BIRD MEDICINE
Native American Animal Medicine
Osiyo or 'Siyo [Hello in Cherokee]
Below is a list of the Bird Medicine that Christine (Aquarius) and I (Gemini) saw during our Southern Illinois trip coupled with the Bird Medicine that Christine, Peg (Libra) and I saw during the New Orleans trip. I will transfer this information over to the Native American Animal Medicine section tomorrow. This is a great way to build and complete the Native American Animal Medicine section once and for all. Thank you for your patience.
Keep in mind that all Bird Medicine are messengers from Great Spirit (God). When interpreting Native American Animal Medicine you must make the message personal to you. It is very similar to interpreting your dreams and making it specific to you. Meaning you are the director of your dreams. You called forth the dream just as you call for the Animal Medicine. Therefore, the message will have a similar but different meaning individually for Christine, Peg and I according to our own personal Life. Only "we" will ultimately know what the message really means to us. Refrain from making Animal Medicine harder than it really is. (winky wink)
BLACK VULTURE MEDICINE -- Christine and I saw Black Vulture Medicine during our Little Grand Canyon hike. It was nearly a tearful moment watching beautiful and graceful bird do its thing. Black Vulture Medicine is deliberate and conspicious in its flight. In other words, it makes no bones about being seen because it is definitely searching to pick something else's bones. Black Vulture Medicine is a scavenger and preys on the sick, young, unprotected and weak. Hmmmmm . . this makes me wonder just how courageous this Bird Medicine really is even though they are more aggressive than Turkey Vultures. This Bird Medicine is easier to spot on windy days because they are taking advantage of the thermals or updrafts. While Turkey Vulture Medicine depends on their keen sense of smell, Black Vulture Medicine depends on their keen sharp vision. There is a strong message here as an opportunist. What is one man's trash is another man's treasure. In other words, keep your eyes peeled for the treasure.
BLACKBIRD MEDICINE -- Even though Black Bird Medicine is an aggressive bird, the fight never lasts long. They are known for their melodious voice where they sing from high places such as; rooftops, trees and any other elevated perch. It is interesting how they enjoy standing alone singing and catching the attention of others. Humans recognize singing as a creative talent that not everyone masters. When Blackbird Medicine comes in front of you, it is asking you to recognize your creative talent. While this may not be singing, there is a talent that you should allow to shine. In other words, do not hide your Light under a bushel, sing it from the rooftops!
CATTLE EGRET MEDICINE -- I specifically remember the moment Peg called out, "Cattle Egret!" Even though she was the one who saw the Cattle Egret Medicine first, our attention was also drawn to the Bird Medicine. Therefore, the bird medicine was meant for Christine and I as well. Cattle Egret Medicine is interesting because it often rides the backs of others (cattle or other large animals) in order to obtain their intended desire (food/insects). They ride the backs of larger animals for a specific purpose, making it easier to obtain their goal. Even though we did not see Cattle Egret Medicine riding the back of cattle, the message is still present and worth decipering individually.
CLIFF SWALLOW MEDICINE -- Christine and I saw Cliff Swallow Medicine in Southern Illinois when we hiked the Little Grand Canyon. I absolutely Love this Bird Medicine because it is often seen "flying". Oh yeah! I do like to fly in all forms. Cliff Swallow Medicine is gregarious and sociable, while at the same time it can nest solitarily. Ah, the best of both worlds, which makes me wonder if Cliff Swallow Medicine is a Gemini like me. (winky wink) Cliff Swallow Medicine also thinks of their colony. They will call out alerting the others to a swarm of insects that food has arrived. Christine and I often laugh about our group of crazy friends. We say, "Well if your friend jumps off a cliff, does that mean you will too?" Then we look at each other, laugh and say, "YEAH!" This is the same day that Christine and I hiked down a cliff to get a better view. Knowing that we have been known to require adult supervision and that it could be a dangerous although short trek downward, we made certain we had our adult senses locked on before we went scurrying haphazardly down the cliff.
