The bird species I see everyday range from tiny hummingbirds to bald headed eagles and turkey vultures and also include feral wild turkeys and peacocks. My bird feeders are busy from dawn to dusk. Beyond them I can see no man made structures aside from our fencing from any window in my home. The views I witness are meadows, fields and forest panorama and beyond lies the ocean.
I’m setting out make a new beginning in this blog and this is my new theme Inuit Types which was installed yesterday. I can’t say I’m mastered all the the backend choices I can make but I will over time. I’ve been considering choosing a hummingbird or a dragonfly as a favicon. I have always identified the hummingbird which is one of my totem animals and where my First nations name (brightfeather) is derived from, so choosing a hummingbird as a favicon is a natural choice but I’m also drawn to dragonflies.
The Hummingbird animal totem’s message is: “The sweetest nectar is within!”
The hummingbird symbolizes many different concepts. Because of its speed, the hummingbird is known as a messenger and stopper of time. The hummingbird is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. The rapidly fluttering wings of the hummingbird move in the pattern of an infinity symbol solidifying their symbolism of eternity, continuity, and infinity.
The hummingbird is able to fly backwards, which teaches us that we can look back on our past. But, also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward.
Always actively seeking the sweetest nectar, the hummingbird reminds us to forever seek out the good in life and the beauty in each day. Watching a hummingbird hovering over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savor each moment of our brief lives, and appreciate the things that feed us within.
Dragonfly ~ My Eastern Gate Animal Spirit Guide
Dragonfly is one of nature’s shape shifters. The dragonfly inhabits two realms, air and water. Dragonfly is a magical totem, signifying our ability to transform ourselves as we travel our path of self knowing toward enlightenment.
Its iridescence and shifting colors lift us into dreamtime, where we understand that “reality” is the illusion. Our visions are channeled through our unconscious mind, ever connected to The Great Mystery that is Life.
Dragonfly reminds us to celebrate Spirit in all living beings. When Dragonfly enters our lives, it is time to dig deeper, lift the illusion of suffering and believe in our limitless divinity.
It is said that Dragonfly was once Dragon covered with beautiful, shimmering scales and wielding great inner strength. It could change form at will, and light the darkness with the fire of its breath. Coyote tricked mighty Dragon into changing form and believing itself to be tiny Dragonfly.
Because of pride, Dragon got caught in its own illusion just as we, because of ego, are forever accepting our facade as our true selves. Too often we believe our failures, our shortcomings and our limitations are real.
We have forgotten that we too can change form at will, wield great inner powers and can light our darkness with our hope, determination and faith.
Dragonfly medicine teaches us to pierce our self-made illusions. I’m asking my readers to weigh in on choosing a hummingbird as a favicon or choosing a dragonfly as a favicon. Please let me know which one you think is the best choice for me and why.
TT,
After watching and reading some of your posts, here, your other site and at BC – Have you considered a picture of a Mother Bear or Wolf with their cubs?
I know this topic was about humming birds or dragonflies but truly your personality plays out to be that of someone/something that protects what needs protecting and still has the “hunter’s” instinct.
Just a thought but the characture you have works well also.
Dan
No I haven’t considered either or of those two. :) Thanks for your suggestions.
Bonjour Timethief!
I am new to your blog; it is beautiful.
Dragonfly gets my vote.
1) Regardless of your core, intention, destiny: the DragonFly represents the ability to transform. Regardless of our intentions, habits or circumstances, we have the power to transform or be transformed through the renewing of our minds; after which the body will follow in most cases. It would do us no good to be able to reflect on the past and not be able to learn from it. Flying at great speeds and representing love, hope, etc does little good without the ability to transform ourselves or the world around us.
2) Such great eyes should allow one to see the past and even the future, especially if it needs to be transformed prior to arriving in it.
3) Four wings are better than two.
