Walking up to my house this morning after having been at a series of spiritual workshops, I noticed two mockingbirds playfully flying at each other in the parking lot next to my house. They would fly up, bump chests, then flutter back down. When I stopped to watch them, they noticed me and one took off flying with the other chasing after it, then one circled around to my car, settled on top of it, and looked directly at me. I gave it a cheery, "Hello birdie!" and s/he flitted off again, ever in the pursuit of play.



    Just a minute or two later, as I walked from my house down to UT-Knoxville campus to go to the Anadasgisi-The Gathering of International Natives event, I saw two more mockingbirds, then another in a tree right next to the festival. This last one let me come very near to him to hear him sing. Mockingbirds are known for their extensive repertoire of bird-songs. They can mimic the songs of other birds (hence "mocking" birds), and they love to joyfully share their songs.
    If you have your astrological north node in either Leo or the 5th House, part of your life purpose this time is to learn to PLAY and have fun. You are meant to learn how to express yourself with beauty and vitality. You are learning to be the center of attention and to take advantage of your creative/expressive talents. Mockingbird energy can help you learn how to be open to this sense of playfulness. Learning to "play" is something I have been putting particular attention toward in my life lately, and the mockingbird seems to be encouraging me to do so. :)
    Whether or not mockingbird is showing up in your life lately to encourage your north node lessons, you can still benefit from his medicine by invoking mockingbird wisdom/images/sounds. Look at images of the mockingbird, or read about mockingbird, or listen to the sounds of the mockingbird (scroll down to the "M's" HERE).
    Another bird that supports Leo/5th House North Node people in learning how to fully express their splendor is the peacock! Again, images and figurines of the peacock can be very helpful, and peacock feathers are usually available at craft stores, too, which you can stick into the dirt of your houseplants, or into a vase, or hang on the wall to remind you to let others admire you! :)



    And, of course, Leo/5th House energy can be supported by Lion imagery, jewelry, and figurines as well! RAWR!