I received another comment on my post about Finding Feathers on Your Path in which the reader intimated a desire to have a dream interpretation, as well as an interpretation of a magnificent phenomenon. 

To re-cap his comment:

In 1977 I was on a trip in Hagerman, New Mexico. I was on the seventh day of a fast when lots of little birds landed on my body as I lay on the ground resting. I had a dream after that and I could see old model cars and rooftops only. The little birds left feathers all around me.

The following are some thoughts on interpreting these events:

Dear Eagle Feather,

Fascinating!  Thanks for sharing this experience – absolutely fascinating.

I get completely jazzed when I learn of animals making a connection with us (in your case, literally) – coming so close into the human aura – I imagine for them it may be like visiting another planet….a place with similarities, but so vastly foreign.

You point out the seven’s in your experience  – certainly understandable as this number is ruled by Saturn, and therefore exudes qualities concerning:

• Knowledge
• Consciousness
• Awareness
• Activation of Imagination

These qualities of the number seven are set in an esoteric framework.  The meaning of seven does not normally speak of a day-to-day awareness, but more a cosmic blossoming of presence. 

Saturn (ruler of seven) is a complex energy, to be true – but at its core is a singular pulsing eye of consciousness that is accessible through our activation of it. 

I believe your post-fasting experience is a manifestation of this in which you essentially activated (opened) this eye of the storm – the calm within the cosmic consciousness, causing a chain of events – your bird visitation being one of these events. 

We can find confirmation of numerological phenomenon of seven by peeking at the preliminary number you shared: 1977.  If we reduce the number (which is a common numerology practice; an example of this can be found here) we get the number six (1+9+7+7=24, 2+4=6). 

Sixes are the embodiment of our physical completion.  To illustrate: Myth indicates the world was created in six days.  Further, the human has developed its most primary essentials for functionality within the womb after six months.  There are other clues that indicate the number six is the culmination of physical completion.  Six is symbolic of one totality – but on the precipice – only a starting point.   (note: I’ve written a brief summary on numbers meanings here). 

Effectually,

• Six is the point of wholeness primed for further transformation.
  
• Seven marks the point of a new phase of growth.

And so essentially, on the 7th day, you rested into a new phase of energetic presence.  The manifestation of your descending birds serves as an exclamation point to your experience. The symbolism of the bird indicates a direct energetic match with your state of receptivity at that time. 

Quite fitting as animal totems (birds) are symbolic of:

• Higher mind
• Consciousness
• Imagination
• Dreams
• Intuition
• Thoughts
• Spirit

As you likely know, many Native American  philosophies honor the bird as kin to the gods, as its home is within the heavens.  Further, birds hold special power as they move in two worlds.  Birds are buoyed by the air and ever-connected with divine mind – yet able to touch down to the ground, sit with the Mother (Earth) and become anchored to primitive roots of being.

I think your dream is a reflection of this duality.

Your dream cars seem to be juxtaposed to your whole sequence of events, don’t they?  However, when we see they may serve as a hook back into your earthly matters, they take on a different meaning.  Your cars settle on the ground, and may serve as a message of anchoring too.

But the cars say so much more – as vehicles of transportation they symbolically speak of:

• Motion
• Direction
• Progress
• Direction
• Navigation
• Motivation
• Advancement

Dream cars ask us “how do I get from point A to point B?” Perhaps this question was posed to you in a spiritual/philosophical sense due to the prevalence of birds (symbolic of higher thought and spirituality).

I like that you’ve pointed out these cars are old models.  I believe this is symbolic of :

• an old modality of thought,
• an old way of functioning or
• an older belief system that no longer serves you (in getting you from point A to point B) after experiencing the phenomenal events leading up to your 7 day fast.

Like most dreams, we could spend years delving into the variables, and subtle symbolism’s to gain more insight. 

Dreams are energetic lives played by our more childlike persona’s within an ethereal (often surreal) theatre. 

Part of the fun of dream interpretation is to interconnect the theatrical production with the backstage events (your “awake” life).

I’ll leave these ideas with you, with the hope they will spark clarity in your own pesonal interpretation. Ultimately, you are the ONLY interpreter.

In closing, thanks for indulging me this lengthy response.  I get really inspired by certain things, so I tend to philosophically wax (going on and on – usually getting really “far out”).

I suppose I need to learn there is never an ending (and maybe I should learn to paraphrase better :-).

In love & light,

A.

I received a question about dreaming of blue jays and cardinals from a gentleman who left a comment on my Meaning of Feathers post here.

To re-cap the dream:

“My friend had a dream about a blue jay flying in his kitchen window and landing on his head. The bird calmly allowed him to carry it in his hands to be released out the door. Upon re-entering the kitchen, a cardinal flew in the window and landed on his shoulder. It seemed to want to stay there and resisted somewhat to being released outside. At that point, he woke up. Can you help interpret this dream?”