Either creature suggests a shadow movement of evanescence. A person really needs to watch carefully at their tiny movements. Interestingly both creatures, when their wings are whirring away, it is a transparent-like blur. I’d like to think that all of us have invisible wings that we make visible for ourselves over time, if some of us can only recognize that we have our own wings to lift ourselves to make the very best of our lives and ourselves. :)
@Jean
That’s so very beautiful thanks for sharing it.
… and I want to add, I love your new blog layout and that you are having a new beginning.
{HUG} thanks :)
Am I late to weigh in? I would choose the dragonfly. It has a whole mysterious life submerged in the water for years before it emerges and flies. And although we see the beautiful dragonfly, the nymph it came from has it’s own beauty and power too.
Hello Bird,
What an interesting observation. I hadn’t considered the watery aspect. Thanks for weighing in.
Hi TT,
Hummingbirds are cool too -But for you I would pick the dragonfly. Sorry I cant elaborate much on why, there is not much reasoning to it, just I feel like it fits you somehow.
Hi Jayme,
Intuition is good enough for me. I have found that mine is usually right on. Thanks for weighing in.
Hi TT. I like the idea of the dragonfly it has more mystery to it, more “out of timeliness” but also has more strength than a hummingbird. I think of a hummingbird as delicate, light, and busy. From reading your posts you have a strong inner strength that comes through in the writing. I think a dragonfly embodies who you are…but that’s just my opinion…either way I love the idea.
Nick
Hello Nick,
Thanks for weighing in and for providing your reasoning for your choice. Sometimes I feel physically strong and others I feel quite frail. There are even times when I reflect back on how healthy and vivacious I was before and grieve the loss. But most days I’m emotionally strong and capable of embracing the little girl, woman, and crone inside as I guide myself away from feeling sorry for what’s been lost, and move confidently forward expressing gratitude for all that I have both within and without.
It’s interesting that when I first wrote and published this post I was feeling a sense of urgency about deciding on a favicon but now I no longer feel it. I’m okay with the little lotus for now. I will make a decision when it’s time to and when it’s time to I’ll know which one to choose.
Hi tt,
A most remarkable thing happened. I read your post and immediately set to writing a comment. But the comment transformed into a grand imagining, and from that sprang a short, mythical tale. Dare I say, it practically wrote itself, which is frequently the way writing is for me. (How I love to write.) Anyhow, not wanting to ruin the ending of my little story, you’ll have to see my latest blog post to find out what it says. As always, you are a source of inspiration…. cgn
I have missed you and hope you are both well and happy too. Your tale was absolutely fabulous and I loved it. It’s so wonderful when we find ourselves in a flow experience and unselfconsciously allow our creation to create itself. Ahhh and wouldn’t it be bliss if our lives were seamless creative flow experiences?
Hello Timethief,
I was just on here exploring and saw your posting. I do not have a website or blogsite as of yet but are wanting to try my hand at writing and then came across “thistimethisspace” and it seemed like it may be a good fit for me.
But anyway, back to your question, I would choose the dragonfly only because I have had personal experiences with dragonflies. Many years ago, after I would go swimming in my backyard pool and then lay down in a chaise to dry off in the sun, I had repeated visitations by a dragonfly. It was common to see them flying above the water of the pool but on these occasions, one would alight on my big toe and just sit there. (Always my big toe)! I held still while we studied one another and I let it stay as long as it liked. Was it the same dragonfly over a several day period? Or different dragonflies? Who could tell? I felt a joining with the dragonfly–I loved it!
Your use of the lotus is attractive to me also. In Hinduism the lotus is said to grow from the mud but it’s flower remains untarnished remaining pure on the surface of the water. This is an anology for how our souls can be surrounded by maya or “mud” but we can attain our purity (or enlightenment)in spite of it. Since I am very drawn to Eastern philosophy, the lotus has always intrigued me. The lotus also is used as an illustration for the chakras. And on and on…
Hope this wasn’t too long-winded!
Gayle
Hi, I just checked out the energy of both for you. While both are fine to use, dragonfly seems to be a little more favourable.