COMMON RAVEN / CROW MEDICINE -- The Common Raven is part of the Crow Family. Due to the fact that Raven Medicine has excellent problem-solving skills leads to the belief that they have great intelligence. This is probably why many indigenous cultures saw Raven Medicine as a spiritual figure or god. They are the acrobats or show offs of Bird Medicine as they are continually performing aerial displays, tumbling and mock fighting, just like airplanes at an air show. Somehow they know when they are being watched. Raven Medicine is often confused with a Hawk or a Crow, but I firmly believe what I saw was Raven Medicine simply due to its heavier bill and wedged-shaped tail. Back to being part of the Crow Medicine; it is important to remember that Crow Medicine is a shape-shifter, meaning Crow Medicine can be in two places at once. I often see Crow Medicine around me, which reminds me that I can be on the web and talking on the phone at the same time. Or I can be on the radio or in my book at the same time. Or I can be on my Blackberry in the passenger's seat of a car and in my TYS online e-Course at the same time. Raven Medicine is known to have at least 30 different vocalizations and often times I feel the same way. (winky wink) Crow Medicine/Raven Medicine always reminds me that I am indeed, a shape shifter.
GREAT BLUE HERON -- I think this is one of the strangest birds to watch. They are waders and that is exactly what they do; therefore, you will always find them near water or on the edge of water. They just stand there with their legs perfectly straight. It kind of reminds me of how my yoga instructor always tried to be to straighten my legs during Mountain Posture. Great Blue Heron locates it food by sight and swallows it whole. At the same time, Great Blue Heron Medicine can choke on its prey if it is too large. In other words, sometimes the eyes are bigger than the stomach. They feed their young by regurgitation because the parent Heron can consume up to four times as much food when they are feeding their chicks. This message is not necessary about food and how one eats. The message this Bird Medicine brings to me personally is quite profound. I can see how Great Blue Heron Medicine serves me through this website and how I have chosen to feed the masses. I get it!
MALLARD DUCK MEDICINE -- We saw both the male and female Mallard Duck Medicine. Mallard Duck Medicine is known as a "wild duck" and referred to as a dabbling duck. This is a group of ducks that feed mainly on vegetable matter on the water surface. They graze and rarely dive. They are strong fliers and are migratory birds. The breeding male mallard is unmistakable with a green head, black rear end and a blue speculum edged with white. The males also have a yellow bill with a black tip while the females are dark brown. After all, these males have to be pretty enough to capture the females attention for breeding. Generally in the animal kingdom, the male birds are more colorful than the female for this reason. Mallard Duck Medicine is very interesting when it comes to breeding. Mallards are very sexual birds and have a high tendency for male to male sexual activity. When you see pictures of two mallards, this is actually two male ducks forming a union. They will only form a pair with a female until she lays eggs and then the male duck will leave her.
MOCKINGBIRD MEDICINE -- Christine and I were standing in a parking lot at the visitors center in the Louisiana Bayou while Peg was wandering about somewhere else. Christine said, "Oh, look at the cute Mockingbirds!" They were facing each other and hopping toward each other and then hopping backward. They were doing this cute little dance mirroring one another. We laughed because it was as if they were saying, "Are you mocking me?" Mockingbird Medicine mimicks the songs of other bird medicine. They are imitators! Due to the fact that Mockingbird Medicine is so territorial, they will often injure or even kill themselves by attacking their reflection in a window, hubcap or a mirror. Well there's a neon sign that is blatantly saying, "Take note of what you are attracting or mirroring!"
MUSCOVY DUCK MEDICINE -- The interesting thing about this Muscovy Duck Medicine is that it does not form a stable pair. Muscovy Duck medicine will couple-up with a related bird but not necessary a bird of its own kind. It is aggressive Bird Medicine and the males will often fight with each other over just about anything, including what would be typical -- territory, mate and food. The females are less aggressive. Interestingly enough, as we walked up to a flock of Muscovy Bird Medicine, a couple of young girls were telling us how the ducks were chasing them; obviously they were males. It is fairly easy to assume what this Bird Medicine meant for these young girls. (winky wink) It is also worth noting how well the three of us girls travel with one another with no drama, lots of fun and on the same page.
ROBIN MEDICINE -- Oh such a wonderful song bird. If only I could sing like that even during a night of karaoke. In fact, Robin Medicine is usually the last songbird singing just before the Sun goes down. Robin Medicine has this comical running and stopping behavior that is probably its most distinguishing characteristic. When you see them stop, they are not listening, they are actually looking for the prey. This gives the phrase, "STOP and look around'" or "STOP and smell the roses," a whole new meaning. They are very deliberate Bird Medicine as they take the time to literally STOP and look around. They are also migratory birds. When Male Robin Medicine returns for the summer before Female Robin Medicine, he searchers and competes for the best nesting sites. Male Robin Medicine will go in first like a U.S. Navy Seal to check out the scenary and take care of the dirty work. (winky wink) The Female Robin Medicine will then select her mate based on his ability to secure a territory, how well he sings and his plumage. Sounds a bit familiar to the female human, huh?
