THE BIRDS, Initiation of Air

"MYTHOLOGY tells us that where you stumble, there your treasure lies...The world is a match for us and we are a match for the world. And where it seems most challenging lies the greatest invitation to find deeper and greater power within ourselves."

-Joseph Campbell

In this post we will explore the ancient mysticism of birds, these visible signs of invisible forces, helping us to understand the divine through it's creations. To early humanity, the birds were the gods. Their feathered flights continue to stir the imaginations of humans. Their sheer ability to lift, soar, and float and their status as one of the most ancient forms of life on the planet gives us hope of rising up ourselves. As they descend out of the sky they bridge together for us heaven and Earth, the sky and the land, symbolizing transcendence and liberation. Birds reflect the achievement of full realization. Studying the unique attributes of each bird and it's totemic symbolism inspires us to seize daily opportunities to reach new heights ourselves.We hope that you enjoy this post and it helps you to feel attuned to the spiritual significance of you encounters with these majestic creatures and new faculties opened of perception, of past, present, and future. May the birds be your signs and guideposts as you make new leaps in consciousness and experiment with new expressions of your true essence.

Family bird moments...

HUGGIN (thought) & MUNNIN (memory)

CROWS:

Intelligence, Watchfulness, Past Life Connections,

Songbirds

RAVENS:

Shapeshifting, Messenger of Omens, Blend Human & Animal Qualities

Raven is actually one of the five species of crow and is much larger. The Kwakiutly Indians offered the afterbirth of their sons to the raven so that when the men grew up the ravens would understand their cries. Playful, tool using animals, these birds are not intimidated by others teaching us hot to stir the magic of our life without fear. They are also know for their amorous behaviors, reflecting the strong creative force to which we all have access. Raven can help you to shapeshifter your life, bringing messages from the spirit realm.

CROVIDS/CORVINES

Black is the color of creation. It is the womb out of which the new is born. The night gives way to a new day. In medieval times, the crow represented "nigredo," the initial substance- unformed yet full of potential. Go into the dark and bring forth the light, this is creation.

Huginn

"Behind the belly of Huginn is a locket with some of Chaco's ashes inside as well as a bit of our dog's fur. Both Muninn and Huginn are guardians for the memory of those we hold in our hearts forever..."

“Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding. Find out what you already know and you will see the way to fly.”

― Richard Bach, Jonathan Livingston Seagull

"On May 17th of 2018 our beloved dog, Chaco, passed over in our backyard surrounded by loved ones. Chaco's backyard domain had always been a nursery for wildlife, and during the time of his decline in health and death, two baby crows were being raised by their parents there. Chaco was a dog who was very observant of the activity above his head. Scott carved two birds in honor of Chaco and the crows being raised in our yard. This first bird, Muninn, stands as a representation of memory. Behind the heartstone on Muninn is a chamber holding a copper vial with some of Chaco's ashes inside as well as a bit of our dog's fur. The day of Chaco's passing was filled with beautiful synchronicities amidst the sadness. We thank our beautiful boy for the gift of his life as it intertwined with ours for 12 1/2 years."

-Betsy

View more images of Muninn here

TEMPEST:

Self Sacrificing, Non-Competitive, Buoyant, Rising above Trials

Tempest

See our blog post entitled, TEMPEST MONTH, for more information on the process of creation.

The lightweight birds, pelicans, who nest in bushes to avoid competition with neighbors and create more room for more of their kind, also employ teamwork in fishing, and often have difficulty taking off from the water but manage regardless. These habits demonstrate for us the correspondence between freeing oneself from that which weighs us down. The water symbolizes emotions. They take the plunge and pop up to the surface unscathed. They are unselfish & focused on the greater success of the whole.

"Tempest is a pelican born of a storm in honor of those affected by hurricane IDA. She is symbol of rebirth, resurrection, and perseverance. New Orleanians have an incredible ability to rebuild and find grace in the hardest of circumstances. Tempest stands as a reminder that the human spirit can triumph over nature's devastating acts."

-Betsy

See more of Tempest here

TWEETS

Blue Bird

Some time ago Betsy began doing a batch of small birds at the end of winter as she excitedly anticipated springtime. The first ever batch was all named after ancestors of hers. She continues today to make several small birds each Spring. A small bird much like these was an early gift from Scott when he and Betsy first began dating.

Forest

Bluebirds symbolize a myriad of positive aspects. The blue is a symbol of peace. Various American Indian tribes see this bird a s a symbol of hope, happiness, and good fortune. The loving and gentle energy of the blue bird soothes the soul.

THE LOONS:

Realizing Dreams, Haunting & Eery Song, Imagination, Lucid Dreaming, Re-Awakening of Old Hopes, Dreams, & Wishes

Water of course, is the ancient symbol for the astral plane and other levels of consciousness. Much like many trance like states achieved through breath work in a slow, barely perceptible rhythm, the loon, whose bones are solid rather than filled with air like most birds, can swim underwater for up to five minutes diving and avoiding predators and boasting stronger swimming skills than even penguins. The loon teaches us new states of consciousness and helps us to deepen the ones we have already awakened. They call to us to bring hidden desires back to the surface. The loon cannot take off from land but rather may only lift up from the water, reminding us to employ our will force in our lives and pursuits.

Sister Loon

Sister Loon, 10 x 16 x 9". This is a very similar sister to the commissioned piece, Sister Moon. Image: Larry Sanders.

"I was commissioned to create a beaded loon, Sister Moon, as a memorial to a loved one who died of cancer on the same day that my dog Juneau had died of cancer. The man, Dr. Frederick Neidhardt, who commissioned the loon knew that my dog had died on the same day as his wife Geri, so when I made the loon for him, the hidden compartment underneath it housed a small memorial for my dog Juneau. When I meditated and pictured myself on a beach, I’d see Juneau and Geri together on the dunes. When I wrote the man a Christmas card that year, I told him about my experience and he knew exactly which sand dune without any explanation.

That's what feeds my heart and my soul, you know, more than anything else. It's just kind of the art that helps me touch the divine and let me know and everybody else know, wherever we go, it's okay and we're supported. I t