indigo pears

"Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird..."


I made it out of the house this evening to attend an Artist's Reception! (one of my favorite things to do)

[Reception for Alice Lynn Greenwood at 6 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall Gallery, 224 N. East Ave. in Fayetteville.]
Greenwood, paints with gouache, which gives deep, rich color to her work....her art is like a journal into a spiritual quest..(I guess most real artists do that, intentionally or not...think of Frida Kahlo!)

There were many pieces to enjoy...one about St. Brigid's cross...which of course goes back to legends about a Celtic goddess! Totem animals, and symbolism from women's spirituality show up often. In addition to paintings, there were some collage pieces and wonderful "altars". These were not just rectangular shadow boxes, but some had interesting animal shapes...The Whale Rider ....
She also does commissioned portraits of people and their beloved pets....the art show is called, "All Creatures Great and Small".
I bought this small framed print of the blackbird with a broken heart in it's beak. "Sacre Couer" (Sacred Heart) by Alice Lynn, 2001.


On the way home just now, I spotted a blackbird coming towards me across a lawn! Wow!

I know I bought the right piece for me!


Morning has broken, like the first morning
Blackbird has spoken, like the first bird
Praise for the singing, praise for the morning
Praise for the springing fresh from the world
----old hymn (Cat Stevens made it very popular!)

Animal Allies


(taken from "By Oak, Ash, & Thorn" by D.J. Conway)

Nearly all shamanic cultures believe in Animal Allies or helpers. These creatures have the appearance and many of the characteristics and behaviour patterns of ordinary animals, birds, and fish, but they can communicate with the shaman. Sometimes these animals become protectors and guides for the shaman, both while she/he is journeying in the Otherworlds and in the physical realm.

The Celts believed in individual Animal Allies or helpers, as shown by their legends, but they also had clan animals. Many of the Celtic clan names reflected this. Among the Native Americans these would be called totem animals. The Celtic clans had banners on which were displayed the picture or symbol of their clan animal, as with the banners of the Fianna. Individual devices were painted on shields and sometimes tattooed on the body. This may well be the origin of the heraldic devices that became so popular in later times.

Clan animals, like the individual Animal Allies, choose you; you do not choose them. The ancient shamanic way of finding an Animal Ally was to go on a journey to the Otherworld. There, the shaman watched it carefully; when she/he saw an animal, bird, fish, or other creature three or more times during the journey, the shaman knew she/he had been accepted by that creature. Although a shaman usually has one very important Animal Ally who is a close companion and protector during journeying, it is common to have several others who help with certain kinds of problems.


Blackbird (Druid-dhubh, Lon Dubh): Legend says that the birds of Rhiannon are three blackbirds, which sit and sing in the World Tree of the Otherworlds. Their singing puts the listener in to a sleep or trance which enables her/him to go to the Otherworlds. It was said to impart mystic secrets.