Hummingbird Shaman

On 4/21/08 Y.D. replied with the following question:

I feel I have been blessed and I am wondering if what I read is true- is such an encounter a calling to be a healer using the power of flowers- aromatherapy?

Y.D.

Here is my response:

Y.D.,

As to the message contained in the experience – there are many sources of interpretation based on specific tangible components of either conscious or dream experiences, kind of like a “one-size-fits-all” approach.  Yes, there is value in the symbolic information.  Now though, let’s look at this in a different light: Your experience was a spiritual awakening, or moment of spiritual awareness.  The message is very unique to you.  I see the intent focusing on your stepping out of time and space as we know it.  You may not have thought of it in this way, but looking back, you felt very different during that time, didn’t you?  You were very focused, and playful, and your energy flowed more freely.  You were in a state of timelessness!  Some people work for years to experience such a feeling!   Any level of awareness, like your experience, is priceless.  Working with aromatherapy may be a very powerful way to bring back the memory of this experience, so it would be like a tool for you to help you step back into that timeless state.  Working as a healer is wonderful but not necessary, the primary point (one that many do not realize) is that the self awareness and realization is the most important part, that’s where the beauty lies, and where source exists.

Thank you so much for sharing this story!

Estee/Hummingbird Shaman

HummingbirdShaman.com

p.s. You ARE blessed, this experience was unique and exciting, with no harm coming to the birds.  You are blessed, and bless you again for taking such good care of our friends.

04/27/08

The story does not end here.  I felt as though more could be said on the topic of ‘being a healer’.  We are all healers, and we give to others in one form or another, seen or unseen, whether we recognize it or not. Please allow me to note two ‘ways of thinking’:  1) healing, by definition, is the ability to change and restore to wholeness; and 2) true healing comes about through our ability to have, let go, and receive.  Hence, even through the aid of others, it is always self healing.  As a healer I can accept credit for my ability to create a safe space for change, and lead another into their next step, but the healing itself, the change, is within them, and I honor this.  I will write more in the future about healing, and have already sent the request to the hummingbird spirits to teach me even more.

I wrote the last section as an after-thought, please feel free to comment, for our interaction aids us in our movement. 

On 4/21/08, Estee Taschereau, Hummingbird Shaman wrote:
There certainly is a message from this interaction, and this is how I see it -

The hummingbirds set ‘the tone’, but a part of you that resides over your physical appearance, let’s call it your higher self, took this open doorway that the hummingbirds created, and brought a playfulness and joy
into your physical world. Wonderful! You listened and followed in the game, and it sounds like you enjoyed it, and took it as a wonderful healing as well.

It’s funny, I was reminded just yesterday of my early encounters with hummingbirds. When I was 13 years old I helped at my sister’s fishing resort during the summer. There were many hummingbirds in the area, and they would sometimes get trapped in the boathouse, and try to escape at the windows, which would not open. I would catch them with a fishing net and set them free, never once hurting one. This experience had been forgotten until Sunday,April 20, 2008, when I recollected that time and shared it with someone during a Body Mind Spirit Expo in Portland, Oregon,, and then I return home to find you had written to me that same day of such a similar experience. Amazing, isn’t it? What I find interesting is that you had a pair, not just one. Very keen observation!

You have created such a wonderful loving interaction with these amazing
hummingbirds, and so graciously shared it with your roommate. It looks
like your roommate is still a little surprised by the experience.

Blessings,
Estee
HummingbirdShaman.com

April 25, 2008:  Today is a warmer day, around 60 degrees, with a gentle wind.  I took my dogs for our usual walk, but business took me out of town, and now it had been several days since my last visit.  We walked down the long service road to the lower level, and I checked the usual meeting places for my hummingbird encounters.  No sign of anyone, but this had been the first pass, the “hello, I’m here”.  We circled around for the return up the hill, and I took one more pass by the bench.  I checked each tree for that little form resting on a branch, but the trees are all blooming now, and it’s getting harder to spot so little a bird.  Ah, there he was.  I saw the glistening of his breast feathers, that metalic red sheen.  He’s such a beautiful male specimen. 

