More Bird Vibes:
Birds, our Spiritual Guides
by Catherine Bastedo
What do birds mean for healers, energy workers, and nature lovers? The answer is different for each person—certainly the energy of nature, 
and particularly birds, can teach us a great deal and help us if we just pay attention, remain open, and are willing to use all our senses to learn.Have you ever felt a special moment with a bird—listening to a Robin’s early morning serenade, watching an Osprey dive into the river, or nurturing a fledgling fallen from its nest? The flight of birds reminds us of our Higher Self and brings us closer to another dimension; birdsong soothes our soul.
I love watching birds, from the large birds like the Pileated Woodpeckers, Common Ravens, and different species of hawks that fly into my yard from the nearby Gatineau hills, to the Goldfinches and Northern Cardinals that enjoy the sunflower seeds in our feeder. And birds have often inspired me. In fact, I have had so many unusual experiences with birds that last spring I decided to develop a meditation deck called Bird Vibes, with messages based on the chakras and fifty different birds. The Snowy Owl became the symbol of my deck, and represents the eighth chakra. If you have ever seen the thrilling sight of a Snowy Owl swooping low over the bare winter fields, with its powerful wings outstretched in a span of over five feet, you will know why I took this magnificent bird to represent the Eighth, or Crown Chakra, and the idea that all things are possible.
To my delight, these cards are flying out with their messages and bringing nature to people when they cannot or do not have the time to go out. Some people tell me that they draw a card each morning and study the message; a friend undergoing treatment for breast cancer placed the card of the Veery, with its message of hope, in a conspicuous place where it would encourage her each day. Yesterday I was drawn to pay an unexpected visit to a dear relative who is 90, and found her sitting at her desk with Bird Vibes sorted into various piles, studying the messages. She loves birds, and told me that she looked at her Bird Vibes cards whenever she felt a little low.
Pictures and representations of birds can bring joy in the winter months – a little like pouring over seed catalogues on a cold January day! But spring is almost upon us, and while many local birds are now enjoying warmer climates, they’ll soon be back. I watch for the first Robins at the end of March—I’ve noted that each year it seems to be a couple of days earlier—although looking at the four feet of snow in my back yard, it’s a challenge to think of Robins out there, looking for worms. The Red-winged Blackbird is another harbinger of spring here, as are the Purple Finches that stay for the winter, but sing far more lustily at the end of March.
With the spring migration, it’s fun to watch for the birds that don’t normally stay in the area—in Gatineau, a few are the White-crowned Sparrows; Merlins, formerly known as Pigeon Hawks, who follow the migration of the song birds; terns and Snow Geese. What an awesome sight it is to see dazzling white Snow Geese flying in formation overhead, on their way north.
Sometimes, you may notice a bird exhibiting unusual and striking behaviour—an eagle on your city balcony, a raven that doesn’t leave your yard, birds that nest in unusual places, or an injured bird that seeks help. When this happens, pay special attention and consider whether this bird might be bringing you an important message—an owl may be reminding you to take a decision; a bluebird may be telling you to enjoy life a little more, to look on the positive side, and a woodpecker may be telling you to tackle something head on, and to get rid of the deadwood in your life. So when you take your next walk or sit down to meditate about nature, notice what birds appear, and be open to the insight and spiritual guidance of “bird vibes”.
Catherine Bastedo, author of Bird Vibes, holds a master’s degree in Canadian Studies from Carleton University, is certified as a Reiki Master and Holographic Energy Master, and has been practicing Reiki since 1998. She is a natural intuitive and offers individual sessions and Holograhic Reiki classes in Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Québec. She is presently working on a collection of Bird Vibes stories and welcomes all stories of special encounters with birds – please send them to her at info@visionreiki.com
Bird Vibes
Spiritual Insight Through Birds
Treat yourself to this new meditation deck!
• Receive positive, uplifting messages about current life situations and meditation paths
• Gain spiritual insight from the text on each card
• Learn more about the 8 chakras
• Discover interesting facts about 50 birds of North America
• Enjoy the 54 beautiful and unique paintings of birds and the four seasons
Bird Vibes is based on 54 birds that may be seen in various parts of North America, grouped by eight 
chakras according to the bird's colour, habitat or other characteristics.Each card shows a different bird through paintings commissioned from Ottawa nature painter, Heather Bale. Use this deck to gain insight into current life situations, to connect with Nature, and the Universal Life Energy around us and within us.
Price: $29.95
“Bird Vibes has become my deck of choice with my
readings lately and I find people are so empowered by them. Thanks for
your double creativity!”
Julie Desmarais, Holographic Energy Master, Reiki Master Teacher Trainer
Order Bird Vibes in our Bookshop
Voices:
A Collection of Native American Stories
by Grandmother Waynonaha Two Worlds
These nine Native American stories offer wisdom and comfort...support
our dear Grandmother Waynonaha Two Worlds as she shares windows
into the wisdom of the Ancients...this booklet makes a great gift
for yourself or a loved one.
Price: $6.50
Read some other articles by Waynonaha :
Bite
My Tongue
Sky Voice & Snowy Owl
Giving The Freedom To Live
"The book is entitled Voices and is about the spirit that speaks to everyone if they listen. All of my life I have heard the voices of my ancestors calling to me from the spirit world. They speak to me of times long ago and help me to find my way in the never ending challenges of this modern world."
Waynonaha
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Partner Earth: A Spiritual Ecology
by Pam Montgomery
Partner Earth provides a wide range of practical exercises, based on traditional wisdom, visualizations, and the author's experience as an herbalist, that enable one to create sacred space, find plant and animal allies, and embrace the spirit in all life that can help heal the rift between individuals and their environment.
Price: $12.95
Order this
book from our Bookshop
"Well-written and thought-provoking...eminently practical, and deeply inspiring." Rosemary Gladstar Author of Herbal Healing for Women
