A long, long time ago, when the hearts of our ancestors had frozen and were ruled by hate and greed, their eyes could no longer see the beauty of creation and the gifts and wonders in the world around them. They had made a habit of taking more than they needed, pillaging the lands, the waters and the mountains, taking the lives of their brothers and sisters, giving jealous breath to lies turning words meant to heal into venom eating their hearts bit by bit.  
 
And so it happened, that the guardians of the lands, the mountains, the seas, the winds and the volcanoes, gathered in the east and held council, talking about, how the humans had lost direction and were wandering astray far from their hearts.  In the south, the spirits of the plants, the trees, the herbs and the flowers, gathered and spoke about how their voices of healing wisdom were met by ears that had become deaf to the world around them. At the same time, the animal spirits gathered in the west, talking about how they were being hunted for pleasure and not survival and about how their medicines were no longer being honored but simply taken by force and used in darkness. The Council of Creation gathered and listened to the guardians, the spirits of the plants and the animal spirits. They decided, that there was no love left in the hearts of humankind and that humanity had to be changed forever. 
 
Migizi the Eagle had been listening and watching carefully and felt his heart grow heavy with sorrow. He stepped forward and said, “Please wait! My heart says, that there is still love in the world and that not all has been lost. Let me prove it to you and find it! I can fly higher than any other being and my eyes see farther than any other pair of eyes in creation! Please, let me fly out there and prove to you, that not all is lost.” The Council of Creation pondered Migizi’s words and replied, “The human world is shrouded in a dark night and your eyes are used to the light of the sun. How are you to see?” Migizi answered without thinking, “My heart will be my eyes.” The Council of Creation said, “We will give you four days to find proof of love in the heart of man and that they deserve to be part of this world.”
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When the sun rose on the first day, Migizi took off and flew into the eastern lands. He was sure, that he would soon find proof and be able to return to the Council of Creation with glad tidings. He soared higher and higher, but he could see nothing but hearts that had lost the ability to listen to their own songs and were heavy with envy and jealousy.  After the sun had set, he returned to the Council and said, “I have not found any proof today, but tomorrow I will fly even higher than I did today.”

When the second day was dawning, Migizi took off again and flew in the southern direction. He flew higher and higher, but all he could see from above were hearts mercilessly waging war against one another. Desperately he flew even higher, only to watch the wars spreading in all four directions. He could not find any proof of love and he returned to the Council of Creation, his heart filled with sadness.
 
When the morning sun rose on the third day, Migizi sighed. He did not want to fly out into the world, but he had taken on a task and given his word. He would honor it. He took off and flew in the western direction. He decided to fly even higher than before, looking as far as he could, but again, he only saw darkness and sickness in the hearts of man. He returned to the Council of Creation, when the night fell. “I could not find any proof of love in the heart of humankind today either.” The Council said, “You have but one more day.”
 
When the sun rose on the fourth and last morning, Migizi felt tired. He took off and flew towards the northern lands. He did not fly as high as before, but near the ground and when the short winter day ended, he decided to keep on flying for some time despite feeling hopeless. His eyes were not used to the darkness and when he first saw a fire in the distance, he thought that his eyes had played a trick on him. When his sight cleared, he got curious and flew towards the fire. He saw a young boy and his father, two hunters. The young boy had just killed his first deer and taken a life. When the father wanted to start cleaning the animal, the boy said, “Please wait! Grandmother has told me, that whenever we take a life, we must honor that life. It is our responsibility as people not only to take, but also to provide and give.” The boy held up a leather pouch. “Grandmother has given us a gift of tobacco.” The father nodded and began to smile. Then he took out the tobacco, said a prayer and put it into the fire.

​Migizi let out a scream and flying faster than he ever had, he headed back to the Council of Creation. Happily and excitedly, he screamed, “Look, look! There is still some love and compassion in the hearts of humankind!” The Council of Creation agreed and that day, Migizi the Eagle became the bearer of messages, prayers and visions.

A long time ago, the Lenni Lenape had come to believe, that if you could just pluck a feather from the tail of an eagle by being cunning and swift, your heart would not just only be filled with never-wavering courage, but good fortune would always be your faithful companion. 
 
One day, there was a young hunter and warrior, who was known for his recklessness and ambition. He wanted to pluck eagle feathers for a headdress, showing his prowess. He went out looking for the highest mountain, he could find in the lands, for surely, only the most beautiful and strongest eagles would call the snowy mountain tops their home. On his way to the mountain top, he took the life of a large wolf, whose liver he wanted to use to bait the eagles. Without care or honoring the life, he had just taken, he left the remains of the wolf at the wayside and followed his path to the mountain top.
 
