Frogs, Hummingbirds, Thunder, and Snakes - What Message Do They Bring?
Posted: Friday, August 27, 2010
by Dr. Carla Goddard
Listening to nature. It is amazing what you can hear when you listen. Watch the signs in front of you.
Yesterday, was an exceptional day. I started the morning by being greeted for the second day in a row with seven frogs lined up at the end of my carport. Lined up as if they were waiting to share some secret message. We stood there and stared at one another for over three minutes. I don’t speak frog. The first thought in my mind was the old Budweiser commercial (sorry that is the truth). I was waiting for them to each say some sort of syllable that I could understand. Nope. All they did was stare at me.
I had to laugh at myself as I thought about how odd it would seem to others that I got down in a crouching position to try and get closer to hear them. Speaking to them as though they were going to reply back.
Later in the day, as is typical for this time of the year here in Florida, the skies began to speak. I was sitting outside on my bench beneath the cypress tree covering when a hummingbird landed on the other end of the bench. It just sat there and stared at me. I don’t speak hummingbird. I did relish in the visit of this beautiful bird. Then the thunder rolled it. I just sat there watching the tiny bird listening to the skies. Thunder has always held a fascination for me. It always has seemed that it was the “Gods" speaking a message. Today was no different.
I got really frustrated at this point as it felt as though the thunder was yelling at me to listen. As much as I tried to ‘listen’ nothing profound was coming through. I don’t speak thunder.
Last evening I was out on my porch having a discussion with my teenage daughter. I was trying to understand her frustrations as I listened to her vent about situations in her life. Suddenly she was screaming at the top of her lungs, jumping up and down, and nearly pushed me over trying to get in the house. Blinking for a moment to fully comprehend what her sudden outburst was about.
Then I saw it. Beneath my altar dedicated to nature on the porch was a four foot bright orange snake. It’s head lifted up as it stared at me (I am sure startled by the screams of my daughter). Still unsure of what that little limerick is that tells you if a snake is poisonous or not, I was not real sure about what to do. I stared back at the snake for a minute. Something inside telling me this was not a normal snake. I don’t speak snake. My son and husband literally ‘swept’ the snake off the porch with a swifter.
As I went into meditation last night, it struck me how many signs from nature that came into my path in a single day. Yet, I really had no idea what they meant. Seven frogs, a hummingbird, thunder, and a snake. Were they separate messages? Were they a story being told? These were the questions in my meditation.
I realized at some point that they were messages and they were a story. Each having a special message, each having a story, and each intertwined.
Sometimes it is easy to ignore or miss those signs from nature when they speak to us. They whisper so softly that we miss them. When we slow down enough to pay attention to the details around us, to the animals that cross our paths, to the skies speaking, and take the time to reflect upon them, the profound wisdom is available.
So today I will pay attention and listen, even when I don’t speak the language. The language of the heart comes through loud and clear. It cross all language borders and is translated in ways that you may not even begin to imagine. I thank the Universe for the frogs, the hummingbirds, the thunder, and the snakes in my life today and for the messages they bring.
Yesterday, was an exceptional day. I started the morning by being greeted for the second day in a row with seven frogs lined up at the end of my carport. Lined up as if they were waiting to share some secret message. We stood there and stared at one another for over three minutes. I don’t speak frog. The first thought in my mind was the old Budweiser commercial (sorry that is the truth). I was waiting for them to each say some sort of syllable that I could understand. Nope. All they did was stare at me.
Later in the day, as is typical for this time of the year here in Florida, the skies began to speak. I was sitting outside on my bench beneath the cypress tree covering when a hummingbird landed on the other end of the bench. It just sat there and stared at me. I don’t speak hummingbird. I did relish in the visit of this beautiful bird. Then the thunder rolled it. I just sat there watching the tiny bird listening to the skies. Thunder has always held a fascination for me. It always has seemed that it was the “Gods" speaking a message. Today was no different.
I got really frustrated at this point as it felt as though the thunder was yelling at me to listen. As much as I tried to ‘listen’ nothing profound was coming through. I don’t speak thunder.
Last evening I was out on my porch having a discussion with my teenage daughter. I was trying to understand her frustrations as I listened to her vent about situations in her life. Suddenly she was screaming at the top of her lungs, jumping up and down, and nearly pushed me over trying to get in the house. Blinking for a moment to fully comprehend what her sudden outburst was about.
Then I saw it. Beneath my altar dedicated to nature on the porch was a four foot bright orange snake. It’s head lifted up as it stared at me (I am sure startled by the screams of my daughter). Still unsure of what that little limerick is that tells you if a snake is poisonous or not, I was not real sure about what to do. I stared back at the snake for a minute. Something inside telling me this was not a normal snake. I don’t speak snake. My son and husband literally ‘swept’ the snake off the porch with a swifter.
As I went into meditation last night, it struck me how many signs from nature that came into my path in a single day. Yet, I really had no idea what they meant. Seven frogs, a hummingbird, thunder, and a snake. Were they separate messages? Were they a story being told? These were the questions in my meditation.
