qualities throughout their lives that their wilder Cousins shed with youth. Perhaps this is the reason wolves look down on, and even go out of their way to harass or even harm the domesticated canine. Perhaps old tales where wolves resent that dogs not only abandoned the Pack, but gave their devotion and service to Humanity instead have more than a grain of Truth in them. Years of being hunted down and driven out by the partnership dogs forged with man is certainly reason enough.

Dog is a Teacher who carries both the Wisdom of Compassion/Empathy, as well

as Protection and Play. Dog often exemplifies what we truly mean when we refer to "humane" as a laudable quality. When drawn to Dog, one should examine as many breeds and relations as possible as they are all interconnected. German Shepherds, for example, were bred to help herd sheep, to protect the home and family. Noted for their intelligence, they are frequently trained as Police and Guide dogs. A “working” dog, Shepherds like order, rules, structure, regular physical activity as well as mental stimuli, and as pets have often earned the nickname “fun police” in their endeavors to keep the home environment harmonious. “Rough-housing” and general tickle-fests are usually met with worried barking, and even running in the house can be met with a reprimanding bark or two.

Shepherds, like many dogs, don’t like to be alone either, being very sociable creatures, and will act out in amazing ways if left alone too often. I’ve heard stories of Shepherds who let their owners know, in no uncertain terms, that they were displeased with them. These stories usually involve a large steaming dump taken on the owner’s pillow, shoes or other prized possession, or the dramatic destruction of things like couches, walls, clothing, etc. Dogs are not known for their subtlety!

Our own dogs are much happier with the efforts our family makes for communication to work reasonably in both directions. They work very hard to communicate their needs and desires to us, and forgive us our inability to speak their language daily. We have learned some of their key words, just as they have learned some of ours… “breakfast”, “lunch”, “dinner”, “hungry”, “park”, “walk”… you know, all the really important words.

I once got up in the middle of a conversation with a friend as we sat eating a snack around the dining room table. I brought back my dog’s food and water bowls, setting them down nearby. He asked why I had done this, and I replied that she wanted them and had felt left out watching us eat. He asked how I knew this, and I said, “She told me with her eyes.” Dodie Smith, author of the original story 101 Dalmatians, understood that dogs speak volumes with just their eyes. In this much beloved tale, she mentions that Pongo and Missus often tried to use eye words to communicate with their humans, but the one eye word they always understood was love. I have found this to be true. 

Science shows us that over time we have literally bred dogs for a variety of jobs, needs and qualities. It also shows us that every dog is genetically hardwired to be attentive to our emotions, as opposed to their wolf cousins who could care less about our state, emotional or otherwise.* Dogs are pre-disposed to be aware of our emotional needs, making them natural therapy animals; some might even argue that dogs invented and defined the job! Nursemaids, they have patiently cuddled children afraid in the dark, or kissed away tears for countless generations. Literally protecting our sleeping generations from a variety of threats like attack, robbery, or even fire, dogs have befriended our species in a way that few other Nature Teachers have experienced. They perform silly antics when we've had a bad day, knowing instinctively that we truly need a good laugh. Dogs press a warm shoulder to your leg or rest a chin on your foot to remind you that you aren't alone, whatever trouble may arise. 

Dogs, however well trained, are more likely to ask for forgiveness than permission when it comes down to something they really really want. They are pretty clear about what they do and do not like whether it comes to potential edibles or competition for attention. Basically honest creatures, Dogs will growl at and follow suspiciously anyone they do not like or trust, hide when they are scared, leap for joy at the sight of their leash in their humans hand, turn up their noses at food they don’t like with utter disdain, and eagerly await a treat with obvious, oft times drooling or prancing, anticipation. Generally, you know where you stand with a Dog right up front.

Dogs also prefer to convey and respond to such social stimuli without a major fuss; to establish pack order with as little actually fighting as possible, conserving energy better spent elsewhere. I highly recommend the Nova special Dogs Decoded* which studies our complex interaction and impact on this Creature Teacher. Science has discovered that Dogs are highly adept at reading Human emotions, and are capable of far more thinking than we have ever given them credit for! I also recommend Diane Duane's fictional work, The Wizard's Dilemma, as one of the most profound and insightful looks at Dog and our relationship with this Teacher. Body language, studying communication and mindfulness are generally useful as are any forms of creative expression. I have met many Dog people. Some are very comfortable expressing themselves and others are not. Discipline and Expression are key areas for us. 

Dog people are most successful when they can harness their keen instincts and sensitive nature with Awareness and Discipline. As a metaphoric example, every dog has a keen sense of smell. Not every dog has trained to use their keen senses to find and rescue people lost in the wilderness, cleverly hidden drugs or bombs. Whatever kind of Dog you are, embrace that fully. Exercises in Awareness and Mindfulness are just as vitally important to just about anyone in to my compassionate way of thinking, but Dogs especially benefit from an early start and strong support system. Yoga being a regular thing in my life before school was carried me through a lot of early trauma far beyond what I might not have endured if I had not had that and a few other sturdy tools on my belt to use in life. Dogs of all breeds require exercise, and so do people. Walking is not only good for us physically, but also incredibly important to the mental and emotional well-being of both dogs and people.

Finding yourself consumed with anger about a situation? Walk until you feel calm enough to think rationally again. Walking allows us time for thought, reflection, and if we walk long enough, transcending all our daily clutter to achieve a meditative state. Regular exercise helps us to combat a variety of ills from obesity to stress. Choosing exercise over say a tub of ice cream and your favorite T.V. show requires discipline. Awareness, to me, begins within and spreads outward. It is important to be mindful of our own needs, behaviors, choices and feelings. If you can't love yourself in a healthy balanced manner, you will project what is wrong outward onto those you love.

