“Beyond the edge of the world there’s a space where emptiness and substance neatly overlap, where past and future form a continuous, endless loop. And, hovering about, there are signs no one has ever read, chords no one has ever heard.”
~ Haruki Murakami, Kafka on the Shore
This week I am enjoying some precious days at our farm, between rounds of city doctors and their clinical offices and dry predictions.
When you can’t see, you interface differently with the world. Right now my world is not one of darkness, but rather of indistinction. Everything is blurred, and there is not a crisp edge or a sharp detail to be found. Instead I find that clarity and meaning are coming in other ways. My senses are heightened. My awareness is crystal. Where once I saw, now I listen or turn my eyes inward. I let my soul see what my eyes cannot.
There is a large jacaranda tree in bloom to one side of the farmhouse. The tree is a favourite haunt of birds, and there is one huge limb that runs parallel to the ground. This week as I have sat quietly on my verandah a number of birds have come to visit me – strolling up and down that long limb as performers on a stage.
First came Madam Crow. I know this old bird well. She and her mate have a large platform of sticks at the back of the orchard and they return year after year to raise a new season of offspring.
She strode the tree branch, clicking and calling, regal in both her manner and mood. In some ways Madam Crow reminded me of a Shakespearian actor, aware of my presence and playing to me, but at the same time lost in her own world.
She preened herself and kept me company. Later that day Ben found two feathers on the ground underneath where she had sat. I knew that I was a custodian of these feathers, and that they had Crow Magic to them.
Over the coming days more birds walked that bough stage. There was a Magpie who came back again and again to that branch. She too gave a gift of feathers.
There were multitudes of Finches, Honeyeaters and Tree Creepers. A fat Wompoo Pigeon. A usually elusive Catbird.
My hoard of feathers grew. I began to feel the messages from each animal, and how to best create some talismans to hold the energy of each message.
Finally I went to the front room and choose some waxed thread, some crystals, and some wooden beads. I chose them based on their energy – their feeling in my hands.
My fingers know how to wrap and knot and bead. I don’t need to see what I am doing. This is something I have done for so long that my hands can find their own way.
Taking the first two feathers – one of Crow and one of Magpie – I made a beaded feather talisman. As I worked I sang the message from the birds into the stones and wood, into the binding thread, into the feathers. I felt the energy build and lock.
The finished piece rippled energy out into the world.
This first one was a Writing Talisman – an encouragement for someone to share their personal story. An entreatment to go deeper, to be brave in sharing truth, at gifting this story in a way that might illuminate the way for others. The feathers are supported by banded red and black agate, bone, marble, black tourmaline, rosewood and a few chakra stones that support communication and flow of words.
As I held the talisman a friend came into my head. I knew it was for her.
Just five minutes later she sent me a text asking if I was free to chat. She called me. In the course of our conversation she mentioned that out of the blue she had been thinking about her memoir today. She’d found some new ideas and a way forward.
So, dear Carly, I’m bringing this to the city for you. I know it will weave a magic into your words. I know that it will help.
Ganesha has held this in his hand yesterday and today. It is charged up and ready for you. It feels wonderful. It feels like home.
I still have a clutch of feathers, and I have begun my second talisman. I know that it is meant to go to one of you, dear readers and friends.
I’ll be giving it away next week.
I’ll let you know more soon about what it is for. I trust that it will find its way to whomever needs it most.
Much love to you,
Nicole <3 xoxo
Ahhh such a lovely story …you brave and beautiful lady . Big sloppy wet kiss from your greatest fan Oscar the King Charles ❤️❤️🐾🐾🐾 xx
Thank You Nicole what an(other) inspirational read. I am in a place of finding it VERy hard to imagine space to create in this way you just have, always finding excuses(other higher priorities…) altho I know I too one day could do something creative like this again… <3 Much Love & Healing Vibes continuing your way lovely one.
Hi Nicole, I have so missed your blog.!I am so sorry to hear about your exceedingly bumpy ride following your surgery. Glad to hear you are back on your farm , a place of healing and peace.We have just returned from a holiday in Tasmania, and most of our stay had little phone coverage and no internet.. a mixed blessing. The magical .bird life both seen and heard on our walks ! Fairy wrens , robins, seagulls, eagles. Racing to identify the unusual by their song and with our fuzzy photos to back up what we could describe. Our first visit,filled with delights to all our senses. The cold wind, the snow crunching under our feet on Mt wellington, taking me back to childhood, the amazing clarity of the air and the contrasts in the beautiful landscape Placing my hands on an ancient King Billy Pine in grove of moss covered magic.The food and wine. The best vanilla slice I ever ate… the icy turquoise ocean.
Sitting here in Qld this morning in one layer of clothes ( opposed to the 3 of the past week) with a small dog on my lap..and a large one who would like to be..)How grateful I am for our many blessings.I want to share some of this powerful magic with you. Blessings to you and your dear Ben.
I think Ravens are beautiful birds, I know not everyone agrees but I do just thought I would share that, trying to read as many blogs as possible before mum gets here to pick me up
Oh how wonderful that they gave you feathers! I had a feather from a rainbow lorikeet float down right in front of my face and land on something in front of me the other day. it bought immense pleasure and now is sitting on my desk on a little holder as a reminder of blessings, and to count them daily. Lovely to know you are finding pleasure in your day. The weather has been beautiful for sitting out in. Xxxx❤️❤️❤️❤️
How funny, as I was reading this one of my daughters came over and jumped her lego bird on and around my shoulder. I wonder if there is some bird magic here for us. My 14yo son ran away from home 2 weeks ago (he has flown the coup!) we are all heart broken, especially me as I feel it is my fault. Maybe I should sit outside and see if any birds have a message for me today. I am a little cheered by the fact that you are at your farm now, that must feel better, God bless you and thank you for your love, it is much appreciated<3
Tears welling…heart opening…a timely & lively reminder to live fully in each moment and for the ‘gifts’ of nature in all its spectrums. Blessings Sweetheart…XO
Nicole. You are beautiful and magical inside and out. Thank you for your brave, authentic and healing words. You are an inspiration. Much love & heart light healing thoughts to you. ❤❤
<3
Argh, you made me cry ❤️ You’re such a beautiful soul, and I’m ridiculously lucky to call you my friend. Lub yew so hard XOXO P.S – it’s nearly Ganesha rub down time again!!
Lovely story Nicole. Glad to read that you are home on the farm. Continue healing. Lots of love and hugs xox
Birds can be such powerful shifters! Those feathers will do well for many people. I hope their magic worked on you, too.
Beautiful Nicole. Feathers I truly believe in the magic of them too. For me, white feathers are part of Angel wings. When I am stressed about a situation I have found white feathers (one on the doorstep of the villa I stayed in for 4 days last week) They give me an overwhelming sense of calmness and belief that no matter how rough the storm is it will pass. Enjoy your return to the farm and the peace it brings. Sending love xx
Happy to see that you are at your farm for a bit. What a sweet story.
🌺🌺🌺wonderful ,love how you find the positive even though for some you would be going through hell. 🌱you have wonderful clarity ⭐️Big love 💕💕💕💕💕💕🌀
Beautiful 💜🙏🏻
the Raven artwork is actually by an Etsy artist I follow
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SigiDawn
Thank you so much! It’s really important to me to correctly attribute artists and Sigi’s work is beautiful!
I know <3 it's so hard to know where images come from and this is an awesome artist!
MUCH much Love to you too Nicole. You are so special <3