Wren
Wren is the king of all birds; its attribute is charm. Wren teaches the gift of song and good cheer. One begins to participate in the celebration of Life.
"
The wren symbolizes wisdom and divinity. It is difficult to actually see a wren. On the New Year, a young apprentice Druid was given the task of traveling into the countryside in search of a wren, his task actually that of finding hidden wisdom. If he found a wren he would take that as a sign that he would be blessed with inner knowledge in the coming year. Finding a creature small and elusive to the point of invisibility was a metaphor for finding the elusive divinity within all life."
(Phillip Carr-Gomm and
Stephanie Carr-Gomm, Druid Animal Oracle)
Troglodytes (10cm) - The wren is one of the smallest European birds. Coloring is a rich chestnut brown, barred with dark brown above; somewhat paler below with less barring. The tail is characteristically narrow and carried cocked upright. Flight is low and direct, on short, rounded, whirring wings. Voice - Their call is a scolding 'churr' or sharp 'tic tic tic'. The song is musical, extended series of rapid trills and clear high notes, usually ending with a flourish and which is astonishingly loud.
Wrens have always flitted through the undergrowth of our culture. Druids kept wrens for divination. In Celtic mythology, the wren was the oak king, but it was killed at the winter solstice to make way for the robin, the spirit of New Year. Medieval folk observed the direction in which wrens flew to determine their luck. In modern times, the image of the wren may have gone from the back of farthing coins, but it remains popular in many designs. Even though the early beliefs and folklore has been forgotten, the wren still has a nest in our affections. A wood without wrens is a sad place.