He spoke to me of commitment and focus.  Yes, worthy topics.  He also stated that there was something I needed, a healing.  I agreed, the last week had been a whirlwind, and I felt depleted and spun by all the activity.  “Alright, I’ll sit on the bench for a while”, and I walked to the bench 10 feet away from me.  As soon as I sat he shot up from his branch, rising up in a curve, stopping several feet above me.  He spread his tail feathers out to show his power.  “I am here with you, I am watching over you”, he said.  Then he returned to his perch, and remained for another minute.  

I stayed at the bench a few more minutes and then began my walk up the hill.  I have seen another bird, I believe female, flying along the hill.  This bird is the transmutation bird I spoke of earlier.  Today I spotted her, perched on a branch along the road.  “Hello!”, I whispered to her.  She did not wish to be seen by the others walking up the hill, and gave only her presence as a greeting.  I diverted my attention for a moment, and when I returned she was gone. 

This was a good day, and I returned home to see my friends chasing each other in the feeder area of my garden.  I have at least four hummingbirds residing nearby and dining at my gourmet feeders.   We welcomed the warmth on this early spring day, and for a moment time did not matter.

I am honored to share with everyone an inquiry regarding a hummingbird moment sent to me on April 20, 2008:

Hi, My name is Y.D., I live in Israel, this Friday I was cleaning my house and left the door open, when I wasn’t in the living room two humming birds flew in, I walked back into the room and saw them trying to get out of the living room windows which can’t really be opened, I called out to my room mate to help me.

I wasn’t sure if I could catch the humming bird without harming it, but then I did holding it in both my hands I walked to the front door and released it, the second one was still inside and my room mate was still trying to catch it, I thought about trying to catch it instead of him, and then stopped I realized that it was no coincidence that two had come in the house, I told my room mate don’t be afraid you won’t hurt it and it is so fun to set them free, and then just like that he managed to catch the second one and set it free. I can’t help but feel that this was a strong message only I am not sure what it means. Can you help me with some insight? Y.D.

In our next post we will explore this experience from a Shaman or Energy Worker viewpoint! You can subscribe to this feed by clicking the subscribe button.

Nectar is not the only source of food for hummingbirds.  They also eat bugs: spiders, gnats, flies, and other little critters. Sugar water is only a quick-energy drink.  That rapid wing action takes a lot of energy, and in 90 minutes a hummingbird can burn off quite a bit of body weight, so they need to eat often. 

Don’t use honey, it will grow bacteria that is harmful or deadly to hummingbirds.  Don’t use artificial sweeteners either, I’ve never met a hummingbird with diabetes or weight issues, just give them that 4:1 ratio of water to sugar.  Heat the water so the sugar dissolves, and let it cool before filling your feeders.  Most feeders have enough color to attract the birds, so please skip the food coloring!!  Drop it out of your own diet, as well.  One last thing: keep your feeders shaded, the sun will cause the sugar water to go rancid much faster.  Cloudy sugar water = rancid.  Change it often, clean the feeder in hot water.  Don’t use soap, even thorough rinsing leaves a residue.

February 20, 2008: Angie, my black lab, is begging me for an early walk. I’d been waking early, and working 5-6 hours straight so many days. Time for a walk and a little mental clearing. It is a beautiful sunny day, a little cold but at least its dry. Guess where I headed as soon as we reached the park? You’ve got it, the bench overlooking the valley. Within a minute of my arrive he was there, ready to share his message of the day. He sang of gifts, abundance, and the joy of it all, all the while swinging his head to-and-fro. He does not worry, or wonder, for he is a vessel who’s purpose is to receive whatever is sent his way. Message spoken, hummer departed.

I had carried my notebook with me that day, and decided to write the events of the past few days, if only to retain the messages shared with such determination. As soon as I started writing he reappeared, and chattered again his song of beauty and joy. Here, the gone again. Me, well I am human and slow, and it takes me a few minutes to record the whole story. I glance up at his tree again, but it stands empty. Oh, he moved to another tree to the left of me. He quietly attends, holding sacred space while I finish my notes.

Our first Healing Drum event was a success, with a good turnout and a lot of enjoyable activities for everyone. This event will be even bigger, and better, bringing in our experience from the December 2007 event.   This event is a weekend long event, lodging and meals included, in Yelm, WA. 

