The Hidden Meaning of Birds--A Spiritual Field Guide: Explore the Symbology and Significance of These Divine Winged Messengers

by Arin Murphy-Hiscock

Behold the power of nature with this illustrated field guide to recognizing and understanding the messages that the universe sends us through the birds we see in our daily lives.Birds are all around us—pecking at the sidewalk, perching on a nearby tree branch, flying in the sky above our heads. But have you considered the possibility that there is a deeper meaning behind each blue jay sighting or the call of a hawk? The Hidden Meaning of Birds can help you decipher the special message your avian oracle is trying to share. The Hidden Meaning of Birds isn’t just your typical field guide to birds. In addition to a physical description of a variety of common bird species, it also includes the folklore and unique symbolism associated with each to help you understand the changes these mystical creatures want you to make in your life. A blue jay may be urging you to examine your communication habits. A cardinal may be telling you to stand up for yourself. The list goes on. The illustrations and descriptions are easy to follow along, and it includes beginner terms for both spiritual guidance and bird identification. With this enlightening volume as your inspiration, get ready to reexamine your life from a bird’s eye view—one robin, crow, and hummingbird at a time.

Genres: Spirituality, Witchcraft, Nature, Nonfiction, Animals, Birds, Reference

222 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2019

About the author

Currently a resident of Montreal, Canada, Arin works as a freelance writer and editor. She is the author of Power Spellcraft for Life: The Art of Crafting and Casting for Positive Change (2005), Solitary Wicca for Life: A Complete Guide to Mastering the Craft on Your Own (2005), The Way of the Green Witch (2006), The Way of the Hedge Witch (2009), and Pagan Pregnancy: The Journey From Maiden to Mother (TBA). She is also the editor of the anthology Out of the Broom Closet (2009).

Arin is a third-degree Wiccan High Priestess in the Black Forest Clan, a tradition linked both by lineage and practice to several other branches of Wiccan thought and philosophy including the Caledonii Tradition, Druidism, Gardnerian practice, Seax-Wicca, general Celtic Wicca, and German witchcraft. She works as a priestess in her community performing rites of passage and giving occasional workshops, and leads a private coven.

Her hobbies include playing the cello, handspinning, and weaving.

Reviews

[Bon · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those interesting, useful and succinct guides I need a physical copy of.

[Sosanna Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today I'm reviewing The Hidden meaning of Birds: a spiritual field Guide by Arin Murphy-Hiscock.

Generally I like to start out with a disclaimer. I am an contemporary witch. I look for the connection between magic and science without the need to search for a creator. I receive no compensation for these reviews and all my links are standard Amazon links and not affiliate links. I am a practicing photo reader and have spent the last 16 years honing my craft. I offer personal readings by request and have a strong online history that boasts nearly 400,000 views.


I was a little surprised that this was a soft cover book. I started flipping through and quickly realized how fantastic this book would be rolled up and stuck in a back pocket or tossed in a back pack for a quick trip to the park. There is a short index in the back and a small list of resources. The cover is beautifully colored and was a delight to actually hold.

The author was quick to provide us with a "how to use this book" section at the onset. I like the fact she referenced to very reliable sources for bird identification and stated emphatically this was not a complete resource for birds in general. Too often authors like to use titles like "the complete book of..." or "the complete reference..." only to leave out very valid voices on the topic. This was nice to see. The author further explains that the myths and folklore associated are not the ONLY interpretations. Again, well done to the author. I loved the suggestion for the reader to keep a journal. In all sorts of magic the best thing to do is WRITE IT DOWN. You'll be happy you did that later. How much mugwort did I use? Was then done on the Full Moon? Where is that totem?? Trust an old witch when I say, write it down. :)

I loved the chapter on working with the Birds spiritually. This section offer insight into what you're seeing what you're seeing and what guides or totems may await you crediting our tribal kin from all countries with these types of traditional magical practices.

Now, on to the birds. The second half of the book takes individual birds and gives us a photo, the genus, popular variants, where the birds live, what their environment is like and the physical description. The author further provides facts, myths, omens and associations for each of the birds listed in the book. One of my favorite sections was the one for the Ibis. I adore the long neck birds and the grace and elegance. The omens associated are knowledge and writing. Perhaps because I've been putting off these book reviews for a bit and the Ibis wants me to get cracking! LOL

The book goes on for over 200 pages of birds and their assorted correspondences. I am in love. I have already decided to take this book with me next time I head out to the Bird Park and try to connect with some of these amazing creatures.

Overall this is a really good book. I had not thought of working with birds in this manner before but I certainly intend on trying now. I highly recommend this book for new witches and crones alike.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great reference on some of the meanings we can receive from the birds we encounter.

[Kelly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no woodpeckers in Australia?! Sorry, mates. That’s sad.

[Tasha Leflar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great information

Very informative on the more common birds and their habits, characteristics as well as spiritual and mythology based meanings. Good resource book

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well researched book primarily focused on common North American birds!

Even though this guide did not have a comprehensive list of every single known bird species, there is still a lot you can learn from it whether you're reading it for "spiritual" purposes or not. I really appreciated the worldwide historical symbolism and cultural associations, especially from various Indigenous tribes.

Based on where I'm currently at with my own spiritual journey, I didn't connect to this as much as I would have in 2020 (when I originally purchased the book). However, it's the first book I've every truly annotated and I plan to keep this in a special place to refer back to as needed!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Useful guide to divining the birds

I feel very connected to birds and notice them a lot and feel like they are trying to tell me things but I have not always known what they may be trying to share with me. This book is very useful in gathering basic information about some of the most common birds. I could easily find the birds I see everyday within this book. Thank you so much!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent for reference and referral. This is not an all-inclusive field guide, but it does list many of the most common birds to be found in the northern hemisphere. I particularly liked that each bird entry includes a section on the folklore, mythology, and cultural associations related to that bird, as well as its potential omen and divinatory meaning. I would recommend this.

[E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick reference for bird symbolism. There are a couple of different editions of this which are slightly different. I looked up the birds most frequent in my life. More focused than something like Animal Speak.