flutter

Birds were considered messengers of the gods because they traversed earth and sky. Ever-moving, dynamic and light, they embody the quick energy of spring and summer. Now is the time when we receive more light, and we get to enjoy nature and outdoors.

Little wings allow these creatures to take flight. Birds must take up space and trust that the invisible winds will carry them.

Our wingspan is our arms of which the energy lines lead to the chakra at heart. Our flights are seated in our imagination and the soaring of souls.

So many yoga postures are inspired by birds - pigeon, heron, stork, crow, peacock, eagle, seagull, rooster and more. They act as symbols of taking up space, trusting in our hearts, grounding, rooting to rise, our connection to earth (body) and sky (mind) and to believe in the invisible.

Tiny sets of lungs cause songs that can be heard over distance. Feather wings carry them across continents. Proof that the smallest of beings can create seismic shifts and achieve great feats when they allow their hearts to lead the way.

One of my teachers opened his book by sharing a story of a kite bird who was carrying prey through the sky. The kite was repeatedly attacked by other birds who wanted the feast for themselves. They’d try to knock him out of the sky. Eventually, after much time and distance, he decided to simply drop the carrion and soared on, left by the other attackers. A symbol of letting go of the things that weigh us down. That we can move on after letting go of things once precious to us.

Birds are so beautiful and there are thousands of species. I’m so lucky to be inspired by the flutter of wings in my garden. Every year I have blue tits nest just a few metres from my door. I watched 7 fledglings fly the nest a few years ago. As those little beings left their nest box, my heart soared.

Another year, my sister adopted a puppy who was playing in my garden when a sparrowhawk dove out of nowhere trying to catch her - thankfully, it missed. There are many buzzards with huge wingspans that often catch tiny sparrows, robins and blue tits here. Birds of prey are elegant, yet terrifying for the smaller birds and mammals they hunt.

Then there are the seagulls who knock on my window demanding food and who nestle on the chimneys of neighbours in the colder weather, and have learnt to stamp on the spot to trick the worms into believing it’s raining, so they come to the surface and straight into their bellies. So incredibly clever and jurassic in their nature. A reminder that everything evolves, that we’re all part of a circle of life.

Birds aren’t scared to explore a world full of unknown, so much larger than them. They’re aware of the predators that surround them, yet still they fly fearlessly. They’re aware that to stay safe and still would mean to miss seeing and feeling all the world has to offer.

You can clip the wings of a bird but she’ll still sing. She’ll still dream of taking flight.

It’s also really important to notice what we don’t notice - all the things we take for granted. How many times have you sat beside a window yet completely ignored the song and scenery in them? My sister has always said, “It’s not that the birds ever stopped singing. It’s just you stopped hearing them”.

Flutter. These little beings remind us of the things that really matter, that small doesn’t mean insignificant, to look for the signs and to never ignore the sounds that surround us.