Feathers

FEATHERS  ~ Millie Chalk  ~ {Archive July 2010}

You’re walking along a path one day with a problem weighing heavily upon your mind so much so that you almost step upon a perfect single feather lying gently at your feet.  You bend over, picking up the feather and with closer examination you realize it’s an owl feather, a symbol of wisdom and tenacity.

Or, you’ve recently found yourself among the ranks of the unemployed.  Worried and concerned you wonder how you’re going to manage.  The responsibilities resting on your shoulders seem overwhelming as you step outside your door one morning on your way to a job interview and a large black and white striped feather lies across your lawn.  It’s so large and attractive you can see it from a distance and don’t hesitate to run over and snatch it up because you recognize it as the wing feather of a wild turkey left for you as a sign that prosperity and bounty is in your future.

Or, you’ve been deployed to Afghanistan.  It’s your first experience with combat and although you’re trying to put on a brave face the fear you’re feeling is something you don’t recognize within yourself and hate because of what it’s doing to you.  All alone on your horse you ride into the countryside trying to get a grip on the emotions welling up inside of you.  The warm summer day’s beauty would normally have met your eyes with appreciation to the Great Spirit, but instead is lost from your attention because of your mind’s focus on what might be.  You find yourself riding toward a grove of trees when there at the base of one of the tallest pines you see it.  It’s the feather of a Hawk or maybe even an Eagle?  You’re not certain which but you do know it’s a rare treasure, gifted to so many in our culture as a token and symbol of extreme bravery, courage and strength.  You also know there were many hours spent by some of our greatest warriors in search of such a sign and here it is laid before you!

There are those that consider such precious finds trivial.  I used to be one of them until it happened to me in a way that was far too obvious to deny.  It was early last year when I was faced with some life altering circumstances bringing me to the lowest point in my existence.  My entire world had imploded; financially, romantically, as well as physically, and I was facing a possible move from a place that for some time had brought me great comfort and security. Just when I thought it couldn’t possibly get any worse, for I felt I could sink no further, a very special person walked into my life bringing me inspiration to the degree that I felt compelled to write a novel. 

The story that began to unfold as I hurriedly typed away for weeks brought to me amazement for I had never read anything so wonderful or engaging.  I didn’t doubt for an instant where this story was coming from but I greatly doubted my ability to write it.  I was not an author, not even a writer and I felt the story was so important that I could possibly do it dishonor attempting to put it into words. That’s when the feathers started to appear.

Always directly in my path, almost daily and too obvious to refuse I found feathers, all kinds of feathers.  Sometimes a crow’s (symbol of magic), a quail’s (abundance), doves, pigeons, just about any kind you can imagine even a red tailed hawk’s!  I started collecting them as I would ask my friend to explain the significance of each one as they guided me out of my darkness and encouraged me to continue my work with the book.

Looking back I realize I still took them for granted as though they were some fun novelty, thinking they had been there all along in my life and I simply had not paid attention, but the question of the feathers’ meaning was answered the day I finished the book.  No more did they appear to me and although I’m quite sad and miss the wonderful miracle of their gift, I now know how truly precious they were and that they were intended for me.  I will never forget their influence and how they gave me hope and courage, instilling within me a sense of worthiness and recognition that what was coming to me and through me was an important work.  I never want to forget them and I keep them in a collection destined to someday be woven into a prayer fan.

So next time you find yourself deep in thought wrestling with some insurmountable problem or facing a noteworthy challenge and a feather appears, remember it is a message sent to you!  Do not doubt its significance just appreciate it. Take into your heart its message that you are known, you are loved and there are many who watch over you.  Listen to their inspiration and be the best YOU that you can be for truly that will be your greatest accomplishment!

Please note:  It is a federal offense for anyone not of Native American descent to own an Eagle feather and is punishable by fines up to $25,000.  Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (16U.S.C.668-668c)