Bird Magic: Wisdom of the Ancient Goddess for Pagans & Wiccans - Sandra Kynes 2016

Feathers
The Practices

Throughout time and around the world, feathers have been a powerful symbol because they allow birds to defy gravity. Like the egg, feathers have been regarded as special and magical. Carrying the transformative power of birds, feathers have been used for cloaks and headdresses or as tools to invoke the presence of bird spirits and helpers. Feathers are also associated with divination, second sight, and the otherworld, and they have been used as talismans.

Before Collecting Feathers

Picking up a feather from the ground seems innocent; however, unless you are exceptionally good at identifying the species of bird from which it came, you could be breaking the law. According to the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is “illegal for anyone to take, possess, import, export, transport, sell, purchase, barter, or offer for sale, purchase, or barter, any migratory bird, or the parts, nests, or eggs of such a bird except under the terms of a valid permit issued pursuant to Federal regulations.” ⁴²

You may be wondering what this means for those of us who do not deliberately hunt protected birds, destroy nests, or catch birds to sell as pets. Unfortunately, collecting feathers (even those found on the ground), nests, or eggs is illegal. Simply possessing one these things is illegal because the law does not distinguish between picking up a discarded feather or eggshell and poaching them.

Many birds are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the name of which is somewhat misleading. This is because the act covers some birds that simply “migrate” for food within their year-round habitat. At any rate, this law originated in 1918 to protect bird populations that were being decimated by the fashion industry’s use of feathers. While the law has been updated from time to time, it may be a surprise to find certain birds on the list, such as the American crow and the herring gull. Nevertheless, they are included and protected. The entire text of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and a complete list of birds included in this law can be found online.

So where does that leave us if we want to work with feathers? There are native species that are not included in the migratory list, such as pheasants, ruffed grouse, wild turkey, starlings, and others. Feathers sold in craft stores come from birds not protected by the act and are legal to own. In addition to turkey and pheasant feathers, stores sell feathers from chickens, certain species of geese, and the mute swan, as well as peacock feathers and ostrich plumes. Often these are dyed to look like other types of feathers, such as eagle or hawk, as well as colors or patterns not found in the wild.

These feathers can be used as symbols for birds in general and surrogates for the specific species we may want to work with that are protected under the law. After all, intention is intertwined with magic, and so with intention and willpower we can symbolically work with a particular bird using the feather of another.

The Wonder of Feathers

Feathers make birds colorful creatures, and they make it possible for birds to fly. Feathers are light, flexible, and tough. There are six basic types, each with a different role. The contour feathers cover a bird’s body and provide a sleek, aerodynamic contour. They also make up most of the wing feathers. Semiplumes are shaped like contour feathers but are not as stiff and can be fluffed. Down feathers are short and can be fluffed like the semiplumes. Both of these are underneath the contour feathers and provide insulation to keep a bird warm or cool.

Filoplume feathers are tiny and are believed to help a bird sense their contour feathers and make adjustments when necessary. Bristles are very stiff, short feathers, and not all birds have them. On some birds they help protect the eyes and on others they help keep dust out of the nostrils. Swallows, nightjars, and woodpeckers have bristles. The other type of feather is called powder down and only a few birds have them. These constantly growing feathers are very delicate and break off to create a water-resistant powder. Herons have powder down feathers.

Molting is a process of losing and re-growing feathers to replace broken or worn ones. Most birds have one complete molt or one complete and one partial molt each year. Some birds have two complete molts. A partial or one complete molt occurs before the breeding season to acquire special plumage for attracting a mate. A full molt occurs after the breeding season, which is when birds with only one molt will lose their feathers. The molt is a gradual process that proceeds in a particular order, which varies from one type of bird to another.

Feathers give wings the shape necessary for getting a bird off the ground. The flight feathers are specialized contour feathers that have very rigid shafts to withstand the forces of flight. Other small contour feathers on the leading edge of the wing cover the bases of the larger feathers, creating a smooth, aerodynamic surface. Owls and nightjars can fly almost silently because the leading edges of their primary flight feathers are fluffy, which muffles sound. In addition to moving their wings up and down, birds can also move them forward or back, which helps them maneuver.

Tail feathers are often used as brakes for landing and can flare out like a fan. In addition, woodpeckers and nuthatches use the stiff feathers of their tails to brace against trees when climbing. Now, let’s see how we can incorporate feathers into our magic, rituals, and everyday lives.

