Recently, in a three-week period of time, I saw three different blue herons, in three different locations, in three different cities.
Then I had a bonus 4th sighting just a few days ago!
Coincidence? I don’t think so.
It’s sort of like when someone tells you about a book and they suggest that you read it. You make a mental note to yourself to check it out. But then you forget about it because, well, life happens. Then two more people recommend the book to you and you think to yourself “Hmmm. Maybe there is something to this! I’ll go check it out!” And invariably, it has a message that you need to hear!
Sighting #1
Since January, I have been living part-time in Asheville, North Carolina. Several times a week, I go walking at Lake Louise in Weaverville. There is a wooded area where you can hop off the path around the lake and wander down to a waterfall, a beautiful water wheel and the rushing waters of Reems Creek. I wander down there often to think, to pray, and to do flower rituals from time to time. One day, I was only 10 feet from the water when a beautiful blue heron swooped in from the left, flew gracefully right in front of me and landed in a tree off to my right. I followed him as he flew to several different trees near the creek and then ultimately flew off. I had never seen a blue heron in this area before, not even at the lake.
Sighting #2
When I was back home spending time with Riley and Eric in our house in Holly Springs, (still on the market if you know anybody looking in the area!) I went for a walk at my beloved Bass Lake. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, chances are good you have seen me share photos of that incredibly healing oasis. I often see blue heron there and this day was no exception. I happened to be sitting on the rocking chairs near the retreat center, and a stunning heron came flying from my left right in front of me and continued flying on down to the other end of the lake. It was one of the most gorgeous flybys ever and made me think about the sheer euphoria that Tom Cruise experienced in that insane flyby in the original Top Gun movie.
Sighting #3
Just a few days later, we were at our family farm near Pinehurst, North Carolina. We see wildlife out there all the time…deer, rabbits, coyotes, turkeys, snakes, and more. But that Saturday morning, we were walking back by the lake (which interestingly, Eric’s grandfather dug it out himself in the 1950s with a backhoe so that he could irrigate his tobacco crops) with some of Eric’s college buddies, and Brian exclaimed “Look, you guys!” And once again, a majestic blue heron flew across our field of vision from the left to the right side of the lake. I’ve been visiting that farm for 20 years now and I’ve never seen a blue heron there.
So, what is the message of blue heron?
To me, blue herons represent grace and agility and because they are birds, I think of them as spiritual messengers from the divine. Whenever I see them, I am reminded to slow down, be in the present moment, and be aware of my environment.
My friend and colleague Sarah Bamford Seidelmann wrote a wonderful animal reference guide The Book of Beasties: Your A-Z Guide to the Illuminating Wisdom of Spirit Animals. She describes the four key themes of Heron as:
- patience
- success
- self-reliance
- divine communication
And after having my fourth sighting, those qualities are now really dialed in for me.
Sighting #4
Back in Raleigh last week for Riley‘s fifth grade graduation (Woo hoo!), I was walking around Bass Lake again. Near the end of the trail, there is a little creek that is created by a dam at the end of the lake. I hadn’t wandered down there in a while, so I jumped off the trail and started taking a few steps toward the creek when I looked up and there was Mr. Blue Heron fishing!!!! I watched him fish with absolute precision for at least ten minutes. His patience, persistence, and focus was rewarded each time he was able to catch a fish and gulp it down.
So, what’s the message in all of this for me?
Well, my life has been rather topsy-turvy over the past year. My work as a coach has been consistent and steady but personally, we have made the decision to reconfigure our family by separating and planning our move to Asheville. Everything is happening incredibly s-l-o-w-l-y, and we are all living in a curious place of limbo. It has been stressful for all three of us, however, we have still been able to find the fun and joy during the transition.
Sarah writes in her book, heron “reminds you that good things are worth waiting for.” So that’s what I’m going to focus on. That’s the message I’m taking away.
What about you? What animal messengers have you seen recently? What do they seem to be saying to you? I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and let me know.
With gratitude for animal messengers everywhere,
Elizabeth
P.S. I’m honored that Sarah Seidelmann has written the forward for my upcoming book, Sacred Celebrations: Designing Rituals to Navigate Life’s Big Transitions. I can’t wait to share it with you in the coming months! She’s insanely creative, super brilliant (she is an M.D. after all!) and deeply soulful. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram!