Being Irish, my ancestry originates with the ancient Celts. Many residents of Eastern Kings descend from the Celts through the heritage from the British Isles.
They revered certain chosen animals and their qualities. They sought inspiration. We can respond to events in our own lives with help from all that surround us. Observations will lead to powerful new insights and can influence changes of behavior. Animals may have a particular quality we admire and would like to encourage in ourselves.
The Celts looked to Badgers, Bears, Beavers, Cattle, Foxes, Hares, Horses, Hounds, Otters, Salmon, Snakes, Stags, Wild Boars and Wolves as important animals. In the avian world they looked upward to Crows & Ravens, Doves, Eagles, Hawks & Falcons, Owls and Swans. Each animal was a symbol and was respected.
Crows & RavensCrows and Ravens are carrion feeders. They will eat flesh that has already been killed. This has given them a dark reputation as omens of death and destruction. In the Celtic world, they were known as prophets and messengers from the Otherworld. The messages were not always messages of doom. Ravens warned Llugh of his enemies' approach. He was able prepare for their attack. Their plumage and cawing cry disguise that they are among the most intelligent of birds. Their intellect has been proven to be on par with dolphins and wolves in the animal world. Crows are not appreciated by man in P.E.I. They do help clear the ground from destruction and waste left by man. Today they symbolize the cycle of life - death-rebirth in its most forceful form, the desecration of the environment. Crows and Ravens waste nothing. They urge us to do the same. Doves
Doves and pigeons made good source of food for the Celts. They are not swift moving birds and were trapped or netted easily. The nutritional value (high in protein) and lovely taste came from all except the White Dove. Its pure white plumage marked it as special. All white animals were sacred to the Celts. The glowing plumage and gentle coos cooing voice, especially in the mating season, appealed to the Celts, as well as man in the 21st. century. Humans tend to assign human characteristics to wildlife. Documentation of earliest man shows the courtship of two white doves symbolizing the love between two people. Releasing them also symbolizes a form of peace, somthing much needed on our planet if it is to survive. In our busy world, we often take our environment for granted. The dove's purity reminds us of what our day to day world should be. Eagles
The site of a magnificent Bald Eagle soaring, enthralled me when I visited P.E.I. This sight is rare in most parts of the world today, as was in the time of the Celts. They are sensitive to disturbance and build their nests at inaccessible locations. They offer to use the example of a determination to survive, using the basic necessities to thrive. In the heavens, the eagle is represented by the constellation of Aquila. | 
American
Crow
photo by Cynthia
Waysmith
Bald Eagle
photo by Isobel
Fitzpatrick
|
Hawks and Falcons
The smaller birds of prey are quicker and have superb eyesight. The different species were identified and respected by the Celts. They symbolized the abiliy to look into the future, consider all the consequences and act upon decisions expediently. These qualities are a guide for those in business or political life. The qualities should not be misused, or they could lead to danger.
Owls
Owls are solitary and nocturnal hunters. Their flight feathers have soft, fluffy edges, which gives them near-silent flight. Their vision is superb at long-distance. It is poor at close quarters. They are unable to most things in front of their faces. They can turn their heads more than 120 degrees in both directions. This enables them to look behind easily. Owls' hearing is acute at certain frequencies Some have asymmetrically placed ears, one being higher and a little further back than the other. This allows owls to pinpoint their prey with amazing accuracy. Owls have dual symbolism. Some cultures view them as forerunners of misfortune. Others see wise birds which hoard hidden knowledge and occult learning. Owls have few predators. Crows will attack should they find an owl awake in daylight hours. The qualities of an owl to the Celts, apply to those who work alone or late into the night such as explorers, those entrusted with secrets, artists, writers among others. Owls show alertness and awareness of one's surroundings.
Swans
The Celts knew the Swan, specifically the Mute Swan as the largest bird in their world. The swan is represented in the night sky by the constellation of Cygnus. Swans mate for life. Swans who are courting, appear to dance on the water, with their heads and necks in a heart shape. On the water they appear elegant but are less than graceful on land. The story of the Ugly Ducking shows us how to face problems with grace and serenity. Everyone has an opportunity to exhibit a beauty of mind and spirit. While one's appearance will fade with age, that is not of the importance society places within the beauty industry. The life of a Swan is an excellent example for those who lack self-confidence. They inspire us all to reach and attain our goals.
The Past Leading to the Future
Eden Forsythe
The Celts hunted for food. Today very few need or desire to hunt. Those who do mostly do so for sport. Deliberately inflicting physical or mental pain on any of God's creatures should be avoided. Anything other than a cull for environmental purposes should not be tolerated. While we must be accepting of balance must be attained, we should also be aware who caused the imbalances that exist. Shooting while bird watching is an activity that must always involve cameras, never guns!
Black Duck at Bear River
photo by Heather Gallant | Endangered birds are signals of ecosystems that are on the brink of collapse. Man is aware and conservation measures are conducted for most species in crisis. Some of the efforts include dealing with illegal trade in popular pets such as parrots. Public and private preserves are established to protect watersheds and native forests. The promotion of nondestructive harvesting of tropical forest resources as well as developing ecotourism in and around protected areas as an incentive for local and indigenous people to maintain these habitats in their natural state. While sometimes slow, man has learned from past errors. Ducks that were rare at the turn of the century occur by the millions across North America today. Snowy and Great Egret populations returned after the ban on plume hunting. Conservation success stories are now evident all over the world. They are examples that show the resilience that bird populations can exhibit when outside sources causing their declines are removed. It is important that birth and death rates have a natural balance. |
Prince Edward Island is blessed with a variety of wildlife. This is a heritage which all citizens and visitors have an obligation to protect. The well being of all animal life is important for the planet to survive.
We are opposed to the destruction of habitat and the pollution of land, water and air. We feel there must be a greater participation of protection for wild animals, not less. Pain and suffering must be reduced.
We feel it is unnecessary to design habitat to generate surplus animals for harvest.
We feel natural laws should prevail to maintain checks and balances on the growth pattern of wildlife populations.
We do not support international trade in any form involving wildlife. We feel all captures of species that are threatened and poaching must cease.
The the role of wildlife enforcement agencies must be intensified. Full support from citizens must be shown for effective federal endangered species protection legislation.
Education must raise public awareness and promote conservation and habitat preservation.
Responsible pet stores be must urged restrict their sale of live birds to domestically raised birds. The exhibition and sale of exotic birds in street or farmer's markets must be banned.
Birds should never be awarded as a prize or unsolicited present.
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