As we looked at the last post, gang, we got to thinking about our "feathered friends". I mean, what is more exhilarating than to see a creature of exquisite beauty who is not only aesthetically attractive but whose grace and agility inspire instant envy. And then we start thinking about other 'winged creatures' - those beings of mythology, legend and mystery - who, throughout the ages, have caused us to imagine incredible
possibilities. Have we seen an Angel? A Phoenix? A Dragon? The mental possibilities are endless. And all you have to do is do the most cursory review of ancient literature, folklore and history to see that throughout the continuum of time, feathered creatures have been considered as crucial elements in our existence. The tales that have been woven to explain their roles are as charming, fascinating and intriguing as any aspect of human record-keeping. Of course, one of the most prominent and
frequently mentioned is our old friend the Raven. Whether we refer to him as "Crow", Magpie, Raven, Blackbird or any of a number of other names, he is recognized in virtually every culture, continent and civilization throughout time. For some he is the primary 'spirit messenger', for others, an omen of death. In ancient Greece he was considered unlucky while in China he represented the three parts of the day. In some cultures he represented fidelity; in others, the bringer of food. Always described as 'cunning', in North American Native folklore he sees the past present and future simultaneously. But there are so many others!! Growing up in the
foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains one of my childhood friends was the remarkable Blue Jay. His place in Native American lore is firmly fixed - but - not always his role. Many tribes have negative views about bluejays because of their noisy,
aggressive behavior. In legends, they are often nosy gossips, bullies, or selfish thieves.
But, on occasion, they are seen as clever, entertaining, and helpful to humankind.
While it would be impossible to repeat the various legends here, if you have the opportunity, please find out more about the role of Blue Jays in the lives
of the Hopi Indians or the legends of "The Bears, the Lizard and the Crow." There are many others of equal fascination. And then, there is his 'opposite number' on the color scale - the Cardinal. This spectacular fellow has been the source of more creative storytelling than almost any other. If you want to have a lot of fun learning about the thoughts of our early brothers and sisters please take the time to look up the Cherokee legend of the Racoon, the Wolf, and the drab brown bird who, through an act of extraordinary kindness not only earned the eternal
gratitude of his powerful neighbor but gained perhaps the most dramatic coloration in the bird kingdom. Of course, one of our all-time favorites has to be the 'harbinger of spring' our old buddy the Red Breasted Robin. His place in folklore is also rather remarkable. Not only does he appear in ancient Native American and Native Meso-American folklore, he is prominently represented in Christian folklore as well. The well-known fable of his role in keeping the infant Jesus warm by fanning the dying fire in the stable tells of the lasting favor he gained from Mary but, ironically, it parallels similar descriptions in Native American religious life. There is no question that he has been associated with fire - from the dawn of creation to the early centuries following the Ice Age on our
continent. But it is not always the flashy or spectacular specimens that are the focus of our storytelling. There are countless examples - Mockingbird, Titmouse, Sparrows and many others who constantly serve as examples used by the Ancient Americans to establish their expectations. But it is impossible to miss the enormous role of
those other representatives we hear so much about. The mighty Eagle, the flashing Hawk, the intelligent Owl and so many more. There are so many stories about their roles in the evolution of our planet and the development of our own species that we almost take
them for granted at times. The "totem" value of the extraordinary creatures has been firmly established in virtually every civilized (or not-so-civilized) culture which has been exposed to them. We view them as big brothers and sisters, wise 'elder uncles', parents or grandparents or, perhaps, simply the thoughtful elders of our clan. We have used them as examples of courage, power, cunning, and craftiness and we have sought to emulate their virtues. Their very feathers and bones have played a medicinal role throughout history and their value to some aspects of our indigenous cultures is so great they are not only protected from harm or capture by man-made laws, the possession
of their body parts is even illegal. While it might seem a bit strange to some, those of you have traveled to the distant corners of our land - the Navajo, Apache, Anasazi, Comanche and Cherokee territories, the Tlingit and Athabascan lodges - with us and have seen the majesty of the Mesa Verde societies, the Nenana, Teslin and Cortez Cultural Centers; who have seen the dances of the feathered dieties inTillicum Villiage, Cortez, White Horse and Teslin ... you understand!!! We are simply, inescapably linked with these magnificent creatures and it is a good - no, it is a wonderful thing!! They are so beautiful, so awe-inspiring and so mysterious. But, in closing, we cannot forget the little ladies and gentlemen that have brought us endless
delight over the last decade or so - The Hummers! These exquisite little jewels not only display their beauty, their feisty nature and their insatiable appetites throughout the summer, they have served as the inspiration for countless legends, myths and mysteries. The lore of cultures throughout the Western Hemisphere abound with their stories. (Note - you won't normally find them in European lore since they reside almost exclusively in the Western Hemisphere.) The stories are almost endless so I won't try to summarize them here. But - there is a more contemporary description that serves quite well. I do not know how to properly attribute this note and I apologize for that but I will emphatically say - it's not mine!! I hope, however, that you get as much enjoyment from this description of our beautiful little friend as I do. It says:
“Legends say that hummingbirds float free of time,
carrying our hopes for love, joy and celebration. Hummingbirds open our eyes to
the wonder of the world and inspire us to open our hearts to loved ones and
friends. Like a hummingbird, we aspire to hover and to savor each moment as it
passes, embrace all that life has to offer and to celebrate the joy of
everyday. The hummingbird’s delicate grace reminds us that life is rich, beauty
is everywhere, every personal connection has meaning and that laughter is
life’s sweetest creation.”
We'll be back soon!! See ya.
