My Journey with Hummingbird Medicine

Following on from my reflections on resilience, I feel called to share the shamanic meaning of the hummingbird and its role as one of the powerful totems I work with personally in my own life.

In shamanic traditions, every totem carries deep spiritual wisdom, and by working with their energy, we can draw on their unique strengths to guide and support us. The hummingbird teaches us about resilience, joy, and determination. Despite its tiny size, it travels extraordinary distances in search of nectar, reminding us that we too, can persevere and find sweetness, even amidst life’s challenges.

In the Peruvian medicine wheel that I work with, the hummingbird resides in the North. The North is the direction of the Air element, symbolising clarity, communication, and the mind. It is the realm of the inner teacher, where we honor our ancestors and access timeless wisdom. The hummingbird reminds us to stay light in spirit while remaining deeply connected to our purpose, to seek the nectar of life with intention and to trust our ability to adapt and thrive in the ever-changing winds of life.

Last year, when I finally found a place to land after five months without a home, I had a hummingbird inked above my heart, over a scar left by a basal cell carcinoma. The placement was purposeful. It represented a reclamation of joy, inner power and resilience. The scar is a reminder of what I have endured, while the hummingbird represents the beauty and strength that I have reclaimed. For me, it is a symbol of renewal, a promise to keep seeking the sweetness in life no matter how difficult the journey has been in the past.

In my work, I love to teach clients to connect with the powerful totems of the medicine wheel, to address the themes and patterns that arise in their lives. These allies offer profound wisdom, helping us navigate challenges, release what no longer serves us, and discover the clarity and joy that come from living in alignment with our true selves.

The hummingbird, with its tireless flight and unwavering connection to life’s nectar, offers us a reminder: resilience is not about enduring; it’s about finding the lightness and sweetness within the storms. It’s about trusting in the wisdom of our inner teacher and allowing it to guide us home.