Hummingbird Shaman

Last weekend we completed the third Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, Washington.  It was an incredible weekend, with an amazing EFT class, drumming, drum making, medicine bag making, equinox meditation, herb information, and so much more.

This time I allowed myself all of Friday morning to take care of small, non-critical tasks before my drive to the retreat center.  One of those tasks was refilling the small hummingbird feeders.

One of the favorites is attached to my office window.  This feeder has small tubes that are quickly emptied by the visiting hummingbirds.  I exchanged the empty tubes for fresh ones, and as I turned to walk back to the house I whistled to announce the new supply of nectar.

Within two or three footsteps I heard a loud chatter behind me.  As I turned I saw a little bird moving from the upper branches of the lilacs downward toward the typical perching place.  The chatter continued, fast and furious.  I listened silently.  Just as a person sometimes expresses themselves with great vigor, then calm down once they had made their point, this little bird soon slowed in its chattering expression to the point of silence as well.  He just talked himself out.  Then, as if embarrassed by his amusing exuberant behavior, he turned and flew away.

Later that morning as I finished packing my car I heard him again, chattering loudly from his safe haven in the lilacs.  They all make a point of getting my attention, usually through the silent network of spirit-to-spirit communication before any physical contact occurs. This delightful spirit in a tiny winged body made it a point to wish me well in the Healing Drum event.

When you need it the most, who stands by you?  Sometimes we see them, sometimes we are focused or consumed by our events so much that we forget to see those who support us in our endeavors.  Whether they come to us winged or walking, we never stand alone.

Estee Taschereau is an intuitive spiritual counselor and teacher in the Pacific Northwest. Informational sessions, or readings, are available by phone.

Yesterday morning I found myself returning to my routine after a few days absence.  As usual, I was making the most of my morning, moving gracefully between writing, breakfast, and tasks around the house. One task that would not wait was refilling the preferred hummingbird feeders in my garden.  One of those feeders is the old attached to the window of my office.

Later that morning I returned to my desk and glanced at the feeder.  I could tell it’s new content had been discovered, for one side of the feeder was noticeably lower in its level of sugar water.  Just then the little male who frequents this feeder came by for a drink.

He perched and drank deeply.  From out of no where my thought went to him, “you’re going to stay all winter, aren’t you?”  Immediately I felt a wave of energy come toward me, sitting there only a few feet from this feeder and the little hummingbird, and I felt its warmth in my heart.  “Thank you”, and he drank again.  “I am fulfilled, and grateful for this nourishment”, and I knew he was far more in the moment than I.

“You’re welcome”, I conveyed to him.  I knew that this little bird could not associate me in my office with the food in his belly.  But the big spirit knew different, and engorged himself with the moment.  To taste the sweetness of the nectar, to satiate the body and enrich the soul in this experience.  There was far more to be gained than just a quick meal.  He was making the most of the moment, and in this instance, so was I.

Estee Taschereau is a Successful Living Coach and Intuitive Counselor. Private phone appointments are available for informational & self-healing assistance sessions.

The Healing Drum Retreat for the Fall Equinox takes place the weekend of September 19-21, 2008 in Roy, Washington.  Join us for this hummingbird endorsed event!

Can you be healed by a hummingbird?  This was a question I received recently from one of my long-distant clients.  We had a reading session by phone, and she ask this simple question.  “I almost didn’t want to ask it, it sounds so weird”, she said.

“No, there is no such thing as a weird question”, I responded.  With that I shared my story of the walks I take, of my hummingbird encounters, and the healings I have received.

On several occasions I have walked up to my hummingbird meeting place while on my cell phone.  Usually it is with my co-organizer for the Healing Drum Retreat.   She’s amazingly good at calling me at those times, for she knows the healing she will receive.  For me it’s as though I’ve stepped into a wind tunnel, and the energy from the little hummingbird spirit flows through me head to toe.  “I feel it in my heart”, Kaye relays, “They flow right into my heart with a warmth I can’t describe”.

Can you be healed by a hummingbird?  Certainly.  Any recognition of self, of spirit can be a tremendous healing for all who participate.

