CHAPTER FOUR

READING SIGNS AND OMENS IN NATURE

Ecology is the study of the interaction between living things and their environments. We can never truly separate ourselves from the environment, but we can learn to read it so that we can use the knowledge of it to our benefit. The ability to read nature is what enables us to recognize true omens within our life. An omen is an event which may indicate a particular destiny. People from around the world have believed in omens at some point. They have held strong the idea that the changing aspects of Nature reflect changes that are likely to occur within their own life. This is connected to that ancient Law of Correspondence we discussed earlier. What affects us on one level, affects us on another. The divine forces speak to humanity through Nature and its varied expressions.

Omens border upon an instinctual perception, an innate resonance with natural elements that we do not consciously recognize or acknowledge any more. As you develop animal-speak, you will begin to see relationships and patterns in Nature and animal behaviors, along with their correspondences to your life. You will know automatically that certain birds or animals are likely to be seen daily. You will come to expect certain kinds of behavior from them because of what you have come to learn of them-including their natural behaviors, sounds, rhythms, and activities.

The difficulty, though, is being able to define, explain, and apply the omen of Nature to your individual life. For this to be effective, you must be knowledgeable about your environment and the animals within it. You must develop practice in seeing relationships, without forcing the correspondences. You must begin to recognize that nothing is by accident or coincidence-that all things, all people, all animals have significance to us. You must be able to recognize that the supernatural world often reflects itself within the natural world.

It is easy to become superstitious in reading the signs of nature within your life. Most people see omens and superstitions as the same thing. The reading of omens is founded upon a knowledge base of the environment and the animals and other natural elements within it. The changing aspects of the normal, natural elements in your environment can then reflect changes in other areas of your life. The changes are interpreted from a strong knowledge base and with reason. Remember that correspondences in reading the signs of nature do not need to be forced when there is a solid base of knowledge. They reveal themselves naturally.

Superstitions, on the other hand, are beliefs or notions in the significance of an event or thing that is not based upon knowledge or reason. Superstitions often involve irrational fears and behaviors. Superstitions often involve actions that are taken to avoid bad luck. Relationships and correspondences between natural elements and one’s own life are not formed from a base of knowledge.

VALENTINE’S DAY SUPERSTITION

It was often believed that a woman could determine the kind of man she would marry by the first bird she saw on Valentine’s Day.

Blackbird = priest, a clergyman or a religious figure.

Dove = a good-hearted man.

Goldfinch = a rich man (especially if it was a yellow goldfinch).

Sparrow = a happy man.

Hawk = a soldier, a warrior or brave man.

Crossbill = an argumentative or bad-tempered man.

Robin = a sailor.

Bluebird = a happy man.

Owl = a man who would not live long.

Woodpecker = the woman will never marry.

These are superstitions and not true omens. A thorough knowledge of the birds in the individual’s environment may prove that there is a greater likelihood to encounter certain birds every day, while never encountering others. An unusual or untoward behavior of a bird may provide indication of something unusual in the offing, but would not indicate one’s future mate. Such beliefs, though, can be amusing entertainment and add fanciful fun to days like Valentine’s Day.

The best example to define the difference between omens and superstitions can be found in the behavior of the short-eared owl. Communities and societies often experience times in which rodent and other prey populations erupt. In some localities, voles (meadow mice) suddenly erupt and seem to overrun the place. Such times were often depicted as unfortunate, evil, and even outright plagues. This perception of evil manifesting through an overpopulation of rodents was further augmented in places where overnight a horde of short-eared owls would also seem to materialize out of nowhere.

For the superstitious person, one with no knowledge base, this may appear to be an extraordinary revelation of evil from Nature; especially so since both rodents and owls have a long history of being perceived negatively. For those who have a good knowledge base of both of these animals, the interpretation would be entirely different.

Many predator and prey species have years in which populations plummet and years in which populations erupt. Many rodents are subject to boombust cycles. For their natural predators, this cycle is often matched. Short-eared owls have an instinctual knack for appearing overnight in a horde, to descend upon abundant food sources. Such appearances are not reflections of evil manifesting. Rather their appearance serves as a boon to help restore the balance of nature.

