The Blackbird

I have a pair of blackbirds that nest in my garden, they are such busy birds, especially when they are feeding their young and they are full of bird song too.

Not all blackbirds are black. In olden times the name blackbird was associated with a number of different species of small birds. In the UK the male is generally black with a gold beak, and the female is dark brown.

The American blackbird is closely related to the robin because of its bright red patch on the shoulder, sometimes edged in white. Another variety has a yellow head and throat. Like the robin, the blackbird was considered by many cultures as sacred to the gods because of its sweet song.

The song of the blackbird can expand our consciousness, heal on a very deep level and take us on an enchanted journey through our dreams to uncover hidden secrets. The blackbird’s song encourages us to seek out and live our spiritual purpose in a meaningful and productive life.

The blackbird is revered in the Celtic tradition as the gatekeeper to the Otherworlds, including the faerie realm. The Gaelic name for the blackbird, Druid Dhubh means the black druid. In Irish and Welsh traditions, the blackbird is closely related to the blacksmith’s god (Goibhniu and Gofannon) mainly because of its colouring. The blacksmith was considered to be the master of the elements, harnessing the power of fire, air and water as he transforms ore from the earth. As such, the blackbird is considered to be the otherwordly smith, the master of elements who calls to earth with its healing song. It cracks open snail shells and invites you to work in the forge of our own heart and rekindle passion and purpose in our lives. Blackbird speaks the language of the heart and brings with it its song of poetry, music and inspiration.

Druid legends say that the birds of Rhiannan are three blackbirds which sit and sing in the World tree of the otherworld. Their singing puts the listener into a sleep or a trance which enables him or her to travel to the otherworld. There they would learn mystic secrets. Those with this medicine often have a hypnotic influence on others as well as an uncanny ability to move between the seen and unseen worlds with clarity.

If you possess blackbird power you sing a song that awakens people to their hidden potential and helps them to find their true purpose in life. You bring the touch of poetry, music and inspiration to all that you do.

Magickal attributes – learning of mystic secrets while in meditation, learning trance, doing deep, purposeful meditations.  Blackbird awakens the mind with awareness as changes of perceptions are unfolding. He stirs psychic abilities and brings to consciousness latent healing gifts and creativity. Blackbird shows how to move with determination, focus and tenacity and how to use your power to its fullest potential. Blackbird teaches the use of intuition that will aid in understanding the connection to all things. Blackbird asks are you listening carefully to all around you, seen or unseen? Are you grounded and balanced? Blackbird will teach much and bring new surprises when you least expect it.

Tansy

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The top image of the black bird is from www.birds.deansfamily.com/