It is important to be Aware of and take into consideration the needs, etc. of others. Am I growling at others when I am really frustrated with myself? Am I enabling myself to make easier choices rather than better ones? Am I giving away too much of my time to others, and ignoring my own needs? Am I not being heard, or are my needs being ignored or belittled? Do I recognize that things like "play" or "nap" time are valid needs too? Am I complaining about the behavior/choices of others when I should be focusing on improving my own behavior/choices? Being aware of your own needs is important too. No one can pour from an empty cup. You yourself are just as worthy of the love and care you would give generously to others. 

These are all good Dog questions I have asked myself at one time or another. Reminders dogs throughout my life have taught and reminded me of; Serica, Tonka, Rogue, Louboy, Morticia just to name a few good friends. There are all things that can cause us to bark and snap at each other. There are also little gestures that make others smile, laugh, their own signs they send back that they love us too. Coffee made in the morning, a glass refilled or brought to you is possibly one of the simplest gestures of courtesy and kindness. Offering drink and food are one of the oldest forms of Hospitality, another Dog area of study. Dog people tend to form packs that they are fiercely loyal as well, making it extremely important for those called by this Teacher to choose wisely where and to what extent to apply our Loyalty.

 Supporting one's friends for example, is good. Supporting them blindly, however, even when their choices are harming themselves or others is not good or healthy for anyone. Seeing the good, the best potential, in others is a gift. Recognizing that everyone also has a Shadow where they hide their less laudable deeds, motivations and choices takes Wisdom. Choosing to remain silent when there is a need to speak up or feeling as if your voice is not being heard causes blockages and imbalances in the Throat Chakra, base of our throats at center of the larynx. Our throat is our gateway to communication, self-expression, communication, authenticity. 

Imbalances show up in problems in communication self-expression, angry biting words, shouting, lies, slander, complaining without working to solve anything, whining, "foaming at the mouth" over some issue you seem to have fixated on, "running your mouth", "shooting your mouth off", "barking up the wrong tree". Other signs of blockage can include challenges in communicating thoughs, emotions, needs confidently or clearly. Feeling unheard or consistently misunderstood. Which often leads to fears of rejection, criticism, and judgement which is crushing to the Good Dog spirit. 

Nobody would feel good if they were told they were a "Bad Dog", chained out back, ignored the majority of the time except for the occasional kick or bone tossed their way. This leads to dissatisfaction, depression, self-doubt, anxiety, serious lack of artistic creativity, and well... a lot shitting in your shoes. Loyal loving dogs often Stay when they really should go and find themselves another home.  Trauma is often an early marker in the life of these stray souls, along with Resilience. Domestic abuse, molestation, sexual assault, gender identity with home conflict are often markers for Dog people, dogears in the pages of the book of our lives.  

Positive Statements for Throat Chakra communicate confidently and with ease.

I feel comfortable speaking my mind.

I am balanced in speaking and listening.

I am an active listener.

I speak my true thoughts with clarity.

I set clear boundaries.

I hear and speak the truth.

I communicate with respect and courage.

My voice is necessary.

I feel free to express my creativity.

Dog's tail indicates that Sacral and Root Chakra are also key to this Teacher. Sacral Chakra is our gateway to pleasure both giving and receiving, sexualty, joy and handles our inner child, emotional wellbeing, and sexual selves. Root Chakra handles our health, well-being, feelings of safety, security, survival and is the seat of our personal authority. Problems in these areas may benefit by getting in touch with your inner Dog. Many people who have suffered severe traumas from war to rape have benefitted in ways they never imagined by pairing with a service dog. 

Space or Akasha is the element needed to soothe, blue like a sunny sky is the color of communication, openness and tranquility. Lotus is a good balancing Teacher to turn to, but many Trees make great friends as well when looking for help in balancing. Most help get you up out of all that mud too. Dogs and Trees often get together faster than you can say, "Fetch!" Remember all that walking? Dogs love nature and it is good for us whether we engage with it alone or in groups. Body practices, creatively stimulating and expressive activities are good for Dogs. Dance, yoga, walking, swimming, volleyball, board or video games, laser tag, paintball, crafts, painting or art in any medium, live music/entertainment... anything that brings you a sense of play, fun, and even a little adventure, brings out the explorer in curious playful Dog people and sets their tails wagging.  

Choose people for your pack who are willing to recognize and work on their own issues; we all have them. Choose people who would rather help you up than keep you down. Nobody ever made themselves great by tearing at others. Do you feel drained after being with someone, wound up with anxiety, guilt, or stress? If they can't manage their emotional selves better after calling attention to the issue, perhaps they don't belong in your pack. Perhaps most importantly, choose to be one of those people who look out for and support others rather than tearing the legs out from under them or pissing on their hopes and dreams. 

Nobody likes that shit. Not even dogs. I once read a news article of a dog who traveled miles just for the satisfaction of biting its previous abusive owner. My dad had a dog so awful that a year after it had died, the other dogs dug up its bones just to piss on it. In the film Addams Family Morticia reveals their motto, "We gladly feast upon those who would consume us." Nobody will love you as fiercely, loyally, devotedly as a dog. They will also never forget those who abused them and not deserving of their merciful love. 

