Purple Swamphen

Here we see Mother Swamphen, posing by a watercolour shore, beckoning “paint me like a Monet”.

I had a shaky start with the Purple Swamphen, as I found them quite territorial. I later learned they're known as one of the best Mothers in the bird world, and are only territorial when raising a roost.

For me, they have since represented motherhood. And what makes a great Mum? Unconditional love, care, empathy, patience, forgiveness. Those qualities which represent the divine feminine. Those qualities of Mother Nature, who is within all of us.

The Purple Swamphen has taught me how to give myself motherly love. That voice that says: "Don't worry little darling, everything is going to be ok. I love you no matter what". That unconditional love that no matter how many times I feel like I screw up, or do the wrong thing, no matter how rude or ridiculous I am, or how sad and hopeless I feel - I am still loved. We are all worthy, and capable of, this level of self-love.

Do you feel like you're too hard on yourself sometimes? For not being enough? For making mistakes? It's a very human thing to do.

And for me it continues to happen. So I endeavour to switch into Mum-mode a little bit quicker each time.

Could you benefit from offering yourself more motherly care, patience and forgiveness?