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A College of Cardinals

A college or conclave of Cardinals – bright robed in red and emitting their two-parted whistle that ends in a slow trill – gathered round the house this week. That’s a slight chide, as the college of Cardinals I speak of are not the ecclesiastical princes of the Catholic Church, but rather the small, winged variety.

I love watching birds man, it’s one of my favorite things to do. They say watching fish will put you at peace and I suppose I agree. But fish can’t soar red through the bright blue heavens, and it’s a lot easier to care and feed the two-legged people of the sky (although it’s turning out to be somewhat pricey). Seeing birds toughing it out in the Winter time often reminds me of my Native American Teacher. When I went on my first Vision Quest Ceremony – another hard endeavor, four days without food, water or shelter – he explained to me that “While men may consider themselves the top of the chain, look at a little bird and how it survives through the Winter time. You can’t do that. Watch them. They have a lot to teach you.”

I researched a bit on the symbolic meaning of Cardinals and found this: “Examine the areas of your life in which you are, or should be, a leader. How is your confidence?  The cardinal tells you that you can handle it, and to believe in yourself. It is important to be proud of yourself for your abilities or for the things you have achieved.” Love. As every day goes by, I’m realizing more and more that what I’m doing has immense value, and how important it is to stay serious and focused upon my efforts, brightening the energy of my newfound area. Interesting that the term cardinal is used to denote something with primary or essential qualities, such as a “Cardinal Direction”. The word comes from the Latin Cardo, meaning Hinge. Something with cardinal qualities is so important, it functions as a keystone or axle, as other things hinge around it.