Friday, January 25, 2013

Animals as messengers of spirit?

I spend a lot of time in my car.  I have a lot of time to think, or sing or simply be aware of the world around me.  I often notice the beauty of nature.  As of late, it's been the scarcity of winter.  A bland yet pure landscape.  Free of the clutter of leaves and flowers.  Only the skeletons of trees stand strong in the wind and weather.  Naked and exposed.  After a snowfall, I notice the purity of the white blanket upon the land.  Last night, it was the light of the nearly full moon, casting shadows in the night, sharing the sky with the stars and planets.  Sometimes the milky way is visible here.  All are beautiful in their own right.

I often see animals.  This month in my travels I've seen deer, many wild turkeys, rabbits (I thought they hibernated!), and many small birds.  Every now and then, I see a red tailed hawk perched on a tree by the highway or gliding about looking for prey.  I love hawks.  I always have.  I don't know why, they are just magical, beautiful and fascinating to me.  I imagine they are there more often than not, I just don't notice them.  So why today?  Why so many?
This is a Harris Hawk.  I took this picture while he was perched on my forearm during a 'Hawk Walk' while vacationing in Ireland.  It was awesome! 

Here is where that intuition comes in.  It always serves me well.  If I listen to it.

I do believe that today, the hawks had a message for me.  I saw not one, but four different hawks today, all almost as if they were trying to tell me something.  All perched on a tree by the highway.  Gorgeous and regal, presiding over their territory.  Perhaps soaking up the warmth of the sun.  Perhaps taking a nap.  Perhaps resting or waiting patiently for it's next meal to happen by.  I saw two more flying low and with determined purpose.  Six in one day.  In a matter of but a few hours.  Intuition told me to pay attention.

What is the message the Universe wants me to get from the hawks?  I asked, of course.  How else is one supposed to discover answers if they don't ask?  The message I intuitively received was the following:  Patience.  Be aware of your surroundings.  Use your vision, literally and figuratively.  When you go after something, do so with commitment using your skills, your vision and your patience for right timing.  Be aware of your connection to spirit.  This made sense to me when I applied it to where I am in my life and some choices and changes I am pondering.

A quick Web search revealed this from http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/hawk.htm


HAWK
 
Power, Magic, Messenger
 
Hawk is the messenger, the protector and the visionaries of the Air.
It holds the key to higher levels of consciousness.
This totem awakens vision and inspires a creative life purpose.
 

A Hawk totem is filled with responsibility
because Hawk people seek the overall view.
They are aware of omens and spirit messages.
A Red-Tailed Hawk Totem is special.
It has direct ties to the Kundalini, the seat of primal life force.
It is associated with the base chakra .
If you have this Totem, you will be aware of and work towards fulfilling your soul's purpose.
It reflects a greater intensity of energy within your life:
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual forces will all be strong within you.
The Red-Tail Hawk is a permanent totem -- it will always be with you.
It is associated with the number "14" with the Tarot card Temperance.
This card represents the teaching of higher expressions of psychic ability and vision.

Interesting, eh?

When I began my spiritual journey in earnest, about 8 years ago, a mentor recommended a book called Animal Speak.  It's an interesting read, whether you believe in animal totems or not.  I'm not sure what my totem animal is but I wouldn't be surprised if it were a bird of prey.  I think it's time to dust it off.

  

I find that if we are aware of the signs before us on a daily basis, we have much to learn and much to gain.  Intuition is a powerful thing and something so few of us trust, believe in or listen to.  It can be scary, for not all intuitive messages are clear, 'good', or obvious.  They are at the very least, opportunities to learn and grow.

Perhaps a good exercise is for the next few days, to be aware of your own intuition.  What do you feel, sense, or *know*.  Pay attention to it.  If it feels right, follow it.  See where it leads you.  If you notice number sequences, animals, other 'signs' from spirit, write them down, acknowledge them, tune into your internal compass and see where it guides you.  It doesn't have to be 'serious'.

For example, also in my travels, I drive by a Paper Store.  I had no intention of going in today.  I had nothing I needed or wanted that I was aware of.  That little voice strongly said to go.  So I did.  I wandered around but nothing spoke to me.  I looked for the Alex and Ani bracelet I wanted, but they didn't have it.  I thought that was why I was called to the store and I was wrong.  I kept wandering, wondering why I was wasting this time.  Why did I feel so strongly called to stop at the store?

Then I saw the sale room.  I love a bargain!  As I wandered around I was still bewildered at why I was there.  Nothing spoke to me.  Not even the Vera Bradley sale!  Until I saw it.  The purple Life is Good fleece jacket I coveted before Christmas but refused to pay the outrageous price for.  It was right there.  In my size.  In all it's fuzzy, soft, purple, fleecy glory.  For half price!  Immediately I knew why I had to go there.  A little gift of warmth from the Universe.  I knew I was done shopping.  Yay!  I love when it's something nice like that!

Now, you may think I'm crazy and that's ok.  I respect your opinion.  Or maybe this resonates with you.  The greater message is to be aware of your inner wisdom, your compass, your gut feelings.  They are there for a reason.  Sometimes it's frivolous, like a purple fleece jacket. Sometimes, it's serious, like, could save your life serious.  Maybe it's spirit.  Maybe it's not.  Being aware is never a bad thing.

Namaste

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