Feather/Witches’ Ladder

In Chapter 6:, I recommended using a witches’ ladder at Samhain to symbolize Inanna’s underworld descent and return. Instructions on how to make the ladder are also included there. Historically, witches’ ladders have been used in spells for both white and black magic. More recently, they have been used as talismans and hung in homes for protection. According to folklore, a witches’ ladder was hung outside a house to prevent a specific person from entering.

Also called a witches’ garland, they are most often fashioned as braided, knotted cord with the ends tied together, forming a circle. However, a witches’ ladder can also be just a single length of rope with a small loop at the top from which to hang it. The shafts of feathers are then pushed through the rope at intervals so they are perpendicular to the rope.

Because a feather ladder is a magical tool, you may want to consecrate it before using it. I like to use mugwort for cleansing and setting intentions but if you have a different herb or incense that you like, use that instead. Place an incense burner or cauldron on your altar along with other objects that relate to your purpose for the ladder. Because the ladder is made with feathers, consider including pictures or figurines of birds or the Bird Goddess. Light the incense or burn the herb, and then pass the ladder through the smoke three times as you state your purpose for making it. Leave the ladder on your altar for three days before using it.

As an alternative to rope for making the single-strand style of feather ladder, try drapery cord, which is available in a wide range of colors and styles. When working with this type of ladder, swing it back and forth while chanting or reciting a spell. In addition to spells and ritual use, experiment holding a feather ladder of either style when working with bird energy.

A Quill Pen for Magic

Until the early nineteenth century, a quill pen was the best instrument for writing. Nowadays there are many options for those of us who enjoy writing in longhand. For magical purposes, a quill pen is a delightful throwback to the past. It may take a little practice the first time you make or use one, but it is worth the effort. Of course, when working with birds for magical purposes, it provides a unique way to connect with their energy.

To make a pen, you will need a stiff feather that is large enough to feel comfortable when writing. A turkey feather that is about twelve inches long works well. You will also need a small, sharp knife, a pair of tweezers, a cutting board or block of wood, and a soup can filled with sand. Of course, you will also need a bottle of ink.

First, hold the feather as though you are going to write to see if you may need to trim back some fluff to provide a large enough bare area on the shaft to grip the pen. Make the first cut to shape the pen nib by holding the feather sideways on the cutting board. Make a slanted cut at about a 45-degree angle to remove a small part of the point. Use the tweezers to remove any material inside the feather shaft.

Figure 1.7: The steps for cutting a feather to make a quill pen. The first view is shown from the side; the others show the pen nib from below.

Next, temper the shaft to strengthen it. Put the can of sand in a 350-degree oven for about 15 to 20 minutes. Carefully remove it from the oven and stand the bare part of the feather shaft in the sand. Leave it there until the sand cools.

Now you are ready to shape the nib. Hold the feather flat so the longer side of the slanted cut is against the cutting board. Cut across the end so it is squared off, and then gently make a small slit up the middle of the shaft. Next, shape the end by cutting both sides to make the squared-off nib narrower, and then slightly pointed. Now, it is ready to use. Dip the nib in the ink and practice writing until you get a feel for it. Avoid using heavy pressure as this can bend or break the nib.

Additional Feather Uses

As an alternative to a feather ladder, simply hold a feather as you meditate to work with bird energy or when connecting with your bird guide. Also, stand a few feathers in a jar to keep on your altar or anywhere in your home to serve as a reminder of your connection with birds and the Bird Goddess. I also keep one in my car as a travel amulet.

Feathers attached to a walking stick aid in connecting with the rhythms of the natural world as you explore it. In addition to feathers, carve or paint an image of a bird on your walking stick, or attach a small figurine. You may also want to carve a few of the Bird Goddess symbols into the stick.

In place of wind chimes, hang a feather charm. This can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Start with a fairly straight branch that is about a foot long. The bark can remain on the branch, or strip it off and let the wood dry. The branch can be stained or left natural. Also consider carving or painting some of the Goddess symbols on it. Cut a two-foot length of thin twine or decorative thread, and tie it to the ends of the branch. This will be used to hang the feather charm. Using a fine thread, attach one end to the shaft of a feather and tie the other end to the branch. Cut different lengths of thread to attach other feathers so they will hang at various lengths. When it is finished, consecrate it by passing it through the smoke of incense or burning herb, and then hang it up. The feather charm can be consecrated for a specific purpose, or it can be used to move and activate energy wherever you hang it. Of course, it can also be dedicated to the Bird Goddess or your bird guide and hung in a special place.

42. http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/RegulationsPolicies/mbta/mbtintro.html.