We know this small yet captivating bird as the hummingbird. In Mexico the humming-bird was known as Colibri. in ancient Mexico legend, the hummingbird has played its part. The deity and war-god Huitzilopotchili was adorned with the feathers of the hummingbird, in fact the name Huitzilopotchli came from two words meaning “humming-bird” and “left”.

The Great Flood and the Hummingbird?

A legend told by the natives of Michoacan speaks out of a story similar to Noah’s ark. It was said that the boat of Tezpi was filled with animals and birds. When the great flood began to clear Tezpi sent out a vulture to find signs of land. The vulture was tempted by its own nature, and stopped to feast on the corpses in the water, never returning to the boat. Then Tezpi sent out Huitzitzilin, the humming-bird, who quickly returned with a twig in its mouth.

Iron Bird

The Cheyennes had a name for the hummingbird that is a thought to ponder. The hummingbird was known by the name ma-ka-i-tai-wi-kis, which means “iron bird“. The hummingbirds wing bones are hollow and fragile, but the nature of the hummingbird is fierce and determined, so apparently this name is based on actions, not on physical strength.

© 2011. HummingbirdShaman.com™: Walk With Wings™ is offered by spiritual healing mentor and counselor Estee Taschereau. Intuitive Healing Sessions are available for those who seek clarity and resolution. All sessions are by appointment, offered via phone (US or Canada) or Skype (international).

Tzunuum, the sacred hummingbird, was created by the Great Spirit as a tiny, delicate bird with amazing flying skills. Tzunuum was the only bird in the kingdom who could fly backwards and hover with great ease. But Tzunuum the hummingbird was very plain to see. Her feathers had no bright colors at all. She didn’t mind her lack of colors, for Tzunuum took great pride in her flying skills and was happy with her life despite her simple appearance.

When the time came to be married, Tzunuum found that she had neither a wedding gown to wear, nor a necklace to adorn her for this blessed event. She was so sad and despondent about this, and so her best friends gathered to create a wedding dress and jewelry as a surprise.

First they talked to Ya, the vermilion-crowned flycatcher wore a gay crimson ring of feathers around his throat. He decided to use it as his gift, sharing his precious crimson feathers. He tucked a few red plumes in his crown and gave the rest to the hummingbird for her wedding-day necklace. Then they spoke with Uchilchil, the bluebird, who generously donated several blue feathers for her gown. Next they found the vain motmot. In an attempt to not be outdone by the others, the motmot offered both turquoise blue and emerald green. The cardinal, likewise, gave some red ones.

Their work had only just begun. Yuyum, the oriole, who was an excellent tailor as well as an engineer, sewed all the plumage into the most exquisite wedding gown for the little hummingbird bride. Ah-leum, the spider, crept up the gown with a fragile web woven of shiny gossamer threads for her veil. She also helped Mrs. Yuyum weave intricate designs into the dress. Canac, the honeybee, having heard about the wedding, told all his friends who knew and liked the hummingbird. They each brought much honey and nectar for the reception and hundreds of blossoms, for they knew that the blossoms were Tzunuum’s favorites.

Soon the Azar tree dropped a carpet of petals over the ground where the ceremony would take place. The Azar tree also offered to let Tzunuum and her groom spend their honeymoon in her branches. Pakal, the orange tree, put out sweet-smelling blossoms, as did Nicte, the plumeria vine. Haaz (the banana bush), Op the custard apple tree) and Pichi and Put (the guava and papaya bushes) made certain that their fruits were ripe in time for the wedding so the wedding guests would have delicious refreshments. Fnally a large band of butterflies of all colors arrived to dance and flutter around the hummingbird’s wedding site.

When the wedding day arrived Tzunuum was so surprised, very happy and grateful that she could barely speak her vows. The Great Spirit so admired her humble, honest soul, and he sent word down through the wings of his messenger, Cozumel, the swallow, that the hummingbird could wear her wedding gown for the rest of her life. To this day, she has worn the colors offered to her that day.

Discover Your Own Hummingbird Colors

Hummingbird reading sessions are available via phone or Skype, by appointment. Learn more about your own hummingbird alchemy, and the abilities that speak your soul to the world around you.

Little Fairy Birds

Did I say, “Such a little fairy-bird “? I think I did, and I was quite right, for it is just this very little Humming-bird that the fairies are so fond of riding on. They go two at a time, sometimes. One sits on his back, and another lies on the broad fan of his tail, and the one on the back uses the little feather-threads as reins. It is so grand! The Humming-bird dashes up at the fairy’s own flower-door, and hovers there till she is ready to come out, and then dashes away with her to another flower, where another fairy lives. And that is how the fairies call upon each other in countries where there are Humming-birds. Perhaps you will think that a Humming-bird—even quite a little Humming-bird (and they are none of them big)—is rather a large gee-gee for a fairy to ride on. But you must remember that in tropical countries fairies grow to quite a remarkable size.

I learn something new every day, that fairies, or faeries as some prefer the spelling, grow so big in our tropical countries! So convenient for bird and faery alike, to be so well matched in size.