As soon as he had placed the wolf liver on a sunlit rock, an eagle dove out of the sky in an attempt to grab the fresh morsel. The young warrior screamed in anger and drove the eagle away, for he deemed it too small and its feathers not large enough. All day, he screamed and shouted, driving away one eagle after the other, for their plumage did not satisfy him.
 
When the sun was about to set, he heard the loud flapping of wings and looked up. A giant eagle, much taller than any man, was flying straight at him. Its feathers were bloodred. Instead of grabbing the meat, the eagle seized the young warrior with its sharp talons and carried him away to a high cliff. The young man soon realized that he would not be able to escape, unless he decided to jump down and cause his own demise.
 
There was a large eyrie with four young eagles on the cliff. The giant bloodred eagle spoke, “I am the Chief of the Eagles and I have been watching you from the skies far above. I asked my warriors to gift a feather to you, but you were not satisfied with the feathers of the eagles, who agreed to bestow their gifts upon you. Your greed has brought you here. You will stay atop this cliff and care for my young, until they have grown large enough to carry you back to where I picked you up. Perhaps by then, you will have learned to honor the gifts given to you.” The Chief of the Eagles took off.

​So it happened, that the ambitious warrior could do nothing else but stay and watch over the young eagles. After some time, his mind calmed down and his heart opened up. He did so well, that the young eagles began to call him friend and speak to him in a loving way. The ancient eagle would fly by from time to time and bring them a deer or other game in its talons, feeding them.
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The young warrior stayed for many days and finally the young eagles learned how to fly and would stay away from the eyrie and the cliff all day. He was left to his own thoughts, but instead of listening to his mind wondering if the ancient one would honor his word, he listened to the song of his heart, watching the young eagles grow into magnificent birds.  When the giant bloodred eagle returned the next time, it said, “My grandchildren have grown strong enough, to carry you home, for you have taken good care of them. I will fly along with you to see, that you reach your lands safe and sound.” The young eagles seized the young man with their talons and carried him back to the mountain top, where the ancient one had seized him. 
 
When the young warrior made his way down the mountain, he found some eagle feathers lying on his path. He knelt down and gladly accepted the gift given to him. He no longer felt the need to take away anything from another living being by force, but was happy to open his heart to all the gifts given to him without condition by the world around him. 

Maine has a lot of wildlife. Every day I see and hear messages. In trying to organize a story about one animal, I’ve opened a library of details in myself. Suffice it to say, I’ve seen a lot of seals, deer, coyote, frogs, and squirrels. I have a moose story, a bear story, and two about the falcon. 
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​I wasn’t sure I could narrow down a lesson from Eagles. I see them over the harbor fishing. They sit in the trees ignoring how the wind ruffles their feathers. They soar high in groups, circling and crying on crisp winter days, when there’s no warmth in the sunlight. 
 
Today was a day like that and I filed my taxes. It’s a burden of a process for many but I have endeavored to treat it as a holiday. I figure finding joy in that tax return will allow the inflow to continue. So for me it’s renewal. It’s knowing winter is passing, seeds are being planted soon, and I will continue. It’s no coincidence that tax season starts with Imbolc. 
 
I work hard year after year, trusting and leaping towards long haul plans. I suffer impatience watching seasons turn, while I’m just laying down the path. Could we get there already? 
 
But no. And in finally being ok with that part of the cycle I am filled with gratitude, when the shift emerges at last! Today was that day. 
 
I drove home from the appointment debating which of my projects could now get attention. I talked to myself in the car. The music was going. I felt the tingles come up my neck as an idea solidified. 
 
That’s when I saw the eagle. It came over the trees along the right side of the road towards me. It was so low, I could see its eyes. Of course I stopped. 

It hovered, tilted and went over and behind me. It circled back and flew above me again as the car started to roll. I’d flung the window down and whistled up at the creature. We flew together for a few seconds and it kited off over a field. 
 
Yes, I see them all the time, but for it to be today in a moment of joyful realization? That is Magic. 
That is when I know Spirit is real. 
 
It reminds me of the interconnected nature of all things, down to the microscopic level and intangible qualities of energy; things like love. 
 
I hadn’t specifically connected with eagles in a while, but just this week I felt for my path to that moment. I asked for an experience, prayed for a song and just like that, one flies over me. Flies over at a moment, when my vibe was elevated to a place, where we could communicate. We could be in the same space at the same time. 
 
Next week when I’m sighing and chewing my lip again, I will remember this. I will feel the awe of making eye contact with an eagle. I will think of how soft the feathers must be. I will thank it for nodding at me and casting its spell of grace into my day. 
 
I carry deep reverence for these beings, for these interactions, and for my duty to receive the gifts they bring. Today is a day, when the kaleidoscope coalesces and the way forward is allowed. 
 
A’ho. 

