The first week of January brings my favorite blessing of winter - snow! Inside of a polar vortex, major long standing coldfront. Prior to the snow, I picked up plenty of birdseed to help keep the sweet little local winged ones warm and full.
As the snow gently glided down and blanketed the Mother, our land became abundant with all sorts of little songbirds! Most prominently were the cowbirds, cardinals making their return, juncos, and to my surprise, red winged blackbirds donning their winter feathers!
Always on the lookout for magic and synchronicity, this was no exception. Many are focused only on the majesty of an eagle or hawk, yet every single winged one is full of that same wondrous magic. Let's visit with some of the medicine - symbolism and guidance - that each of these songbirds offer. As always, take what resonates and leave the rest!
Juncos
I must start with these little joys! When the juncos arrive, I know fall is deepening into winter. The juncos tend to herald snow, and thus can be associated with purification and the replenishing feelings that the stillness and quiet that the snow blankets us in. When the juncos begin to depart, I know spring is stablilizing into the warmer weather.
Part of what sets a junco apart is its contrasting features on the face. Beak contrasting with the darkness of the feathers, and a mask around the eyes, bringing us symbolism to pay attention to the facial expressions of others (it'll reveal more than words) and perhaps to mind one's own facial expression (either safeguard from revealing too much or soften your expression!)
"The appearance of the junco indicates a period of replenishing. New waters are coming that will replenish us an our lives. Opportunities to stimulate new growth will occur." ~Ted Andrews
Red Winged Blackbird
Sometimes it takes me a moment to ID a well-known bird, after I realize they are donning their "winter garb" Such is the case for Red Winged Blackbirds! Every now and then they grace our lands, typically when water is plentiful nearby. This time of year, the striking orange and yellow along their wing is dull and paled. Add in the extra poof-ed out look to keep warm, and they looked like a totally different kind of bird! My delighted surprise to recognize an old friend.
These winged ones warm my heart, as I remember fond memories of their calls walking through the magical little hidden boardwalk in Patterson Park, Baltimore...my previous "backyard". They often were the few vocal reminders of the Mother in the midst of cityscape sounds that drown out silence and nature's melodies alike.
All Blackbirds are related to the primordial essence of the Feminine. The magic, the mysticism, the creation, the inner dark womb that holds all. Red Winged blackbirds especially hold the association with the primal feminine energies.
And as males lose their colorful luster in the winter, this reminds us that vibrancy and vitality comes in cycles. We cannot be in eternal summer. He reminds us that in winter we need to pause and return into the great womb of life, rest, go deep into the primordial darkness. As we finally do, we are able to re-emerge in spring and summer with new vitality, energies and expressions.
Cardinal
I have been missing the cardinals. It really wasn't until the depth of winter and snow arriving when I noticed them re-emerge on the land. Yesterday I heard one's beautiful song for the first time in what seemed like ages. Cardinals have flown with me since childhood. They were part of the songbird brigade inspiring me to learn photography! Their audacious, bold color (even females, though muted, have brightly colored beaks and streaks of red in their plumage), especially standing out in muted winter, reminds me over and over again to boldly be me.
And while there is plenty of symbolism and guidance from the cardinal, this is what stands out for me right now - Renewed Vitality through Recognizing Self-Importance. (Ted Andrews)
Cardinal says to hell with blending in! Even if it costs him his life by being seen, he has lived boldly and true to his colors. He knows that just simply by his presence alone, he is an important gift to all. And if his colorful feathers didn't fully shout this out, his song sure does! Cardinal song inspires vitality, celebration. It's also a whistle - a reminder to listen closely.
In the depths of winter, its a time of listening to and returning to the Self..not just the little go self stuck in her patterns, but the big Self, the God flame Essence within each of us. The special unique ray of Presence that we all are. Discovering that, unvealing ourselves, and remembering that you are important. You are meant to be here. You are meant to be YOU. Beyond the masks and veils and limitations you have placed upon yourself, knowingly or subconsciously.
So how can you color your life? What truly lights up your heart, your soul? Put a little splash of color into your wardobe, your hair, your home. Brighten up, and allow your inner brightness to shine.
Cowbird
Cowbirds were a new discovery for me when we arrived at the Soul Sanctuary. They're simple in plumage, shiny black and brown. They too are in the blackbird family, and the mixture of brown and black coloring can be a reminder for us to stay grounded and tend to responsibilities. A perfect invitation in the winter months.
An interesting fact about cowbirds- they have a habit of leaving their eggs in the nest of another, usually smaller songbirds. These baby cowbirds hatch along with their adopted siblings, yet they typically grow bigger than their siblings, taking all the necessary resources at the detriment of the songbirds' original brood. This links interesting symbolism to the cowbird - their appearance can herald a time of healing and resolving childhood issues/traumas of abandonment. If you're a parent, the cowbird may be a sign that you're interfering or doting on too much in the lives our your children...or perhaps the opposite - you're too engaged in other tasks and needing to share the gift of your presence more with your children!
When Cowbird shows, its a good time to reflect on your family relationships and make necessary adjustments. And especially in winter, dive within yourself an resolve any lingering wounds related to family relations.
An abundance of these beloved songbirds....
abundance shall flow in (it's already there) as I dive in and dissolve the stones and boulders I may still hold inhibiting the flow (release the dam!). Each of these birds held the winter reminder, theme, to go inside. Not just inside sitting around a cozy fire, but stilling myself deep inside the fire of my Spirit.
What medicine/guidance spoke to you for your sacred journey?? Comment below 💚
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~With love, Becca
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