A fairies flower

The image of the hummingbird waiting at the flower door of a fairy is delightful, carrying this beloved nature-spirit to visit with the fairy of the next flower over. Nature always has a way of cooperation, with most of this exchange happening so quietly that no disturbance is ever noticed. The flower provides nectar, and the hummingbird serves in return by transporting pollen.

Outside my window

Outside my window a hummingbird rests, perching while she drinks from the feeder. As for the flower spirit awaiting her own journey, this is a feeder, not a flower. Perhaps we must find another guardian of the “flower”, and in this case that would be me. This doesn’t surprise me, for every time I see a hummingbird outside my window the hummingbird lifts my spirits to a place of pure joy.

Thanks for the ride!

© 2011. HummingbirdShaman.com™ and Walk With Wings™ is shared by spiritual healing mentor and counselor Estee Taschereau. Spirit and Soul Levels Healing Sessions are available for those who seek clarity and resolution. All sessions are by appointment, offered via phone (US or Canada) or Skype (international).

The Hummingbird in Zuni Legend

Not too far from the Rainbow Cave on the Sacred Mountain that is now in the place we call New Mexico, the Hummingbird Hoya lived with his beloved grandmother a very long time ago.

“I think I will go to Kiakima today and see what the clansmen are doing,” Hoya said to his grandmother one day.

Hoya was small, and because he was so small he wanted to be sure that people could see him. Hoya dressed himself in his most colorful hummingbird coat and he flew far away.

Not too far into his journey he could see below him a lovely spring and so he decided to stop, taking off his beautifully feathered coat.

Just about that same time Kia, the daughter of Chief Kya-ki-massi, arrived to fill her jar with the cool spring water. It was no secret that many young men of the Zuni Indian tribe wanted to marry Kia, but they were afraid to ask her father, the Chief, for fear of rejection.

There at the spring Kia began to fill her water jar without speaking to the attractive young man she found standing nearby. “May I have some of your water to drink?” Hoya asked.

Kia handed him a cupful of water, still not speaking. When he returned the cup to her, a small amount of water remained in the cup. Seeing this, Kia lawfully tossed the droplets of water to Hoya and giggled.

Some of the young Zunis watching from the brush, wondering why she laughed. They also wondered about the stranger standing far to close to their precious Kia. Then they heard the princess say something that surprised them all. She turned to Hoya and said, “Come with me to my home.”

Hoya followed Kia to her house, and they talked for some time near the bottom of the ladder leading to the lodge roof. After a while Hoya said to her, “I think it is time for me to start home.”

“I hope to see you at the spring again tomorrow,” Kia said to Hoya. She then climbed to the roof of her lodge. Hoya put on his magic feathered coat, and flew away invisibly. Unfortunately the young men of the village did not see Hoya vanish, which aroused their curiosity.

When Hoya arrived back at his beloved grandmother’s house, she met him at the door with a bowl of honey with a dusting of sunflower pollen.

The next day, Hoya carried with him some of the delicacy of the night before. This he brought to the spring as a gift for the princess. Again he walked Kia home and they conversed at the bottom of her ladder for what seemed to be the longest time. He gave her the honey and pollen to share with her family, and went on his way back home.

“Delicious, we like this kind of food,” her parents said. “You should marry this young man.”

Suddenly there was a large thud against the window. I knew immediately what had happened. Curiosity pulled me from my work, and I headed for the door. As I rounded the corner a cat dashed away. I could not see if this cat had any great catch within its teeth, I could only see the tail as it rounded the side of the house.

I turned the other way, to see what had made such a commotion. There, dangling between two branches in the flowers was a red winged blackbird, wings spread out and holding it in place almost like it had been hung out to dry. This bird looked at me with a dazed, non-reactive glare.

Thinking the cat might return before this bird could recuperate, I grabbed the wrapper off a potted plant and gently removed the bird from the flowers. I gave him a healing of love and intent for recovery, and carried him to the back so I could place him in a more protected space.

By the time I reached the back porch he recovered enough to perch, and I left him outside the door on top of a suet feeder. Later I returned to the porch to check on his progress, and as he saw me peak around the corner he took flight and returned to the trees.

The Blackbird Totem Animal

Darkness and the color black often invoke thoughts of the mystic world and magic. It is true sometimes that when we open ourselves to receiving its like reaching a hand into a cosmic grab bag – and you get that invigorating experience of seeing the great surprise that awaits!

The totem spirit legends of the blackbird are no exception. It is thought that the blackbird serves as the crossover between the worlds, its song acting in almost a hypnotic fashion. Those who carry the totem of the blackbird may have a hypnotic quality to their voice and their manners.

In legend the blackbirds of Goddess Rhiannon perched on the tree outside the entrance to the celtic otherworld, singing and serving as the doorkeepers. Their sweet voices allowed many to enter. The blackbird is also found in other celtic legend.

How can you use blackbird energy in your life? If you feel uncertain about your abilities or situation you can call upon the blackbird totem for confidence. These birds are strong and powerful totems, bringing a cheerful energy into the day through song.

For more posts on animal totems and hummingbird wisdom visit http://healingdrumretreat.com. Learn more about your animal power totems, the wisdom they hold, and how you use this wisdom within the pathway of living. Private intuitive healing sessions are available by phone or email.