It all began with the doves a few weeks ago just as Venus prepared to station retrograde. I’d go out for an early morning run and find them constantly in my path, their wings whistling in the air as I accidentally disrupted their leisurely saunterings along my scenic post-sunrise route. I’ve always had an affinity for doves being a native of Venus – these birds are beloved by her and according to myth are even said to draw her chariot. As a child, I somehow figured out how to cup my hands a certain way and blow between my thumbs to imitate their call….whenever I hear their plaintive cries, I often greet them with a returned call or two in reply.

Then they started appearing at my bird feeder from out nowhere. True, they had previously been sporadically infrequent visitors, but now they began arriving with daily consistency even going so far as to fly atop my small suction-cup window feeder and stare in at me through the glass…..repeatedly. They were far too large to eat from its trough and so had been mostly relying on the spillage from the smaller birds for sustenance. Charmed by their antics, I decided to make a daily practice of putting out an Offering of seed specifically for them on my stone patio and watched with delight as they returned again and again, bringing several of their friends with them to share in the feast. It was during a particularly hot and dry stretch of weather that I looked at them one day and had the epiphany they would also like some water, so I rummaged through my cupboards for a large and shallow tupperware lid that I could turn upside down and fill in order to provide them with some refreshment. They flew off to the nearby tulip tree as I exited the house with this impromptu birdbath in hand and watched me intently as I began filling it with the garden hose. I finished, closed off the tap, and turned to address them – “This is for you,” I stated, and returned inside to observe. It took them just a few moments to come over and drink gratefully from the lid, so I’ve continued to keep it there and filled until I’m able to source a proper birdbath for them – they sure do seem to appreciate this, as do the other small critters (chipmunks, finches, et al) that come to visit me!

The coolest part, though, was getting very literal spiritual validation of their gratitude. On another morning run after all of this, I slowed my pace in order to gaze at a freshly hayed field, the aroma filling my nostrils with heady, verdant delight as I inhaled deeply. My gaze went down to my feet when less than a foot and a half before me laid….a lone dove feather! It was about four inches in length and perfectly formed, the tell tale shade of grey making it distinctly identifiable. I smiled and brought it home with me, convinced it must surely be a symbolic token of their affection. If there had been any doubt about this, just days later while watering my vegetables I came across another dove feather that was almost exactly the same in size, color, and appearance – it had once again been found right in front of my feet when I looked down, as if it had just been placed there. I will be tickled with joy should I find a third!

Now it dawned on me that I have been extremely and unusually fortunate during this particular Venus retrograde cycle – the pentacles have been flowing in, my veggie garden has been gifting me constantly with beautiful, delicious, and nutritious produce, and I even re-established a relationship with a Scorpio girlfriend from 20 years ago whom I had lost contact with during the chaotic years of my youth after she moved halfway across the country. The funny thing was I had been thinking about her intermittently over the last year or so, as my younger sister had actually moved out to the same state my Scorp GF had relocated to. But it took Venus retrograde to facilitate an actual reconnection – this is what can happen when you have 3 different levels of transiting Venus/Uranus activity hitting your chart all at the same time, LOL! With Venus backtracking, it would only be fitting that an old friend would suddenly pop out of the clear blue sky…! Needless to say, all of these blessings have caused me to feel as if I must have somehow gotten myself in Venus’ good graces through tending to her beloved doves – I feel especially grateful because I know just how temperamental this planet can sometime be when in its retrograde state, and have certainly heard more than enough tales of woe from others who have been having a much rougher go of it than I.

I think it’s important to consider the power symbolic acts of kindness, gratitude, and devotion have to induce a positive energetic resonance in our lives – especially when we see ourselves headed into a possibly iffy transit period. It’s like bringing our A-game to the match. Mind you, I had no ulterior motives whatsoever in doing what I did and certainly wasn’t looking to ingratiate myself to Venus per se; I just did what came natural to me in taking care of the critters that seemed to be reaching out to me for some TLC. If we become more mindful of the little, everyday ways we can put good vibes out into The Universe with a kind word or deed, there is a good chance they will be returned to us many times over  ❤

08/07/2015