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| Birds of Prey Event at Brewster, NY - June 3, 2012 |
Aha! And research has showed me that it actually comes from a famous American World War Two patriotic song, with words by Harold Adamson and music by Jimmy McHugh. It tells the tale of a plane struggling home after a bombing raid.
Well, I'm not here to write about war; I'd rather focus on hope and celebrate life. That is why our many birds of prey come to mind - or shall we say "birds of pray". For some time now, I have been a big fan of these fabulous winged creatures. They are so magnificant. They may be predators, but only to survive, taking what they need, not anything more, keeping the natural balance of life in harmony.
They are strategic, they are wise, they are strong and very observant before they attack. They fly high in the sky with such freedom, gaining clarity with incredible vision. They are full of mystery and they project a sense of confidence that is admirable.
I recently went to a Birds of Prey Day at Green Chimneys in Brewster, New York to learn more about these fabulous creatures and to see them up close. What a fantastic day that was.
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| Hawk - Brewster, NY |
In my own life, I can say that birds have showed up on a couple of occasions during the passing of a soul. When my first cat, Dexter, passed on, a group of birds (if I recall correctly they weren't pigeons but more like sparrows) showed up on my New York apartment window sill the morning he passed. Never before or after, did a group of birds like that flutter at my window sill peering in - just a single bird or two only minding his or her own business. On another occasion, when my father passed, I saw two large owls hooting high in the trees down in Florida just a day or two before and then afterwards, was astutely keen of birds (especially his favorites including the blue jay) and butterflies (many monarchs - I know not a bird of prey, but still symbolic) appearing everywhere for several months afterwards in abundance or in not so common places or situations. Coincidence? Maybe - maybe not.
Middle Eastern and Asian cultures often speak of birds as symbols of immortality. In East Indian myth, every bird in the world represents a departed soul, and in Christian art, birds often appear as saved souls. I personally think it is a beautiful thought and tickled at the possibilities of this being true. Some of my favorite birds of prey include eagles, falcons, hawks and owls.
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| Eagle - Birds of Prey Event in Brewster, NY |
EAGLES have always been connected to the sun and heaven; a powerful symbol, it signifies resurrection and rebirth. The Eagle is said to have the ability to soar, until it is lost to the sun, and, according to Aristotle, it can gaze into the blazing midday sun, without going blind. For this reason, it has come to symbolize Christ and those who are just; or stand for the virtues of courage, faith, and contemplation. It is also from this symbolic interpretation, that the lectern, from which the Gospels are read, is often given the form of a Winged Eagle.
The Bible identifies the Eagle as a sign of God's power over the wicked. Eagles are associated with far-sighted vision, ambition realized and desire fulfilled. It is also associated with lightening storms and thunderbolts. In Greek and Roman times, the Eagle was referred to as a God or "The King of Birds". In Roman art, the flight of the Eagle, was described as the soul ascending toward heaven.
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| Falcon @ Birds of Prey Day Brewster, NY |
FALCONS have always been a favorite companion of the hunter because it was thought never to close its eyes in sleep. Therefore, in some cultures, the Falcon became a protective guardian.
Egyptians associated the Falcon with the Eye of Horus. Horus himself was believed to appear in the form of Pharaoh's falcon or as a "falcon-headed god". He could see everything at once because one of his eyes was the sun and the other was the moon. As the embodiment of Horus, the falcon wears a double crown.
When he represents the Egyptian God, Ra, he wears a disk on his head. A human-headed falcon is a symbol of the human soul. In Asia, the Eagle hunted and killed demons. In Christianity, the Falcon came to symbolize the Holy Spirit and represented a pagan who was converted to Christianity.
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| Hawk - Redhawk Council Indian Pow Wow Sep 2011 |
HAWKS are revered by many cultures around the globe for it skills and prowess as a bird of prey. Regarded by many as a sacred messenger, said to aid 'clarity of thought'. Hawk is said to offer powerful protection. This bird also has links to the belief systems of Ancient Egypt, Norse and Celtic Mythology.
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| Owls - Birds of Prey Day - Brewster, NY |
OWLS are remarkable hunters. These birds are said to offer us 'silent wisdom' and help us to connect with our "hidden talents and knowledge that is otherwise not obvious to us". Owl energy can offer us the ability to understand the signs and signals around us. Not all cultures regard this bird as a "good omen", some regard them as "harbingers of doom and symbols of death'"
COOL, RIGHT?!
So, next time you look up high in the sky and see a winged creature soaring gracefully in flow with the wind or camouflaged within the tree limbs, instead of panicking and relying on hope that it doesn't swoop down at you, take a moment to revel in their beauty, think of their innate wisdom and skill and how it parallels to you or decipher the meaning or lesson to learn from them. Do I need to be more careful with how I am treating myself? Do I need to look more carefully and change a bad habit that doesn't serve me? Do I need to let go of emotional garbage to move on and soar to new heights? Do I need more faith or a belief system to understand my purpose or to be happy? Do I need NOT be afraid?
Maybe you did not cross paths by accident at all!
Just notice.
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| YA GOT THAT! (ha! this is a teeny tiny screetch owl - as big as a large man's hand) Birds of Prey Day, Brewster, NY |
To all animals we share our world with and to the adventure,
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