Hummingbird Shaman

I received a very welcomed call from a friend recently. She called to tell me of a special PBS show on Nature, this one featuring the hummingbird. For those who missed this special, I’m certain it will air again, or you can watch online on Hulu.

The hummingbird is built like no other bird, giving it abilities and speed beyond our reasonable comprehension. It’s wings can rotate, giving this tiny bird the ability to hover, fly backward, stop instantly, and move at lightning speed. This unique wing movement give the hummingbird the ability to create a figure-eight movement, or infinity symbol.

What we see of the hummingbird’s world is limited: we live in our own human perception, giving us the ability to focus deeply on our interests and our own slice of the world. How much of the world around us do we miss in our constant state of thought and movement?

On many days I have seen the hummingbirds perched along a walkway, yet no one else sees them. They watch, and occasionally speak in their territorial chirping sound. In the springtime they display their feathers, diving, looping, showing their greatest qualities.

Wings of infinity. The ability to move at amazing speed, yet remain in a state of stillness as they hover in one position. There lies the secret to infinity: having both sides – balanced, separate yet connected. The infinity sign is flowing, continually outward and inward simultaneously.

Can we achieve this sense of infinity? most certainly. Remember that hummingbirds do not exist in confinement, and we can carry this value into our thoughts, memories, and actions. Hummingbirds live for the moment, being here now, and in this perception we still retain our connectivity to our tomorrow.

There are ways we can create a safer, more secure environment for ourselves, building our world from the inside. These tools can be found in the book, “Being Here Now – Find your center, Stand your ground”, now available in ebook and paperback format. Learn simple techniques for self awareness and personal ownership.

Estee Taschereau is the Editor and Author of Hummingbird Shaman, offering individual sessions for discovery of the true spark that animates you.

Last summer there were many hummingbirds that fed at my many feeders.  I witnessed courtship, fights, and the emergence of new spirits gracing my awareness. Read the rest of this entry »

The common formula is 4 parts water to one part sugar. Boil the water, then add the sugar and stir until dissolved. I add a little turbinado sugar as well, it is less refined and may contain additional nutrition. Never add food coloring, it coats the hummingbird tongue and will be fatal. Do not add honey, as it will turn rancid.

Keep the feeder in a shaded space, the sunlight will cause the sugar water to go rancid much faster. Watch the feeders, if the food gets cloudy toss it out. Hang additional feeders out of sight of other feeders, hummingbirds are very territorial and will chase others from their food source.

Cleaning your feeder: Some will suggest bleach, but our bleach is not pure, and has many chemicals added such as whiteners. I use hot water and soak the feeders before each refill, use a dedicated brush to scrub and clean the feeding holes (not used for any other purpose, no soap). The “cleaners” I will use are vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, in fact if you keep spray bottles in your kitchen with both those substances (separately), you can use them to clean your kitchen. They combine into a powerful disinfectant. Rinse all feeders thoroughly before refilling.

I keep my feeders within view of my living spaces, and my friends care not when I am outside with them during a feeding session.