Mary Shelley who created an entire genre of literature in an age when everyone knew women couldn't Think as they were inferior creatures had Frankenstein's Creation speak the words, "I have love in me the likes of which you can scarcely imagine and rage the likes of which you would not believe. If I cannot satisfy the one, I will indulge the other." I have always believed she rocked the world because she was the first to give so many women held captive in silence a voice. She freed the Throat Chakra of her generation, and we still whisper her name. Keeper of hearth, hospitality, compassionate care and guidance. Playful and steadfast, I only hope I can be half the person my dogs believe I am. 

 

“He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile. When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores it. When I succeed, he brags.

  

Without him, I am only another man. With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things. He has promised to wait for me… whenever… wherever " in case I need him. And I expect I will " as I always have. He is just my dog." Gene Hill

Potential Balancing Energies for dogs in general: Wolf, Coyote, Dingo, Hyena, Fox and other Canines, Cats, Snakes, Deer, Cattle, Horse, Rabbits, Sheep, Fish, Frog, Squirrel, Rat and other Rodents Birds like Crow, Duck, Chicken, Turkey, Blue Jay, or Hawk, Insects like Fly, Tick, Flea, Grasshoppers, Lightning Bugs, Beetle, Lepidoptera, and Arachnids. Plants like Dog Rose, Orange, Rose, Daisy, Dogwood, Willow, Redwood, Fir, Birch, Beech, Cedar, Linden, Maple, Wisteria, Pennyroyal, Rye and other Grasses, Greater/Lesser Plantain, Pine, Oak, Apple, Cherries or Sweet Potatoes. Water, Earth, the Moon, and stars like Sirius. Stones like Peridot, Brown Agate, Blue Lace Agate, Sodalite, Lapis Lazuli, Blue Chalcedony, Amazonite, Citrine, Rose Quartz, Hematite, Amethyst, Jasper, Moonstone, Prehenite, Carnelian. 

Associated Deities, Mythic and Popular figures: Numerous fictional works from Rin Tin Tin to Frank from Men in Black. The Fool, Brighid, Hecate, Hades, Cerebus, Anubis, Wepwawet, Set, Osiris, Xolotl, Mars, Kukkuripa, Kukuraja, Bau, Inanna, Leto, Artemis, Apollo, Zeus, Romulus, Remus, Odin, Fenrir, Indra, Cuchulainn

Key Concepts: Loyalty, Devotion/Unconditional Love, Protection, Empathy, Companionship, Nobility/Royalty, Faithfulness, Spiritual/Divine guardianship, Service, Selflessness/Selfishness, finding the hidden, sensing the unseen, and healing, Faith, Trust, Tracking/Hunting, Adventure/Curiosity, Vocalizing Truths, 

Faithful service, loving devotion, the small becoming great, Instinct and Reason in harmony, noble heart, great spirit… Dog embodies all of these things. Whether human or canine, Alphas exemplify all that is best in the breed, the Leader everyone turns to for direction because they seem to have all together even if they themselves don't always feel so confident. Encanto's Luisa Madrigal is a wonderful example of a someone who feels a strong sense of obligation to her family and community yet also struggles with issues of confidence and the pressure those feelings of obligation bring her.

Well-balanced Dogs inspire us to better ourselves by being as generous to ourselves as we are being loving with our fellows, work diligently for the good of all, and to become that which inspires us, to be a leader and set a good example for your pack, the World. Omegas are the easy-going Diplomats in the pack that everyone loves. The ones who seem able to talk to just about anyone inside or outside the pack, hear them out whenever there is a dispute Get folks talking, the Negotiators the Bridge to Outsiders. Omegas can connect with just about anyone but have a hard time standing alone. Within the pack is an array that they support between them. Is it any wonder that so many people are enamored of this marvelous and generous Creature Teacher? How does Dog appear in your life?

  

  

  

  

  

Heartbroken

I lost my best friend of 13 years this week; my beloved dog Rogue. I'm sure most folks here completely understand that a pet is never "just" a pet, they are family. Anyone who has ever formed a bond with a dog also knows that the love they give us is completely pure and loyal... No One loves you as selflessly as a dog. In many ways, my Rogue was even a step beyond all that ,being my self taught therapy animal. With keen instinct she always knew exactly when I needed the press of her warmth against my leg, a canine hug or kiss, a laugh and playfulness or really anything else. This marvelous canine once even brought me the phone when I couldn't hear it ringing at the other end of the house!

Nursemaid, caretaker, babysitter, clown, doctor, friend, secret keeper, guide, dream sharer, protector, cheerleader; Rogue was my beloved shadow, as close to my heart as my husband or children. She helped me through some of the very toughest parts of a challenging life path. She left me two of her own kids to keep me company until I can join her, but she was jealous of their attention in those last days. I did my best to assure her that No One could taker her place in my heart, now or ever. Her passing was blessedly quick and, I hope, relatively painless. I am forever grateful that I was here to hold her while she passed. I know time will help ease the pain, but right now... I'm heartbroken. Therapeutic poetry is sure to follow eventually lol Much love my friends, give a hug to those nearest and dearest to you please. Our time her is all too brief xo

Thorn Among the Roses

Stay inside your government box then
safe upon the island of your couch
tuning yourself in to the televised heartbeat
Exchanging meaningless texts
with someone else in the endless rows of boxes
or perhaps cultivating the next babydaddy
you believe will whisk away all your worries

It's your choice
None of us can save you from the lies you tell yourself
None of us can force you to desire a better tomorrow
No one can save you but yourself

Go ahead

Continue to feed off everyone around you
Keep wondering why you still yearn for more;
Never satisfied and always someone else to blame.
Set yourself no goals of personal betterment
Learn not one jot more than you know now
Unless it's the next must have brandname, of course,
or a new trick to squeezing more out of those that feed you

Don't cook
Don't clean
Don't earn a living
Don't show your children a better way 
than your parents showed you.

