Connecting with the Transformer and Eternal Spirit - The Practices

Bird Magic: Wisdom of the Ancient Goddess for Pagans & Wiccans - Sandra Kynes 2016

Connecting with the Transformer and Eternal Spirit
The Practices

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As the transformer of energy and the keeper of our eternal souls, the Goddess embodies the perpetual rhythm of all that is. Spirit drives our personal journey like a dynamic spiral that links the manifest and unmanifest through the immanent presence of the Goddess. Existing everywhere on Earth, birds are the touchstone through which we can maintain our contact with her as well as with our own souls. Birds can also be instrumental to enriching our everyday experiences and to helping us through the changes in our lives.

Transformer and Spirit Ritual

For this ritual you will need a black candle, pictures and/or figurines of birds, and a feather (or a feather for each participant if you are doing a group ritual). Be sure to read the information in Chapter 10 before collecting feathers. Using a large sewing needle or a fine point marker that will show up on black, draw or carve several energy symbols onto the candle. The ritual is written as a solo practice that can easily be adapted for a group.

Once your altar is set up, light the candle. Raise your hands in the epiphany gesture with arms out to the sides at shoulder height, elbows bent, and hands raised with palms facing forward. As you do this say: “Black is the color of transformation. It represents the soul incubating in the darkness of the Goddess’s womb. Bird Goddess, transformer and keeper of eternal souls, I call on you to be with me.”

Create sacred space with breath and a feather. Inhale and then hold the feather lengthwise in front of your mouth as you gently blow across it. Do this three times, and then say: “Now in sacred space, I bring that sacredness within me as I enter the realm of the Bird Goddess.”

You may want to record the following visualization and play it back: Try to imagine the time when nature was revered; when the seasons were important; when the circle of the moon was a marker of time. The Goddess was everywhere; she is still everywhere. When we open our hearts, we can feel her presence.

Imagine that you are standing in the filtered shade of trees as you gaze across a wide meadow. It is morning and the sun slants golden ribbons of light across soft, green grass. Birds flutter and sing nearby. Take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet, earthy aromas.

Now, step from the shade of the trees into the meadow. Feel the long grass tickle your legs. As you move across the meadow, you can see a rolling green quilt of cultivated fields and meadows. Above you, the sky is a deep turquoise canopy that reaches from horizon to horizon. You can feel its limitlessness and serenity. You feel at peace with yourself in the stillness of the morning and the quiet meadow.

You have been in this meadow before and you have seen this view many times, but today is different because you can feel the presence of the Goddess. Her love and beauty are all around you and within you. You are relaxed and at ease with her gentle energy.

A bird circles around you, and then as you hold out your hand it alights on your wrist. You gaze into its eyes and it gazes back, reflecting the energy of life that is all around you. You feel a gentle sensation through your arm that moves up through your body to the heart center. Feel its vibrant flow.

The bird slowly flaps its wings and gently lifts from your wrist. Watch it as it circles and climbs into the sky. Experience the heady exhilaration of feeling totally alive. Your body feels warm and exquisitely invigorated by the luminous flow of energy. You feel in a state of grace, surrounded by a deep sense of compassion and spirit. You are profoundly moved because you know that you are touching the web of life and you have a sense of your place in it. Dwell in this knowledge for a few minutes. When you are ready to return your attention to the room in which you sit, take a few long, slow breaths and then open your eyes.

Stand up slowly, and begin to move. Listen for your inner music and feel it flow through you. Pick up your feather, and hold it as you move with the energy.

As you move, you may want to chant:

Circle round, spiral down;

Rise up singing from the ground.

Goddess, keeper of my soul;

Transformation make me whole.

When it feels appropriate, end the chant. Stand in the epiphany gesture in silence as you ground and center your energy. Extinguish the candle and then say: “May the energy and spirit of the Bird Goddess remain in my heart. Blessed be.”

Walking a Spiral

A spiral can be used like a labyrinth. Because it is one of the Goddess’s ancient symbols, it helps us connect with her and to work with bird energy. Like a labyrinth, the spiral has one path into the center that takes us back out again. Because of this, the movement of energy is both clockwise and counterclockwise (deosil and widdershins). I have found that walking a spiral can provide just as profound an experience as walking a labyrinth.

When we walk a spiral, going toward the center is symbolic of moving inward toward the self as well as moving toward the primal source. Walking a spiral is both a descent and ascent that provides an opportunity to find balance and wisdom. Each journey on a spiral provides a unique opportunity for us to gain personal insight and connect with the energy of the Goddess and her birds.

