Hummingbird Shaman

Many readers ask if the sighting of a bird or animal outside of their normal experience as an omen or sign, and follow with the question: “What does it mean?” We ask for the intuitive meaning for many things that reach outside our typical day-to-day world, seeking to expand our consciousness through the greatest gift we have available to us: the questions that arise from unusual observations.

Omens are signs, neither good nor bad, yet they are often associated with danger or undesirable events. When we turn to “see” what will come about, are we attempting to give ourselves more power, or are we placing the balance of power on something we perceive as “outside of ourselves”?

This thought reminds me of an observation I’ve made in my hummingbird walks. This tiny birds have perched in very visible places, on barren branches directly along the pathway. Yet many do not see the hummingbirds. Is it being lost within our own thoughts, or moving at a pace that loses so much of the moment?

With this we will return to the question of vulture sightings: We cannot overlook our own awareness. For whatever reason we align ourselves with an opportunity for an altered state of awareness. This altered state is not necessarily something outside of ourselves, simply a shift outside of our mental processing.

Does the vulture appear as a guide or totem animal spirit for our enlightenment? Is the appearance something that we choose to latch on to, giving us the means to slow down our thinking and ricochet into a different perspective? Maybe the two work togethe. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink. You can lead a soul to a insight but you cannot force them into consciousness.

The intuitive meaning of the any sighting, whether it be a hummingbird, eagle, or even a vulture is always associated with the current events. It could be the culmination of many events as an opportunity for release, or a chance to make a decision that logic would not allow us. Still we can ask ourselves, “How does this serve me?”, and most often we have achieved another step in the right direction: to shift our consciousness long enough to observe with eyes beyond the physical.

Hummingbird Shaman Editor and Author Estee Taschereau offers clear, compassionate assistance to individuals who seek to understand their own path and abilities. Phone sessions are available in the US, as well as sessions via Skype. Visit IntuitiveMeaning.com for more articles on totem spirits and shamanism.

What does it mean, to find the sign of a vulture in your path? Is it an omen? No, this totem animal appears on occasion, and can be seen for its gift and reminder, beyond its worldly task. The vulture, in our day and culture, certainly gets a bad rap. Their looks are far from appealing, and their duty turns the head and likely the nose of many. These birds are scavengers, seeking out the remains of bodies no longer inhabited by spirit. Their job is vital to the health and well-being of the living, and supports the dualistic balance of the planet. Life cannot and does not exist without death.

During my visits to the Oregon desert I watch the vultures that next nearby. In the morning I see the vultures in the schoolyard, each perched on a fencepost, spreading their wings and warming in the morning sun. In the evening I watch as the vultures round the bend at the end of the road, gliding toward the tall pine trees known to be their home each summer. They seem to float as if suspended motionless in the air. In the branches they appear as darkened shapes, almost haunting in appearance.

Though not the most beautiful of birds the vulture has its place in history. Vultures are found in many ancient texts and symbolism.

The vulture is a symbol of the principal female divinity. This bird is found throughout every country where Maya civilization can be traced – Polynesia, Japan, India, Chaldea, Egypt, Greece, and the Peruvian Andes.
Within Egyptian mythology the vulture adorned the headdress of the Goddess Isis, also known as Mau. It was believed that the myth may be traced back to Mayach, for the vulture was the totem of Queen Moo, who’s name means “macaw”. (Augustus Le Plongeon , Queen M’oo and the Egyptian sphinx, Pg 12-14.)

Yesterday the vultures flew in great number over the house in which I am staying, circling around as if they were saying, “finish your story, please”. This morning I walked out of the yard, across to the field where they greet the morning to capture a few photos. As I returned I see a small vulture feather in my path. “Finish your story, please”.

Everything in this world has its purpose, including the vultures nesting down the road. Vultures do not necessarily mean death, and we need not look at them as dark or gloomy. They show us a quiet grace, and help us to transition with that same grace. Look for the sign of a vulture in your path, it may be a happy moment and a sign of change.

This week I have returned to the Oregon desert for a working visit, which means sleeping within mere feet of the vulture roost.  This tree is the seasonal home to 30 vultures, give or take.  My first night here was a restless one, waking often to hear the breathing of the animals that had gathered in my room or notice a flickering light.  By early morning, just before dawn, each time I awakened I brought in awareness of writing a posting about the day as it appears in the Mayan Tzolkin calendar.

The date given in my dream was not in synch with this actual day, but my nocturnal writings did focus on Cib, the vulture.  In this current 13 day cycle Cib does not appear.  The last occurrence was July 31st, giving us 12 Cib.  The energy of this day was present to aid us in our expansion of thoughts by bringing understanding of where we have been and through this awareness we will have a better grasp of where we are going.

On this upcoming day, still months away, I look forward to seeing how this dream-state interpretation of two Cib unfolds.  The presence of source is best found not to the events that surround us, but in the offerings of the universe and how we carry those gifts into the world in which we live.

I could not have imagined earlier that I would dream of vultures, or write about them.  We never know where life will take us, or how our awareness will unfold.  To my surprise I found out that the vultures were sunning themselves, warming their wings in the early morning sun.  This day has truly been an adventure, and its only just begun.

This posting contains a clairvoyant interpretation of the Mayan Tzolkin Calendar, a spiritually focused calendar, presented by Estee Taschereau through her venue YinYangPower.com