Pick up a habit of drinking or pills,
keep up those family values.
Ignore the gifts you have been given while they behave, yet
Harpy screech with frustration
when they ask for more
than the stubborn blindness and conformity
you teach them every day with your choices

Content to be a dead weight on society
pointing everywhere but inward for blame
Sympathy does you no good 
you only add it to your coward's arsenal 
nestled next to love and guilt trips.

Having never lived in the real World,
we won't miss you
It's fine if you don't want a better life for yourself
It's even ok that you don't want more for your kids
Someday they will be old enough to make their own choices
I won't be surprised when they choose to leave behind
the island of misfit delusions you've created
Should you come to your senses 30 years too late,
don't be surprised when none of us
are right there waiting for you to awaken, princess.

You'll have to find your own way out of that tower you've made
No one waits for the thorn among the roses.

Wading Through the Spiritlands

Confident
Patient
Present
At the thresh hold 
twixt water and sand
These Teachers
sing their Wisdom
whether solitary watchmen
shrewdly observant for opportunity,
co-operative family unit,
or great migrating band

“Through rushing waters or rocky shores, 
We carefully wend our way. 
Spear at the ready, 
We gather bright schools of Wisdom 
as we dance in the river’s bright spray.

Spirit, insight, and tranquility in blue
Peace is a road that begins in each of you! 
Diversity embraced is an asset sublime, 
though awkward in youth, 
you’ll bloom like the heavenly lotus given time!

We will teach you how to stand alone 
despite turbulent waters or society’s moan, 
and when to foster unity. 
For independence coupled 
with loving co-operation is my lesson 
on how to create a harmonious community.

Fortune, focus, and long life are blessings taught 
by my cousin, serene, 
in carefully folded alabaster wrought. 
Flowing with your own rhythm, 
bold exploration, fluid grace, 
dignity, and balance are my gifts to you. 
You need only diligently study and pursue!"


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? 



“Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.” ~ Sir Francis Bacon “To be idle is a short road to death and to be diligent is a way of life; foolish people are idle, wise people are diligent.” Buddha

“An outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.” Book of Common Prayer

“When despair for the world grows in me, and I wake in the night at the least sound in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be – I go and lie down where the wood drake rest in his beauty on the water and the great heron feeds. I come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought or grief. I come into the presence of still water. And I feel above me the day-blind stars waiting with their light. For a time I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.” ~Wendell Berry

The Great Blue Heron is one of the most common of the wading birds found across the U.S. They live for about 15 years in the wild, and other than during mating and nesting times, herons live very solitary lives. The Great Blue stands anywhere from just over three feet high to around four and a half feet tall. Wingspans are 5 and a half to 6 and a half feet wide, but for all their lanky size, they weigh only between four and seven pounds! Females produce two to seven eggs which both parents will incubate and protect. This reclusive wader nests in colonies, preferring to hide their nests in tall trees or low shrubs.



There are 64 species within the Family Ardeidae, including Great Blue and the Great White Heron, which is actually an all white color morph of the same species found exclusively in the Caribbean and southern Florida. Various herons, bitterns, and egrets comprise this taxonomic Family, although there continues to be a great deal of debate over who does or does not belongs to the Ardeidae family officially. While the various Herons resemble Cranes a great deal and vise versa, actually Cranes belong to both a different Family (Gruidae) and a different Order (Gruiform). 

In this article, I will stick predominantly to the Great Blue, but would like to include some general information on the Crane to contrast. Cranes share a lot of lessons with Herons, and both have been important Creature Teachers to many cultures. White Cranes, mentioned as “Cousins” in the poem here, were in my mind as I wrote in the form of origami cranes. Origami was a favorite hobby of mine for awhile as a young girl, it taught me a great deal about patience, diligence, the value of silence and gentleness. Origami is lovely therapy for anyone called by these Teachers. 

Whatever their coloring though in life, the easiest way to tell a Heron from a Crane is in flight. A heron carries their neck in an S-shaped curve, resting their head just between their shoulders during flight. A crane flies with their neck fully extended. 

Crane has been a symbol of Justice, Longevity, Fortune and Focus in China for countless years. This Teacher says that it is best to not divide our attention, and emphasizes the importance of focusing our time, energy, and skills on one important task at a time. A parent who carries Crane totem, for example, will be most effective in their duties, and happier in themselves, if they don’t try to juggle their family and career at the same time. Both Crane and Heron are excellent Teachers to turn to when looking for Balance in any situation. 



“Always accept good fortune with grace and humility. " Mark L. Mika

“Meditation brings wisdom; lack of meditation leaves ignorance. Know well what leads you forward and what hold you back, and choose the path that leads to wisdom.”

“Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine.” Buddha

Blue herons feed upon creatures like: fish, small amphibians like frogs and newts, aquatic invertebrates, various insects, and plants that grow in marshes and swamps, reptiles like snakes, and small mammals like the voles which make up so much of the Great Blue Heron’s diet. Whooping Cranes, for another example, concentrate their diet upon blue crabs. And, both cranes and herons are preyed upon by wild canines like foxes, minks, raptors like hawks, bobcats, and even the elemental force of Winter. As waders, they are the type of bird that best represents a harmonious blending between Air, Earth, and Water. Any of these Teachers, from Fish to Winter, make excellent balancing energy for those called by these graceful birds, and should be examined by those who feel called by these Teachers.

