Robin: Growth and Renewal

I had always believed that in the United States robins migrated south for the winter. Then, during my first winter in the country, I saw that a juniper tree, full of sky-blue berries, was also full of robins. The tableau of berries and birds splashed color into the gray morning.

I have since learned that where food supplies are sufficient robins will live year-round in an area. This is one of the lessons of this power animal: during times when our hearts and spirits feel bleak and cold we can flourish if we have sufficient inner strength, courage and faith. For this reason, the Robin Essence is a particularly good one to take during the winter months.

This lesson relates to another aspect of Robin medicine. While most birds are good parents robins have been singled out for this trait. For us this quality is the ability to nurture oneself into true adulthood. This is also indicated by the robin's red breast (actually a rust color). This symbolizes the activation of creative energy, a stimulus to growth.

Part of growth is learning how to handle conflict in an adult manner. When male robins have territorial disputes they sing to each other. This behavior also reinforces the creative aspect of this bird's energy. To become truly mature, we must trust our own intuition, our own unique creative expression.

Robin's traditional connection to spring, the season of renewal, tells us that when we let go of the past (much of which comes from childhood experiences) we are renewed, and free to nurture and serve both ourselves and others.

Robin is one of the Wild Earth Animal Essences.