I realized at some point that they were messages and they were a story. Each having a special message, each having a story, and each intertwined.
Sometimes it is easy to ignore or miss those signs from nature when they speak to us. They whisper so softly that we miss them. When we slow down enough to pay attention to the details around us, to the animals that cross our paths, to the skies speaking, and take the time to reflect upon them, the profound wisdom is available.
So today I will pay attention and listen, even when I don’t speak the language. The language of the heart comes through loud and clear. It cross all language borders and is translated in ways that you may not even begin to imagine. I thank the Universe for the frogs, the hummingbirds, the thunder, and the snakes in my life today and for the messages they bring.
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Top-level comments on this article: (9 total)How insightful of you to realize that nature speaks if we only take a moment to listen. Whether I speak the language or not, thank you for reminding me to listen too.GraceGraceIt is funny after I wrote this article this morning I had a client that was an animal intuitive. They speak the language of animals - grins. How awesome is it when those God-incidences happen.mwahCarlaNow isn't that interesting. It must be another sign *winks* That gives me an idea. Thanks for the inspiration!GraceGraceAny time I can provide inspiration - comic relief - am always happy to do so - grins.mwahCarla
I'm reading so many articles these days that are reminding me that it's time to stop rushing, time to stop and listen. This articles is beautiful, so poetic. Thanks.JenniferThank you for your kind words. mwah
I liked the story Carla, but I wanted to know what the frogs and the hummingbird and the thunder and snakes meant- I thought snakes meant sex- and thunder meant trouble, but I don't know about the rest- Tell me next time- Thanks- Always- EllaEllaI believe that the signs can represent a variety of things. As an example - snakes to me actually my totem animal. They are representative of the symbol of transformation and healing wisdom. They are a protector and guardian. Usually when a snake comes across your path it usually means to me creative forces are awakening and intuition with sharpen.The energy is representative of the cosmic consciousness and having the ability to experience anything willingly or without resistence.A snake can also signal a transition that is about to happen - materially is vitality - emotionally it is ambition or dreams - mental it is intellect or spiritual it is wisdom understanding.Snakes are only representative of sex in certain spiritual paths. When you combine the representation of what thunder means or can mean, it can change the intpretation of the animals message.As well as when you combine the position of the animals stance, was it one or was it seven, was it an orange snake or a black snake. Each of these things can change the intrepretation or the message as I was taught.Thunder is my friend. I love when the skies speak - always have.Hope that explains a bit.mwahCarla
Little lady it seems like you know your stuff. I'm a big believer in signs myself. Look forward to reading more of your stuff.AbeThank you so much for stopping by. Signs can be a powerful messaging system.mwah (my wishes are heartfelt)Carla
In California, the sky rarely speaks at all. When the sky does speak, it freaks people out because they are not used to it. In Florida, the sky talks and screams like a 14 year old girl at a Justin Bieber concert. Maybe God has more to say to Floridians? Who knows.BrombergsNaahhh I think that the signs from nature are different relative to where you are. I am sure that if you went outside and really listened and opened your eyes you would be amazed at the skies messages.Thank you for stopping by.mwahCarla
Hi Carla.How blessed you are to have visited by so many critters.Listening and talking to frogs doesn't seem at all odd to me. I talk to all the critters ... all the time. I speak human and I always hope that at least the intent gets through to them.Native American animal medicine says that frogs are cleansing, in a nutshell. Frog calls the rains to cleanse the earth. Hummingbirds are for joy. It's said that Hummingbirds message is to laugh and enjoy the Creator's many gifts. Snake is transmutation. Snake medicine teaches that you are a universal being.You had some very powerful visitors. Such a wonder!I love your description of it all. I was sad when it ended.Hugs, DianneDianneThank you and yes I have been blessed on so many levels. I am of the Penobscot Nation and am a Shamanic Medicine Woman so has heard many of the traditional meanings of Native American animal medicine. It was a wonderful day of exploration into the messages.Thank you for your kind wordsmwahCarla
Rev C.This is great! Living in the country I have been introduced to the vast universe of critterdom-different so from the critters I grew up w/ in FL.This has been the year of the Spider in KY. Any Idea what karma lurks in its meaning?BingThank you for your kind words. I can appreciate the difference in the "vast universe of critterdom" being that I grew up and lived in New England for most of my life. Florida is most definately vastly different.Regarding your question about spiders, to be honest I do not do generic interpretation generally. It is my experience that depending on the circumstances and declaration of positioning, every sign can be different. If you look at the life of a spider, the ability to weave a web from basically nothing, how it eats, and how it reproduces, you can ascertain many possible meanings. It is really a sign of strength and versatility.If you are interested in a more definitive perspective I would need to have a bit more information. Just drop me a note and would be happy to give you my perspective. Again, thank you for your kind words.mwahCarla
FranThank you for blessing me with your kinds words. Everything that exists is a blessing. You honor me with your words.mwahCarla
Another beautiful message! Another beautiful day in the neighborhood! Thank you for sharing it.DavidThank you for your kind words. It is a beautiful day every day.mwahCarla
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