this Vulture was a Turkey!

Beauty in flight

I am Super excited about this today!  I had a reading a couple of weeks back, as my niece purchased a new set of Spirit cards. Naturally, I was intrigued to discover & experience what these cards had to offer. 

The 2nd card that I chose was *Animal Deities* Very intriguing indeed. Ancient cultures and Ancestors believed that messages are sent to us through Higher Powers. Many cultures believe that  Spirit sends messages via Animal Deities. I have always embraced this state of consciousness. It's really just a part of who I am, and to be honest, this has served me well.

Because of this reading, over the past couple of weeks, I have embraced a special awareness of the messages that have come before me. 
Up close and personal, I have come face to face with 4 Bears in the past month. Not in a threatening manner, but one of peace. Four. Eagles have flowned over, around and above me. Hummingbirds have fluttered directly at my face. It startled me in the beginning, but not anymore. I await with anticipation for the next experience, the next lesson. Just when you least expect it....

Today, as the passenger in our truck, as I was gazing out my window, sitting amongst two others, I spotted a huge unusual looking bird. An excitement began to grow within me. My husband tried to guess what kind of a bird it was as I excitedly described it and was pretty certain that it was a Vulture or Raven. I said, no, it had a red head, like that of a Turkey. While I was google-ing BIG BIRD WITH RED HEAD like a turkey, he calmly responded Turkey Vulture. Turkey Vulture it was indeed. Picture time!

What is most interesting to me right now, is that I had delayed posting this page. Until today, as while driving to work, there on the side of the road stood my Turkey Vulture. Message loud and clear. But what is that message?  To me, the Vulture represents strength and re-birth, resurrection, perhaps, and the Turkey represents celebration.  

The scientific name for the Turkey Vulture is 'Cathartes Aura' (I naturally really like that!) which means Golden Purifier (LOVE this!) because as it goes about it's lifetime business it purifies the landscape and environment in it's own natural way, ensuring the continued health and life of other living things. 

The Vulture is a promise that all hardship is both temporary & necessary for a higher purpose. (If you have had the opportunity to read my book, 'Glimmers of Hope,' you will know that I have received this message before.)  

Once a Vulture enters your life as a totem or guide, it will remain with you for life.The vulture is a very powerful totem. As a Guide, the Turkey Vulture shows you how to use energy powerfully and efficiently.  It glides effortlessly on the winds, soaring to extraordinary heights while using little or no energy.  It skillfully employs already existing air currents against the pull of gravity, symbolizing the distribution of energy so that gravity (or cares) do not weigh it (you) down.  In the process the vulture does not use its own energy, but the energies of the Earth instead, the energies of the Earth --- or the Natural Order of Things.

Pretty Cool Message. Pretty Cool Totem. I have always assumed (and been previously told by a Shaman) that my totem was an Eagle. Somehow, I am sensing that this guy is my Totem. 
I will heed and I will listen. I will embrace.