Flight of the Black Thunderbird

“When you see your matter going black, rejoice, for this is the beginning of the work.” ~Rosarium Philosophorum

The four thunderbirds symbolize the four cardinal directions of the medicine wheel. And although different tribes interpret the Medicine Wheel differently, the energy is what matters.

Where the Yellow Thunderbird of the east represents curiosity and catharsis, and the Red Thunderbird of the south represents passion and beauty, and the White Thunderbird of the north represents honor and adaptation, the Black Thunderbird of the west subsumes them all.

An initiation by any of these thunder gods has the potential to lead to great power, but an initiation by the Black Thunderbird could lead to unimaginable power, verging on apocalyptic.

The Black Thunderbird, as the harbinger of endings, signifies the death of the old self and the birth of something new, something that carries the wisdom of all directions but belongs to none.

Initiation by the Black Thunderbird:

“Great men are like eagles and build their nest on some lofty solitude.” ~Arthur Schopenhauer

The Black Thunderbird, residing in the west—the direction often associated with endings, transformation, and the unknown—embodies the culmination of all the elemental qualities represented by its counterparts. This initiation is not simply a rite of passage but a profound transformation where the initiate is challenged to integrate and transcend the aspects of all Thunderbirds.

The journey begins when an initiate encounters the Black Thunderbird, the oldest and most primal of all thunder deities (usually in a meditative/fasting state). This meeting is not gentle but marked by nature's fury—torrential waves, relentless rain, tempestuous winds and the “tears of all gods.” These elements symbolize the chaos and change one must endure for transformation. The “tears of all gods” signify the collective sorrow, joy, and wisdom of the cosmos, washing away the old self to prepare for rebirth.

Transformation into the Thunderbird:

“Everything that happens to you is your teacher. The secret is to learn to sit at the feet of your own life and be taught by it.” ~Polly B. Berends

The initiate doesn’t just witness the storm; they become one with it, embodying the Thunderbird. This transformation signifies the ultimate surrender to nature's power and the universe's mysteries, leading to a profound understanding and mastery over one's self. By becoming the Thunderbird, the initiate gains the ability to fly high into the realms of knowledge, intuition, and power, transcending human limitations.

The initiate first encounters the essence of the Yellow Thunderbird. Here, the initiation begins with a quest for knowledge, an insatiable curiosity about the self and the world. The Black Thunderbird tests this by presenting mysteries so deep that they border on the unfathomable, pushing the initiate towards catharsis - a purging of old beliefs, emotions, and identities to make room for rebirth. This part of the journey is about letting go, understanding the cyclical nature of life and death, and finding freedom in the unknown.

The Elbow of the Universe:

“Great men are like eagles and build their nest on some lofty solitude.” ~Arthur Schopenhauer

Perched on this metaphorical point, the initiate, now the Thunderbird, gains a cosmic perspective. “Over-Eyes” implies a vision that transcends normal human sight, seeing the interconnectedness of all things, the past, present, and future. From here, the initiate sees the world's wound - its suffering, its beauty, and its potential - which becomes their heart, symbolizing empathy, responsibility, and a call to action.

The heart of the thunderbird represents the core of wisdom, courage, and compassion that the initiate must carry. It's a heart that feels the pain of the world deeply yet beats with the strength to heal and inspire change.

As the initiate moves deeper into the initiation, they are met with the fiery spirit of the Red Thunderbird. Here, the passion for life and the beauty in all its forms are tested. The Black Thunderbird magnifies this experience, turning passion into a force for change, and beauty into a means of healing or destruction.

The initiate learns that beauty is not just in creation but also in transformation, and passion must be directed with wisdom to avoid becoming destructive. This phase of initiation might involve facing one's deepest desires and fears, learning to harness them for personal and communal growth while transforming wounds into wisdom.

The Path of Courage:

“If courage is the ability to effectively move through fear, challenge, and discomfort, then perseverance is the ability to keep doing it over and over again.” ~Rich Diviney

The North's White Thunderbird brings the wisdom of honor and the necessity of adaptation to the forefront. Under the Black Thunderbird's scrutiny, the initiate is challenged to maintain honor in the face of change, to adapt without losing one's core essence (sacred alignment with universal laws).

This part of the initiation is about integrity through transformation, understanding that adaptation is not submission but a strategic evolution. The Black Thunderbird might present scenarios where honor seems at odds with survival, teaching the initiate to navigate these waters with grace, wisdom, and resilience.

This part of the journey is also about questioning, innovating, and redefining what it means to be human. It's an invitation to not just accept the world as it is but to actively participate in shaping it. The Black Thunderbird, as the “dark-reminder in the forgotten-light,” brings the duality of existence into focus, reminding us of the shadow aspects of life we often ignore.

Return with Magic Elixir:

“I’d rather be whole than good.” ~Jung

Having faced the trials and been transformed, the initiate returns to "the tribe" or "nest" - symbols for community or humanity at large. They bring back the "magic elixir" - new insights, practices, or ways of being that can heal, inspire, or change the collective.

This return signifies the completion of the hero's journey but also the beginning of a new cycle where the initiate, now the Thunderbird, helps others on their paths of self-discovery and transformation through counterintuitive and even counterculture ways (Middle Way; Crazy Wisdom).

As Heraclitus said, “Opposition brings concord. Out of discord comes the fairest harmony,”

The Black Thunderbird not only represents the storm of change but also the wisdom of ancient forces guiding human evolution, encouraging us to stretch beyond our known selves into realms of greater truth, courage, and unity with the cosmos.

“Subsuming all” the Black Thunderbird encapsulates all thunderbirds. Thus, compelling the initiate to synthesize curiosity, passion, honor, and adaptability into a unified self. This is not about balance but about the dynamic interaction of these forces within the individual, allowing one to be all things at once: curious, passionate, honorable, and adaptable.

The initiation concludes with the initiate becoming the Thunderbird, not just in metaphor but in essence. They are now a force of nature that can call upon storms for change, use curiosity to explore new realms, wield passion for creation, uphold honor in chaos, and adapt to whatever comes next. This transformation is about becoming a guide for others, a bringer of change, and a protector of balance.

The Black Thunderbird initiation thus acts as a crucible where all human qualities are tested, refined, and integrated into a being capable of navigating and influencing the world in profound ways. It's an initiation into the core of existence, teaching that all aspects of life—from curiosity to adaptation—are not just parts of a journey but are the journey itself, endlessly intertwined and ever-evolving.

Image source:

Anishinaabe Thunderbird in the Four Directions by KA Belleau

About the Author:

Gary Z McGee, a former Navy Intelligence Specialist turned philosopher, is the author of Birthday Suit of God and The Looking Glass Man. His works are inspired by the great philosophers of the ages and his wide-awake view of the modern world.

This article (Flight of the Black Thunderbird) was originally created and published by Self-inflicted Philosophy and is printed here under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Gary Z McGee and self-inflictedphilosophy.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this statement of copyright.