Birds soar above us, serving as a link between our earthbound lives and the glorious mystery of the beyond. They inspire us to look up, to reach out, to yearn for more. That may sound like a recipe for disgruntlement with one’s lot in life, but it’s far from it. As we look beyond our daily grind, we strive to accomplish more and to better ourselves in ways we may not otherwise have considered. But birds do more than just speak to our souls. They are creatures of the air, the element which Western culture usually associates with the mind and thus the powers of thought, wisdom, knowledge, and intuition. It’s no wonder, then, that for centuries humans have, subconsciously or otherwise, felt drawn to birds and viewed them as messengers or representatives of some kind of mystical communication.
We keep birds as pets, to enjoy their beauty and songs. We keep birds as livestock, to partake of their nourishment. We draw and paint birds, using them as symbols for innumerable virtues. We celebrate their songs in our music. Truly, birds are a magical and omnipresent part of our lives, and because we see them so frequently in our environments, we are drawn to observe them and to make something of their presence.
What does it mean to see a cardinal when you’re on your way to the bus stop, or to witness a blue jay eating spiders in the cedar hedge? When a hawk soars across the highway, what significance might it have? Read on to learn the history of our winged messengers, how to interpret their signs, and how you can use them to divine the secrets of your own life.