Robins

Robins: 

robins may seem less dramatic in appearance than cardinals and blue jays, perhaps not quite matching the bluebird in the vibrancy of color - yet they are the most frequent birds that I encounter each morning, really on any occasion I spend anytime outdoors, and it's very commonness that befriends them to me, having them always near, knowing that I can count on their companionship and song to greet me anytime I go outdoors.

and robins are one of the friendliest of birds, curious, and willing to breach the distance between themselves and humans, able to be coaxed to feeding from our hand, a rare trust for any wild creature. For me it's enough to simply have them around, to hear them as one of the earliest birdsong's of the morning, and have them hope a few steps along with me as I walk before their final leap to flight. It seems they offer me their friendship, at least briefly, and I take that offer with a smile of deep joy and appreciation. 

no friendly gesture goes without some notice.

it's been said that they are messenger birds, often seen as a visit from loved ones that have left our personal world, departed to another realm. They also symbolize new beginnings, a fresh aspect of life about to appear. So often they's synonymous with Christmas, seen on cards and many decorations, and it's with this that brings the association to the birth of hope and possibilities, that robins show us the way to unconditional love and forgiveness, essential teachings born of that Christian holiday. Of course the holiness of that day extends to pagan ritual and lore - from a shamanic perspective Robins teach us the joy of new beginnings, surrendering to what's present and to leave truly leave the past behind. 

 it seems these are birds that speak most directly to our spirit. 

ecologically, robins are essential, a natural link of predator and prey, pollinator, belonging so deeply to both earth and sky. Really, they are the complete ecosystem by design, the fabric of a healthy environment, and should be honored for their role.  

to me, they're a sign that wilderness touches my suburban world, that I'm really not so far removed from a wildness of my own and that I can belong to both realms at once, seamlessly, and in truth they're not separate worlds at all. Robins have befriended me spiritually, every morning they fly across across my path, accompanying through  their short hops of flight taken right before my steps, and in their earliest morning songs offered just outside my office window. I can hear them now, and they're calling me join them...

and with that I put my work aside,

heading out for my morning walk with robins.

~

Peace, Eric 

~