Today on my regular walk to the river near my house, I heard a loud birdcall that I was not familiar with. I stopped, looked up, and saw a redheaded woodpecker high above the sidewalk. As soon as I saw him, he flew into a lower tree across the street. I don’t recall ever seeing a woodpecker on my walk so I made a note to look up the meaning of woodpecker when I got home. There are two books that I keep close by for this purpose: Animal-Speak: The Spiritual and Magical Powers of Creates Great and Small, by Ted Andrews, and Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals by Jamie Sams and David Carson. My approach to life is “As above, so below; as within, so without.” I believe that we attract the signs we need for guidance. And very often these signs come as bird or animal sightings in our environment.

This is what Ted Andrews had to say about woodpecker: In Native American tradition, this bird is connected to drumming and the heartbeat of the Earth itself. The red found in the head area reflects a stimulation of the mental activities and head chakra areas, a stimulation and wakening of new mental faculties. When woodpecker flies into your life, it “Indicates that it will become increasingly important for you to follow your own unique rhythms and flight. Do what works for you in the manner best for you. When woodpecker comes into your life, it indicates that a foundation is there. It is now safe to follow your own rhythms. “ (Page 207, Animal–Speak, Dictionary of Bird Totems.)

I read this with great wonder and satisfaction because I am currently on course to begin an entirely new global business venture that I’ve been working on for the past year and a half. Actually, preparing for my entire life in some way. I love the notion that the foundation is there. And that it’s safe to follow my own rhythms.

Thank you, Mr. Woodpecker. I’ve got the message!