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

Connecting with the Death-Wielder/Regeneratrix
The Practices

As we have seen, the ancient people of Old Europe viewed death as part of a cycle. Symbols of death were accompanied by symbols of life and renewal; thus endings are followed by beginnings. We can use the endings and beginnings in our lives to recognize this aspect of the Goddess. In addition, we can use her symbols at Samhain or when a death occurs and ask for her blessings for those who have departed this world.

Endings and Beginnings Ritual

For this ritual you will need a white candle, dried herbs, and a cauldron or safe container in which to burn the herbs. Use a large sewing needle or a fine-point marker to draw several of the death/regeneration symbols, such as the triangle, owl face, or bird’s claws, on the candle. Other objects to use on your altar include decorated eggs or egg-shaped objects and bird pictures or figurines, especially birds of prey. The ritual is written as a solo practice that can easily be adapted for a group.

Once your altar is set up, light the candle. Raise your hands in the epiphany gesture with arms out to the sides at shoulder height, elbows bent, and hands raised with palms facing forward. As you do this say: “To the people of the past, white was the color of death, of bare bone. It signified the completion of death so rebirth could begin. I call on the Bird Goddess to be with me so I may understand her eternal cycles and find balance in life and death, and the endings and beginnings in my life.”

Create sacred spacing through breath and toning. Slowly inhale and exhale three times, and then chant the sound OOOO (as in who) for as long as you can with a single breath. Stand in silence for a moment or two and then say: “Now in sacred space, I bring that sacredness within me as I enter the realm of the Bird Goddess.”

To the people of Old Europe, death was seen as part of the cycle of renewal. Death and regeneration also symbolize the endings and beginnings that occur throughout our lives. Stand in front of your altar, take a piece of herb, and hold it for a moment. Let it symbolize an emotion, a thought, a situation, or an aspect of your life that has ended or is ending, or that you wish to release in order to bring renewal. Touch the herb to the candle flame and as it burns, drop it into the cauldron and say: “I accept this ending. Now I begin a rebirth.”

When the herb is finished burning, stand in silence for a few moments. In the days and weeks ahead, think of the cycle that you have acknowledged in this ritual and know that the Goddess will support you.

Honor the Goddess with chant and send your energy out to the universe. Say: “May the birds of the Goddess be messengers to carry my intention and energy forth.”

And then chant:

From the Goddess I am born.

And to her I shall return.

She is the bright spark of life,

That forever and always burns.

When it feels appropriate, end the chant. Stand in the epiphany gesture in silence as you ground and center your energy. Extinguish the candle and then say: “May I learn to recognize and honor the transitions in my life and realize that the beauty of endings is that they are also beginnings. Blessed be.”

A Symbol for Samhain

A feather ladder, also known as a witches’ ladder, can symbolize the descent of Inanna into the otherworld and her return to the light and life. Hang a feather ladder above your altar on Samhain and contemplate Inanna’s journey as well as the Goddess’s power of death and regeneration.

Figure 1.4: A single-strand style of feather ladder

To make a garland-style feather ladder, you will need three strands of yarn or light cord—one black, one white, and one red. Cut them into three-foot lengths, which will make the ladder about one foot long. You will also need nine feathers. Read the information in Chapter 10 about consecrating the feather ladder as well as information about collecting feathers.

Knot the strands of yarn together at one end. Place something heavy on the knot to anchor it while you braid the strands. When you get near the end of the yarn, knot it, and then lay the braid out on a table. Arrange the feathers in a row along the braid. Place the largest feather at the center of the row and arrange the others by descending size at even intervals out to both ends. When finished, the largest feather will be at the bottom of the ladder.

At each point where you placed a feather, tie a knot in the braid, and then push the shaft of the feather through it. Form a circle by knotting the ends of the braid together. Raise the ladder in one hand, and then gently pull the center feather down so it hangs straight toward the floor. The other feathers will jut out to the sides, creating the steps of the ladder.

A feather ladder can also be used to honor a loved one when he or she passes. After making it, place the ladder in the center of your altar. Write or carve the name of the person into a white candle, light it, and place it alongside the feather ladder. Spend time recalling your relationship and how he or she touched your life. When it feels appropriate, blow out the candle and place a piece of candy in the middle of the feather ladder to symbolize your wish that your loved one’s journey be sweet. Allow these things to remain on your altar for three days. After that, wrap the feather ladder in a scarf or a soft cloth and store it with your ritual items for use in Samhain sabbats.

