bird

Pay attention to the birds: Part 5- Sparrow

| Kat Thorsen

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Bliss- walking my old dog slowly, oh so slowly, in our West End neighborhood listening to the sweet song of the white-throated sparrow.  Miraculous.

I walk with a smile on my face.  I am filled with self-love for truly the first time in my life.  I know my own worth and I can sing it from the rooftops.  Today.  For today is all I have, and that is beautiful!  And lo and behold-

The sparrow reflects self-worth.   If a Sparrow totem has entered your life, ask yourself if you know your own self-worth.  The sparrow will show you that even a common little bird can triumph.

The song sparrow reflects the chakra energy awakening from the heart and throat.  It reminds us to sing out our own song of dignity and self-worth. [source]

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The Sparrow is ever vigilant in her goals. She is always bustling for her food, foraging for her nests, and gathering for her young. Fastidious and productive, the Sparrow is a reminder that idle hands (and idle minds) should be avoided in order to live a full, healthy life.

She is a master of flight, and camouflage, and as such the Sparrow teaches us to use our creativity to get around in life – think outside the box, and be creative in solving our problems.

As an bird totem, the Sparrow speaks of higher thoughts and ideals. She beckons us to keep our burdens as light as we can in order to avoid a heavy heart. [source]

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Birds hold so much meaning to me.  And they always feel like messengers, telling me to pay strict attention.

My bird, Asterix, age 26.
My bird, Asterix, age 26.

See also:

PART 1: Kingfisher

PART 2: American Robin

PART 3: Pigeon

Part 4: Hummingbird

POST: They let their wings down…

POST: Dead messengers

Pay attention to the birds: Part 4- Hummingbird

| Kat Thorsen

hummingbird Frida

I came across a bush the other day abuzz with crimson hummingbirds.  BREATHTAKING.

If the hummingbird shows up in your life as a spirit animal, it may remind you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures and take time to enjoy yourself. The hummingbird’s wisdom carries an invitation to take part in and draw to you life’s sweetness, like you would drink the nectar of your own flower.

The call of the hummingbird totem will guide you to open up to love and lightness in your emotional life. When you see your totem, you are encouraged to open up your heart and expose yourself more to joy and love. It might be time to show how you feel to loved ones or people who are close to you. [source]

I recall watching hummingbirds land on my sea of sunflowers in my Roberts Creek garden.

I often dream of them.

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From Dream Journal- the rat, the jay and the hummingbird

The hummingbird reminds me that by taking small steps, I can achieve my dreams.

I have turned a new leaf of late— simplifying my life and allowing myself to take those smaller steps.

And to NOT complicate the path.  It’s all good.

If you have bitten off more than you can chew and if you were not ready for your bid for power, it will be obvious. Do not judge yourself, just make an adjustment and take a baby step instead of a huge leap. Practice gratitude for all of your opportunities and when you feel overwhelmed go back to handling the details in front of you, one at a time. – – Source

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I spent a beautiful morning with Brenda Morrison and her students teaching a 4th year Criminology class with Laura Mack at SFU on February 23, 2015.

The lovely egg above was a gift from Brenda- made by “lifer” at Ferndale Institute.  It features a hummingbird with the word “spirit.”

In October, Brenda gave me a beautiful book from another SFU class: The Flight of the Hummingbird. The theme of the book is the power of taking small steps to achieve a big goal.  

“I am doing what I can.” – Dukdukdiya.  

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Birds hold so much meaning to me.  And they always feel like messengers, telling me to pay strict attention.

See also:

PART 1: Kingfisher

PART 2: American Robin

PART 3: Pigeon

POST: They let their wings down…

POST: Dead messengers

Dead messengers. A question of metaphor and search for theme. #graphicnovel study.

| Kat Thorsen

REGARDING MOLLY

I am drawn to the metaphoric significance of the dead bird in my graphic novel even though I am uncertain what the metaphor is.

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I come across these sacred moments on my walks and always pay attention.  I stay still.  And try to listen.

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My friends are sharing in my search for the meaning.

Dead Bird at Abandoned House. Photo by Matthew Roy
Dead Bird at Abandoned House. Photo by Matthew Roy

Dead messengers

"Not a whole dead bird but enough evidence to open a case file." - Darcy. Photo by Darcy
“Not a whole dead bird but enough evidence to open a case file.” – Darcy. Photo by Darcy Glip

My search continues.  I seek out meaning in literature.  Since I was 10, I come back to Oscar Wilde’s story of the nightingale.  I cannot read it without a profusion of tears for the nightingale and its sacrifice.

The Nightingale and the Rose

The Nightingale and the Rose by Chris Conn
The Nightingale and the Rose by Chris Conn

Confession

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In dreams, dead birds can symbolize a loss of freedom. Various cultures view birds either as a way the soul is carried to heaven, or, in the case of vultures, ravens and crows, as a symbol of death.

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When I read the quote above, I recalled my scratchy notes on the central theme for my graphic novel.  What is the need Molly is trying to fulfill?  What is her core value?  What is the one word?

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FREEDOM.

That is it.  I believe I have found the central theme.  The meaning of the dead bird.  My need to seek them out and listen.

The caged bird sings
with fearful trill
of the things unknown
but longed for still
and is tune is heard
on the distant hill for the caged bird
sings of freedom…

– May Angelou

 

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