Longevity is a key concept that has been attributed to these Teachers for many lifetimes. To the Japanese and Chinese, the Crane carries a sacred fairy, an elemental being, into our mortal world upon his back. This wise creature Teacher is a symbol of sagacity, grace, fortune, and longevity; a favored  theme for many paintings and works of art across the Oriental nations. In some Native Traditions, the oldest and wisest sages who passed on to the other side have a habit of returning to this world in the form of a heron.
“A man ninety years old was asked to what he attributed his longevity. “I reckon,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “it was because most nights I went to bed and slept when I should have sat up and worried.” Garson Kanin

“Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life.” Buddha

“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

Aggression is not the same as Courage. Boldness is not the same as Confidence. Although either can be divided by a thin line. Too much or little of these qualities will indicate an imbalance, and it is up to each of us to determine how much is too much. A great deal of Life is like an intricate balancing act and these Teachers approach it as a divine and sacred dance. Blue Heron, as the King of the Marshlands and one of the tallest birds on land, indicates a mastery of certain qualities. Blue is the color of tranquility, thought, dreams, spirit, and serenity. This royal bird with his black, white, and blue crown reinforces the concept of ruling through Wisdom, Divinity, Thought, and Peace.“ As the Fletcher whittles and makes straight his arrows, so the master directs his straying thoughts.”

“To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one’s family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one’s own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him.” Buddha



Focus is a keyword for those called by the Great Blue Heron, and such people actually excel at seeing the opportunity amidst the shifting sands. I have watched the Blue Herons every Spring… griping the sturdy earth, moving steadily through the rushing waters, as they diligently hunt for sustenance. Blue Heron people exemplify or strive for a balance between cooperatively social, and confidently independent. Such people have a keen instinct for what will or won’t work for them, and are often mistaken for flighty or irresponsible individuals which is quite often untrue! A “jack of all trades”, they are adaptable, and are not at all impressed with status symbols, keeping up with the Joneses, or accumulating things.

The Great Blue carries a strong, courageous medicine that indicates strong will and character. Blue Heron people are comfortable within themselves, given to deep self-explorations, and they benefit by taking moments of stillness, contemplation, and meditative reflection, much like the Heron pausing amidst the rush of water and flash of sunlight. Well Balanced Blue Heron people are keeping their eyes on the most important things in life, and are excellent Teachers to turn to if you are feeling afraid to take over your life, or out of balanced.

Like other waders, their ability to traverse turbulent waters indicates a need to maintain a balanced emotional nature; keeping their passionate thoughts and feelings under a reasonable control. Be ware aggression. The graceful S curve of their necks at rest, even in flight, indicates a vital need to find our personal rhythm, respond, and flow with it. Herons live solitary lives excepting during nesting times. Then, a great deal of co-operative community effort is practiced. 

Silent and solitary, this bird becomes highly social at this time, collecting nest materials, constructing their nests near each other in large colonies, and then rearing their young. Herons are able to care for themselves after a matter of months, so this time of societal co-operation and sociability doesn’t last long. Aggression is a particular issue for those called by this Teacher, but we should always be aware when we are getting carried away in the pursuit of our goals and acting too aggressively. 


Herons are sacred to Poseidon, and Athena often used these “spear-carriers” as messengers. Emblems of Atlantis, these birds are considered a good omen by many cultures. Heron and Crow depicted together in China or Japan indicates sacred Yinyang energy. Contemplative, vigilant, herons depicted with white stones in their beaks symbolize discretion, and the wisdom obtained through periods of silence.

In Hindu tradition, the goddess Tamra was the ancestor of all birds, and all cultures have viewed birds as divine messengers since time immemorial. Tamra can help us learn the language of birds, and as the consort of the Turtle god, Kashyapa, she often represents a marriage between earth, water and air elements; much like the cranes that could represent this goddess. Another near relation, the Sacred Ibis, is associated with the Egyptian god Thoth, a god of learning and truth. That Teacher is also closely associated with the Baobab tree, and also considered sacred to Isis, the powerful mother goddess of Egypt.

Fujian White Crane, Tibetan White Crane and Persatuan Gerak Badan are three distinct fighting styles in martial arts which were designed after the movements of this family of Teachers. In Native Traditions, the Heron teaches us self-reliance, determination, an ability to progress and evolve. Blue is the color linked with the Throat Chakra.

Some of the challenges of this chakra, which governs our will, are to express ourselves in the most truthful manner possible, to be receptive to and assimilate information, and always to seek the truth. Learning to take responsibility for one’s needs, surrendering personal will to divine will, the value of truthfulness over deceit, and lessons on faith are all Throat Chakra lessons also carried by the Blue Heron. Whether we have already mastered these lessons, or are moving through them is entirely an individual circumstance. How do these versatile and ancient Teachers appear in your life?

“Cranes carry this heavy mystical baggage. They’re icons of fidelity and happiness. The Vietnamese believe cranes cart our souls up to heaven on their wings.” Mitchell Burgess



“The ancient practice of a man and woman folding 1,000 cranes for their wedding is called sembazuru. The tradition itself is called Tsuru wa sennen. The time and energy put into the hand-folded cranes symbolized the patience and trust necessary to sustain a happy marriage.” ~ Lisa Shea,
Japanese tradition says that he who folds a 1000 cranes will be granted a wish.