“This ability is shared by other birds. The California gull-the species the Mormons of Salt Lake City memorialized in marble for saving their crops from a cricket plague-has it. . . . A few years ago voles swarmed over Amherst Island on Lake Ontario. Short-eareds by the dozen poured in out of the void; more amazingly, they brought along a retinue: great gray owls, snowy owls, hawk owls, boreal owls and saw-whet owls in unprecedented numbers ...”7

Correspondences will naturally deepen as your own knowledge base grows. The relationships between what you are experiencing in Nature and what you are experiencing in your own life do not need to be forced. You must be careful of not allowing your desire to divine the future to override common sense. Although it is usually safe to assume that the events within Nature can and do reflect something about the events within your own life, only a true knowledge base will allow those mirrors to be clear.

The most common misinterpretations occur because of your own fears. In the case of the boom in the vole population and the appearances overnight of shorteared owls, some may begin to believe that their life is about to be overrun with pests. Since even today many harbor the ancient superstition of the owl as an evil agent of the devil, the perception that their life is about to be plagued is what will be assumed.

In truth, the exact opposite would be a more correct interpretation. The abundance of both voles and owls reflects a cycle of boom beginning to manifest, a boom that has balance to it. But this kind of interpretive ability only comes with knowledge. To one who is knowledgeable or takes time to learn about what is being observed, the natural world can shed light on most life circumstances.

It is also easy to read into Nature what you want to read and not what truly is. Many want to see every expression of Nature as a supernatural sign. The events and observations that are unusual, out of the context of normal patterns, or not part of your daily contact will often have the most significance for you. These kinds of circumstances will speak most strongly.

As you begin to study and observe Nature within your life, you must learn of its usual manifestations and patterns. Note the kinds of animals you encounter and their usual behaviors. The more you learn of the usual, the easier it will be for you to recognize the unusual, no matter how subtle. When something is different, then Nature is calling to you to pay attention.

Animal-speak requires that you realize Nature most often speaks to you in a natural manner. A person who wishes to get a message across uses a variety of techniques-language, vocal and facial expressions, tonality, volume, etc. If the message is an important one, the voice takes on a different tone-one of urgency or tension. You know the message is important because the tone of voice is not the usual. Nature and animals in Nature speak to us in the same manner. If the message is important, the expression of Nature will take on noticeable, although often subtle, expressions.

READING ANIMAL SIGNS

Nature speaks to us constantly. Through its shapes, colors, textures, smells, and varied expressions of animal life, it communicates to us about the world and our life. The symbolism of Nature will vary according to its context, so you must come to know its natural context.

Every animal has distinguishing features, movements, shapes, and colors. Each has its own unique relationship with humans. A good number of these are outlined for you in the dictionaries found within this book, but they are guidelines only. You must develop your own dictionary. Just as different groups of people who speak the same language may have different dialects and accents, it is the same with animal-speak. You must learn the dialect that is best for you.

In ancient Rome certain officials were charged with observing and interpreting natural omens for guidance in public affairs. These individuals were known as augurs. “Julius Caesar was a respected augur.” Although originally augurs were bird talk experts who listened to what birds said, the term eventually came to be applied to anyone who used animals and their language for divination purposes. A particular branch of this came to be known as auspices in ancient Rome. Auspices was a method of reading the future in the activities of birds and animals.

The ancient augurs studied Nature. They learned to read her signs and to understand her language. Every augur had his or her own specialty, some working with birds and some with other animals and expressions of Nature. Regardless of the area of expertise, each augur had to come to terms and develop a new understanding of Nature.

If you are to learn animal-speak and develop your own ability for augury, you must lay a new foundation for relating to Nature. Nature speaks everyday, but few ever truly listen. If you were speaking to someone, and they never acknowledged it, soon you would quit speaking to them entirely. If you truly wish to learn animal-speak, you must re-establish the lines of communication with Nature. You must let it know you are ready to listen once more.

