In myriad cultures and for countless generations, birds have been considered divine messengers. Flying between heaven and earth at a high vantage point, birds naturally appear to be able to see the big picture of any given situation. Observed closely, it’s apparent that their flying patterns foretell seasonal and meteorological shifts; simply by noticing their appearance, presence or behavior, humans can glean helpful information, or messages. Paying attention to bird omens could even be compared to Rorschach tests: What a bird seems to be telling you about your life might be exactly what your subconscious most wants your conscious mind to know.
With all due respect to Alfred Hitchcock’s filmmaking, it’s better if we assume the worldview common to nature-based religions that all aspects of nature, whether they appear to be or not, are coexisting in harmonious oneness. So birds, animals, stars, planets, plants and weather, can be perceived as dear friends and loving messengers. In other words, crows don’t portend ill fortune unless we choose to believe that they do. This puts the wheel of destiny behind us, rather than forcing us into the precarious backseat of fate.
And so, keeping in mind that all of nature is conspiring for our spiritual evolution and our highest good, you might to begin to notice the pigeons loitering around your patio, the dove gently cooing out your office window, or the hawk suddenly appearing in a tree near the 405 while you’re stuck in five-mile-an-hour traffic. It may be that they’ve sailed down from heaven to communicate something very important to you.
Below you’ll find a short list of Los Angeles birds, along with some modern and traditional interpretations of the metaphysical significance of each. You can use these descriptions as a jumping-off point for your do-it-yourself auguries, but it’s also a good idea to relax and gently align your intuition with the bird’s energy to see if you can get a feeling for what he or she would like you to know. (But be careful if you’re on the 405!)
Hummingbird
Hummingbirds symbolize joy, appearing in the form of a healthy balance of romance, vibrant energy and harmonious success. The hummingbird’s message is often “follow your bliss.” Two hummingbirds peacefully coexisting can be harbingers of a positive new romance or business partnership.
Crow
An aura of mystery surrounds the crow, and a crow sighting that feels significant in some way indicates that walking between the worlds of the known and the unknown will be helpful to you at this time. Many Native American cultures have a name for God or the Infinite that translates as “the great mystery,” or “the great holy mystery.” Time, death, the afterlife and the subconscious are aspects of this mystery. The crow asks us to explore these things, rather than fear them; to surrender to them and be inspired by their unfathomable depths.
Seagull
Seagulls move between the realm of air, which symbolizes ideas and conscious thought, and the realm of water, which symbolizes emotions and intuition. They can therefore help us with our creativity, which is born from a marriage of these two realms. They are also very good at finding food and surviving, and so they bring messages of encouragement and support to those for whom money or basic daily needs are an issue, especially creative people.
Pigeon
Pigeon messages are often about being both confident and humble at the same time. Pigeons are not flashy or boastful, but they’re brilliant. For example, they have an amazing ability to find and travel to exact locations. This is why their message might also be about accuracy, efficiency and/or travel. You probably know they’ve been used as message carriers (like Harry Potter’s owl) during various historical periods, and years ago, New Yorkers used to raise them on their roofs for this purpose. Their ability to return to any given place makes them symbolic of returning home, or honoring the place one was raised or considers home.
Dove
The dove, as we all know, is a universal symbol of peace. Doves also represent mothering or being mothered, so if the dove flies into your life, you might want to examine your relationship with your mother or children, or your feelings about motherhood. It’s said that the cry of a dove can help you open your heart and uncover buried emotions. The way you interpret or hear the sound mirrors the truth of your emotional state.
Hawk
The hawk asks us to be honest with ourselves and to do the inner work necessary to move forward in our lives in a positive and constructive way. This can feel scary, as inner work usually requires us to confront our so-called demons. But be brave, be grateful for the hawk’s message, and be assured that you are more than equipped to handle any issues or challenges that may arise.
Parrot
Thanks to the cunning escape artistry of their forbears, there are many varieties of parrots in Los Angeles. In my neighborhood encounters with the parrot can bring supportive blessings to immigrants and other non-natives, as well as encouraging messages of freedom to those of us who have formerly been oppressed by captivity in any form. The parrots of Los Angeles remind us that regardless of our past or present challenges, we can thrive, find freedom, express our uniqueness and soar.
Tess Whitehurst is a Los Angeles-based feng shui consultant. Her first book, Magical Housekeeping, will be published by Llewellyn Worldwide next year.
