This morning after returning home from my early morning walk with my photography assistants, I pulled the curtains aside and found a fledgling dove sitting on the window sill. Not unusual for this city known for its wind, it was a very blustery morning (and night!), and this wise baby bird, knowing it did not yet have the wing strength to battle this strong wind, was sitting out the storm. Or was she bringing me a message?
Birds in general are considered messengers from God, the Divine, and the spirit realm. Doves, specifically the ones called pigeons, can be domesticated and trained to carry messages for man, such as the Carrier Pigeon. As messengers of Spirit, doves and the wings of the doves as angel wings, reinforce their messenger attribute. The word Angel itself (Ancient Greek: ἄγγελος) means messenger.
As a communicator between the two worlds of the physical and spirit realms, doves symbolize higher love, purification of the soul, ascension, grace, divinity, and the soul leaving the body upon death. Mourning Doves are so called because, according to Celtic tradition, their call signaled the passing of a soul in peace. And according to Slavic tradition, doves carried the souls of the dead to heaven.
Doves also represent motherhood. Along with the dove’s ability to be domesticated, doves are depicted with Mother Goddesses, such as the Assyrian goddess Ishtar and the Christian Virgin Mary.
But most commonly doves represent wisdom and peace, both inner peace and world peace. The dove is often depicted with the Greek goddess Sophia (σοφία), which means wisdom. She is Divine Wisdom, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As praised by the Christian mystic, herbalist, and medicine woman Hildegard von Bingen:
You of the whirling wings,
circling, encompassing energy of God:
you quicken the world in your clasp.
One wing soars in heaven,
one wing sweeps the earth,
and the third flies all around us.
Praise to Sophia!
Let all the earth praise her!
May the Divine Grace, Love, Spiritual Wisdom, and Inner Peace of the Dove inspire us all to spread Grace, Love, Wisdom, and Peace to all others across this world and into the next. Peace be with you!
Visit other peace-loving bloggers at Everyday Gurus!
Reblogged this on lost creek publishing.
Thank you! Namaste _/l\_
My first thought, was, “Oh, Julianne must need to sit out a storm in her life.” but what do I know. I always try to go with the first, and usually, most basic meaning.
I have been taking photos of my beach bird friends, mostly crows, sparrows and others. Today, as I was leaving, I found a dead crow in the tide line. It made me overwhelmingly sad and I told him so and wished him peace on his journey. I’ve always talked to everything in nature…my friends/family just smile…
Patti
Interesting! There isn’t anything in my life that is stormy in any way, but I do feel there are many layers (as there usually are) to the little dove’s message. Based in my own July tarot spread there’s likely a storm on its way. Just have to wait and see… 😉
I think it’s awesome that you talk to everything in nature. So do I. I even talk to inanimate things as they are made of energy too! 🙂 Sad about the crow, but good that you wished him peace. Crows/ravens represent sacred law, and your kindness will be returned. Namaste _/l\_
Two other dead crows this morn. I talk to everything too, Especially the ocean. Come visit and see my crow on moss covered log on beach.
Today I snapped pics of fawn nursing mama deer, then mama and 2 babies. They were across from my driveway when I got home from beach. Beautiful!
Peace,
patti
Wow, two more!? Are you expecting big changes or transformation?
Already had them. No more! Lost husband, 2009, dear cat 2010, dearer sis 2012 and just lost my very close grandson (3 yo) in April.
Working on writing memoir and publishing children’s books…
So sorry for your losses! I hope the writing is healing and transformative! What kind of children’s books?
The first one is plain girl Queen wants to be beautiful princess…using constellation guides she rescues a boy and discovers her beauty within and that her name means princess. I use song, rhyme, prose, and a riddle to weave my tale.
Another one is a mermaid tale with human and mermaid 6-7 year-old girls. NOT Disney tale.
Another, hey you asked :>) is a compilation of read-aloud poem-stories for Mother Natures “Keepers” who tend to earthly and other matters…Stormalinda, Master Summerdon, Springdora, Wishing Star Fairy, etc.
Thanks for asking…I miss them while I’m writing memoir.
Writing and taking photos and long walks on the beach are all helping.
Very cool! I’ve recently finished the first in a series of children’s books. They take place in the realm of the little people, including the scary ones: elves, fairies, goblins, trolls…
Julianne,
Thank you for being an angel/messenger of this message of peace. I love the delineation of the dove symbolism. I love the letter to Sophia. I love the peace both inner and world that this message foreshadows. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Thanks Kozo! I love it when I can multi-task my posts! 😉
What about the peacock? What is the meaning of your peacock?
OH, the peacock meaning is under the “About the Peacock’s Eyes” tab at the top, or in the “Animal Spirits” category – the bottom post. Maybe I will re-post it too. 🙂
yah, please repost. Thank you.
Wisdom-Sophia 🙂 Beautiful!!!!!!
How wonderful for you! Hoping the messages/ meanings bring you joy, clarity, and peace.
Thanks Linda! Namaste _/l\_
So interesting! Are you with child or presently mothering someone or something? Just a thought! 😉 Actually, it brings up something that my husband just shared with me. He said he saw an owl land on the back fence of our backyard a few evenings ago. So strange! We live in the desert, so we both can’t imagine where this owl came from and, naturally, my first thought was why. I told him this has to be quite significant and must be a sign or message. I looked it up and was pretty unsure because a lot mentioned both bad and good omens, etc so I’m not sure and wonder if something will reveal itself soon as the reason. Any thoughts on owls?
No not with child and no children, just my furry kids so far. (Though if it’s a message that my guy is a-coming, and kids to follow, then that’s great!) I think this has a few layers of meaning for me for sure. 🙂
Owl’s main symbol is wisdom. My initial sense was that he was bringing your husband a message to be wise, as in be cautious to make decisions out of love, consideration for others, and what is best versus letting ego and personal wishes get in the way. Usually I’d say if someone saw a dead bird(s) it would indicate the “bad” omens, but “bad” usually means change is coming, so it can just be bad depending on one’s perspective. Not great though if the change is actually a death. Anyways, I think this was a good omen, but wisdom will be needed in what’s to come.