The Roadrunner and a Writer’s Path to Animal Mysticism

I had a beautiful comment  on my post last week. The writer explained how she had recently lost her mother and that the roadrunner had visited her in the most unusual way. She explained how she’d had a conversation with her mom about roadrunners before her mom passed. After her mother’s death, the roadrunner came to her. She said:

It used to be fairly rare to see one (a roadrunner). This week I had one come all the way up to our yard. That is not common. We feed all the cats that come to our house plus have dogs. That normally keeps non-flying birds at a distance. This one watched me for awhile then turned away and slowly went down our drive. I can’t say what he wanted to tell me but I did feel there was something.

I too have always been fascinated by the roadrunner, and since I have decided to include animal mysticism as a part of my blogging ritual, I figured Roadrunner was a great place to start.

The Why

Some of my readers may be curious as to why I have such an interest in animal mysticism. Twenty plus years ago I wrote my first novel, and though it was never published is was an unforgettable learning experience in more ways than one.

My story idea was that a little boy had an imaginary friend who wasn’t imaginary. So who was this ghost child to be? The question led me to the Burnet and Llano, Texas public libraries to do research. Keep in mind that this was the 1990s before the world-wide web of information exploded. I found old newspaper clippings that recorded the capture of a boy by the Comanche in 1867.  His last name was Friend.

Friend. Imaginary Friend. See where I’m going?

I felt this child had guided me to his story, which is quite incredible. His name was Lee Temple Friend and he was 9 years old when the Comanches captured him. The one thing that stood out in my mind was that when he was found and returned to his family, he died.

Here is how it was reported in the county-wide newspaper, The Highlander, August 17, 1972.  This accounting is based on the narrative of John Oatman, who was 18 years old at the time of the Lee’s capture. The narrative ran in the 1914 edition of the Llano News.

Lee, now 13 and very sickly and pale, barely recognized his father. He could not speak English and had to be guarded. Civilization seemed to depress him; his condition worsened and he soon died.

Though my novel is fiction, I decided to base the imaginary friend on Lee. I began researching the Comanche and Native Americans. This research opened up an entire world to me I’d never studied. Of course, this  led me to the beliefs Native Americans have in spirit animal guides.

As I studied the animals and their significance in my life, I began to notice that every time an animal appeared to me, it had a message. When I followed their advice, I found it never failed to lead me on the path I needed to follow.

I started paying  close attention to these messages and found my life to be much richer because of it.

I have  favorite quotes that pop into my mind when I think of animal mysticism and its role in my life.

In the beginning of all things, wisdom and knowledge were with the animals; for Tuawa, the One Above, did not speak directly to man. He sent Animals to tell man that he showed himself through the beasts, and that from them, and from the stars, and the sun and the moon, man should learn…for all things speak of Tuawa. 

—Chief Letako-Lesa of the Pawnees Tribe 

 

If you talk to animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and what you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys.

— Chief Dan George

 

He prayeth well, who loveth well 

Both man and bird and beast.

He prayeth best, who loveth best

All things both great and small;

For the dear God who loveth us,

He made and loveth all.

— From Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Coleridge

 

 

Facts about This Cuckoo

The roadrunner eats things that move like insects, spiders, scorpions, lizards, rodents, and is famous for his ability to kill snakes. Legend has it that Roadrunner can build a fence of cactus pieces around a snake to keep it imprisoned.

They may form lifelong bonds with their mates and lay three to six white eggs which hatch in 20 days. The chicks begin their first adventures in 18 days.

When alarmed, it coos and clatters its beak.

Roadrunner as Your Totem

If the Roadrunner is your Spirit Guide, you are a person who can think quickly on his/her feet. You are someone who is constantly thinking. Your mind is always at work and when you are talking to others in order to convey a thought, you may have to remind yourself to slow down.

You are an active person and are happiest when you’re undertaking a new project whether it be for fun or profit, it doesn’t matter to you.

Though you often find yourself involved in many things at one time, you always complete what you set out to do.

Roadrunner’s Appearance in Your Life

If Roadrunner has appeared to you, he has several messages.

• He may be suggesting that adaptations to new situations in your life are needed, and that in these situations it will be necessary for you to think quickly.
• Now is the time to make plans and put them into play.
• Laugh at yourself and don’t take yourself so seriously.
• Take care of yourself before taking care of others.

When to Call Upon Roadrunner

Roadrunner medicine can help us if:

• We are involved in a project that requires mental agility.
• We need mental stimulation.
• We need to chill and learn to go with the flow.
• We need to laugh.
• We think someone is trying to trick us or play a joke on us.

My Challenge to You—

There was a child went forth every day, 

And the first object he look’d upon, that object he became.

And that object became part of him for the day or a certain part of the day,

Or for many years or stretching cycle of years.

—From Leaves of Grass by Walt Whiman

I challenge you to become a child. Listen and speak to the animals. Become your animal for a day, a year, or a lifetime. You will find a richer life and establish a connection to Earth.

Tell me what animals you feel a close connection to.

Or if there is an animal you would like for me to write a blog about, let me know.

Information for my Animal Mysticism blog was obtained from the following books I highly recommend. 

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Clara Bush

Clara researches and writes on things with unknown explanations or origins. Like monsters, ghosts, fairies, lost civilizations,extraterrestrials... Blog ideas, guest bloggers and writers are welcome. Contact her. READERS feel free to share blogs and/or comment on things you like and don't like.

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