The Trefoil Muse

Three weeks ago, a foggy mist of milk white hid the horizon. It was still cold. Spring was here but the tendrils of winter were loath to release their taunting grip on the prairie.

Many migrating birds were overhead.  I knew this because I could hear them.

I always tend to marvel at the ability of migratory birds especially, their instinctual ability to navigate blindly through inclement weather and unseen territory while they fly toward their new destinations.

I heard familiar honking in the distance. The recognizable sound was that of the Canadian Geese as they arrived in droves while fog shrouded the land. Other flocks of migratory birds were also flying in. Their types were harder to discern with listening ears because the opaque wall inhibited any clear view of the arriving birds and muffled the sounds of their songs.

The misty cold weather was surreal. Unending fog can be depressing to some but I enjoy the damp, cool weather and find the wall of cloudy white strangely comforting, even safe. I like the idea of disappearing behind a veil of white.  It’s private. I especially like walking in the fog, mainly because I am obliged to use my other senses and am forced to pay closer attention to what’s in my immediate circle during the hours before the fog relents to the rays of the mid-day sun.

But, that day, I was imagining what it would be like to spread open the white wall of fog with my hands as if it were curtains and step through it.  I was wondering if it would it be a clear day or magical world on the other side of the curtains when a knock interrupted my whimsy.

Knock, knock.

Knock.

“What’s knocking at my front door, it’s not like a knocking that I’ve heard before,” I wondered.

Opening the door, I saw no visitor appearing through the veil of white fog then, I looked down.  There, a small black bird sat looking up at me.  It made no attempt to fly away.  Our barn cat laid a couple of paces away from it but looked completely disinterested. His stomach was full from a hearty breakfast. He half dozed by his dish paying the bird no mind. But, the bird’s eyes held steady on mine.  “I’m in the bird’s eye view,” I mused silently.

“You’re a brave, confident little creature to land in such close proximity to a cat,” I thought as I knelt down to scoop up the little bird. Then it meowed. I nearly dropped it from my fumbling hands. In disbelief, I glanced at the cat but he was still asleep. “Now, I’m hearing things,” I mumbled to myself.

I looked uncertainly at the bird.  I suspected it to be a Starling – an unusual visitor in this area. However, Starlings are migratory birds

Side view of a Common Starling – istock photo

that can fly through here in the spring. Upon closer inspection the bird was quite pretty – glossy black with metallic, iridescent sheens, speckled with white, purple, green and gold plumage. Its beak was long, slender and yellow.

“This is bizarre,” I thought as I perused the little feathered creature.  I’ve heard of wild animals approaching humans for help but a bird knocking on your door and asking for help is something unheard of.  Obviously, this little feathered creature was in shock or exhausted and cold; the least I could do was set it up on the deck banister away from predators like the cat.  I sat it gently on the banister.  It teetered there precariously but made no move to fly.  It had an exiguous amount of energy.

I watched the bird for several minutes as it crouched shaking on the banister then went to retrieve it, thinking it must be physically injured. I brought it into the house for closer inspection.  Both wings seemed fine.  Plus, there was no evidence of injury to any other part of its body.  The Starling appeared to be fairly young. The little bird seemed cold and exhausted but it seemed to trust me as it curled its claws around my finger with strength that belied its size. It had no intention of letting go of my finger or flying around the house. (I can certainly understand how birds stay roosted on tree branches during hazardous windstorms now!)  When it began to chirp and clack, I decided to take my new feathered friend to the barn where it could continue to recuperate out of the wind and cold, damp fog. I have to admit, it took a little patient coaxing for it to give up its death grip my finger in favor of a roosting on a ledge in the barn though.  I wished my feathered friend well, and crossed my fingers hoping that the Starling would then rejoin with the migrating flock it had been separated from as soon as the fog lifted and it did.

This was definitely an odd and unusual event which was truly uplifting for me. I was not sad to see my little feathered friend fly away.  I have heard Starlings make good pets but I prefer to see them living with their own kind in the wild and while I was happy to offer this Starling some respite, these birds can become a nuisance and can be seen as pests. They gang up then bully other song birds and are extremely difficult to get rid of.  Starlings love to eat wild berries and cultivated fruits such as cherries. Noisy birds, Starlings can do serious harm to humans, pets, and livestock. These pests can transmit parasites, like mites, fleas, and bedbugs, as well as potentially fatal diseases, including histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, toxoplasmosis, and chlamydiosis. Starlings have also damaged large quantities of feed from livestock farms.

So, much to my relief, when the sun burned through the fog, the little black Starling spread its wings with renewed strength and joined its family on their continued migration – birds of a feather, flocking together.

This entire event, three weeks ago was so surreal, it left me bewildered.

