Recognizing Signs/Omens: Swallow
When certain plants, animals, natural elements show up in your life - the universe and/or your ancestors are trying to get your attention.
When swallow and its symbolism show in your life in a powerful way, pay attention! The universe is trying to get a message through to you about the power of swallow. The first message that comes to mind with swallow is that of endurance. Swallow’s migration is truly marvelous. They’re found globally and their migration based on species can range from several thousand to over six thousand miles a year! Weighing in at only about ½ ounce, those are remarkable distances. I’ve always had a love for swallows having had the pleasure of seeing cliff swallows at the San Juan Capistrano Mission when I lived in L.A., barn swallows that best at my in-law’s farm in Texas and beautiful tree swallows in Alaska. These nimble creatures are so beautiful and serve of a reminder that no matter how small you are or may feel, you too have the stamina and endurance to go the distance!
Swallows also hold a special place in my heart as a common symbol for sailors, and my own love is a career sailor. In many Navy’s and sailing cultures the swallow tattoo is earned by sailors for every 5,000 nautical miles they’ve traveled across the sea (that’s about 5,750 miles by land). The swallow and its incredible migrations became a comforting reminder to sailors at sea that they, too, could return one day to home, land and their loves, just like the birds. If you’re seeing swallow while going through a separation from home or a loved one, swallow is here to remind you that the nest you have created in your heart is and always will be the sacred home you carry with you. It’s a symbol of devotion and home no matter how far away your loved one(s) might feel at this moment. You’ll find your way home (or they home to you).
Swallow also was seen as a symbol of loved ones who had passed. The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead speaks of how a soul can transform into a swallow for safe and swift travel to the afterlife. Because of this sacred connection between life and death the swallow was revered as connected to the stars and the souls of loved ones. It was believed that swallow was a powerful star whose soul’s light could not be diminished, much like the unwavering light of the North Star. Similar but imbued with slightly different significance, the Romans associated swallow with Venus, and said its soul would gently carry the souls of departed children to the afterlife. As such Roman mothers often saw swallow as a visitation or symbol of a lost child coming to reassure her through her grief that they were cared for and well on the other side of this life. If you’ve lost a loved one and are seeing swallow, your loved one is showing you this sign to bring your attention to their well-being on the other side and the message that they will always be home when they are carried with you in your heart.
Swallows are also sacred symbols of freedom. Swallows will not survive captivity – they must be free in order to live. What truly sets swallow free is its willingness to go where instinct and resources drive it, guided by its own internal compass and signs to navigate uncertain and long journeys. You, too may be being called to new journeys but you are resisting them because you are tied down, or choosing to stay in a cage of your own making. Swallow is showing up to remind you that the safety of the cage will mean your own sprit’s diminishment. It’s time to trust and to soar on a new path of freedom. Swallow is also telling you that when you give up your baggage, you will be able to rise high and migrate far to the freedom you desire.
What baggage is weighing you down? Best to leave the past in the past and set yourself free to rise and explore the world ahead. This requires trust but in that leap of faith comes the true freedom and new beginning you have been praying for.