Capturing Joy with HUMMINGBIRD

Soaking in the Beltane Season in defiance of doom

HAIL HUMMINGBIRD, 

Activator of Joyful Humming Vibrations! 

Be here now with your spirit 
of exuberance and penchant 
for finding the sweetness 
in every moment. 

Pollinate my days 
with playful interactions, 
accomplished miracles, 
and rainbows. 

I am ready to catch joy 
in this moment, 
and quickly pivot 
to the goodness available to me 
in all moments.  

Blessed Be!
Hail and Welcome! 

The cover from this zine has always been a favorite. A color combination to catch for Joy!

I step into the vibrancy of the season with Hummingbird

My bird ally for Beltane and my personal symbol for Fierce Joy.

Beltane is a beautiful season where I live in Colorado. The world turns green. The roses and peonies begin to bloom. This year the Lilac was in full glory the day we celebrated the Sabbat. And the Hummingbirds return with their exuberant chirrup. We most commonly we have the Ruby-throated Hummingbird zipping and zooming among the flowers and trees. I don't always see them, but I love hearing their unique call. Once you know it you will hear them making themselves known throughout the summer.

It seems there are lots of ways to lose sight of Joy in the current atmosphere of the world. As an artist i’ve been disheartened by the constant defunding of the arts in America, and how the hardships of the economy position art as a luxury many people can no longer afford. I’ve lost more patrons than ever this month. And I don’t think I need to spiral into the weight of war, climate disaster, and fascism, as we are all painfully aware of the pain and damage being caused.

With all that said, it is more important than ever to seek out and catch Joy. The deep joy that comes from living and celebrating in spite of all the horror. The fierce joy that is clung to, to keep hope alive and birth better, brighter, more just futures. Keeping joy in our pockets as a radical act of resilience and defiance. I am bolstered by the nature around me that seems to vibrate with a spring-filled joy oblivious to the dismay, and I turn to Hummingbird for further inspiration.

Original Print issue of 52 Feathers vol XXII: Hummingbird from 2019

Capturing Joy with Hummingbird

The ritual from the Hummingbird issue of 52 Feathers is simple but profound:

Hummingbird spends all of its time finding the sweetest nectar and visiting the most beautiful flowers. The message from Hummingbird is to catch the sweet moments in life before they pass. They look for the good and beauty in all moments. Here are some ways to practice turning towards Joy in your own life.

APPRECIATE- Take time to notice what is going well in your life. You can even write down everything you are appreciating in this moment.

SAVOR- When you are experiencing a moment of joy, pause and let the feeling land. Give yourself the space to really sip in the good feeling of the moment.

CELEBRATE- Dance! Move! Sing! Share Food! All these things are an important part of capturing Joy. Celebrating accomplishments, miracles, or opportunities builds community while amplifying the joy.

SHARE- Whether taking time to listen to a friend, or simply helping a stranger on the street, Random Acts of Kindness pollinate the world with more positivity. And as a bonus, your body will respond to these actions by filling you up with happiness.

SMILE- Smiling activates endorphins in your brain, making you feel good. Smile at yourself in the mirror in the morning and see what makes you special.

Make a pocket list of your favorite ways to catch happiness to refer back to whenever you need to catch a little extra joy.

Here is what I captured on my pocket list-

1. Go and take a walk. Notice the natural world around you.

2. Paint your nails. Take your time

3. Dance and Listen to a favorite song.

4. See the world the way a child does. Feel the wonder.

5. Invite a friend over for tea and coffee. Share stories.

Let's share our Joy Lists in the comments! The more joy we cultivate the more Joy we share!

For more Hummingbird Joy catching and offerings find the Complete Issue of 52 Feathers Hummingbird is available for Subscribers below along with a beautiful printable version of the ritual above.

In this issue:

• Time Traveling with Hummingbird

• Hummingbird myths from across the Americas.

• The Power of Green