Buzzard Spirit

13-20 March 2022

The weekly astro-oracle is a theriomancic message:

Buzzard Spirit

Image Credit: 13. The Red-shoudered Buzzard (Buteo hyemalis) 14. The Golden Eagle (Aquila Chrysaëtos) illustration from Zoology of New York (1842–1844) by James Ellsworth De Kay. Original from The New York Public Library. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.

What is theriomancy? Theriomancy or zoomancy is a form of divination that involves observation of the appearance and behavior of wild animals. Common forms of theriomancy include ailuromancy, the study of cat movements, and augury, the study of bird formations. While augury appears to be more fixed than other systems of divination, with some sources going as far as to interpret the direction of the birds’ flight, calls, and times of day, individual animal totem or spirit animals also have rich symbolism, which can be accessed by tuning into the oversoul of the animal.

I asked Spirit, what do all those who frequent this page need to know this week to stay in alignment with the highest good? Then I went out for a walk and rendezvoused with eight buzzards gliding gracefully overhead. When I went out to run errands the next day, I also noticed several more flying over the highway. Then, this morning, I drew Vulture Spirit from Hay House author Colette Baron-Reid’s spirit animal oracle deck, reminding us that “nothing is wasted.”

These large hawklike birds of prey, known as turkey vulture, turkey buzzard, or by some just as buzzard, are scavengers, meaning they prey on things dead or dying. While most traditions associate them with death and misery, these winged creatures are also clever and careful. Since they leave nothing behind, like decomposers, they are considered natural purifiers of the Earth. They have interesting and inspiring traits connecting them with spiritual energy and totemism; transmutation and alchemy!

Often depicted as messengers of the underworld, superstition about vultures is present in many cultures and traditions as a harbinger of death, disease, or foreboding some other kind of misfortune. While all traditional portrayals of vultures depict them as creatures of darkness and mystery, they have also been closely related to divine power and wisdom. According to Ancient Persian folklore, two great vultures guarded the entrance of Hell, while in Greek mythology, vultures were seen as keepers of secret lore about death and life. For Ancient Egyptians, vultures were birds of the gods and regarded as powerful and magical.

INTERPRETATION

As the week begins, we’re still in the energies of the Piscean Stellium. Peaking on Thursday, March 17, the Stellium’s intensity is also working in alignment with the upcoming Full Moon in Virgo, Friday, March 18. “All week, you’[ll be] serving as a wayshower for humanity,” asserts Australian cosmologist Elizabeth Peru; “Rather than negating the old altogether… take the best aspects from your past and incorporate them into a new, empowered way of moving ahead.” Buzzard Spirit emboldens us to continue the alchemical process of change, whereby the ‘the old’ is transmuted into higher consciousness.

On Thursday, March 17, Saint Patrick’s Day, a harmonious sextile between Mercury in Pisces and Uranus in Taurus makes us progressive, energetic, unconventional, and creative. According to astrosofa.com, our intuition is keen today; we have a talent for speech, originality, and are flexible with changes. Alert and acuitus, we also have an affinity for technology, physics, and mathematics. Peru adds that Mercury is “ably assisting you to communicate in a succinct way, using your strong heart field as your compass and guide.” The source and Buzzard spirit encourage us to slow down and choose our words heartfully, making this our “thoughtful Thursday!”

After all the watery Piscean energy, thankfully, on Friday, March 18, we have our Full Moon in sensible, down-to-earth Virgo. During Pisces season and especially within the Piscean Stellium it may have been all too easy to get lost in the sign’s fertile field of endless possibilities. To balance things out and achieve some of those pie-in-the-sky goals, astrobutterfly.com explains we also need Virgo’s practicality and attention to detail. As the Full Moon energy builds and we near the upcoming Equinox, “what’s cosmically driving this surge in energy,” writes Peru, “is a desire to be in balance and to be of the best service possible to yourself and your fellow sentient beings of the light.”

Also starting on this day, the Sun in Pisces is sextile Pluto in Capricorn. According to astrosofa.com we receive strong vitality, energy, power, popularity, and the ability to achieve great things during this two day influence. “The Sun is working hand-in-hand with Pluto, helping you to access often deeply hidden fears, fears that you’re unworthy of the goodness of the Universe,” adds Peru. The planetary alignment and Buzzard Spirit support us in integrating both our light and shadow sides by expressing ourselves openly and authentically.

As we near the weekend, the Piscean Stellium wanes, starting Friday, March 19, and relationships come under the spotlight as Venus in Aquarius squares Uranus in Taurus. A romantic, distinctive, and original time in which we always have character in love, astrosofa.com explains, we may, however, be inconsistent in our feelings, capricious, sensitive, and jealous. Happy to disregard existing norms and conventions during this two-day influence, the source warns that our urge for independence and "strange eroticism" may extinguish love relationships as quickly as we establish them! While such experiences may be triggering, Buzzard Spirit reminds us that 'nothing is wasted.' Can we find a way of transforming conflict into compassion?

Finally, Sunday, March 20, the Sun enters Aries and we have the Spring Equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the Autumn Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. No matter where you live on Earth, the day is equal to the night. The first sign of the zodiac, the Sun’s ingress into Aries also marks the beginning of a new astrological year. "A great time to press the ‘reset’ button and start all over again," attests astrobutterfly.com, Aries seasons marks a time to trust our instincts and step outside our comfort zones. If something feels right, the source and Buzzard Spirit empower us to 'just do it!'

Get Inspired

Does this message resonate? Tell us more in the comments below. To add more detail to your week, you can also try your own theriomancic draw. Set an intention or ask a question. Then let go, and see what animal comes shows up. Now research its animal spirit symbolism. How does the symbolism inform your question? Want help interpreting what you found? Book a reading with me now, www.readingsbytheladyofshalott.com/services.