When unusual or bizarre occurrences happen in life, we need to pay attention.  Nature has ways of showing up to teach us valuable life lessons when we least expect it. So it is important that we take note of these unexpected opportunities to learn.

A young Starling knocking at my door and needing assistance was definitely bizarre, unusual and unexpected.  If you work with Animal Totems that would mean that this Starling presented itself as a totem through an act of nature. A totem is an entity that can be worked with as a friend to help you through trying or difficult times.

What did my feathered friend want me to know?

What can a Starling Totem help with?

A Starling Totem can assist us individually or help us adapt to a group setting.

When the Starling comes into your life, it suggests careful consideration should be given in who you spend time with and how much they influence your thoughts or behavior. Its great being part of a group, but not every single member may have a positive impact on you. People need friends. That’s normal. But take care with who you let into your inner circle. Stay close with positive people who support your growth and distance yourself from those who do not.

In a group setting, the Starling offers insight on how you can remain assertive, but not overbearing so you’ll be more successful.  Being able to live peacefully in your home and community is always important. As part of a large flock, Starling’s goal is to teach you subtle nuances of group etiquette.

The Starling is a refined mimic, but it uses this ability carefully. A Starling can imitate a variety of birds as well as some other animals this is part of its individual charm. However, use caution if you intend on mimicking someone else’s image and/or the group’s persona. No matter how sound your reasoning seems, you can lose your own sense of identity in this endeavor.

The Starling reminds us to stay true to our individuality through the use of voice. However, communication can be difficult for many people. Think about the words you want to use before you speak. Don’t be afraid to be honest or truthful. It takes a practice, but relationships require clarity. A Starling Totem will assist you in vocalizing your needs confidently without shame.

Starlings are also symbolic of unity; these birds have recognized that there’s strength in standing together and are, therefore, seldom seen alone.

For many years, people have watched huge flocks of starlings gather and “dance” in astonishing formations in the evening sky. This is called “murmuration”. The starlings seem to react to emerging threats and risks as a single entity, moving in beautiful patterns, often confusing the attacking falcon, or whatever the threat may be. The result is that the whole flock is much safer. It can be observed that a change in behavior of one bird affects and is affected by the behavior of the whole group. This means it does not matter how big the flock is, they react in almost perfect synchronization. Starlings have very fast reactions and respond rapidly to these changes. Each bird has a broad sense of where it is in the group and understands what the wider group is doing, and importantly, where it is going. The flock can react collectively, as one, to new risks and threats, regardless of its size. These birds are truly remarkable when it comes to communication.

Starlings are associated with warriors due to their aggressive manner with other birds.

The starling totem enters your life when you’re going through a crisis and struggling to express yourself to others. Perhaps lack of communication has caused you feel like you don’t fit in anywhere.

This totem understands how it can be difficult to open up to others about your insecurities and fears. However, Starlings are here to teach you to consider your loved ones as your strength, not your weakness. Starlings have incredible family values and are very protective of their own.

Trusting others can be difficult, but not trusting anyone is worse. As you allow loved ones into your heart, you will start to feel less vulnerable.  Gather and dance like the Starlings. Group sharing can increase your happiness and reduce your sorrows.

There is plenty that you can learn from Starlings as a totem animal. But the most important thing they can teach you is that if you can express yourself properly, you will know how much love and acceptance there is around you.

There is symbolism in dreaming about Starlings as well.

If you dream about catching a Starling, it is interpreted as happy symbolism. It indicates that very soon, you’re going to be a part of a gathering for someone’s birthday, wedding or anniversary. In that event, you’ll see relatives and friends that you haven’t seen in a long time. Together, you all will have a fun and joyous time.

If you dream about a Starling trying to get into your house there is no reason to worry, for this dream, too, has a positive interpretation.  This dream indicates of the arrival of someone new in your life; someone whose personality and attributes will click with yours instantly, this person will be your friend for life.

But, I didn’t dream about said Starling – it was reality – or was it?

Maybe, this entire event means that I am indeed living and walking in a lucid dream. The only thing I know for certain is that when you hold another beings life in the palm of your hand and they trust you with the fragility of their life, and you reciprocate that trust, those beings not only become lifelong friends, they spread their wings and fly out of the fog and into the light with confidence.

Mythology has the starling as a messenger from the spirit world.  It is a sign that change is coming.

The timing is important.  It takes three weeks for a fledgling Starling grow and change enough to leave the nest. My experience with the Starling occurred three weeks ago, which means change is upon us now.

If we all stand together as a group and use positive communication to relate as individuals, the change we seek is bound to be good. We can make this change immediately. The timing cannot be more perfect.

Today, I saw messenger of hope and peace.  It was a dove.

Change, spread your wings and fly.  Live the dream!

Thank-you for following, reading, sharing and commenting – The Trefoil Muse