Picture of "Cardinal" from Wikipedia....
As I was writing Christmas cards, I noticed how many of the cards have a picture of the "Cardinal" on them. I looked at the cards I had accumulated and realized that I had not really bought a box of cards on birds. Yet, several cards in a row were showing me Cardinal. Therefore, there must be a message for me.
First, the brilliant red Cardinal is usually found in through Ontario, Quebec, and some of the Maritimes, and then down into Maine and the eastern States. In western Canada, the Cedar Waxwing is more orangey-red than red in colour. When the early explorers and settlers saw this bird, the crest reminded the people of the red robes of Catholic Cardinals, hence the name. Cardinal, then, does have significance for people on either a religious or spiritual journey - and often the two are exclusive of each other.
My task is to figure out what Cardinal was trying to say to me. The colours of Cardinal - black and red - are about the base chakra, and a reminder to be more in touch with Mother Earth and to stay grounded. The base chakra is about survival - having food and shelter and feeling secure from harm - the very issues that our Ancestors faced when they ventured out from their cave or their village. Cardinal is very much about survival and she knows which seeds to eat, summer or winter, that will benefit her. At this time of year when over indulgence may become a habit, Cardinal reminds us to eat healthily and to avoid harmful foods. I paid close attention to this information about food and eating because we have many social eating situations over the next several weeks.
Cardinal has a very high, loud whistle that echoes through the air. Cardinal may be singing to its mate - male and female sound alike. The message is to integrate our masculine and feminine traits and then use the combined skills of intuition and logic to achieve a very large goal. Only by moving forward with our being totally integrated will we achieve the steps on our life mission. This message is especially true for me right now as I am working on new workshop materials. I see the message that my communication must also be loud and clear!
As the colour of Cardinal is red, one often associates attributes of life with the colour. So, Cardinal's message in this area is to live with assertiveness, courage, and to be pioneering in the areas of work/hobby that one does. Cardinal may also imply that one is insecure, or fearful, or even self pitying or a victim, and urges the individual to be more like Cardinal - full of fun and life.
Again the message of courage and pioneering struck a chord with me as I am working on several things that go beyond the information that I have learned, and synthesizes ideas into something more - in fact, being a pioneer. That message of pioneering felt good and right, and was affirming the steps that I am taking. I am grateful for the message.
Blessings,
Judy