There are ten related steps to facilitate your ability to reopen communication and to develop augury. They are simple and can be applied within any living environment- swamp, city, forest, mountain, river, farm fields, grasslands, etc. By consciously working with them, you will send a message to the universe, and especially to all of Nature, that you are now open to receive communication. And all it takes to hear what Nature has to say is to be open to listening. These ten steps are: 1. Experience Nature first hand. Take walks in the woods or parks. Take binoculars to the beach. Seek out marsh lands. Don’t assume that your environment is without Nature’s elements. Try to identify birds by their calls. Try to identify different trees by their leaves.

2. Begin with an examination of the wildlife endemic to your environment. The plants, trees, and animals of your environment have much to teach you about survival. Although some may feel that the expressions of Nature within the city are nothing to shout about, a chipmunk can be quite as remarkable as a grizzly. Trees and flowers have long been symbols of mysticism and magic, each with its own qualities and characteristics. On the following two pages are lists of trees and flowers with the basic characteristics associated with them. For further information, you may wish to consult an earlier work of mine, The Magical Name.

3. Orient yourself to your landscape. As you will see in chapter five, the landscape can reveal much. It can be as symbolic as the animal life within it. Look at the spatial symbolism of your yard or home. What does its shape say about you? What is the form or pattern of the terrain? Does it appear soft to the eye? Hard? Broken? Sloped? Ask yourself what kind of qualities are necessary to live in such a terrain?

4. Pay closer attention to physical signs of Nature. These were often considered the most important elements of augury, and they can be powerful fetishes. The three most common signs read by ancient augurs were: (a) appearances of birds and animals, (b) feathers, fur, stones, or any physical fetish; and (c) the calls, chatter, and other sounds of animals. Pay attention to when they are most noticeable and where.

5. When you are out in Nature, pay attention to what seems to stand out most strongly. Some days a particular flowery fragrance may stand out. On other days, it may be the continual cawing of crows. On another, you may notice a particular tree. That which you most notice when out in nature has spoken to you. Take note of it, greet it-acknowledge it. Then research it. What are the qualities and characteristics associated with it? These qualities will either reflect those awakening within you, or those you may need to awaken. Ask yourself, “Where can I apply these qualities? What are they saying about me and my life?”

THE SYMBOLIC QUALITIES OF TREES

Apple = magic, youth, beauty, and happiness

Ash = sacrifice, sensitivity, and higher wisdom

Aspen = determination, overcoming fears and doubts

Beech = tolerance, past knowledge, softens over-criticism

Birch = new beginnings, cleansing of past, vision quests

Cedar = healing, cleansing, protection

Cherry = death and rebirth, new awakenings

Cypress = understanding of role of sacrifice

Elder = birth and death, renaissance of Faerie Realm

Elm = strength of will, intuition

Hawthorne = fertility and creativity, magic

Hazel = hidden wisdom, dowsing and divination

Heather = healing from within, immortality, and initiation

Holly = protection, overcoming of anger, spiritual warrior

Honeysuckle = learning from the past, discrimination, change

Lilac = spiritualization, realization of true beauty

Maple = balance, practical expression of psychic, promise

Oak = strength and endurance, helpfulness, continuity

Orange = clarity to emotions, release of trauma

Palm = protection, peace, opportunity

Pine = balance of pain and emotions, creativity

Spruce = new realizations, healing, intuition

Sycamore = communication, love, learning to receive

Walnut = eases transitions, following a unique path

Willow = magic, healing, inner vision and dreams

6. When you begin to take greater notice of Nature and apply what you experience, it is beneficial to pay special attention to colors. Are there specific colored flowers or plants that stand out, or which are continually encountered? What are the colors of the bird(s) you notice? Is there a significant color to any animal you come across? Keep in mind that color can be a most significant clue to the kind of energies you are likely to experience.

As you will see, the colors of animals can provide dynamic insight into the qualities and energies manifesting within your life. The color reflects much about that totem’s energies and its applications for you. The black of the crow may reflect mystery or the ability to bring light out of the dark. The red fox that comes into your life may reflect an awakening of the kundalini.

