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

Partridge: Gray Partridge
The Profiles

Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Partridges flourished in the hedgerows of England, where in Old English they were called pertriche.¹¹⁶ Later, they were simply referred to as partridge until the red-legged partridge (Alectoris rufa), also known as the French partridge, was introduced into the British Isles. After that, the less colorful English bird was given the prefix of gray. The gray partridge was introduced into North America from Europe during the late 1790s.¹¹⁷

The scientific name, Perdix, comes from Greek mythology. The story concerns Daedalus, the craftsman who created the labyrinth on Crete. He was extremely jealous of his talented nephew Perdix and tried to kill him by pushing him from a tower in one of Athena’s temples. Seeing Perdix fall, the goddess rescued him by changing him into a partridge so he could flutter safely to the ground. In folklore, this is said to be the reason why partridges do not fly very high and build their nests low to the ground. Also according to Greek myth, the partridge was associated with fecundity, love, and beauty, and the goddess Aphrodite.

The “partridge in a pear tree” of Christmas song fame is thought to have resulted from a misunderstanding of the French name for partridge, Perdreau, which is pronounced “pair-dree.” ¹¹⁸ Of course, it could also refer to the French partridge, which perches off the ground and frequently in trees. Pliny wrote of the partridge as a lustful bird, so perhaps giving or receiving the gift of a partridge in a pear tree (the pear is also a symbol of fertility) carried a strong message.

In medieval Europe, the partridge was a symbol of true love. However, these birds were also considered secretive and deceitful because they hide their nests and sometimes feign injury. This seemingly disparate symbolism actually fits together when considered in a different way. The partridge hides its nest to keep the eggs safe, and feigns a broken wing to draw a predator away from it. Because of this, the partridge represents unconditional mother love. This also harkens back to the partridge’s ancient association with the Goddess as the nourishing protector.

Magical Workings

For Imbolc and Beltane celebrations, include a picture or figurine of a partridge (perhaps a pear, too) on your altar to represent quickening of life and the fertility of the Goddess. Because of a long association with fertility and lust, partridge is a bird to call on for sex magic and love spells.

It can also aid in divination to help you find your true love. Most of all, partridge is a symbol of motherly love, devotion, and dedication. Place a picture, figurine, or stuffed toy of this bird in your child’s room to symbolize your love for him/her. In addition, call on partridge when honoring your mother as well as for help in sorting out the complexities of a mother/child relationship.

Make Connection

To connect with partridge energy, go to a grassy field, meadow, or your own backyard. Take a blanket and lie on your stomach on the ground. Prop your chin on your hands if the grass is short, or prop yourself up on your elbows so the top of the grass is at eye-level. With a soft gaze, look across the top of the grass. If weather doesn’t permit or if it is winter, simply lie on the floor in your house. Imagine that you are a partridge walking through the grass, and then visualize settling onto your nest. When you feel a sense of calm security enfold you as you rest in seclusion, partridge may reach out to you.

Associations

Element(s): Air, earth

Sabbat(s): Beltane, Imbolc

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Athena, Venus

Bird Identification

Gray Partridge (Perdix perdix)

Also known as: Hungarian partridge

Size: 11 to 13 inches

Wingspan: 21 to 22 inches

Comparative size: Pigeon

Description: Small, stocky, chicken-like body; short neck; reddish face and throat; grayish-brown back and chest; chestnut-colored bars on flanks; gray bill and legs; short, rounded wings; short, rust-colored tail

Male: A dark patch on lower breast

Female: Paler coloration; no lower breast patch

Range: Along the US-Canadian border, mainly in western and upper plains states as well as northern New York State

Habitat: Flat agricultural land and grassland areas with hedgerows or other bushy cover

Eggs: Olive green

Collective noun(s): A bevy, a brace, a covey, or a warren of partridges

116. Wells, 100 Birds and How They Got Their Names, 171.

117. Kenn Kaufman, Lives of North American Birds (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996), 14.

118. Mark Lawson-Jones, Why was the Partridge in the Pear Tree?: The History of Christmas Carols (Stroud, England: The History Press, 2011), 58.