Keynote: cheerful and Truthful Expression Cycle of power: Spring

The chickadee is part of the titmouse family. ("Tit" is a folksey 14th century English name for anything little, the 'mouse' part comes from "mose", a general name that was applied to any small, dull-colored bird in that century.)

The chickadee is known for its cheery call and many people consider its mating call the first true sign of spring. (It is the call of Black-capped chickadee that most people are referring to when they call the bird the "fee-bee' bird, as that is part of its call.)

Chickadees have black 'caps' on their head. Anything associated with the head relates to the thinking process, higher mind and higher perceptions. Black is associated with mystery, the feminine and the great womb of life.

The color of the chickadee's cap reflects the ability to help you uncover the mysteries of the mind. It can awaken understanding and higher truth and help you to perceive more clearly in the dark, whether real or the darkness of the unknown.

To the Cherokee the chickadee is the bird of truth and helps us pinpoint truth and knowledge as is the focal point of stories.

One story speaks of a witch by the name of Spearfinger, that terroized the entire tribe. She would hide and wait to kill any passerby. After killing them she would stab the liver of her victim with her spearfinger and eat it.

Nothing seemed to be able to stop her as she was made of stone. Until a chickadee landed on her showing the warriors exactly where she was vulnerable to attack.

Chickee's usually travel in groups, reflecting a cheerful socialness. For such a small bird, it is also fearless with no qualms about taking on larger birds that threaten it.

There are seven kinds of chickadees. Seven has an ancient mysticism associated with it throughout the world. It is a sacred number, it is a symbol of the indivdual rising from the material plane of life, as depicted in the ancient image of the triagle upon the square. It has associations with the seven rays of power, the seven major planets, the seven bodies of the human being and the seven chakra centers.

When the seven chakras or energy centers of humans are balanced, there is a greater realization of truth in the world around us, which in turn enables us to express truth more joyfully within our lives.

We have all heard "the truth hurts". When chickadee is around, we learn to express the truth in a way that heals, balances and opens the perceptions and shared in a manner that adds cheer and joy to your life and the lives of those around you.