“When you are in doubt, be still, and wait;

when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.
So long as mists envelop you, be still;
be still until the sunlight pours through and dispels the mists
— as it surely will. Then act with courage.” ~Ponca Chief White Eagle (1800’s to 1914)


Keywords: Patience, Balance, Confidence, Serenity/Tranquility/Calmness, Versatility, Being Present, Vigilance, Independence, Resourcefulness, Determination, Self-esteem, Dignity, Multi-tasking, Spiritworld, Trailblazing, Renewal/Transformation

Associated with: Life Force, Divine Messages, the Holy Spear, Archer/Spear energy, Good Fortune/Omen, the Phoenix, Athena/Minerva, Tamra, God of War-Lord of the South-The Young Warrior-Lord of the Day- The Blue Tezcatliopoca of the South - Patron God of the Mexica (aka  "The Blue Heron Bird", "The Lucid Macaw"), Ra
Potential Balancers: fish like trout or koi, water, earth, air, reptiles like snakes or lizards, amphibians like frogs and toads, small mammals like young rabbits, rodents, chipmunks, insects like dragonfly or moth, other birds like eagles or ducks, plants like marsh grasses, reeds, algae, mushrooms, willows or cypress trees 

Awakening Spring

The Winds laugh as they rush off

in their whirling waltz over the distant hills.

The Trees confer in rustling whispers

before everything stills…

A soft sweet tune,

like

the fierce and splendid

humming of the Sun,

Casts it’s own perfumed rays

to soothe sore hearts…

”Everyone,

Joy waits for no season!

Open your heart

Love is not bound

by Time

nor Death

nor Reason

Beauty awaits you

at every turn

Stop.

Hover a moment

and savor

Drink deeply of Life!

Leave only bitter dregs behind

for they are the least

of all earthly

concerns

Laugh!

Sing!

Live!

Feed upon the

sweet heart

of each moment

For…

All Life is magic

Beauty is Truth

and War itself

crumbles before

Loving commitment

I am the Gentle Warrior

of Great Spirit.

So fine, swift, and cunning

was I made that

I might thread a needle with my song

Stitch this message upon your heart …

Thrive upon the surety

that Courage

Love

Freedom

Clarity and

Healing

are Miracles

unbound by humble mortal form

The only limits

are the ones we create with our Belief

Believe the Miraculous,

and the World

will be Reborn!”

“If you were all alone in the universe with no one to talk to, no one with which to share the beauty of the stars, to laugh with, to touch, what would be your purpose in life? It is other life, it is love, which gives your life meaning. This is harmony. We must discover the joy of each other, the joy of challenge, the joy of growth.” Mitsugi Saotome

“We find greatest joy, not in getting, but in expressing what we are… Men do not really live for honors or for pay; their gladness is not the taking and holding, but in Doing… the striving, the building, the living. It is a higher joy to teach than to be taught. It is good to get justice, but better to do it; fun to have things but more to make them. The happy man is he who lives the life of love, not for the honors it may bring, but for the Life itself.” R. J. Baughan

“The happiness and unhappiness of the rational, social animal depends not on what he feels but on what he does; just as his virtue and vice consist not in feeling but in doing. Marcus Aurelius

The magical and delicate hummingbird delivers us a powerful message’ “Great things come in small packages”. Hummingbird, to me, is like a messenger straight from Creator’s Heart. A miracle in motion, He reminds us of the active principle of Love, and that it is a way of Life. He shows us how to slip past all the thorns, blandness, and other barriers to simply sip on the sweet nectar of Life; live for the sake of loving and love for the sake of living. Hummingbird is like pure Joy, given wings and color, a visual reminder of the many miracles of Life… Love, Joy and Creator’s Divine Love for us, much like the symbol of the Sacred Heart. 

Hummingbird wants teach us the language of Flowers, and how they can help us learn how to heal, create, and spread the tiny seeds of Love that will make a Garden of our World. Maybe this is why Hummingbird’s are also considered “lucky”? Hummingbirds are found naturally only in the Americas, and there are between 325 – 340 species of hummingbirds. Because they are delicate in structure, their hollow-boned wings especially fragile, hummingbirds rarely fossilize, and their mysterious evolutionary history has made study difficult. 

Some scientists believe that the hummingbird evolved relatively recently, and others theorize that they originated in South America. Brazil and Ecuador contain over half the known species of hummingbirds! The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is probably the one I am most familiar with, and this will be the model I use in discussing them.

An ancestor of modern hummingbirds may also have lived in parts of Europe to what is now southern Russia. Magical, mystical Hummingbird is a rare treat! Hummingbird flight also continues to be the subject of much study. Other than insects, the Hummingbird is the only Creature Teacher I can think of who has the ability to sustain a hover and fly deliberately in any direction, including backwards or vertically. Hummingbirds also have the highest metabolism of all animals, with the exception of insects. Maneuverability is a Hummingbird lesson, and an excellent Teacher to turn to if we have need of this skill.

Hummingbirds typically consume more than their own weight in food each day by traveling hundreds of times to multiple flowers, and at any given moment they are only hours away from starving! They need this incredible metabolism to support the rapid beating of their wings and a heartbeat which can reach as high as 1,260 beats per minute. Provided sufficient food and shelter is available to them, hummingbirds are amazingly hardy. They are able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°C (-4°F), and can also enter a hibernation-like state known as torpor, slowing down their voracious metabolism at night or any other time food is not readily available. This is where their symbolic connection to Resurrection and Rebirth comes from.

