Hummingbird Shaman

Today feels charged. I woke to a sunny day, not something that happens often in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy it while it is here. As I transitioned into work, and writing, I positioned myself in a place that gives me the best of everything: big windows, sunlight streaming in, and full view of hummingbird feeders front and back.

The past few days certainly have had that early spring-like feel. Though its only in the 50’s it feels warm. A breeze blew the night before, with a light tropical feel to it. Could spring be just around the corner?

As I type I catch glimmers of movement out the corner of my eye. A hummingbird rests at the feeder, head darting back and forth before drinking any nectar. Suddenly another approaches, and its clear to see that an intruder had been discovered. Off they fly, the territory once more secured.

At the rate that this nectar is disappearing I would say that the population of hummingbirds in this area has increased. I appreciate these high-populations times, though keeping the feeders full is challenging on some days.

As I fall deeper into my thoughts, eyes on the screen, I pick up movement at the window. From the initial impression I thought a raptor was ready to knock on the door. No, it was the hummingbird for another belly full of nectar. His presence was huge! He turned to me, then quickly flew away. “I’m living”, was the message in his movement, “What better way to understand what life has to offer”.

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.

Since this site focuses on shamanism and totem animals, I’ll give you one guess on today’s topic. What appears in the darkness?

Dusk changed the day at first like a subtle nuance of color in the evening sky, but with each breath the darkness grows. Small figures flitter through the air, darting to and fro in a pattern that defied its own definition.

The wind blows through the trees, demanding everything in its path to follow its direction, but the small winged creature penetrates the force of the wind, carrying its own message into the silence of its flight.

First one, then two could be seen. How do you count something that appears so quickly, and vanishes within the blink of an eye? At one point it seemed that four were darting around the area, satiating their appetite on insects that would otherwise be a nuisance.

As I stood on the walkway these small winged creatures flew across the opening between the trees, darting within inches of my head. Camera in hand I knew my that the odds of capturing a bat in one picture was astronomical, but my desire persisted. One comes into view, then another, and they dance before me and disappear before my finger can complete its own message to the shutter. Magically on this night I find two images of these creatures of the night.

The bat totem is one that is often overlooked, or likely avoided. Folklore has cast a shadow of darkness over this totem of transformation, and those who worship this typecast creature do so in a manner that perpetuates their own darkness.

The bat is the only mammal that flies. Their eyes do not guide them, instead they find their way through their amazing ability to perceive their environment through a wave of energy that begins and ends from within.

The bat totem is often associated with darkness and fear. Some believe it to be the shaman’s symbol of death, not of the physical death but the spiritual transformation that is the amazing combination of release and renewal.

In my perception I see the bat as a sign of walking your own path, and surviving in situations that cannot be resolved in the obvious ways. To see without vision, to be of the earth yet take to the sky, to cross that line between night and day, that is amazing.
This is the way of the bat, a symbol of the subtle power that is so often unseen, but definitely exists. What appears in the darkness may just hold the key to our inner light.

This story is available for reprint in its complete form including credits. Photo and story are originals by http://HummingbirdShaman.com author Estee Taschereau, and are protected under copyright law. Learn more about your totems and totem encounters in a private consultation by phone.

Note: Most bats are of no threat, and bats typically avoid interactions with humans and pets. If you find a bat and are able to approach it the bat is likely wounded or ill. Do not handle, contact animal control. Bat guano is an excellent source of nitrogen for your garden. Protect bats, provide housing for them, and they will repay you a hundred fold by clearing your yard of mosquitoes, consuming up to 500 per night, per bat.

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Legends of hummingbirds cover the western hemisphere. The Mayans said that hummingbirds were actually the sun in disguise, courting the moon, our divine feminine. Hopi legend speaks of hummingbirds intervening with the elements to bring rain, aka water, aka the feminine. The Pueblo Indians echo this belief, using hummingbird feathers in rituals to bring rain. The Pueblo shamans also used hummingbirds as the messengers to send gifts to our great mother earth.

What was the message given to me? That evening, during the gratitude ceremony, I take time to meditate with the graceful guidance of the group leader. I asked for the answer. I did not hear it. I asked again, still no answer. Later in the evening, as I allowed myself to slip out of the day-to-day rush and mental overload, I was able to hear the answer. What could that message have been? And what’s more, how was I graced with such an amazing vision? You’ll find this, and more, in part 3 of “Is Anything What It Appears To Be?”.

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

February 20, 2008: Angie, my black lab, is begging me for an early walk. I’d been waking early, and working 5-6 hours straight so many days. Time for a walk and a little mental clearing. It is a beautiful sunny day, a little cold but at least its dry. Guess where I headed as soon as we reached the park? You’ve got it, the bench overlooking the valley. Within a minute of my arrive he was there, ready to share his message of the day. He sang of gifts, abundance, and the joy of it all, all the while swinging his head to-and-fro. He does not worry, or wonder, for he is a vessel who’s purpose is to receive whatever is sent his way. Message spoken, hummer departed.

I had carried my notebook with me that day, and decided to write the events of the past few days, if only to retain the messages shared with such determination. As soon as I started writing he reappeared, and chattered again his song of beauty and joy. Here, the gone again. Me, well I am human and slow, and it takes me a few minutes to record the whole story. I glance up at his tree again, but it stands empty. Oh, he moved to another tree to the left of me. He quietly attends, holding sacred space while I finish my notes.

February 18, 2008: I returned to the park bench, wondering if what occurred the day prior was illusion, or fantasy. It was so unusual seeing a hummingbird in this area, there was not any good source of nectar at this time of year, though I had several visiting my feeders at home, several miles away. No, that was an unusual event. Suddenly a flash of movement caught my eye, and there is was. He landed on the same branch, and chattered with a tinge of sarcasm, “you want proof”? As quickly as he came we was gone. There would be no visit without purpose.

Greetings to all, and welcome to Hummingbird Shaman. I have created this site under inspiration generated by a small group I have encountered. They are not small in number, but in size. Move too quickly and they will not be seen. Slow down and listen and they will speak.

Allow me to share some background on these ongoing encounters. There is a park where I often walk my dogs, or they walk me. It’s a mutual health maintenance venture. I rediscovered this park in 2007, and since have increased my visits from monthly, to weekly, and now almost daily, sometimes twice in the same day.

This park has a history, as most urban and suburban areas do. This had been a military site, a missile base, and many of the now grassy areas had once been large concrete slabs. Next door to this site is a landfill. When I first visited the park I chose to park next to the walkway that borders the landfill. You cannot tell this visually, but every time I walked by the land would cry out in agony. I spoke to the spirits, and the earth, and did what I could to bring comfort to this aching patch of our planet. As I often do I underestimated the power of my greeting, my recognition of nature, and the changes that can be inspired by the actions of one gentle soul.

Through this blog I honor one of our spirit guides, the hummingbird. My next post will describe my encounters. Take it as you may, what more can you do? For some this will be an adventure of the imagination. For others this will be recognition of spirit, of the re-awakening of our true nature. The earth has spoken, and awakened in me the Hummingbird Shaman that I am. I have accepted my role, taking part in the healing of our planet, and accept those who aid me in this journey, by form of human, animal, fowl, or spirit.

Estee Taschereau is founder of RadiantJourney.com. She is also a Success Coach and Intuitive Consultant with over 25 years experience in private sessions and teaching of both professional and personal Life Optimization and Self Awareness Skills. Her enthusiasm and compassion team well with her clarity and ability bring resolution to unresolved issues. Sessions focus on uncovering life diversions and bringing you back to your place of personal empowerment.