Tag / sacred journey

I write through tears today, grieving the sudden loss of a loved one. Preparing to navigate this day, a healing by a wild thing earlier this year jumps forefront to my mind. Knowing you have much on your mind and heart as well, I offer this to buoy your spirits and encourage your journey.

At the end of two fulfilling but exhausting mid-summer weeks, I longed to curl up in a puddle for a brief lunch break. I headed for the sofa, but my breath caught as my daughter’s insistent voice sounded up the stairs.

“Mom, we have an issue.”

Sighing, I gathered the few remaining tendrils of strength to tend the “issue” before my world changed.

A hawk with golden eyes was staring directly at me, held in my daughter’s arms.

The hawk (likely a Cooper’s) had run into a window and stunned itself. To the best of my knowledge, no bird has EVER heretofore run into our basement windows. There are no feeders nearby and no other birds frequent this underdeck area.

We went outside to a safe space overlooking the river. Settling weary bones onto the wooden deck, I expected to wait quietly a few feet away while hawk recovered. Hawk had something entirely different in mind…and hopped right into my lap! Talons pierced deeply into my skin, drawing blood, but hawk clearly meant no harm – only desiring companionship. Hawk placed her head over my heart, angling under my left arm while I stroked her marvelous feathers.

Grateful but in pain, I gently detached her talons and set hawk down, returning with jeans on to protect tender flesh. My exhaustion eased as we took comfort in each other, this wild, magical creature and I.

I transferred her to my daughter and gathered a bit of venison for hawk’s nourishment (for which she was most grateful!). Regaining strength, she lifted onto the railing, silently looking at me for a few minutes before flying away.

I thought that was the end of the story, but she landed on my van a few hours later before roosting on a branch outside our window overnight.

Although she is exploring new adventures, hawk’s wild blessing remains with me evermore. My alchemical wish for you is this: May you discover strength for your journey, and may your heart be healed by the wholeness that enters only through the wild spaces.  For you are a courageous being on the often wild and always sacred journey of your life.

With Love and Alchemy,

Christy❤