I heard it in the distance; a faint “chiflido” as my grandmother would call it. A whistling that came from above. Then something caught my eye; un colibri (a hummingbird). It was diving at what appeared to be a hundred miles a minute and then swoop! up before completely nose diving into the ground. I was mesmerized by this little creature giving this beautiful yet dangerous show. I later researched and found out that hummingbirds do these death defying nosedives as a mating call. How courageous love makes one, que no?
In the mist of the chaos that was 2020, I decided to find refuge in the natural world. I would wake up (or be woken up by my husky) and we would both go to the front yard to say good morning to all the living creatures. It has become our ritual now. I say good morning to grandmother ruda, el limon, los chiles, la yerbabuena and so forth. Unable to be physically in community has been devastating, but it has also allowed me the opportunity to create a community with other beings. It has reminded me to slow down and listen a little harder to the lessons of the natural world, but it has not been easy. There are mornings that I rush out there and I am not in a good place. I can almost hear the beautiful white rosales telling me, “No te pongas tan triste mija; todo estará bien.” Or el piquín telling me, “No te agüites homegirl. We got you.” Even in the middle of winter, there have been a time or 2 that I’ve been visited by my abuelita in butterfly form. I know it’s her because I always see them when I am at my lowest.
And then you have El Señor Colibri. So damper with his bright iridescent feathers, going from flower to flower to sugar water. Son traviesos, but in a good way and they be having me laughing at times! How many times has my spirit needed these tiny aviators con sus maromas and majestic colors. Colibris are also symbolic of joy and rebirth which is the exact medicine I didn’t know I was in need of.
We are now entering 2021, but as we know, the natural world does not follow the Gregorian New Year. We are still in the Winter months and that means slowing down and going within. That means connection to the Spirit world and lessons from the stillness our bodies keep craving. That means parts of us dying, letting go and making room for the energy of the months ahead. To honor and make space for the cycle of birth, death & rebirth to take place. To allow the lessons of the natural world shape us, form us and inform us. So that we may soar, love, and spread joy, much like El Señor Colibri does so beautifully, courageously and effortlessly.
Adriana L. Medrano, PhD 