Sacrifice for Renewal: Symbolism of the Turkey

I tend to take notice of animals, words or symbols that appear to me consistently, whether by dream or in waking life. I believe it means something, and I want to listen and learn from the message. For instance, since last spring, I have been visited at my mountain home almost daily by a flock of wild turkeys—12 adorable chicks and 2 quite homely adults. The flock has continued to visit, cross my path, block my car, talk to me and capture my heart in the months since. This is the first year I have had such frequent visitations and their presence feels comforting and somehow relevant.

According to Spirit Animal Totems, the turkey is seen as both a good omen and good luck. It is known as a symbol of strength, courage and abundance. In the United States, we consider the turkey a symbol of gratitude. The other thing that struck me is that the turkey is a considered a symbol of “sacrifice for renewal.” I took this to heart as the suggestion to “let go of something for new things to arrive.”

I am fascinated by Jungian archetypes (The Archetypes and The Collective Unconscious) and the world of symbols (The Book of Symbols), so, when an animal sighting catches my attention, I study its symbolic significance and see if and how the sightings might be relevant to my life. I then explore these concepts through paint or collage to further understand and incorporate the meaning into my world. And while the idea of letting “something go for new things to arrive” deeply resonated with me, I haven’t painted the turkeys…yet. Perhaps this is because, quite frankly, I find adult turkeys ugly. I love them but they are ghastly looking fowl.

This begs the question: how many of us only paint subject matter we find beautiful? Unlike artists who paint the macabre (think Francis Bacon, Chaim Soutine), I generally focus on painting images which I find calming and pleasing. Even when I am exploring a nightmare, I want to sublimate that nightmare into a pleasing image when I put it onto a canvas. (Do I need the italicized paragraph? NO)

Perhaps my need to create imagery that I feel is calm and pleasing is related to my work as a trauma therapist; I surround myself with beauty and images that soothe because I know how difficult the world can be. Nonetheless, I do think that I will take the message the turkeys may be delivering to me—sacrifice for renewal—and tackle the foul fowl in art. Perhaps painting “ugly” imagery without interpreting it as beautiful will allow me to be more mindful and observational, suggesting a less critical and judgmental outlook as I walk through the world.

Thanks, turkeys!