SEAGULL MEDICINE -- Seagull Medicine are scavengers and opportunists. Even though most Seagull Medicine can successfully co-exist with humans, they can also be so aggressive that they will take food right out of a humans hand. Opportunistists? You betcha! When there is an opportunity, they will in fact take it, which is something most humans still need to learn when it comes to reaching their own personal goals in Life. The word "opportunist" does not have to be a negative word. Simply stand in integrity as you take advantage of all opportunities laid out right before you.
SPARROW MEDICINE -- Sparrow Medicine is a grain and seed eating bird. This is not to say they won't go rummaging through your trash because they will. Sparrow Medicine is known as intelligent and has proved to be adaptable in most situations, including food, shelter and nesting sites. It is also probably the most abundant songbird in the world. The biggest thing to remember about Sparrow Medicine is that it is adaptable.
"Now get out there, go place yourself UP!
and practice being you."
-- Dr. Loretta Standley
Click the radio pic of me and it will take you directly to www.drstandleylive.com. New broadcasts are posted daily. Read the last two daily messages titled, My Recent Travels. Note the first black button in the left green column will always bring you back to the Home Page.
Denadagohvyu ['Until we meet again' in Cherokee]
A bazillion blessings~ Dr. Loretta Standley
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MY RECENT TRAVELS
Osiyo or 'Siyo [Hello in Cherokee]
Well folks, it is back to normal here in St. Louis after a weekend blowout in New Orleans with Christine (Aquarius) and Peg (Libra). Christine and I flew out of St. Louis early Thursday morning last week for Dallas and met up Peg and her husband (Chris) in the airport. Chris was departing back home for St. Louis just as we were arriving in Dallas. Peg was transferred to Dallas last fall for two years which is why all the recent travel south. A couple of hours later, we were in Peg's car and headed for New Orleans which is about a 600 mile drive. So why didn't we all just fly into New Orleans? Well where is the excitement and adventure in that for three spontaneous girls?
I had never been to New Orleans, so the girls were a bit over-excited (to say the least) to bring a rookie on their first trip to New Orleans. It was everything I had expected and more. The girls and I are involved in a lot of fund-raisers, particularly our own non-profit group called The Benevolent Society. Actually Christine and Peg are the founders of this twenty-year group of fund-raising friends. So needless to say, Jazz Fest in New Orleans gave us some fantabulous ideas for all the fund-raising festivals we are involved in.
New Orleans is indeed quite a City and although they are making progress in their rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina, there is still a lot of work to be done. And I mean A LOT! Christine and Peg are annual attendees of Jazz Fest who are quite familiar with New Orleans so they took me all over the City and surrounding area, which in some cases is so heart-wrenching that it is difficult to look. New Orleans has so much to offer in history alone that I can see why it is such a beloved City. Incidentally, it was announced during Jazz Fest that they had a record-breaking crowd. It was definitely the largest crowd of people all in one space that I had even been in.
At Jazz Fest we saw one of my top 10 bands of all time, The Allman Brothers! I am huge Greg Allman fan! We also saw Steely Dan and Harry Conick Jr., who closed the Fest on Sunday. Joss Stone also played on Sunday. The weather was sizzling HOT! just like I like it and by Sunday evening, I was one crispy critter. My skin can easily tan in 53 degree weather and right now I look like a well done piece of bacon.
Late Monday morning we headed back to Dallas taking the longer scenic route through the Louisiana Bayou. We stopped at all the visitor centers, took time to look at the Bird Medicine around us and had a wonderful feast of crawfish and shrimp at an out of the way seafood dive later in the afternoon. The Bird Medicine we were looking for on this trip was the Painted Bunting, which as a male is known as a gaudily colorful bird and the female is greenish-yellow and found in the Southern U.S. states and Mexico. Basically it looks like a regular bird with parrokeet colors. Needless to say, we did not see the Painted Bunting but we did see plenty of other Bird Medicine.
I realize