Eagle is a mentor and companion who dares you to fly high up into the skies and see the bigger picture. The keen eyes of the Eagle look deep into the past, focusing on the seed of light and healing planted during a night long gone.

​He says, “Everything you have experienced on your path has brought you here, to this very moment. The pain you caused, the pain you suffered. The joy you brought, the gifts of joy you received. Let go of the old that is weighing you down, the regrets and the paths not travelled. Spread your wings and let the healing wisdom of the past carry you to new heights today.”

The call of the Eagle challenges you to look deeper into yourself, be courageous and walk your path without fear. Living fearless means living in truth.

​Eagle says, “Look deep into your sun, the light within your heart, and dare to look beyond the dark mist clouding your eyes. Let the fiery touch of the sun caress you and burn away your old and worn feathers, so you can rise again, reborn from the ashes of your past, filled with the fires of a new day dawning.”

Eagle was named the messenger and bearer of prayers to the spirit realms and messenger and bearer of visions to Mother Earth and all of creation by the Great One.

Eagle accepted the sacred duty to speak from the heart with love and to relay the messages and visions without ill-will and without deceit. He says, “Stay true to yourself and choose to fly near the sun. Take the high road and let your light shine. Do not react on the spur of the moment, but take a deep breath deep into your heart and respond with a balanced and calm mind.”

Eagles build their eyries in places that are inaccessible to predators and fiercely protect and defend their sanctuaries. Eagle says, “You are the one responsible for what you are bringing into your eyrie, your home. Your home is your sanctuary. Be mindful and aware of who you let into your inner circle, your thoughts, your energies and your beliefs.” 

A long time ago, when conflicts were raging among the Kulin nations and people were no longer taking care of one another, but instead greedily ravaging the lands, the Sea became very angry. The bigger the hate, the jealousy and the disunity in the hearts of man grew, the higher the waves she sent towards the lands became. When blind rage finally began to consume the hearts of the people entirely and all hope seemed lost, the Sea drowned the beaches and plains and threatened to flood the entire land. 
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The nations tried to blame each other, but soon they had to realize, that the wrath of the Sea could not be calmed down by shouting insults and pointing fingers, nor would any of the weapons wielded impress the waters, that kept rising steadily. For the first time in a long, long time the nations gathered and met in council. They decided to ask Bunjil the Wedge-tailed Eagle, who had created the land, for guidance and help. Bunjil listened intently to every word spoken and said, “I will help you, but only, only if you change your ways and open your hearts again. Look upon all of creation with love and compassion.” ​

​Bunjil flew out to the Sea, who had begun to calm down at the same time, that hate and rage had lost their hold on the hearts of man, and asked her to stop rising.     ​

Among all beings of creation, Eagle is the highest flying one, daring to fly near the sun. When All-heart, the Great One, dreamt the flying ones into being, each and every single one of them was given a task and a purpose. Eagle was named the messenger and bearer of prayers to the spirit realms and messenger and bearer of visions to Mother Earth and all of creation. Eagle accepted the sacred duty to speak from the heart with love and to relay the messages and visions without ill-will and without deceit. 
 
When the seasons turned and a long and dark winter began to hold the hearts of humankind in an icy grip, Eagle was no longer greeted with warm words of welcome and the messages and visions, he had been asked to give, were spoken to frozen hearts. Sadness and sorrow filled his heart. He sat down on the branch of a dead tree and he began to weep. He no longer wanted to speak to deaf ears. The harsh words he had been met with and that had been spoken behind his back had wounded his heart badly and weighed him down. He put his head under his right wing and closed his ears to the world.
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​Suddenly he heard a tiny voice, “Dare to fly out one more time, please. Just one more time. Let us take a look from high up in the skies and see, what we can do to help mend the hearts of all of creation.” Eagle looked up and saw a white eagle sitting next to him on the branch. “Come and follow your heart one more time!” The white eagle jumped into the air and took flight, flew higher and higher and soon was out of sight. Eagle hesitated for a brief moment, then let out a scream and rushed after his new friend. 
 

​One more time.   
 
Eagle flew higher and higher, but he could not see the other eagle anywhere. The fires of the sun started to burn away all the ill-wishes and harsh words that had been spoken in anger and that had hurt his heart. His heart began to feel lighter and lighter. He soared even higher and dared to stare directly into the sun.

The sun light gently caressed his eyes and the shadowy mist that had clouded his sight vanished. His plumage and heart ablaze he looked deep into the heart of the sun and saw his own light mirrored back to him, a majestic white eagle. He let go of his pain and fears and dove straight into the sun. Out of the ashes of wounds past Eagle was reborn as Phoenix.
 
He returned to his task and purpose, singing a song of hope, renewal and rebirth, challenging all of creation to let go of the pain and wounds of the past, to allow them to become the healing wisdom of today and the hope of our new tomorrow.