Dear Feathered Friend (I couldn’t resist the pun):

I’ll begin as I usually do – by saying mine is only one perspective.  Ultimately your friend will have to take the time to interpret his dream (if he hasn’t already) for himself.  Symbols in dreams (or otherwise) are intensely personal, and their meanings are like chameleons – changing according to the backdrop they’re nestled upon. 

Simply put, symbolic meanings are tailored to their master. 

That said…what a great dream!  Let’s take it step by step:

1) Symbolic Meaning of  the Blue jay deals with:

• Clarity
• Voice
• Assertion
• Curiosity

I go into the origin of these symbolic attributes in much greater detail in my page on the symbolic meaning of the blue jay here.   When we dream of blue jay’s it may be a message that it’s time to vocalize more clearly.  Does your friend need to speak out in his own defense?  Is it time he asserts himself, and speaks his mind?  Or, perhaps he’s curious about a something…a different vocation, relationship, location…the blue jay will come to us when we need a nudge of confidence in order to peek behind those curtains in order to satisfy our curiosity.

2) Symbolic Meaning of Kitchens:

Part of the wonderful crazy world of dream interpretation is that no stone is left unturned.  Every detail of the dream has unique symbolism – kitchens included.  Symbolic meaning of kitchens deal with:

• Preparation
• Creativity
• Sharing
• Nourishment

Kitchens are where we prepare nourishment for ourselves, as well as friends and family.  They are often social gathering places too where long intimate talks are held over a good plate of pasta or a cup of joe.  When we dream of kitchens it may be a message to spend more quality timewith those who are close to us.  Or, it may indicate we need to take the time to feed ourselves better (physically AND philosophically).  Is your friend getting the proper kind of nourishment (socially? physically?)?

3) Symbolic Meaning of Windows and Doors:

As we would imagine, the symbolic meaning of windows and doors in our dreams speak of openings, entryways, and portals.  They also speak of two-way directions (letting in, and letting out).  Windows in our dreams ask us what kind of opportunities are we facing right now?  Are we shutting out our highest good, or opening the shades and letting in the light?  Interestingly, windows are like eyes to houses.  Houses are symbolic of solid foundations, with windows looking out…is your friend seeking out other structures?  In need of a new foundation? It’s a stretch…but something to consider.  Also, if they are clear glass windows, it is often a message of clarity of thought (this ties in with the blue jay too).

4) Symbolism of the Head:

Here again, no dream-point is moot.  The blue jay landed on your friend’s head.  This is symbolic of thoughts, contemplation, sorting out a problem.  The blue jay confirms this symbolism as it is symbolic of clarity.  This imagery speaks of a need to get clarity of thought – or better yet – get focused and assertive with some thoughts or ideas.

5) Symbolic Meaning of the Cardinal Deals with:

• Passion
• Boldness
• Nobility

I’ve written more about the origins of these meanings on my Symbolic Meaning of Cardinal page here.  The cardinal flying into the window of your friend’s dream may indicate a returning of a love that was once lost, forgotten or buried in the past.  I’m not necessarily referring to a romantic love – but something your friend was passionate about yet had to give up for one reason or another.  Perhaps your friend might want to re-visit some passions that were left behind.  By doing so, his sense of confidence may be boosted.

6) Symbolism of the Shoulder:

Shoulders in dreams may indicate a burden is being carried by your friend – the cardinal landing on his shoulder may be a message that your friend has or is grappling with the loss of this love I mentioned in the above paragraph.  Shoulders are also our starting point of strength.  Consider, from our shoulders span our arms which are symbolic of strength and power. 

I’d like your friend to consider the occurrence of air totems in his dream.  Creatures of the sky speak to us of thoughts, higher ideals, spiritual enhancement, even enlightenment.  They are creatures closest to the heavens, and so they are the messengers of the gods (your Native American blood knows this, no?).

I love the implications of color in this dream: one red bird, one blue.  Red and blue are vibrant power colors by themselves, to be true – but if we put them together, we get violet.  Here again we see a symbolic undertone of richness, high-mindedness and devotion in the color of violet. I’ve written a bit about symbolism of colors here (it’s my Tarot site, but the core insights are consistent).

We can even investigate your dream from a numerological perspective.  Two birds – the meaning of two  deals with choice, balance, opportunity, and so much more as indicated on my study of the number two here.

It should be clear the symbolic possibilities of this dream (any dream for that matter) are endless.

When your friend has meditated and contemplated all these beautiful symbols in his dream, it’s time for him to begin putting the puzzle pieces together.  When he relaxes with all the symbolism, they will begin to morph into a template he can lay on top of his life situation.  This will provide amazing clarity as to the true meaning of his dream.

Just keep in mind this is only one perspective (and a brief one at that – years could be devoted to the many nuances this dream presents).  Please tell your friend it’s his responsibility to charm the meanings out of this dream.

I hope this dream interpretation of the blue jay, cardinal and other dream symbols is helpful to your friend.  

Granted, it’s rather lengthy – but I couldn’t help it – so many neat and subtle meanings peering out – just had to let loose.  Thanks for indulging in my verbosity!