SYMBOLIC QUALITIES OF FLOWERS

Baby’s Breath = modesty, sweet beauty

Basil = integration, discipline and dragon force

Begonia = balance, psychism

Buttercup = self-worth, the power of words

Cactus = manifestation of riches and beauty

Carnation = deep love, healing, love of self

Clover = luck, love and fidelity, kindness

Daffodil = power of inner beauty, clarity of thought

Dahlia = higher development, self-worth, and dignity

Daisy = increasing awareness, creativity, inner strength

Gardenia = purity of action and purpose, emotional help

Geranium = happiness, healing, and renewed joy

Gladiola = receptivity to divine will

Hibiscus = femininity, sexuality and warmth, new creation

Hyacinth = overcoming of grief, gentleness, inner beauty

Iris = higher inspiration, psychic purity

Lavender = magic, love, protection, healing, and vision

Lily = birth, godly mind, and humility

Marigold = fidelity, longevity, loving sacrifice

Morning Glory = Breaking down of the old, spontaneity

Rose = love, strength through silence, passion

Rosemary = power, clarity of thought, sensitivity

Snapdragon = will force, creative expression, clairaudience

Sunflower = opportunities, self-actualization, happiness

Violet = modesty, fulfillment, psychic sensitivity

A study of the meaning of colors will help you in determining the significance of what you experience in Nature-whether it is the color of your animal spirit or some other aspect of Nature. Color is an expression of energy, and it can be symbolic of something positive or negative.

Do not be concerned if you only experience animals of muted and earthy colors. Keep in mind that most animals have colors that assist them in survival. The more muted colors may reflect a form of camouflage that serves to protect the animal. Be sure to ask yourself, “What purpose does this color serve for this animal?” Ask yourself whether you need to develop the positive aspect of the color or whether the color is a reminder to do something about its negative expression.

The following list will provide some insight into colors and their significance. In the bibliography are several books which also will help in defining the meaning of colors. Remember that in Nature there will often be subtle nuances to color tones, so be flexible in your interpretations.

COLORS	POSITIVE QUALITIES	NEGATIVE QUALITIES
Black	protection, birth, magic	secretiveness, sacrifice
Blue	happiness, calm, truth	depression, loneliness
Brown	grounded, new growth	lack of discrimination
Green	growth, healing, abundance	uncertain, miserly, greed
Grey	initiation, imagination	imbalance, secretiveness
Orange	warmth, joy, creativity	pride, agitation, worry
Red	sex, passion, strength	anger, aggression, impulse
Violet	alchemy, humility, spirit	obsession, misunderstood
White	purity, sharing, truth	scattered, overextended
Yellow/gold	communication, optimism, inspiration	needing clarification, over criticalness

7. Yet another means by which you can begin to develop your ability to augur is by paying attention to the numbers associated with the animals you encounter. Numbers, like colors, have a deep and ancient symbolism associated with them. The numbers can help you to pinpoint the best area(s) to apply the energies of your totem. It can also help you to understand more clearly what Nature is trying to communicate to you.

For example, you may, upon walking in Nature, have three crows fly overhead. Later you may see even more crows, again in groups of three. To some the crow may be a symbol of the great void, the dark, but the numbers in which they appear will alter that interpretation. Three is the number of creativity and new birth, so seeing three crows may reflect that there is going to be a new birth, a new coming out of the void, a bringing of light out of the darkness. The mysticism of numbers can help you in understanding animal-speak. The more you open yourself to developing a wider vocabulary of Nature colors, numbers, plants, animals, etc.—the more it will speak to you and the more you will understand. How many of a particular bird or animal do you regularly see? Does a bird or animal, such as a crow, call out to you? If so, how many times? Is there a pattern to the sounds it makes-a natural numerical rhythm?

Pay particularly close attention to appearances of animals not often seen. This is especially significant if they appear more than once, and in a small time-frame. I have had days where a red fox would run across my path-on foot and while in my car-several times. Since a fox is gifted at camouflage and is hard to see, its appearance-especially more than once-had significance. On such occasions, I examined the qualities of the fox, the number of times it appeared and its direction of movement; all of which I was able to apply to what was unfolding within my life at that time.