Also, because you are starting this journey, and it the beginning of an exploration, dragonfly seems more suitable.
Thanks for letting us weigh in on this!
Kara
Hello Kara,
I don’t believe we have met before. I paid your blog a quick visit and liked what I saw so I’ll be returning as soon as time permits. Thanks for sharing your vote for the dragonfly and the reason too. Currently I am using the peach colored lotus, which also holds symbolic significance as my favicon. Perhaps I should have included it in the choices as well.
Hi TT, certainly both choices have their appeal. Without a profound or inspirational reason for doing so, I would pick the hummingbird. Why? I just marvel at them! On a couple of occasions I have had a hummingbird sit on my finger and allow me a real close look. They are awesome beyond words.
Hi Jonathan,
Thanks so much for the visit. As you can see I have a new theme and it’s in the customization process. It’s my intention to refocus this blog and I’ll be doing lots of organizational backend work on categories and such. Meanwhile Richard, who is a dear friend, is working on the design.
Setting that aside I have had several hummingbird encounters like you describe. They first time a hummingbird sat on my finger was when I was 4 coming 5 years old. The last time was just a couple of weeks ago. Interestingly enough, all the other times the hummers who sat on my finger were male and this last time it was a female. I don’t know if that’s significant or not but I do love hummers.
tt, I’ve always liked your name, brightfeather, and the hummingbird fits! I resonate with dragonflies myself, but somehow seeing that small beautiful bird, containing all she needs, and ready to sample life, fits my image of you.
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Hi Muse,
It’s such a hard decision because I identify with both but what’s fascinating is to hear what you readers think. Thanks for sharing your image of me. I appreciate it.
Please don’t hesitate to use commentluv.
If it were my decision, I would choose for you the Dragonfly.
It is grace under fire, fierce and strong, a warrior, it flies with passion and integrity on clear wings, and brings a calming sense of serenity and safety through its discoveries, of itself and those around it.
She’sboxingclever’s latest post … People come, and people go
Wow! I’m impressed but then again you always impress me. I love the way you think and the way you express yourself too. Thanks so much for weighing in and for presenting such a convincing case for choosing the dragonfly.
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It’s a really hard decision, but I find it ironic that the hummingbird is a stopper of time (much like a TimeThief, perhaps?)
@Lana
Ha! You were the one who picked up on that – yes, a stopper of time.
Time Thief, I personally resonate with the Hummingbird because I wish to bring more sweetness, beauty, and love into my life. At the same time, there’s something deeply compelling about the magical quality of the Dragonfly, the way it represents spiritual transformation, the ability to see the illusory quality of life, and the realization of enlightenment – all of which seem to fit so perfectly with your essence as I see it.
On the other hand, it seems that it might also be beneficial to choose a totem /favicon to represent not just your core, or who you are already, but also where you want to go and the qualities you wish to embody as you continue to move along the path.
I enjoyed this article and reflecting on symbols instead of words for a change.
@Sandra Lee
Your comment is and gift and your second last contains an idea that I had not considered at all. Thanks you so much for gifting me with it.
With much love,
TiTi
raincoaster
Hello there and thanks so much for the visit and comment too. I follow your reasoning although I could care less that there already is a hummingbird604 in BC as I don’t intend to use that as a username. I’m only looking for a favicon.
These two choices are not my only totem animals. lol :D I bet you can probably guess what some of the others are, given your astute reasoning above. I’m not in a hurry to make a final choice. I have a shamanic journey to take and after it I will know which one is the correct one.
I hope my other readers, assuming there are any, will also weigh in.
Take good care always,
TiTi
Dragonfly, for two reasons.
1) there’s already a pretty famous BC blogger called Hummingbird604. You won’t get the “mindshare” you would if you use an icon that’s totally different from him.
2) more importantly, the dragonfly spiritual dimension is You. It’s so typically You that if someone were to show it to me and ask me to pick a person it represents, I’d pick you. You have gotten caught in, and learned to transcend, so much that you are to me an avatar of resiliency and strength.