I would like to share my experience of a bird encounter on the land I am building a deeper relationship with.
It’s about a small brown bird that hit the floor-to-ceiling glass window and died. When I heard the sound, I saw some feathers stuck on the glass, but when I looked outside, I couldn’t see the bird. So I thought maybe it was okay and had flown away.
The next morning, I was outside and decided to take a closer look outside the window. I still didn’t see any bird, but I noticed a hawk feather lying on top of some dried leaves by the window. That caught my attention, so I looked closer and saw the bird covered under the dried leaves.
Yes, it had hit the window and was actually injured and had died. This brought sadness to me, and at the same time, it felt like a powerful and clear sign from the spirit of the land to help me notice the bird and what needed to be done to protect the birds that live here.
As I sat with this encounter, I felt both the sadness of the bird’s death and a deeper awareness of my relationship with the land. Whether through the mystery of this encounter or simply through the act of paying closer attention, I was reminded that living in reciprocity with the land also means taking responsibility for the lives that share this place with us.
I found a place under a sycamore tree by the creek and buried the bird there with some cedar trimmings, dried lavender, and sage. I made a ring of twigs, tree bark, and leaves to mark the grave, and offered a fresh flower and a ceremony to honor the bird and the message from the spirit.
I am sharing this story to bring awareness of what we could do in reciprocity as we live and coexist with nature. I hope this story will touch something in you and bring you into a deeper awareness and connection with the natural world around you.
Perhaps the wonders and magic of life are not always found in extraordinary experiences, but in the little moments that invite us to pause, notice, listen, and respond with intention and presence.
What might we discover if we allow ourselves to listen a little more deeply to the world around us?
Peace & Light,
Sheau | Loleti Loving Light
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