Woodpecker Spirit

7-14 February 2022

The weekly astro-oracle is a theriomancic message:

Woodpecker Spirit

Image Credit: The Red-headed Woodpecker (Picus erythrocephalus) 35. The Downy Woodpecker (Picus pubescens) 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 manifested some early morning calls and drills from woodpecker on several days in a row. Among the most intelligent birds in the world, woodpecker represents hard work, perseverance, strength, and determination. Many ancient cultures connect its symbolism with wishes, luck, prosperity, and spiritual healing.

Woodpecker often arrives as a messenger to get our attention about an opportunity that has come or is about to come knocking. While significant changes may already be afoot in our lives, it is still up to us to seize the moment. “Whether it is the renewal of an old project, the finishing of a new project, or a serendipitous meeting with someone in your life, get busy!” says spirit-animals.com. Moreover, this persistent spirit animal reminds us that we must understand that the door of opportunity is open for us now. While success is assured, time is also of essence. Nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Another message of Woodpecker Spirit is to march to the beat of our own drum. Encouraging us to honor our natural rhythms, it may appear to ensure we keep moving forward without interference from others. According to sonomabirding.com, this spirit animal “guides us to master the art of non-conformity, helping us attain complete awareness of our surroundings.”

INTERPRETATION

With Mercury’s recent move direct comes a 12-week period with no major planetary retrogrades pulling us back over old ground. An extremely beneficial manifestational influence, according to Australian cosmologist Elizabeth Peru and opportunistic Woodpecker Spirit, “you’ll have a present moment and a future focus for the next three months, which means that your masterful [5D] creation abilities will be at the fore.”

On Tuesday, February 8, Mars in Capricorn is trine Uranus in Taurus. According to astrosofa.com, “we are spontaneous, think progressively, and are interested in everything technical." Peru adds that Mars is aiding us in our quest to “action projects that carry weight and intimate importance.” Woodpecker Spirit encourages us to continue to build strength and cultivate active faith by answering our intuitive callings, impulses, and nudges. Peru explains that those skills and talents which are now readily available for us to pick back up and use to our advantage may have been honed over many lifetimes!

Just before Mercury completes its transit through Capricorn, Friday, February 11 it is again confronted by Pluto, the transformer. Since the messenger planet has been in an orb with Pluto within the Capricorn Stellium as it retrograded back through the sign, the energy of this transit has been building for more than two weeks. “This final Mercury-Pluto conjunction will come with [some] much-needed resolution and clarity,” explains astrobutterfly.com— “either [in the form of] an empowering revelation, or as a requirement to surrender to a higher truth we’ve turned a blind eye on.” While the truth will ultimately set us free, Pluto-truths are often accompanied by a dark night of the soul.

On Valentine’s Day, Monday, February 14, Mercury now re-enters Aquarius. When Mercury is in Aquarius, we may be given originality, intuition, and vast knowledge of human nature. While we may border on the abstract, astrosofa.com says we assert our independent spirit, are outgoing and passionate about the arts. Especially where we may have experienced delays or setbacks in the later part of January, astrobutterfly.com adds we may now align with a much-anticipated resolution.

While waiting may feel frustrating at the outset, retrograde periods encourage us to go within and gain a different perspective in turn strengthening our resolve. Now that opportunity has knocked, Woodpecker Spirit reminds us to seize the moment. Also on this day, since Mercury has finally left Capricorn, the planetary stellium now completes. With that said, we still have Pluto, Venus, and Mars in this sign, culminating in this week’s romantic Venus-Mars conjunction on February 16, and an intense and passionate triple conjunction of the planets, from March 3-6!

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.