Eggs and Bones

As we have seen, eggs represent birth and rebirth. Decorate a couple of eggs with symbols of regeneration such as an hourglass, triangle, or brush/comb for your Samhain, Imbolc, and Ostara altars. Instructions for creating and hanging decorated eggs can be found in Chapter 4. Also consider making a special egg when someone you know passes. Write the person’s name on the egg along with symbols of regeneration. Keep it on your altar for nine months, and then bury it in the ground. In Ukrainian folk tradition, a decorated egg was often placed in a coffin to accompany the deceased.

Bones, of course, represent death. Instead of discarding chicken bones after dinner or bones from your Thanksgiving turkey, wash them off and let them dry. Using paint or markers, draw owl eyes or an owl face on them. Place the bones on your altar at Samhain and Imbolc to acknowledge the death and regeneration aspect of the Goddess. At Samhain, let the bones remind you of the fragility of life, and what a blessing it is to be alive. Also let the bones serve to strengthen your faith in the Goddess. Know that she is there to receive you when this life ends and to prepare you for the next.

Instead of bones, use a white bird figurine on your altar to represent a stiff white lady figurine. Use red paint or markers to simulate red ochre and draw several symbols of regeneration. Place it on your altar for Samhain or Imbolc as well as for dark moon rituals.

Figure 1.5: Making a stone amulet

Triangular Stone Pendant

The triangle symbolizes the Goddess’s regenerative forces and powers of transformation. This is a simple yet powerful symbol that can be worn as an amulet, as people of ancient times did. Go for a walk and look for stones with a natural triangular shape. If you prefer a crystal, use white or clear quartz.

Make the crystal or stone into an amulet that you can wear as a pendant. This can be created by wire-wrapping the stone. There are many techniques for wire-wrapping stones; some are fancy and others simple. The following is an easy method that does not require a lot of skill (only a little patience). You will need: 18-gauge craft wire, a small pair of needle-nose pliers, a small pair of round-nose pliers or a pencil, and wire cutters.

Begin by cutting an eight-inch length of wire. Make a circle in the middle of the wire by winding it around a pencil or round pliers once or twice. Twist both lengths of wire around each other to keep the circle in place. Orient the stone so the finished pendant will be a downward-pointing triangle. Hold the circle of wire in place at the top of the stone opposite the downward point. Carefully bend both lengths of wire around the stone beginning at the bottom. Work the wire around to the top of the stone. Basically, you are making a little cage to hold the stone. Loop both ends of the wire around the circle at the top of the stone. Cut off excess wire, and tuck the ends into the loop by gently squeezing them with the pliers.

Flight Visualization

Visualization is another way to connect with the Goddess and her birds. Place a white candle and an image of an owl or other night bird on your altar. If you are so inclined, use eyeliner or a face-paint pencil to draw a triangle, an hourglass, or a bird’s foot under each of your eyes. Alternatively, draw them on your eyelids so they are only visible when you close your eyes. Sit in front of your altar, light the candle, and gaze at the bird image or figurine. Slowly close your eyes and visualize that you are the bird. Imagine that you are sitting in a tree like an owl or on the ground like a nighthawk or nightjar. Feel the darkness like a cloak around you, providing protection.

Despite the dark, you can clearly see your surroundings. Although it is quiet, there are many faint sounds that allow you to identify the subtle nocturnal activity around you. Stretch your body tall, spread your wings, and lift into flight. The dark world slides away beneath you as air rushes past your face. It is such a simple thing, yet flight carries us closer to the Goddess who guides us on a never-ending cycle in, out, and back into the miracle of life.

Enjoy your flight, and then slowly return to your perch in the tree or on the ground. Feel the solidity beneath you. Take a couple of slow, deep breaths, and then return your attention to the room in which you sit. Slowly open your eyes and gaze at the bird image or figurine on your altar for a few moments. Take time to journal your experience, and then blow out the candle as you thank the Bird Goddess for her blessings.

Additional Activity

Just as the people of Old Europe used stones, so can we. Go for a walk to look for oblong stones that will serve as little owls. When you get home, wash them and let them dry. Paint owl eyes and a V or single line for the beak, or the radiant divine eyes. These can be placed on your altar for rituals or in your garden in the spring as symbols of regeneration. Because the Goddess is also a protector, use your little owl stones when casting spells of protection and call on the Bird Goddess for support.