Wren
AMONG the dwellings framed by birds
In field or forest with nice care,
Is none that with the little Wren’s
In snugness may compare…
There to the brooding bird her mate
Warbles by fits his low clear song;
And by the busy streamlet both
Are sung to all day long…
For She who planned the mossy lodge,
Mistrusting her evasive skill,
Had to a Primrose looked for aid
Her wishes to fulfill…
Concealed from friends who might disturb
Thy quiet with no ill intent,
Secure from evil eyes and hands
On barbarous plunder bent,
Rest, Mother-bird! and when thy young
Take flight, and thou art free to roam,
When withered is the guardian Flower,
And empty thy late home,
Think how ye prospered, thou and thine,
Amid the unviolated grove
Housed near the growing Primrose-tuft
In foresight, or in love.
Simba called to ask me about wren. King of the savanna, meet the king of songbirds. Such an inconspicuous bird, but not to be missed. What he lacks in color, he makes up for in song. His music is often loud and complicated, sometimes sung in duet with his mate. Wren is spry, resourceful, charismatic and light-hearted. This industrious fellow is full of new energy. He has a great sense of balance and timing, knowing when to be assertive and when to be mellow. He is not all work, nor all play. Instead, he enjoys what he does and, in turn, accomplishes a lot. Wren reminds us that home is where the heart is. It will take him about a week to build several large cup-shaped nests with small dry sticks. When he is done, his mate will choose her favorite one and take care of the interior with feathers, fur, wool, bark, rootlets, and moss. Most nests will be fairly close to the ground, not often going above a few meters. Both wren parents share in the rearing of the children. They are quite nurturing. And to harm one (or the nest) is linked to bad luck. When wren’s song calls to you, take a minute to simply enjoy the melody. Then, sing your own song, dance your own dance. A new energy is available to you. Start something you love. Nurture it. Pay attention to balance and timing. Be resourceful and industrious, and remember that the journey should be enjoyable too. It is time to bring a light-hearted and adaptable approach to things.
Magic of Wren
General
Element: Air
Gender: Both
Sabbat: Litha, Yule
Chakra: Throat
Spellwork
Energy
Adaptable
Heart
Song
Resourceful
Proverbs
Irish: The nest is enough for a wren.
Science of Wren
Ornithology
Name: Troglodytes aedon (House Wren)
Family: Troglodytidae (Wren Family)
Native Region: Americas and Eurasia
Size: 4″ – 8″
Weight: 0.3 – 2 oz.
Nomenclature
Group: A chime of wrens
Baby: Chick
Male: Wren
Female: Wren
Other Names: King of songbirds or Kinglet
Sacred Story
A long time ago, all the birds gathered together to decide which of them would be the king. After days of debate, they decided that a contest would be held to see which bird could fly the highest. In a flurry of feathers, all the birds took off into the air. The small songbirds quickly tired, and fell back to the ground. Soon they were joined by the ducks, crows, and many others. In short order, only the strongest of the eagles still climbed into the sky. The mighty eagle climbed until the last of his strength was used and then he turned to begin his descent. Believing that he had won the right to be king, he was startled to hear a small voice above him. “I am king! I am king!” called the little brown wren. She had carefully, quietly, hidden among his feathers, and ridden his back into the sky. The little brown wren is still the king of the birds, but she is so afraid of the eagles now that she stays hidden in hedges and bushes.