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

The Profiles

Most of the birds included in this book are common, some are legendary, a few are pets, several are domesticated farmyard birds, and some may only be seen in zoos. The birds profiled here are North American because that is where I live. While a few of the birds do not call North America home, to be totally inclusive would have made this a monumental task and would require more than one volume. However, although most species covered in this book are native to the Americas, a great deal of European folklore has been ascribed to them because settlers brought their worldview with them. As a result, birds such as American blackbirds, which are not related to the blackbirds of Europe, have had Old World folklore ascribed to them.

While a number of the birds profiled here may have a wide range over most of North America, many do not. To compensate, more than one species is presented in many of the profiles to cover as much territory as possible.

Because we have a good idea of how big (or small) some birds are but not others, comparative sizes are noted to aid in identification. Familiar birds such as the sparrow, robin, and crow are used as categories of comparative sizes. For example, if you are not familiar with magpies and mockingbirds, it is helpful to know that a magpie is about the size of a crow and a mockingbird the size of a robin. Having a good idea of the size and description of a bird also aids in visualization when working with its energy.

These categories relate to an average bird size, which is a measurement of its length from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. So while we may think that egrets, ibis, and storks should be classified as very large, their long legs are not included in this standard form of measurement. Also keep in mind that sizes are approximations and some birds with which we are familiar may seem bigger or smaller than these sizes.

Also included in the profiles are a couple of terms to understand when describing birds. The “upperparts” refer to the crown of the head, nape of the neck, back, wings, and rump. The “underparts” refer to the chest, abdomen, and flanks. A physical description is provided to help in visualizations and to identify birds when observing them.

While we can work with a bird’s energy regardless of where we live, knowing its habitat and range also aids in our visualizations and experiences. The ranges provided in this book encompass a bird’s breeding, wintering, and migration areas. Because Alaska is not contiguous with the lower forty-eight states, I have noted these separately as Alaska and the United States. For specific details on these ranges, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology has an excellent website at www.allaboutbirds.org. The Lab also has a bird identification app called Merlin that can be downloaded from merlin.allaboutbirds.org/. The National Audubon Society also has an online bird guide at www.audubon.org/field-guide. Audubon offers a mobile app called Audubon Birds Pro, which is available at www.audubon.org/apps.

Both the Cornell Lab and Audubon websites and apps include samples of bird calls and songs. Sound is a great way to identify birds, especially since we often hear them without seeing them.

Also included in each profile is a description of the bird’s eggs. As previously suggested, in addition to decorating eggs with Goddess symbols you may want to paint them in the style of a particular bird. This can be used to honor the bird as well as aid you in connecting with its energy. I have included suggestions for ways to connect with each bird. However, because we are all unique, and so are birds, the way we contact them and how they make their presence known will vary. Follow your intuition and let the Bird Goddess guide you.

Birds provide us with a simple yet powerful way to stay in touch with the natural world and its seasonal markers. By working with birds we can attune ourselves to the subtle energies around us to enhance rituals, boost magic work, and expand a range of practices. Each bird has its own particular wisdom that can enrich our lives.