Hummingbird Shaman

Lately I’ve been thinking that as I have been leaving my patio door open during the day that at some point one of my hummingbird visitors will find themselves inside the house. I reminisce over the days in my teens when I would rescue hummingbirds that were trapped inside the boathouse, gently moving them back outdoors.

On another of those warm afternoons I did manage to get outside for a while, trimming and cleaning in the garden while my car was worked on. Like most I am not fond of times when my mobility is limited, and in this case my battery was failing. I was mostly unhappy that I could not take the lab to the off-leash park, but instead we walked the mile to the library. As I walked I passed many a thought through my mind of a car trip I wanted to take, struggling between the dependability of my vehicle vs the change I wanted within my psyche. I had stirred the ancient beliefs held deep within my unconscious mind, and many thoughts came flying to the surface.

Later that day my vehicle support team appeared. While I can easily diagnose a spirit-based situation, whether it is trapped in the mind, emotions, or other parts of the energy system, these guys could diagnose my car problems.

I finished my yard maintenance about the time they finished their work, swapping out batteries, and I packed up my garden tools to carry through the house to the back yard. As I took those first few steps through the house I heard the most unusual sound. I turned to find what it could be, and discovered a dragonfly trying to beat its way through the window.

What an unusual visit, I thought. As I worked carefully to guide this flying visitor to the open doorway I recollected the my healing process over the past few days. Much of my attention has been focused on transforming another layer of the deep-seated unconscious thoughts that molded my direction, even in their hidden form.

Dragonflies are ancient creatures, a large insect that begins, as we once did, in the water. Over time they mature and evolve into the flying form that we know. During the drier summer months, when the hummingbirds abandon the trees where we typically visit, the dragonflies appear, following a similar flight path as the hummingbirds would take.

The appearance of a dragonfly can set you free of the limiting thoughts or beliefs that have been a strong influence in your life. We do evolve, and at times we face those limitations, pushing away at the illusion until finally we break free. Dragonfly medicine is a powerful one, bringing forth the prehistoric memories that lie dormant within us.

With their origin in the water the dragon fly is associated with the emotions, and as we release those thoughts that challenge us we will likely experience an emotional release or surge as well. Emotions are healing tools, and an important part of our internal communication.

I welcomed my strange-looking winged visitor, and carefully guided him to the now opened door. When dragonflies come a-knockin’ you’ll know that an amazing transformation is just around the corner!

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.

With a shift in my schedule I decided to relocate for a week or so to the desert. The intent centered around letting go of the alluring draw of my surroundings as an excuse to put aside the writing of my storybook on the Mayan Tzolkin spiritual life cycle.

During my time in these dry desert days I was expecting my writings to focus on the vultures that are returning to the area. I’ll save that for another posting. Instead I would like to share the story of an evening that was both enlightening and enriching.

It was Saturday, and my friend had picked up tickets for a fund raising concert in Sisters, Oregon. The concert was great, featuring Hal Ketchum, and several students from Sisters High School performed as well. Everyone was amazing. During this concert I watched the flow of energy on the stage as well as the connectivity in the audience. I too felt a surge of emotions, creativity, and inspiration.

Many life experiences re-entered my consciousness that evening, and I took the opportunity to lift myself into my next step, something I had been speaking of in prior days but yet to achieve. I knew the next few days would be rich with ideas, release, and insights.

As all things must the concert ended, and we transitioned out to the car. The drive would be at least an hour. On the drive we conversed, and I shared with my friend some of my insights. Many of those insightful thoughts centered around the direction I would take in my work, and how strong a footprint I could leave in the sand.

In the final stretch of our drive we wound through a curving section of the back roads. Suddenly we spotted a form in the headlights. A cougar was crossing, leaping up the hillside and quickly disappearing. It’s presence was astounding, and its movement was graceful and certain, with each step within its own timing, with no concern given to the approaching vehicle.

As we continued the last few minutes of our drive, and I gave quiet thought to this encounter. Just on the wildlife perspective this was an amazing sighting. As an intuitive worker of the spirit realm I also turned to the shamanic meaning.

The cougar represents a state of solitude, and the art of following one’s own path. Many of us, when we focus on power, think of our career and business choices. But personal power, or the act of standing in one’s own footprints, is something that is carried into each waking moment. It is the depth of awareness, the silent observation, and the precise moment that follows that give the cougar such power.

“Walk your path”, shared the cougar spirit. “You cannot strike and recoil in the same movement, to do so would only bring havoc within yourself, and neither completion or separation will be achieved, and you will be lost in the mixed-up middle world of indecisiveness.”

Later that night, as I transitioned from the waking world into the dream state, I felt the presence of the cougar, and as I type this story I see the eyes upon my back.

Totem spirits or animal totems have offered us so much in our millenniums of learning. Many of us have forgotten how to learn on such a simple yet powerful way, turning away from the living representation of our world to a manufactured substitute. Find your totems, be it cougar, antelope or hummingbird. The qualities they possess are only a fraction of your own capabilities, but they serve you as you turn within and focus on your own power. You are the master of the art of living, not the your car, or your computer, or the money in your pocket.

Learn more about your totem spirit guidance and the insights that await you. Intuitive Sessions are available by phone, by appointment, with Author and Teacher Estee Taschereau (Hummingbird Shaman). Use our contact form to schedule your session.

He sang out to me, and I looked around trying to see where he was calling from. As he rose into the air I could see, he had hidden in the small tree a few feet from me. He flew away, landing high up in a huge tree, barely within sight. “Come back”, I said. “No”, he replied, “From here I can see so much, all through the eyes of heaven.” I knew a lesson would follow. “When you rise up to the level of spirit you can see all around you, and revel in its beauty. When you are captivated by the world you see only your own little part, and wonder what you are missing.”

Join us for The Healing Drum Retreat, an event in Yelm, Washington June 20-22, 2008. Weekend passes includes lodging and meals. Day passes include lunch and dinner. Friday evening drum making and medicine bag making is open to everyone, $10 to attend, plus costs for kits. Stories, offerings, safe space for spiritual exploration.

Estee Taschereau is a medical intuitive and clairvoyant counselor and consultant, offering sessions for personal and professional growth toward a healthier self. Sessions can be scheduled through the shopping cart or through the contact form.

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.