Hummingbird Shaman

This morning I prepared myself for this weekend’s event, the Healing Drum Retreat. I finished packing my notes, drums, and personal items, and placed them by the door. This morning passed quickly. With a million things I could do, and only a handful of should do, I opted for the lighter path.

“Lunch would be good”, I reminded myself, and decided to bring the remaining homemade soup along with me to share with Kaye, my healing drum retreat co-organizer. We will have a little work ahead of us preparing for tonight’s drum making class.

While my soup was heating I loaded my car. I’m a little more organized this trip, packing by room instead of a mish-mash stuffed in the back. As I brought bags and boxes to the car I heard the chirping of the chickadees and sparrows. “Feed us before you go”. That message was clearly stated. There was another familiar voice in the vicinity as well. I looked around but did not see her yet. Then as I locked the car (city girl that I am) and returned to the house I saw her, my little hummingbird friend that so often greets me at my office window.

“Say hello to everyone for me”, she shared, “Give them my love”. The love that radiates from a hummingbird is amazingly clear and nourishing to the soul. “Of course I will”, I returned. Then she continued on, sharing images and thoughts with me. “Let them know: Be gentle in your quest”, she offered, “The doorway opens so easily, you never have to force it”. I thought about those times I have stepped forward to glide quickly through a door only to find resistance, but the door could be so easily opened if only I stopped and pulled it toward me. Ah, a wonderful lesson came from this little bird in a simple note.

Sometimes we push away the things we don’t understand, or the parts of us that feel bigger than we perceive our spirit to be. There is grace in drawing closer those parts of us, embracing each moment of our lives. As we do so we have opportunity to find whatever is contained in that challenge. It could be a special part of us that is swirled within the chaos. We never want to throw away a part of us. What we seek is a clearer perspective and an accepting light. Be gentle with your heart, for your heart is your greatest ally.

Estee Taschereau is a clairvoyant counselor and consultant providing live, private sessions via phone. Each session brings insights with the gentle tone of the hummingbird shaman.

I admit it, I’ve not posted as often lately in the Hummingbird Shaman.  It is not for lack of love for the bold yet tiny flying wonders that have become a part of my life.  I have simply not been in my home territory enough to enjoy a long walk at the off leash park, one of our rendezvous points.  “A poor excuse”, states my little guardians.  I turn my head, and roll my eyes, but I know they are right.

I manage a couple of days at home, but the majority of time was in preparation for the upcoming Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, Washington.  Kaye, the co-organizer of this event, and I teamed up for a few days to pick up the hides for the drum making class, and spend some time together to discuss the teachings and activities that make this a fulfilling, healing event.

This morning we reconvened in my living room for coffee, breakfast and discussion of our hand-outs.  I suddenly felt a diversion, and turned toward the window.  “He just swooped and buzzed”, said Kaye.  She knew exactly why I was looking out the window.  “I’m sorry, I need to find out what this is all about”, I shared with her, and I opened the door.  Though the skies were modestly blue it was cold, with warnings of snow.  I pushed open the storm door, and heard a loud, persistent voice.  “Can you hear him?”, I asked Kaye.  She smiled.  I looked toward the trees, and saw the biggest of the male hummingbirds perched on the electrical wires.  He stared at me with conviction, and spoke loudly.  Unfortunately with the clutter of our prep work in my mind I found it difficult to understand his message, other than the obvious.  “Fill the feeders”, he said.  I had just changed the tubes, but they can empty them in less than a day.

When I checked the feeder I was not surprised, they were empty, and the large (less visited) purple feeder was not in the best condition.  It is important to keep their feeders clean.  Do not use bleach, nor dishwasher soap, in fact soap is not the best choice.  I like vinegar soaks, or H2O2, or MMS to purify my feeders.  At the least a good soak in hot water.  I replaced the tubes, and refilled the larger less-than-favored feeder as well.

When they speak to me I feel saddened if I am too caught up in my ever-spinning world to listen.  I knew there was a wonderful message to be heard, it just took a little time for me to create enough free space in my day to hear it.  Kaye and I had to leave, traveling from my home base to the First Nation gathering in Tacoma, Washington.

By the time I was back at my southern home away from home it was after midnight, and the roads were icy.  I thought our departure from First Nation would be the normal time, but this was a special month, celebrating their fourth anniversary.  We enjoyed the evening, and I had opportunity to introduce Kaye to many of the wonderful people I had met since our friend Billy invited me to join this community.  We celebrated the return of one of the founders of First Nation, home for at least a short visit before returning for his ministerial duties in Iraq.

God speed and God bless you Mike for your service and support.  The many young souls who find themselves in deployment have many basic needs provided to them, but many items we take for granted are unavailable or too expensive for these guardians of our freedom.   Many receive packages from home, but many do not.

My contributions, as simple as it seems, was suggested by my shaman friend, Billy.   He asked me for a few of the four leaf clovers to give to Mike to distribute in his troop.  I opened the box I had, containing about 30 at the time, and told him he could gift them all to the soldiers.  In all, over 50  four-leaf clovers were gifted last year.  When I spoke to Mike he shared that most of the recipients were the Irish soldiers, and they appreciated the gifting.

A few days later I found the first of the four leaf clovers for this year.  It was a pleasant surprise.  I look forward to finding many more and sending them to Mike for distribution, and with spring arrives so will the outburst of growth that will provide a new crop.   My favorite hummingbird was there that day to greet me as well, making it a wonderful day.  As he sat on a branch overlooking the large field below his stance was majestic.  Even the smallest of birds has a role in life, and for each of us our role in life is sacred.  Treat it as such, with humility, and a world of magic will open for you.

“The hummingbird is back”, my friend shared, totally out of the blue.  “The last time I saw him was the last time you were here”.  I turned and looked out the window at the feeder.  Sure enough, it was one of the light brown hummingbird that migrates from Mexico.  I was glad to see one, and even happier to know that fresh food was in the feeder.  I’d known for a few weeks that they were near.  The time was now.

Later that morning I returned to the ranch down the road, to the house I had been staying at while its owners were away.  This beautiful country setting was a peaceful place to work on my writings.  Later that day I made an excuse to drive into town.  My true mission was to buy a feeder, I couldn’t find the one in storage at the house I was staying at, and the time for providing food was now.  I filled my new feeder and hung it on a small cedar tree within sight.

It didn’t take long for this sweet treat to be discovered.  In the morning I walked out on the patio to sand my drum ring before the Healing Drum Retreat weekend.  It was dry, at least, and sunny off and on.  The dog was delighted I was within reach, and I found a stick protruding through the middle of the drum with her sweet eyes saying, “play with me”. Sand the drum, throw the stick. Repeat.

Suddenly I heard the loudest whirling sound.  I looked around, and saw a little figure swoop past the feeder and onto a nearby branch. After a minute the temptation was too much to bear, and he returned to the feeder for a drink.

Camera time, the drum can wait.  Funny, I had the camera within reach of the door.  I chose a chair closer to the feeder, and waited.  Soon I heard those wild wings resonate like a loud buzzing as a sign of this hummingbird’s approach.  Was this variety louder than the local hummingbird’s, or was it just a lot less noisy out here in the country?  I was careful in my movement to avoid spooking this bird, after all we had just met.  After a battery failure and change I managed four good pictures.

Later that day I  noticed that we had not one but two birds visiting, and fighting over the feeder.  Welcome back, little brown wonders!