“We could never learn to be brave and patient if there were only joy in the world.” Helen Keller

“The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven? " Kahlil Gibran

“Happiness is good health and a bad memory.” Ingrid Bergman

Love appears in many forms, and it is certainly not without it’s sorrows. Contrary to opinion, love, real love, is never blind. If anything, Love endures because it knows full well what it sees and chooses to thrive anyway. Love throws itself onto the Winds, freely and with faith, again and again. It waxes and wanes as much as our hearts can hold; stoking itself through the cold nights and rising from the ashes to grow larger than before whenever we feed it. Love is in constant motion until we pause long enough to take notice, yet it can consume us in a thousand ways. It takes tremendous energy and Courage to truly Love… and not just to love one being, not just ourselves or our blood kin, but to love All Our Relations.

Hummingbird people need fill their Life’s cup with Love quickly and often to sustain themselves, and their ability to spread and generate similar energies around them helps to keep their cup overflowing. If we don’t love ourselves and forgive ourselves for our mistakes, we’ll quickly run out of the ability to love or forgive others. Of course, focusing only on our selves will cause us to starve just as quickly as a hummingbird sipping from a man-made feeder which has been mistakenly filled with a nectar made from diet sugar substitute rather than plain water and sugar. So be ‘ware the Love with which you feed yourself and others! Take the time to sip the sweetness of life for yourself, and do something that makes you feel renewed. Love is the one thing you do have more of the more you give though. Tiny Hummingbird reminds us that Love is truly a Miracle, a sacred and divine thing. Miracles do not have boundaries or limits. “Small of stature but great of heart”, Hummingbird’s great love for Creator and Life reaches far beyond his tiny body and brilliant feathers….

“You must love the crust of the earth on which you dwell more than the sweet crust of any bread or cake.” Henry David Thoreau

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world’s joy.” Henry Ward Beecher

“Love denied blights the soul we owe to God.” William Shakespeare

Hummingbirds are intricately entwined with their environment. Dramatic changes in their environment will be immediately reflected in their response to these changes. Perhaps this is why hummingbird people’s loving nature extends to a great concern with their environment. Hummingbirds in balance like to go to the heart of any matter and extract all that is beneficial. They prefer to focus on what is as opposed to what was, although they carry all that they learn forward with them.

Unfortunately, a common interaction between people and hummingbirds is having one become trapped in your garage or similarly open area. Whatever may have drawn them into such an area, once inside, they may be unable to escape. Their natural instinct when threatened or trapped is to fly upward. This is a life-threatening situation for the bird as they will become exhausted and die in a relatively short period (as little as an hour!) of time due to their high metabolisms. If you should encounter this problem, simply get within reach of the hummingbird and gently catch them with your hands.

They will lie quietly within your cupped hands until released…such is the Faith of a hummingbird. Hummingbird people should likewise keep their heads about them when they feel trapped or panicky, but I think a most common failure for such people is simply throwing themselves at any issue over and over again in the same manner until they wear themselves out. Or worst of all, simply not providing themselves with all that they need to continue being well-balanced Hummingbird people!

“And because I am happy and dance and sing, They think they have done me no injury.” William Blake

I have seen many people make the mistake of thinking that just because someone is happy, they have never experienced tragedy, depression, poverty, or a thousand other ills. Worse yet, I have seen people every day who mistake such kindness, generosity, politeness and basic happiness that causes others to perceive a Hummingbird person as an “easy mark”, stupid, or weak! Balanced Hummingbird people do live their lives in a manner designed to “accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative”, but that doesn’t mean that they have never experienced tragedy, anger, fear, or any of the less attractive emotions. Nor does it mean that they are stupid, foolish or easy prey!

They will direct a great deal of energy into spreading positive constructive messages, goodwill, love, laughter, and happiness in any way that they can. They need it to survive, so why wouldn’t they want to spread more of it around? Hummingbird’s constant visits to hundreds of flowers make him a friend to Gardeners and Gardens alike as he helps to spread pollen. Hummingbird people are happiest when they are spreading the healing balm of Love and Harmony like pollen. Don’t know where to start? Smile! Even if you are in the depths of depression, acting as if you were happy will encourage actual happiness to grow.

“Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile, but sometimes your smile can be the source of your joy.” Thich Nhat Hanh

“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” H. Jackson Browne

“Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit.” Peter Ustinov

Unbalanced Hummingbirds might fly off in any direction. Perhaps they would love too much, too often, too erratically or even spread disharmony and strife instead of love and harmony! Perhaps they may become dictatorial about others’ happiness. Assuming that since they are happy, they know best someone else’s route to happiness would be. Easy mistakes to make, and each could easily lead one to all flavors of Hell. I’ve certainly met plenty of people who think they know best how others should be living!

Can’t say this has ever made things easy for anyone though. Remember, we are only responsible for our selves; our choices and actions. Interfering with another’s Life and how they choose to walk it would be like getting between them and their Creator! I wouldn’t want to stand there, would you?!

Stop and really think about what you are doing before you plunge in headfirst. It’s great to have the will and desire to direct your energies into spreading positive constructive concepts, but sometimes it is best to allow others to move at their own pace. Sometimes a healing soul needs quiet, solitude, or just room to breathe. Sometimes our “helping” simply makes others feel smothered or criticized instead of better. Invite this Gentle Warrior into your life whenever you feel the need, or when you need guidance on how best to help others!

