Nature provides a plethora of omens and signs, if you know what to look for. One of the most common omens you may encounter can involve birds. As symbolic messengers from the Divine, birds, in general, are associated with your ability to communicate with the Spirit world. This is because the birds’ song symbolizes communication and their ability to fly corresponds to opening your mind to receive intuitive wisdom.
Yet you don’t have to actually encounter a bird in order to receive an important spiritual message from them. Each bird has its own specific meaning and sometimes your spiritual guides leave you significant “post cards” from the higher realms in the form of bird feathers.
One of the most beautiful and symbolic feathers you may find in your travels is the feather of the Blue Jay. So, let us see its significance.
Blue Jay Feather: Joy, Wisdom, and Warnings
Any bird’s feather carries the significance of the specific bird’s symbolic meaning. A Blue Jay’s feather conveys all the significance of Blue Jay, but as a calling card for this special bird. Partially named for their light blue feathers and tufts of blue on their head, the Blue Jay also gets its name from the Latin Gaius, meaning gay, happy, or joyful.
One of the most enduring meanings of finding a Blue Jay feather is that you will have reasons to be happy and joyful. You may even be especially lucky and finding a Blue Jay feather confirms this.
Blue Jays have a notable song and are known for being quite assertive. Thus, when you find a Blue Jay feather, your Spirit Guides may be imploring you to speak up, your voice, and share your unique song. You may have a reason to sing for joy or speak freely and openly about your passion and finding a Blue Jay feather signals that it is time to use your voice to express yourself, no matter what anyone else may think.
In contrast, just as Blue Jay can mimic other birds’ songs and express themselves with gusto, they can also frustrate other birds. Finding a Blue Jay feather can be a sign that it’s time to reflect on whether you’re using your voice for your greatest good or if you are unintentionally alienating others with your message.
Blue Jay Feather and Cultural Symbolism:
Many cultural references give varying meanings to the finding of a Blue Jay feather. In some cultural references in Italy, the Blue Jay is considered pompous, or even associated with promiscuity. Thus, through this cultural lens, finding a Blue Jay feather may bring a warning for you to check your adherence to social standards.
Are you being careless about your reputation? A Blue Jay feather may be a reminder that others may be gossiping about you because they perceive your actions as being too forthright. Are you coming across to others as a bully? Finding a Blue Jay feather may indicate so, as these birds are known for being quite feisty and competitive with other birds.
Blue Jays also mimic the cries of Hawks, so various cultures including Native American cultures and Celtic cultures associate Blue Jay feathers as indicating someone may be misrepresenting themselves or being duplicitous. Pay attention to the details, Blue Jay feathers can warn you that someone is making themselves sound stronger or more credible than they are.
Celtic people also believed that Blue Jays are a reincarnation of ancient Druids and so finding a Blue Jay feather can signify your connection to ancient natural magic. In particular, you may wish to study the symbolic significance of the powerful Oak tree, also of significance to the Celtic people. Finding a Blue Jay feather may be a symbol of the need to explore your connection to nature and develop your intuitive wisdom and skills as a healer.
Blue Jays are also associated with the archetypal trickster. This association is common among various Native American tribes also led to a mistrust of this bird. Through this lens, finding a Blue Jay feather suggests someone may be gossiping about you or could serve as a warning to avoid gossiping about others.
Finding a Blue Jay feather in or near your home may suggest someone is trying to deceive your family or is jealous of you. Take caution, someone may be lying to you or trying to deceive you or cheat you out of what is yours.
Other Spiritual Meanings:
In spite of some of these negative connotations, others view Blue Jay as a bringer of light, joy, and happiness. The association between trickster energy and Blue Jay feathers is even scientifically valid to some extent. Their bright blue plumage isn’t actually blue. The pigmentation is a result of melanin but is perceived as blue by the human eye.
This suggests that when you find a Blue Jay feather, you’re seeing the best potential and can be successful if you stick to your ideals. Though some cultures associate Blue Jays with promiscuity, these birds actually mate for life. Their symbolic meaning can also point toward faithfulness, love and a solid marriage.
Finding a Blue Jay feather can be an indication that you’re going to attract a partner for life soon or that things will start to take a positive turn toward improvement if your relationship has been rocky.
So, What to Do when you come across a Blue Jay Feather?
Blue Jays have a gift for speech and mimicry, even more so than many other birds. Finding a Blue Jay feather can signify the need to expand your communication skills. When you find a Blue Jay feather, explore opportunities to learn new languages and consider how you can make your communication clear to others.
You may wish to bring the Blue Jay feather home for your altar or for daily inspiration. Always ask permission from the Blue Jay’s spirit before doing so. If you receive an affirmative answer, you can bring the Blue Jay feather home to place on your altar if you have one or in a place where you can meditate on the wisdom and medicine of Blue Jay.
Pay attention to where you find the feather. If the feather points to the east, a new beginning may be on the horizon. A Blue Jay feather pointing south can indicate time for action. Pointing west suggests the need to speak up in relationships and bring healing and joy to others. A north pointing feather can indicate a need for quiet reflection.
Conclusion
Whether you view a Blue Jay as loud and demanding or clever and joyful, there’s no denying the power and significance of encountering a Jay’s feather. Take this omen as an indicator that your communication may need to improve.
Sharpen your radar, someone may be gossiping about you or deceiving you. A Jay feather can remind you to be true to your word as well, as a relationship worthy of lifelong devotion may be on the horizon.
Not all is what it seems. Blue Jay feathers can remind you to be mindful of illusions but also can encourage you to put your best foot forward even if you aren’t fully confident in yourself yet.
Angela Kaufman is a Certified Intuitive Consultant, Psychic Medium, Intuitive Empowerment, Life Coach and an LCSW. She is an amazon published author and was Featured on several shows like Discovery Channel’s A Haunting, Echoes from the Past (2007) 14 Degrees: A Paranormal Documentary, Tune In to Wellness Today with LisaMarie Tersigni, and Empowering Entrepreneurs with Melissa Carter as well as numerous radio interviews. She is the author of Queen Up! Reclaim Your Crown When Life Knocks You Down - Unleash the Power of Your Inner Tarot Queen and also co-authored three books on metaphysical spirituality (Sacred Objects, Sacred Space; Everyday Tools for the Modern Day Witch | Wicca What's the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions | The Esoteric Dream Book; Mastering the Magickal Symbolism of the Subconscious Mind). Angela regularly conducts workshops, the Inner Queen coaching program and loves writing articles, that blend social criticism with spirituality.