We’re still planning and scheduling, but here are some features we plan to include:

• Drum Making class – if you are interested in making a drum please contact us no later than June 1, 2008 to reserve your spot.  This class will be held Friday evening, June 20th, allowing time for your drum to dry for use on Sunday.
• Opening Meditation – the meditation at the December event was a big hit, everyone enjoyed the chance to release and relax
• Summer Solstice Prayer – this meditation and prayer is written by Estee, with steps each person can take to express gratitude and appreciation for all the season has to offer.
• Gratitude Ceremony – this will be a new feature, giving everyone opportunity to offer their wishes to Great Spirit and the Spirit realm, dream through materialization.
• Drumming and Song – led by Tahwakeena, our drumming leader and drum making teacher.
• EFT basics – taught by Estee, this basic energy movement and healing tool is anything but little
• Awareness and Release workshop – taught by Estee, this class will focus on connecting and centering, two powerful steps toward awareness and empowerment
• Energy Healings – Chakra/Aura healing, Reiki, Quantum Touch
• Clairvoyant Readings – Estee will be available for sessions ‘by the minute’

Stay tuned for more!!  If you have ideas, suggestions, thoughts, insights, we’d love to hear about it!!

February 18, 2008: I returned to the park bench, wondering if what occurred the day prior was illusion, or fantasy. It was so unusual seeing a hummingbird in this area, there was not any good source of nectar at this time of year, though I had several visiting my feeders at home, several miles away. No, that was an unusual event. Suddenly a flash of movement caught my eye, and there is was. He landed on the same branch, and chattered with a tinge of sarcasm, “you want proof”? As quickly as he came we was gone. There would be no visit without purpose.

February 17, 2008: It is a cool but pleasant afternoon, and again I find myself stopping for a quiet moment along my way. Quiet moment, what a laugh, that is not my way. Today I find myself at a crossroad. Turmoil fills me as I bring forward and release waves of energies I had held for so long. I am the ultimate drama queen, making the most of every peak and valley with great vigor.

I found myself drawn to this bench overlooking the valley & mount rainier. Closing my eyes, I turn inward to still myself and speak to my guidance. Suddenly my attention is drawing to a chattering sound. This is a familiar voice, but unexpected at this moment. As I open my eyes I find a hummingbird perched on a branch only a few feet away from me. His beautiful red chest glimmers in the sun, and he turns to reflect this beauty my way. He spoke to me, chattering quickly and without hesitation, speaking of simplicity, of love, and living in the light of divine without question or thought of any other option. As soon as his message was delivered he was gone. I stopped thinking of myself, and nothing I had lingered held importance anymore.

Greetings to all, and welcome to Hummingbird Shaman. I have created this site under inspiration generated by a small group I have encountered. They are not small in number, but in size. Move too quickly and they will not be seen. Slow down and listen and they will speak.

Allow me to share some background on these ongoing encounters. There is a park where I often walk my dogs, or they walk me. It’s a mutual health maintenance venture. I rediscovered this park in 2007, and since have increased my visits from monthly, to weekly, and now almost daily, sometimes twice in the same day.

This park has a history, as most urban and suburban areas do. This had been a military site, a missile base, and many of the now grassy areas had once been large concrete slabs. Next door to this site is a landfill. When I first visited the park I chose to park next to the walkway that borders the landfill. You cannot tell this visually, but every time I walked by the land would cry out in agony. I spoke to the spirits, and the earth, and did what I could to bring comfort to this aching patch of our planet. As I often do I underestimated the power of my greeting, my recognition of nature, and the changes that can be inspired by the actions of one gentle soul.

Through this blog I honor one of our spirit guides, the hummingbird. My next post will describe my encounters. Take it as you may, what more can you do? For some this will be an adventure of the imagination. For others this will be recognition of spirit, of the re-awakening of our true nature. The earth has spoken, and awakened in me the Hummingbird Shaman that I am. I have accepted my role, taking part in the healing of our planet, and accept those who aid me in this journey, by form of human, animal, fowl, or spirit.

Estee Taschereau is founder of RadiantJourney.com. She is also a Success Coach and Intuitive Consultant with over 25 years experience in private sessions and teaching of both professional and personal Life Optimization and Self Awareness Skills. Her enthusiasm and compassion team well with her clarity and ability bring resolution to unresolved issues. Sessions focus on uncovering life diversions and bringing you back to your place of personal empowerment.