Ruby-throated hummingbirds are inquisitive creatures, and the males can be quite aggressively territorial. Even the females will defend a good food supply, tolerating their own young at the feeder for only a brief period after fledging before they are treated like any other rival. They quickly overcome shyness of humans though, and will hover around you to investigate if you were a bold red color, which is attractive to them. Courtship, if any, is brief and the female raises the young alone. Her walnut sized nest is built on a foundation of bud scales that it attached to a tree limb with spider silk. The outside is camouflaged with lichen or moss and the inside is lined with dandelion, cattail or thistle down. Two white pea-sized eggs will be laid which will take 12-16 days to incubate, and another, typically, 18-23 days to raise them to fledgling status. It is thought that this hummingbird might live up to 12 years, but only 3-5 years is common with all the stresses and predations they face.

Most hummingbirds are noted for their dazzling colors. The Ruby-throated hummingbird’s body is covered in brilliant emerald green feathers on top, silvery gray verging on white underneath, with the distinctive ruby red throat patch that gave it it’s name. Red is the traditional color for passion, creation and creativity, the element of fire, anger and love. Sky blue is the color for balancing the throat chakra, so this placement of brilliant red adds a sense of crackling energy, heat, and passion to this area. People called by this Teacher should be especially mindful of their vocal expressions, as their ability to express through voice is highly charged and capable of inspiring great fires in others.

Choose to express only Truth, for voicing lies will throw you significantly out of balance as this chakra is the center for our sense of Truth. The vibrant green of this Teacher indicates a vibrant ability to heal, to inspire hope, and to spread feelings of faith, friendship, and peace. Silver it the traditional color of the soul, and white is both a Divine blessing and a purifying agent. Altogether, this tiny Teacher packs a potent punch! Hummingbird asks us to not only appreciate the Beauty around us, nor to express it, but to “walk in Beauty”, to live our lives in such a way that day to day we are spreading Beauty, Light and Joy.

Well-balanced Hummingbird people tend to live in the now without dwelling on the past or worrying unduly about the future. They are talented at finding the beauty hidden in any person or situation, but must remember that although they see the Beauty and Potential, they must also acknowledge the less appealing or constructive aspects to those people or situations… or they may end up consumed by that which they have not acknowledged! Put simply, don’t believe just the good that you see in someone. Just because you see the goodness or beauty buried within, doesn’t mean that is what truly motivates them! Balanced Hummingbird people take a great deal of pleasure in spreading Joy, Beauty and Light into the cramped dark places in Life, but this also makes them tasty targets to the more predatory souls out there. So, be careful with the Light you have been given.

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” His Holiness the Dalai Lama

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.” Confucius

Adaptability & malleability are strengths given by this delicate Teacher, and such people tend to be high-energy, free-spirited individuals. Restricting the nature of such a person will most likely result in deep depression and feelings of hopelessness, both strong signs of unbalanced Hummingbird energy. Pointless activity, anxiety, pessimism, inability to let go of the past or inordinate concern over the future are all signs of unbalanced Hummingbird energy.

In Aztec mythology, Huitzilopochtli, whose name means “Blue Hummingbird on the Left (South)”, was the god of war, death and the sun. He was depicted as an armed blue man wearing a headdress of hummingbird feathers, and was highly revered. The flower loving goddess, Xochiquetzal, could also be associated with this Teacher.

Look at pictures, or read about the nature and habitats of hummingbirds. If you wish to hang a feeder be sure to provide the proper type of food. Perhaps my favorite way is simply looking for ways each day to make a positive difference in some ones life. Little acts of kindness, or small tokens to coax smiles out of those you interact with can make a huge difference to the World around you. Share a joke, leave smiles or encouraging words on post- its where others can see them. Wash off the windshields while your spouse pumps the gas. Help an elderly neighbor by shoveling the snow from their walkway or help a stranger who is struggling with their groceries.

Once you start looking, you’ll find as many ways to spread Hummingbird’s “pay it forward” attitude as there are flowers in a garden! I was thrilled when someone put up a sign on a telephone pole at a busy intersection that says simply “You Are Beautiful”. I picture the Hummingbird as a tiny Grandmother whose bravery and bold words far exceed her delicate frame. The Taino, indigenous people of the Caribbean & Florida, see this Teacher as the sacred bringer of life and a symbol of rebirth. They call their warriors Hummingbird Warriors, as this Teacher is a spreader of peace and life, but will defend it’s home with the fierceness of an Eagle. Whenever we need to get to the heart of any issue, Hummingbird can show us how to delicately part all resistance and achieve our goal. May your heart open like a faerie rose before the loving sword of Hummingbird whenever he hovers into your life! How does this Teacher appear in your life?

“A warrior does not give up what he loves, he finds the love in what he does.“ Socrates, in the trailer for Peaceful Warrior

Happiness is..

by Priscilla Leonard

HAPPINESS is like a crystal,
Fair and exquisite and clear,
Broken in a million pieces,
Shattered, scattered far and near.
Now and then along life’s pathway,
Lo! some shining fragments fall;
But there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

You may find a bit of beauty,
Or an honest share of wealth,
While another just beside you
Gathers honor, love or health.
Vain to choose or grasp unduly,
Broken is the perfect ball;
And there are so many pieces
No one ever finds them all.

Yet the wise as on they journey
Treasure every fragment clear,
Fit them as they may together,
Imaging the shattered sphere,
Learning ever to be thankful,
Though their share of it is small;
For it has so many pieces
No one ever finds them all!