I remember getting some Thai food to go recently and while chillin’ wit my peeps at the crib, I read my fortune aloud, “to remember is to understand.” In the spirit of that, I observed some experiences recently watching mobs of Crows chasing away a Hawk soaring above, merely getting a bird’s-eye view in their neck of the woods.  It is true that Crow represents magic, shapeshifting, darkness and the womb of life. Moreover, their communication skills are effective and impressive to say the least. How many skilled politicians have abused Crow medicine in their rise to power? And while it is tempting auction off the Self to become a demon ruling in hell rather than serving in Heaven, “when the trumpet sounds its call”, Blue Jay reminds me that I’d rather be “in that New Morning” by staying True to the Self. Yes, the little ego’s trickery enjoys stifling the evolving personality, but that doesn’t qualify allowing it to happen. For then it becomes a conscious choice to squelch One’s spiritual growth and the evolution of One’s personality. “Hawk . . . Messenger of the sky, circle my dreams and teach me the message as we fly.” Akin to Mercury, the messenger of the gods, Hawk’s medicine remedy’s Our powers of observation, watching, noticing and paying attention to Life’s signals. Did anyone else out there hear Bruce Springsteen plea for Us in this light after 911?

I remember when Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that “We shall Overcome” and like Hawk, inspired Us to rise to the occasion and transcend life’s circumstances, regardless of how daunting and challenging Our Life’s obstacles may appear. But wisdom speaks to Us as we understand “when the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear as they truly are.” Moreover, Hawk asserts, “you are only as powerful as your capacity to perceive, receive and use your abilities.” What’s more, Hawk reminds Us that awareness is the intuitive capacity to discern fact from fiction and “perceive, receive and use (Our) abilities”. I hardly think Fox News can compete with Hawk’s ‘Fair and Balanced’ view from the perch Hawk sits. Unlike a restless and nervous Mouse, whom sees from a mircrocosmic orbit and zones in on details, Hawk observes the big picture and takes in a holistic view, as Hawk “flies close to the light of Grandfather Sun,” while carrying a “keen eye and a bold heart.” I wonder if folks like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi had a Hawk totem to help them rise to the occasion against all odds, as they BOLDLY faced the Monster of Fear with a gentle heartfelt gaze? In my experiences with trauma, I’ve called on Hawk’s energy to help me rise up and feather my ripple, even when I wasn’t conscious of it.

Finally, Hawk’s talons are strong, even offering protection from a normally lethal snake bite. Moreover, Hawk can take out a Snake without a Snake ever knowing what hit Him. Alas, with great power comes great responsibility, so it is important to be mindful of speaking One’s truth, with the understanding that One’s words, with Hawk medicine, can be rapturous and deadly. Further, Hawk’s energy allows Us to tap into Our Root Chakra and Kundalini, as We remember the power of staying grounded in Our journey, even when soaring above the Clouds. I wrote a letter to someone whom I care deeply about this week, expressing heartfelt sentiments that might be bitter for the receiver to digest. However, I know that I expressed myself authentically, respectfully and coming from a place of Temperance. In carrying the energy of Temperance, We invoke Archetypal forces that temper beauty and harmony, access Higher Consciousness, transcend the ego and actualize Our True Soul purpose. Paradoxically, in my letter, I released old hopes and dreams and at the same time, opened up New Space, a la “out with the old, in with the new.” Happy Full Moon in Taurus later on this week. Can You hear the Scorpions singing “Winds of Change”?

I Hopi You are well,

Ari