“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 Great Spirit Hummingbird flew quickly down the road, with great care taken to assure my attention. He rounded a small tree, and as he emerged from the other side a hawk appeared. The hawk could not have come from this tiny tree, it was far too small and unable to support the weight of a hawk. I would have seen this hawk as well as I passed within feet of this tree a minute before. My mind tried to reason through this experience, but I quickly caught hold of my rampant thoughts and accepted the vision.

What message was shared with me that day, and why did it take me all evening to finally hear it? The totem spirit Hummingbird manifested from the energy of joy. The totem spirit hawk is a messenger, a teller of truths, and brought clarity and conclusion within my vision.

“It is that easy.” Ah, of course I could not hear it earlier, I was trying too hard! Catch-22, isn’t it, trying so hard to hear something so simple? This was a story of shape-shifting, but to bring it into a new light, it’s just about change. Change within our heart, mind or soul and the concept of shape shifting are so much alike: one moment it is one thing, the next moment it is different. As I walked up the hill I spoke to Great Spirit, and I knew this interaction was a powerful one. The communication given to me was amazing as is, but hey, why not bring it to form and really make a point? Thank you Great Spirit!

My conclusion on this interaction with hummingbird, hawk, and Great Spirit:

1. This gift came to me when I was most receptive to receiving. I was enjoying my physical environment, yet had my connection to my source. For that moment I stepped out of trying.

2. I was open and in-the-moment. Sometimes I jump ahead of myself, and form a conclusion or opinion of what I should be receiving. That’s a very limiting way of receiving, and gives no grace to the giver, but how often do we use this tactic? Far too often. Some call this state of openness as “come as a little child”.

This was a thrilling experience, one I hope to experience again. I don’t think I could ever lose the state of excitement and awe in seeing this transformation. I do, at times, cloud over the beauty of my own transformations. This event took place in April 2008, and yet today, May 13, as I complete my rendition of the story, I remind myself of that feeling, of complete surrender to the guidance of the Great Spirit in whatever form it may take.

The photo shown above is a view of Mt. Rainier in Western Washington State. The tree that the hummingbird circled around is next to the shelter at the bottom of the picture. This tree has delicate branches, not able to support the weight of a hawk.

Estee Taschereau is a Spiritual Counselor, providing individual sessions in Life Optimization and Energy Release through Awareness. Phone Sessions can be scheduled through the marketplace at:

www.shamanstore.hummingbirdshaman.com