“Aboriginal Australians have historically put feathers and blood on their bodies because these biological creations have the property of being magnetic. The wearer would become more sensitive to magnetic patterns produced by the Earth and other life forms. This heightened sensitivity would then allow the wearer to more easily navigate the terrain, and probably help with locating resources such as water and prey animals which interact with the Earth’s magnetic patterns in their own characteristic ways. The magnetically sensitized body is also more aware of energies coming in from the cosmos, which hold various places on the electromagnetic spectrum. These cosmic energies may also be used by spiritual entities in order to ‘cross the bridge’ between them and humans.

“From my perspective, then, the ideas about feathers as that which can help us find our way, or an indication of spiritual blessings, are all right ideas… and today we have the scientific knowledge that allows us to understand how these “spiritual” ideas actually play out within the physical realm–since magnetism is a physical phenomenon.

“The spiritual ideas about feathers are not ‘superstition.’ They represent an implicit recognition of the magnetic power of feathers.  What I have been discovering over the past year, with much excitement, is that the human body also has magnetic capabilities (thanks to the tiny magnetite crystals in our cells) and that these capabilities can be consciously cultivated and enhanced.

“This study of how I can work with my own magnetism has become increasingly important to me as I have realized that magnetism is the feminine polarity on the electromagnetic spectrum. We live in a world awash in electricity. Cultivating my magnetism has very significantly increased my effectiveness in life and relationships, as it has helped me create more balance between my own masculine and feminine energies.

“The magnetic patterns my body creates also give me another bridge of connection to all other life forms, which in my observation, grow in accordance with their own biomagnetic patterns.

“Last but not least, I have noticed that magnetic patterns can be disturbed or enhanced by sound. Perhaps this is why research suggests that some plants cannot properly grow and complete their life cycles without the assistance of bird song. That idea, of course, brings us full circle back to the feathers. The creatures that produce these beautiful structures also serve us through sound and through the beauty of their flight. I am hopeful that the words I’ve written here will help us all to appreciate them and their contribution to the web of life on Earth more deeply. I am hopeful that the words I’ve written here will help us all to give the birds more space. In my mind that includes sonic space. I avoid using motorized equipment of any kind whenever I can, and that’s one way I contribute to providing sonic space for the other life forms.”

After class, I asked the Deva of a curry plant that I recently picked up at an herb sale if I’d given it too much water (as I suspected I had), and the Deva said, “No.” (I was truly surprised.) I then asked some more probing questions and discovered that the plant needs to be in a larger pot — and soon! So, before the end of this week I will transplant that root-bound herb into a larger pot, giving it just what it asked for. And here’s the kicker — it took far less of my personal energy and resources to have that two-minute “conversation” with the plant than to stew for hours (or days!) about whether I’d drowned that beloved, fragrant new addition to my home.