49. ~ Magpie ~

There are fifteen or sixteen species of magpies. They are members of the crow/jay family. Here I will speak on the black and white Holartice species. They are noisy and full of mischief. People believe they call "mag, mag, mag," and "pie, pie, pie." A parliament is the name of a group of magpies - interesting! Magpies mainly eat small insects, worms and slugs. They hunt during the day and night. They are a mid-sized bird, and easy to identify. They can be trained to mimic a human voice. They will ride on the backs of sheep and cattle while consuming the ticks they find. These birds are solid black with a white belly. Their winspan is twenty-four inches (60 cm). Their body length is up to twenty-four inches. Both the male and the female look alike. They are also known to some as the black-billed magpie. They live to be four to six years' old. Their nest is domed shaped with more than one entrance. They sleep with their bill tucked under their back feathers. Magpies will steal odd shining objects, such as a ring!

Medicine:

Magpie medicine reminds us that the 'true' path is a spiritual path and it is not one of material accumulation. It teaches we may come up with many reasons why we want something, but in reality we don't actually need it. The medicine of the magpie teaches that in the not so far future one is going to experience a profound spiritual awakening. Once this happens, you will no longer be concerned about your materialistic life style. You will be freed from it, and you will learn that in time you will not miss it. After this awakening takes place, one does not revert back to their old ways and belief system. (On a personal note, my mother has a Royal Doulton figurine in a solid creme colour. It is of an Indian maiden pleading with a magpie to return her gold ring. There is a legend/story that details this. However, as of yet, I have been unable to track it down. If any of you the readers know this legend, I would greatly appreciate hearing from you. Many thanks).