Hawk
Hawk is from Proto Indo European kap, “to grasp”, also the ancestor of have, behave, heavy, heft, capable, capture, behoove, etc. Kap became habukaz in Proto Germanic, and hafoc in Old English, and hauk (hawk) in Middle English. The word is appropriate for a bird which swoops down from concealed perches and attacks prey with claws especially designed for grasping.
Spiritually, hawks are associated with the hunt — desire and reaching toward goals. The word hawk suggests the hunting tactics of the bird itself: from a place of safety, a balanced, even, purposeful will is extended, leading to a container (the grasp).
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August 31st, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Very timely for me, Jeff!
My mother has an enormous hawk that has adopted her backyard this summer and whenever I go over there to mow the lawn, I encounter him. I’ve heard that there is an endangered hawk species common to this area which is making a come back.
I saw an American Bald freaking Eagle there last year.
In my family, animal omens are a big deal, even among those “not so spiritually inclined” as me. I’ve been telling my mother about the hawk for weeks and she finally saw it — when she was with me.
The hawk must be communicating with me, something about my connection to home, in particular. I’ve been trying to “translate” the sightings now all summer, so thanks again!
September 4th, 2007 at 12:05 pm
Very cool, Slade. Maybe that “home” corresponds with the “h” in hawk? Is there something you’re reaching for here, trying to grasp, using home as your base? Let me know what you find out!