To make a spiral, clear as much floor space as you can, or, if you have privacy, create one in your backyard. The easiest thing to use for a spiral is a long piece of rope. Begin laying it out at the center of the spiral and leave enough space to sit. If you are not comfortable sitting on the floor, place a chair in the center. Make the space between each wind of the spiral wide enough to form a path for walking.

It is helpful to take something with you when you walk the spiral, such as a feather, a bird figurine, or an egg decorated with Goddess symbols. When you are ready, stand at the entrance for a moment or two with your eyes closed and focus your mind before stepping onto the path. Move slowly and with intention. If you feel the need to pause during the walk, do so.

The walk into the center provides time to release the flurry of thoughts that usually occupies our minds. As we walk, we are symbolically spiraling inward, releasing the ego’s control as well as any thoughts or emotions that tend to hold us back. This walk toward inner self also prepares us to reach outward to connect with the Goddess and her birds.

When you reach the center of the spiral, sit down. You may want to close your eyes or focus your gaze on whatever object you brought with you. Let your body relax; listen with your heart. Take your time in the center of the spiral, and then let your intuition guide you for the appropriate time to begin your walk out. Stand up, and then pause for a moment before initiating your return walk.

The power of the inward and outward movement can make us feel extremely grounded or a little wobbly from the energy that has been generated. Take your time and pause when necessary as you walk out. Upon emerging from the spiral, it is helpful to take a few minutes to stand or sit in silence. You may want to journal your experience.

Insights may occur right away or they may take several days or even longer. Be mindful of any birds that begin to show themselves, as they may hold meaning for you. Refer to Chapter 9 and the profiles to help you interpret their meaning.

Genius Loci and Spirit of Place

Birds provide a strong connection with the natural world and keep us in sync with the rhythms of nature. This is why it is helpful to work with the energy of our local birds. They bring an intangible atmosphere to the landscape around us, giving it an identity that fosters our sense of belonging.

Find out what birds are native to your area, which ones are year-round residents, and which ones may only stop by while on migration. Go to a place where you can easily observe them. Reach out with your energy and explore the sensations they create in the environment around you. Also do this in your backyard to connect with the birds closest to your home.

As you open yourself to their energy, you may find that you are seeing more birds or more types of birds. However, if one type of bird consistently presents itself, look up its profile in this book and spend time connecting with its energy. You may want to consider keeping a journal of bird sightings because it is easy to forget details. Comparing your observations over time often reveals patterns and aids in identifying and understanding messages.

Flight Patterns

The spiral and flowing symbols associated with this aspect of the Goddess are forms found in nature and in the flight patterns of birds. Find a place outside where you can sit comfortably and watch the movement of birds that fly in flocks. Early evening just before dusk is the best time, especially in the autumn and winter. This is because many types of birds form large roosting flocks after the breeding season.

Unlike the linear flight of geese, pelicans, and other waterfowl, some birds fly in dense groups. While starlings are well known for their aerobatic group displays, blackbirds also form large flocks that perform amazing maneuvers. Other birds to look for include pigeons, larks, meadowlarks, and robins.

When you go to a place to observe birds in flight, take a handful of birdseed along with you. As the birds synchronize their movements, watch for spirals, whorls, and circular patterns. Follow the fluid motion with your eyes and energy. Allow the birds’ flight patterns to pull you into their unity. Let it inspire a sense of connection with them and with all the people who have gone before and witnessed the Bird Goddess speaking through these symbols created by her creatures. When the birds begin to settle down or move off from where you are, make one of her energy symbols by sprinkling the birdseed on the ground. Stand in silence for a moment and then say: “Bird Goddess, Mother of all, thank you for touching my life with your blessings.”

Additional Activities

Another way to observe flowing patterns and symbols is with incense. Light it in a slightly darkened room where you will be able to observe the smoke. Hold a feather over it and gently blow across the length of the feather. Observe the flowing movement of the incense and watch for whorls and other symbols related to the Goddess. After watching the smoke, close your eyes for a moment and experience the energy of her blessings.

Last but not least, Ostara is the perfect sabbat to incorporate the life-stimulating energy symbols of the Goddess. While hot cross buns are a Christian tradition, the cross or quartered circle is an important symbol of the Bird Goddess. Incorporate this food into your Ostara ritual or meal.