🚨NOTE: these paired whisks are a bit smaller than my typical whisks. Larger than an altar broom, but about 30% less broomcorn was used in their crafting, giving them a more delicate look. The length is very similar to my other whisks but the girth and volume is less.

Cardinals have soooo much powerful folklore and spiritual meaning surrounding them. And this carries through indigenous, pagan, and Christian belief systems.

Their bold and colorful plumage, and their sweet and carrying songs are strongly associated with visits from

Loved ones who have passed on from this world.

Like all birds, I believe they are messengers of spirit.

Here are some of my own correspondences for cardinals:

❤️Confidence and clarity- call on Cardinal when you need to move forward with sure steps and no hesitation. Many birds choose camouflaged and understated plumage to be less visible and vulnerable to predators. Not so with Cardinals. They loudly announce their presence and act with confidence.

❤️Authenticity and balance- BOTH male and female cardinals sing. And I love this so much. Typically in the world of songbirds, only the male sings to attract a mate, mark a territory, and seal a bond with their female partner. But this is yet another way cardinals break the mold and defy expectations. There are many known instances of “gynandromorphism” (having both male and female sex chromosomes) in cardinals. In these instances the individual looks quite even split down the middle between male and female plumage! It’s fascinating! Cardinals remind us of the importance of balance between masculine and feminine energy, light and shadow, caution and action. Cardinals have also been found in other colors such as yellow and white.

❤️Ancestor work and veneration- among so many birds, the Cardinal is known as a messenger of spirit and a call to remember, recognize, and listen for greetings, warnings, and other communication from ancestors and loved ones.

❤️Resilience and strength- unlike many songbirds, cardinals do not migrate to warmer climates in winter. They stay in harsh northern latitudes through the winter, illustrating a commitment to their homes and communities even under taxing and often perilous conditions. (This also makes for stunning photos of beautiful red birds against snowy winter backgrounds!)

❓Did you know there are cardinals in Arizona? And there are two cousins to cardinals that can also be found in the west, the Phainopepla and the Pyrrhuloxia.