A study of the significance of numbers, particularly the science of numerology, will help you to develop an expanded vocabulary for communicating with Nature. In the study of numerology, the greatest emphasis is upon the single digits of one through nine. The list in the following chart will provide some insight into the meaning of numbers:

NOS.	POSITIVE ASPECTS	NEGATIVE ASPECTS
1	beginnings, originality, leader	arrogance, dominance
2	feminine, dreams, cooperation	sensitivity, meddling
3	creativity, birth, mystical	gossipy, moody
4	foundations, patience, builder	stubborn, rigid
5	versatile, change, activity	scattered, overindulgent
6	home, service, family	jealous, worrisome
7	wisdom, seeker, truth	faithless, critical
8	power, money, infinity	careless, greedy, authoritarian
9	healing, understanding	gullible, hypersensitive
(All double digit numbers can be reduced to one of these nine by adding the two digits together. For example, 23 = 2+3 = 5.)

8. Yet another way of laying a foundation by which you can begin to develop animal-speak and the gift of augury is by paying attention to the directions in which animals appear. As we discussed in the previous chapter on predators and prey, each direction or quarter of the world has its own significance and meaning.

Different societies associated certain qualities with each of these directions. Some of these associations developed into superstitions. For example, a bird call heard first thing in the morning from the North was believed to reflect tragedy. From the South, it reflected a good harvest. From the East, it reflected good loving, and from the West, good luck.

As you develop your personal relationship with Nature and animals, you can ask your totems to appear in the direction that is most significant of their purpose. For this to work most effectively, you must have a strong idea as to what each direction symbolizes and represents for you. Then the animal that appears to you in that quarter of the world or from that direction will be a totem that will help you develop the qualities associated specifically with that direction.

For example, if you associate the West with healing and a red fox appears to you from that direction, it can be safely assumed it will help you with healing. To understand specifics, you must look at the individual qualities of the animal. Since a fox is associated with camouflage and invisibility, it may reflect that you are coming into a time to heal that which has been camouflaged or invisible to you.

In the following chart are some of the more common associations with each direction. You do not have to agree with them. Develop your own correspondences. Then when an animal appears to you from that direction, you will know its role within your life.

DIRECTION	CHARACTERISTICS AND ENERGIES OF THE DIRECTIONS
East	Healing, creativity, illumination, divination and intuition, new birth and sunshine, new learnings, strength of will, communication, expression of new.
West	Vision, dreams, quests and journeys, emotions, imagination, creative arts, the feminine, higher compassion, inner spiritual renewal, goals.
South	Purification, faith, strength, awakening inner child, overcoming obstacles, playfulness, change, protection, selfsufficiency, trust, resurrection.
North	Teaching, abundance, balance, sacred wisdom and knowledge, gentleness, thankfulness, drawing forth inner treasures, empathic intuition, trust, alchemy.

Aside from the four directions of the world, attention should also be given to the position of the animals to yourself, along with any movement in relation to yourself. Does the animal appear on your left or your right? Does it move from left to right? Right to left? Toward you? Away from you? All of these have significance.

The right side is generally considered more masculine and assertive, while the left side is considered more feminine and receptive. If the animal appears on your left, it may reflect that its energies are still within and are not yet expressed. On the right, it may indicate that they are being expressed or need to be. If it moves from right to left, crossing your path, it can indicate its energies coming into your life; maybe even being born within you.

Decide for yourself what each direction means, and which movements will indicate what. Take five minutes a day for a week and meditate on these associations. By doing so, you are programming your mind to understand the movements. You are also sending out to Nature the guidelines for communication with you. (Refer to #10 for further information on this process.)

9. Another means by which Nature will speak to you is through the kind of activity the animals may be involved in when encountered. We have spoken of the importance of their directional movement, but their activities or lack of activity can also speak to us strongly. To understand this fully, you must understand the pattern of activity the animal is usually involved in.

A lack of movement or activity may be a reminder for you to take a break or rest from your own activities. If you encounter squirrels that seem to be playing and chasing, rather than gathering and storing, it may tell you to take some play time for yourself. On the other hand, if you encounter two animals squabbling, it may reflect conflicts that are present or soon to arise within your own life. The animals and the kind of squabbling will help you define and pinpoint where in your life this is likely to occur.

I have four large canines in my home-two golden retrievers, a German shepherd, and a mixed breed who thinks she’s a golden retriever. Each has a unique personality, and each I often use for clues to what I should watch for in my own life. Each has periods when their own presence and behavior stands out from the others.

