(Ciconia ciconia)
Storks belong to the order ciconiiformes, where we also find herons, common bitterns, ibises and Eurasian spoonbills. It has a large sturdy body, a slender neck and a long bill. They walk inside the water with their slender legs and there they catch some fish, amphibians, snails, snakes and crabs. The white stork reaches a height of 4.26ft (1.30m) and a weight of 5lb 8oz (2.5k).
Storks in Mythology: Storks are related in many regions with the arrival of babies. This has its origin in an ancient tale bequeathed to us by a Slavic myth. According to this tale, a stork bites the leg of a woman who is pregnant, so she has to stay in bed and the Stork brings the baby. Storks are monogamous birds and they can be found in wetlands and marshes where, according to ancient superstitions, the souls of the newborn could be found. People of Ancient Greece and Rome, admired these birds since they observed the way in which young animals took care of their old or sick parents. As a result of this, the Romans enacted a law, the "Lex Cigonia", saying that the children were obliged to help and take care of their elderly parents. For many years now, it has been considered a special blessing that a pair of storks’ nests on your roof, so some people place a metallic dish-shaped artifact on their roofs, which are designed to make building nests an easier task. The Germanic tribes worshiped the storks as messengers of goddess Holda. During Holda´s travels, the storks flew before her and drew the newborn from the cistern, from the source of life and gave it to the prospective parents. The Greeks related storks to the fertility goddess Demeter, so when the storks flew above a place, they were a symbol of the fertile time.
The stork in the interpretation of dreams: It represents fertility and a new beginning.
Stork essence helps stressed people to focus and develop inner tranquility again. It also represents the inner child and the joy within each one.
On the body level: The stork brings inner peace and balance. In the same way that it can stand for hours on one leg, it helps us reach our inner peace and feel comfortable and safe. It acts against stress and it helps us lower the continuous acceleration of life and to adapt ourselves to our own pace It also helps fertility. As soon as we go back to our center, our strength can be expanded, and we automatically become more receptive.
On the emotional level: It gives confidence and protection. We develop greater peace and tranquility. We get in touch with our inner child, discover our playful lightness and are able to feel joy and desire to laugh again.
On the spiritual level: The stork represents the beginnings, the capacity of feeling well, the blessings and the wealth. As a migratory bird, it is also considered a symbol for travel, for changes and for going towards new horizons feeling confident in the Divine Protection.
