Hawk: As Messenger:
“When you have the hawk as a spirit animal, you may have an inclination towards using the power of vision and intuition in your daily life. The hawk totem provides wisdom about seeing situations from a higher perspective, using the power of observation, and focusing on the task at hand. It’s a good companion to develop spiritual awareness.” Ted Andrews, Animal Speak
I rarely see a hawk in my new home. Fields of corn and soybeans surround me, and most are sprayed and using GMO seeds. I notice few butterflies, bees, etc., at one park nearby and wonder if the herbicide use contributes to fewer species. This park is loaded with white clover, and growing up, bees were plentiful and fed on the white clover, so we had to be careful walking barefoot. It’s disappointing and troubling not to see these pollinators on the clovers. Though I live near a waterway, hawks have been infrequent visitors until recently.
On one of my drives out of town, a hawk flew right across the front of my car, high enough to be out of my way but low enough for me to see. He got my attention. The hawk has been a strong messenger, which I learned from my Native American elders. The hawk brings messages from the Great Spirit or the Creator. It’s about listening. What was I thinking about when the hawk flew by? The next day or so, I heard a screech above me and realized it was a hawk. So, I’m on alert. A day or so later, I received an opportunity to heal a foot issue but on a different inner level. The revelation was astounding. While my foot didn’t miraculously heal at that moment, over the next couple of days, I felt an easing up.
Hawks are predators and can be harassed by smaller birds, especially crows. They can live long lives and share the raising of their offspring. Back in CT, I had the opportunity one spring to watch a pair build a nest, hatch a couple of young ones, and then teach them how to fly. They put on a magnificent and noisy show.
On the inner levels of intuition and following my gut knowing, hawk has been a messenger for me several times. I respect their presence. Though not every visitation by any critter means there is a message, our gut tells us when one is significant. For some of you, Hawk may be a totem animal, a power animal who guides you when intuitive senses are open. And when we get out of our minds and into the stillness, nature is there. She speaks through our intuition and helps strengthen our connection to the natural world.
In many traditions, hawks are sacred: Apollo’s messengers for the Greeks, sun symbols for the ancient Egyptians, and, in the case of the Lakota Sioux, embodiments of clear vision, speed, and single-minded dedication.” ~ John Burnside
Hawks, birds of prey, are strong fliers with bold talons. Did you know they can break a snake’s head in the air? Studying the different aspects of a bird’s characteristics can bring clues about an aspect of our own nature and tell us something about the natural world around us. Do you notice hawks around? If so, what do they mean to you? Did they fly high above you? Land on a nearby post. Were they teaching their offspring how to fly? Trust your gut, your intuitive senses. You may be in for some unexpected surprises.
Sweet dreaming. Judith
Judith Dreyer, MS, BSN, Writer, Speaker, and Workshop Presenter, Master Gardener.
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