The oldest is a golden retriever who is the alpha dog. She knows it and doesn’t have to force her dominant role. The other dogs sometimes try to cut her off when coming into the house or when getting water. She always remains calm. She is always the lady. She simply knows and trusts in her position in the household. At those times where this behavior stands out, it causes me to sit back and regroup myself. It is often a message to just be patient and wait. It reminds me that my position is not threatened.

The other golden retriever, Cheyenne, loves the outdoors and playing. She has always been a bit of a loner. At those times when she desires to be more sociable and playful, she will sit in front of me and begin swatting me with her paw. No matter what I may be doing, she will persist. If the pawing doesn’t work, she will begin to gently bite my feet, or go up into the bedroom and grab one of my socks and toss it around in front of me. If that doesn’t work, she begins romping with the other dogs between my legs. This is usually a clue for me to take a break from work. It reminds me that I need some play time and some socializing. It often reflects that I am too busy working or dealing with other people only on a work level and not for the simple enjoyment of socialization. My German shepherd, Akasha, likes to think she is the queen. She hates feeling left out or having the other dogs go first in anything. When we first got our hybrid, Avalon, she took over the mothering. At times she becomes very aggressive and dominant toward Avalon—sometimes too aggressive. When these occasions occur, I sit back and look at where I might be becoming too aggressive or pushy in my own life. More often than not, I can easily pinpoint the area.

Avalon, the mixed breed, has been a wonderful addition to the house. She keeps all of the other dogs active and playful. She likes to show the other dogs that she can get away with things they can’t. She teases and aggravates. She steals and hides things. And she is always playful. At times when she is overly so, it reminds me to keep the kid in me alive and find some time for play. With practice you can learn to see the relationships between animal activities and your own life. The more you understand the behavior patterns of the animals you encounter the easier it will be for you. This is effective with both animals in the wild and those you may have as pets.

10. The last technique for developing the ability of animal-speak and augury is probably the most important. If you want Nature to speak to you and give you signs, you must ask it to. You must make a conscious effort to align yourself with Nature.

Meditate outdoors. Send thoughts and prayers to Mother Nature, asking for signs and communications. Pay attention to what you see, hear, feel, and smell each time you step outdoors. Try to find connections between what you experience and your life circumstances. I heard once that the best way to make a friend is to ask a favor. By asking a favor you are honoring that person and giving respect for what he or she can do. You acknowledge that person’s unique ability. Ask Nature to teach you how to speak its language. It is the best favor you can do for the Earth and for yourself.

As you develop your ability to understand what Nature says to you, you can begin to ask for specific kinds of communications. One way in which this works is through your animal totems. Once you have developed attunement with them, you can ask them to communicate to you in special ways-ways that you will always know as messages.

The hawk is one of my totems. Over the years I have developed the ability to see and hear hawks everywhere I go. Whenever I travel, I always ask for hawk’s protection and vision to assist me and guide me on my trip. I also ask that hawk show that it has heard my prayers by showing itself to me in the first hour of my trip. Hawk has never failed me. I always have several hawks that will appear alongside of the road in that first hour. They will be sitting on sign posts, on branches of trees overhanging the road or may just fly across my path. Each time I see hawk, I greet it and honor it.

If I travel at night, I ask hawk to send me some other totem to show that the journey is protected and blessed-since hawks do not fly at night. I may spot deer, owl, or some other night animal in numbers that tell me hawk is watching out for me.

As you develop your relationship with your totem, you can ask that it appear to you in specific ways for specific messages. For example, with my hawks, I ask that they let me know where police are on the highway, or if the road is clear. When I notice a hawk while driving, I pay attention as to whether it is looking at me, behind me, in front of me, soaring over head, on the right side of the road, the left side, etc. Over the years this has developed into a wonderful and effective vocabulary with hawks that enables me to know road conditions and the presence of police radar. It has never failed me, and it is very accurate. For this to work, you must develop the relationship and ask for the signs.

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7. Wolfe, Art. Owls—Their Life and Behavior (New York, Crown Publishers, Inc., 1990), p. 117.