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.

“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!