The Eagle and the Hawk

Soaring high, the Hawk invites us to step outside the boundaries of life, to free ourselves of preconceived limitations, to welcome change in our lives through awareness and mindfulness.

The noble Eagle soars thru canyons and mountains, lakes and rivers in quiet determination to honor his Eagle nature. But that’s not the way it’s always been. Mythology tells the story of Yucatangee the Talker before there was ever an Eagle. Yucatangee talked constantly, so much so that the bear, the wolf, and other animals couldn’t hear themselves or each other and couldn’t feel the elements like the wind, the rain, nor see the sun, the moon, the stars. Thus they were lost as to their true nature. For we can only realize our true nature through our commonality with each other and connection to the natural world.

One day, a Red-tailed Hawk, flying high in the heavens, sensed trouble with the Yucatangee. The Hawk flew down without hesitation and straight away told him of the problem that occurs because of his constant speaking. He informed him in a forceful voice, “if you stop your incessant babble, the wolf and other animals of the forest will be able to hear and not live in darkness and hunger from not knowing their nature, and furthermore you will hear the wind.” And what is this wind”, asked Yucatangee as he suddenly felt it caressing his face and became aware of his nature as an Eagle and his flight in silence became the lotus of his understanding.

The nature of the Red-tailed Hawk is symbolized by his own physical attributes… his screech and ability to soar to great heights and glide in wide breadths, for Hawks are the messengers and visionaries of the universe and can help us interpret our visions.

I’ve seen Hawks as close as a few yards from me hidden in trees while I was walking in the woods. I’m witness to a Hawk at Blowing Rock in North Carolina swaying from side to side as it descended into the depths of a cove, only to learn of a death in my family after I drove down from the mountain. And I’ve seen them soaring high into the clouds as days of good fortune followed me.

Animals have a way of relaying wisdom… secrets from the inner world that we are the only ones privy to. A unique bond of communication and trust that knows no bounds. I witnessed this countless times as a boy on my grandmother’s farm. The trees where I live give a home to a hawk, an owl, a red-headed woodpecker and countless birds and squirrels. I’m always looking out for them and I’m sure there also looking out for me.

©jc2017-9

*photos courtesy of Pixabay