Hummingbirds are amazing.  As small as they are they are ferocious warriors, willing and able to fight for their territory.  They captivate our soul with the almost hypnotic fluttering of their wings.  Their design is amazing, and they are the only bird capable of flying backward, or stopping instantly.

Yesterday I spent the entire day on the computer, writing posts and articles on personal empowerment.  The act of writing, sharing with others, and bringing light to our abilities offers me the chance to strengthen my message in preparation for the upcoming Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, Washington September 19-21, 2008.

I chose to work in my living room this day.  While the office overlooks the feeder shown in this picture, and presents me with many an opportunity to see the hummingbirds each day, it was feeling more claustrophobic.  Change is good!  From the sofa in my living room I can see out the patio windows, to at least one of the feeders in the back of my house.

I spend entirely too much time working.  Even now I am typing this posting when I should be driving south to drop off flyer’s for the retreat, and visit with friends.  I do what I must do, even beyond my own reason.  As I typed something seemingly relevant an image caught my attention.  From across the the living space, and dining room as well, I could see a little flutter.  How could something so small capture my vision, especially when I am so focused on my actions?  Ah, we all know who it was, and we understand how simple it is to captivate the soul of another.

This little body, and amazing spirit spoke out to me.  “Psst”, and she moved from view.  “Psst”, and she moves back toward the window, looking toward me as though I too was a feeder.  “It’s about time you wake up”.  “Hello little one”, I said, and she shifted up, and back, and turned to fly away.  “You do remind me of who I am, and I thank you for this”.

Estee Taschereau is a Successful Living Coach and Intuitive Counselor. Private phone appointments are available for informational & self-healing assistance sessions.

The next Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, WA is approaching!  We begin on Friday evening, September 19, with a drum making and moccasin making workshop. This evening event is open to anyone, attendance for the full weekend is not required.  The costs vary depending on the kit you choose, from $115 to $135.  The great part is that people will be transitioning in to their cabins for the weekend, and everyone will have the opportunity to socialize and see these classes in action!

The rest of the weekend will be filled with workshops, meditations, exercises in transitioning and release, and activities like a dream-catcher making class.  Each participant will have the chance to make their own dreamcatcher and take their creation home. 

This event, for the entire weekend, is only $160.  This price includes meals from saturday morning to sunday lunch, and lodging friday and saturday nights.  What a deal!!  The drum or moccasin kit is extra.  We will have ready-made custom drum beaters available for purchase as well, and a few custom-built, already made drums. 

Of course no Healing Drum event would be complete without drumming!  We will have the ceremonial drum and several drumming and singing sessions led by our Drum Making instructor Kaye Tahwakeena. 

Hummingbird Shaman’s own Intuitive Counselor Estee Taschereau will be leading a dream walk, guided meditations, and will teach tools for self awareness and maintaining your own energy in a busy world.  We’ll have healing demo’s, information about healing herbs, and a powerful group session on creating change in our patterns and thinking.

Registration is still open, you can register by calling the Brighton Creek Conference Center: 360-458-3910.

Today is another dry day, and I approach the park wondering if today I will encounter my hummingbird friend.  He has not perched on his typical resting place as much during the warmer dry days.  I took my time as I neared his tree, and whistled a greeting to him.  Nothing.  The dogs were in no hurry, and took care of things they needed to “finish”.   Then my friend appeared.  ”Wait a minute”, I conveyed to him, and I turned to attend to the dog-business.  He immediately left, and did not return that day.

His impatience made a statement.  My greeting was brief, and instead of sharing a moment with him I brushed this encounter aside to focus on something that gave no value to my life, or anyone Else’s.  ”Give honor to the moment”, he stated, “honor those who honor you”.  

We think there will always be another opportunity, and in doing so we squander what is before us.  Then we turn around and ask, “why am I given so little?”  Ah, there is the secret.  We are given so much, but how much of what we are given is ignored or thrown away?  

This message was not intended to chastise me in any way.  We said our hello’s, and for that split second our hearts connected.  I would have liked a little more, but am grateful for what I received, including the lessons and reminders.  Give honor to the moment, for this moment will never repeat.