Humans are the only species on earth that can choose to ignore or deny their connection to all, and we have become very accomplished at it. Nature and the spirit worlds long for us to consciously acknowledge our connection to all and to begin to take responsibility for our actions. It’s a long steep road to where we need to be, but we are on the way. The only question is if we will make it in time. There was an underlying current of urgency throughout the entire journey that leads me to believe we had better get our butts in gear. — Richard in Consequences

I live in a breathtaking natural environment and within it I have more than one secret garden. The one that is my favourite is an old growth cedar grove where I sit to meditate and also where I just go to “receive”. It’s this secret garden that I prefer to go to when I’m troubled. And as I sit on the huge fallen log covered with a blanket of moss I gradually shift my consciousness and become one with all that is.

Not long ago when I entered my secret garden my heart was troubled about the way a relationship was going. I looked down at my feet and found a turkey vulture feather laying on my pathway. I gave thanks for the gift and picked it up twirling it in my fingers.

This gift prompted me to reflect on the role of turkey vultures in nature and gave rise to many personal insights.

In essence I have received a message that I’m about to be taught a life lesson. Hopefully I will be a willing student this time but if I’m not then the lesson will be presented to me again. Mine is a learn at your own pace journey and that’s the way of it for all other sojourners too.

First Nations peoples viewed the turkey vulture as a symbol of health and cleansing. They believed the vulture was a very powerful totem and that its cycle of power is year-round.

Vultures glide effortlessly on the winds and updrafts soaring to extraordinary heights while using little or no energy. If you have a Vulture as a spirit guide or totem, it can show you how to use energy powerfully and efficiently. The Vulture skillfully employs already existing air currents against the pull of gravity, symbolizing the distribution of energy so that gravity (or cares) do not weigh it (you) down. In the process the vulture does not use its own energy, but the energies of the Earth instead, the energies of the Earth — or the Natural Order of Things — being ONE with All my relations.

A very valuable lesson.

In alchemy the vulture is a symbol of sublimation, particularity because of its resemblance to to the eagle. The vulture was considered a sign of confirmation of a new relationship. A relationship between the volatile aspects of life and the fixed, the psychic energies and cosmic forces. It was a promise that suffering was temporary and necessary for a higher purpose was at work, even if not understood at the time. It reflects that no matter how difficult your life conditions are rescue is as imminent in your life as was the rescue of Prometheus by Hercules. (Source: Dictionary of Bird Totems)

I have come across two meanings for the scientific name, Cathartes aura. Both take the first part as deriving from the greek “katharsis” meaning to purify or to cleanse. On meaning takes the second part to derive from the latin “aureus” meaning golden, so the full name meaning “golden purifier”. The other definition takes the second part to derive from the greek “aura” meaning breeze so the full name meaning is “cleansing breeze”.

In Greek mythology, the Vulture is the descendant of the Griffin. It was a very Buddhist-like, Zen-like symbol of the non-dual oneness of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, good and evil, guardian and avenger. The Vulture is the avenger of nature spirits. Ancient Assyrians believed the Vulture was, like Nagarjuna’s middle way, Sunyata, the encompassing overall non-separated union between the day and night.

Ironically, regardless of the less than good image the vulture is typically granted by most, think about it: Unlike the needs of nearly all other living creatures, vultures do not kill. Their prey either dies or something else kills it.

If you dream about a vulture, there are many interpretations and here are but a few. It may be that you are feeling like others are picking your bones clean. It is seldom a comforting dream or herald of good prospects for the future.

If a vulture appears in your dream, doing what it is supposed to do, then something that is harmful or wasteful is being recycled into something useful and harmless. The appearance of such animals may indicate a need for you to cleanse yourself of what is toxic to you. A vulture appearing in your dream can also be symbolic of loneliness .

Most of all note that the vulture is the ultimate scavenger. These creatures serve a vital role and in ancient cultures, they symbolize rendering decay harmless by devouring it. The scavenger is recycling the life that was lost. This is a necessary and healthy process.

References:
Animal-Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Powers of Creatures Great and Small
The Vulture as a Totem