Signs...

Recently, my cat brought me a wounded finch.  He showed up with it at a very inopportune moment.  At first, I thought it was a mouse.  Yes, my poor cat is so lonely for other pets, he will bring in half-dead animals from outside just to have something to play with.  Sometimes, I think we humans have nothing on animals when it comes to the macabre.  

But anyway, the poor thing could no longer fly and it proceeded to flutter bleeding through the kitchen into the living room and under the couch.  For reasons unknown, it then came out from under the couch, so my cat could corner it.  At this point, I had my gloves on and I was able to grab it up.

The poor little thing broke my heart.  Terrified and beyond help.  I took him outside and put him in some leaves below a tree. I tried to interest him in the birdhouse, but he hopped away into the leaves.  Later, my cat brought the same bird in.  His neck was broken.  There had been deer in that part of the yard, so I'm guessing he got trampled.  Sad, sad story.

I don't know what more I could have done.  Probably something obvious that I'm just missing.

So what does it mean? Maybe nothing.  Or maybe it was a sign.  Symbolically, finches are associated with happiness and freedom.  And what do I take from this? Something is about to fall away.  But the symbols are mixed given the timing and circumstances.  Honestly, it is hard for me to be objective.  I will just have to be patient.  And wait for a clearer sign.  

But patience is not my long suit, so I looked at my week as a whole.  Any predominant themes in the ennui of humdrum that characterizes my life these days? Yeah.  This week I made a true and concerted effort to forgive those who have wronged me.  I put it in writing.  There lies my truth.  Forgiveness in general has been the theme: for myself, for others.  I want to stop hurting over things I cannot change. 

And this was the sign I received.  Maybe I'm doing something wrong.  More eye of newt, perhaps? My life is not perfect.  I struggle with my own personal array of demons.  But I am lucky.  I know how to deal with a haunting.

It was not the only sign this week.  The very next day, someone showed me a key retrieved from a car accident.  The car had gone up in flames.  Luckily, no one was hurt.  The key was all that was recovered intact from the contents of the car.  It was a house key.  My first thought was that it was a powerful sign of the strength and love in that home.  But it was burned black.  That is dangerous.  The fire had come close to home.  Definitely a time for vigilance.  Again, mixed symbols.  If it were me, I would bury the key.  I would bury it on the property, but I would not keep it with or on me.

Sometimes all you can do is acknowledge the message.  Then, turn inward and take inventory.  Because who knows how long the wait will be.  Try to do right by the messenger.  But do not keep mixed signs close or on your person.  Save that place for purely positive signs.

Tonight I found my mug fractured.  Still whole, but unusable.  It was one of a pair of honeymoon mugs.  That was a fun trip!  Granted, they were not real expensive, but I was really upset.  What could it mean? Maybe that it got jostled around with the other dishes and broke.   Maybe it means that I got injured and something had to give.  Maybe it means that I have forgotten how to have fun.  There is so much chaos swirling around me now.  I partially blame this blog.  Sometimes it is easier to leave things shrouded in mist.  I just have no idea what to do with that mug.  I can't stand to throw it away.   This is how hoarding begins, I'm sure of it.  Maybe I should take my own advice and not keep a mixed sign in my home.