A symbol of majesty, freedom and liberty, the bald eagle was chosen by our forefathers to be the symbol of a fledgling nation. A symbol they deemed to be quite mighty. Indeed, long before the settlers arrived, Native Americans honored eagles for thousands of years, using their feathers in ceremonial dress and sacred healing rituals.
Eagle represents spiritual protection, carries prayers, and brings strength, courage, wisdom, illumination of spirit, healing, creation, and a knowledge of magic. The eagle has an ability to see hidden spiritual truths, rising above the material to see the spiritual.
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©Robert O Toole[/caption]
The eagle is the “Master of the Sky”, and according to legend, the Creator chose Eagle to be leader of the birds. Eagle is a messenger of the Great Spirit. With a unique perspective, more expansive than those who walk on earth, Eagle can see far and wide: the whole context. People suffering from tunnel vision or obsessions would do well to emulate the eagle, and even travel to where eagles reside to watch them in the wild.
It is believed the gift of an eagle feather protects and honors the receiver with spiritual wisdom. But don’t go plucking one—even owning one is against the law if you are not Native American.
Eagles are never to be disrespected; hurting or killing one is akin to black magic and brings harm to the perpetrator. Eagles, like all animals, are multidimensional and have a shadow side. Benjamin Franklin argued the turkey should be the symbol of our nation, not the eagle:
I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly, you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him.... Besides he is a rank coward; the little kingbird, not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district.
Perhaps the eagle is lazy and easily chased away as Franklin said. Yet, it’s also just as possible the Eagle is a pro at conserving its energy as well as being a crafty hunter; one that cuts its losses and knows when it is wise to flee rather than staying to fight.
This fourth of July, and long after, contemplate and honor Eagle by letting its image soar in your heart and open it even fuller to joy. Also, consider how you might protect its habitat, so as to protect our nation’s feathered wise ones: an act which can symbolize securing a permanent place in your life for your own inner visionary to roost.
