As I launched my new website I wanted to reflect on why I felt so compelled to include an image of a hummingbird. Hummingbirds seem to be the harbingers of the cosmic bridge between this reality and the other side of the veil. I began my enchanting fascination with hummingbirds when asking the divine to send me a sign when attempting to connect with my deceased loved ones. Low and behold, hummingbirds began to show up and capture my attention as they appeared with magical synchronicity. According to some cultures, the appearance of hummingbirds is a sign indicating that a loved one has successfully made it to the other side and is doing fine.

So, as I began researching about these amazing birds I became even more intrigued. These incredible little birds are one of the smallest warm-blooded creatures on the planet and among the fastest. They have the ability to fly in any direction, to hover and even fly upside down with their wings beating up to 200 times every second. Their wings can even create a figure 8, infinity pattern which is symbolic of eternity, continuity and certainly endears them as one of nature’s most accomplished athletes! I’m intrigued by their tenacity and their incredible endurance and adaptability. They have an uncanny ability to significantly decrease their body temperatures, thus sparing their metabolic demands by reducing their heart rate from 600 to a mere 36 beats per minute so they don’t starve during sleep. They drink half of their body weight in nectar on a daily basis! But what I find more intriguing is the spiritual significance that is assigned to our little hummingbird messengers.

According to folklore and Native American legends, hummingbirds are seen as healers and bringers of love, good luck, and joy. The Aztecs saw them as messengers between them and their ancestors or the gods. One of the most consistent interpretations of hummingbirds is that they symbolize joy and playfulness as well as adaptability and a reminder that the sweetest nectar of life lies within.

Additional symbolic meanings according to Spirt Animal interpretations are:

• Independence.
• Lifting up negativity.
• Swiftness.
• Ability to respond quickly.
• Resiliency.
• Being able to travel great distances tirelessly.
• Peace and freedom.
• A reminder to assess how we expend our own energy and to what purpose.
• Endless insight and effervescent wisdom.
• Reminding us to find balance with our energy and personal resources.
• They are messengers of hope and jubilation.
• They help us focus on our vitality.

I know deep within that hummingbirds are reminding me to enjoy my life and invite in simple pleasures and joy so that I can embrace and delight in the sweetness of life. As a healer and empath, I must remind myself to avoid the tendency to take on the burdens of others. I know that these magical little creatures remind me to be light of heart and to maintain my emotional wellbeing as I guide others along their Soul Journeys. When hummingbirds show up in our lives, some questions to ask ourselves and explore might be:

• “Where is my joy and am I savoring this?”
• “Is my happiness found within, or do I seek it externally?”
• “What is the source of my joy?”
• “What must I do to increase my joy and vitality?”
• “What messages am I receiving from the other side of the veil?
• “Am I maintaining and honoring my vitality as a healer?”
• “Am I able to see in all directions and maintain an objective perspective?”

Most of all, I like to think that when hummingbirds are showing up in my life and capturing my attention, that they are reminding me about maintaining my vibrational frequency.

They provide a gentle nudge to do an honest appraisal of how I’m expending my energy as a resource. I’m prompted to assess my mental, emotional and physical wellbeing and tune into whether I am wasting needless resources on issues that are pointlessly draining my energy on things like worry, fear and lack or on things that are out my control and influence. One of my greatest reminders from the magical hummingbirds is to not take life so seriously and know that by cultivating present moment awareness, I can accomplish my life purpose. Hummingbirds truly are magical reminders from the spirit world.

Blessings,