The Birds card usually shows a pair of birds, such as doves or owls, and sometimes an entire flock. They are often seen flying together or perched near their nest. Birds have long been regarded as messengers and omens, signs sent from higher forces. Doves symbolize love, safe relationships, and fertility, while owls represent wisdom, insight, and healing. Historically, birds were used to deliver messages, signals, and intelligence, making them natural symbols of communication.
At its core, the Birds card speaks of communication in all its forms. It covers news, messages, phone calls, conversations, discussions, gossip, meetings, negotiations, small gatherings, dates, friendships, and spoken exchange. In modern life, this extends to electronic communication such as texts, emails, television, radio, and the internet, all information that travels through the air. Because of its connection to air, Birds also relates to thoughts and mental activity.
When Birds appears before the Man or Woman card, it can indicate whether that person is already involved in a relationship or engaged with someone else.
Future themes
- Engaging in conversation
- A date or short visit
- Meeting a friend for coffee or tea
- Verbal exchange, spoken or written
- A short outing
- Negotiations
- Meetings, interviews, presentations
Work and career
- Negotiations and mediation
- Talk shows or hosting roles
- Radio broadcasting
- Public relations
- Sales
- Be cautious of rumors
- Meetings, interviews, or negotiations
- Social work
- Speechwriting, counseling, or speech therapy when paired with Letter
- Distractions at work
Love and relationships
- A couple
- Dating and flirting
- Declarations of love
- Receiving awaited calls or messages
- Intimate conversations, shaped by nearby cards
Money
- Money coming and going
- Trade and stock markets
Timing
- Twelve days, twelve weeks, or one year
- December
- The twelfth day of the month, refined by nearby cards
Health, body, and mind
- Throat related issues, tonsils, vocal strain
- All forms of therapy and counseling
Advice and action
- Speak up and express yourself
- Make the call
- Trust your first impression or intuitive feeling
Personality and appearance
- Talkative and expressive
- Talk show host or media personality
- Public relations professional
- Quick instincts and fast reactions
- Enjoys gossip
- Eloquent speaker
- Pilot
- Someone already in a relationship
- Salesperson, negotiator, mediator
- Skilled presenter or host
- Telemarketer
Mental and spiritual themes
- Connecting with guides or higher self
- Spirit communication or séances
- Working with the throat chakra, the chakra of expression
- Wearing or eating blue colored foods
- Speaking up
- Singing or chanting
- Listening to music
- Looking at the sky
- Focusing on the breath
Objects and places
- Phones
- Music players
- Birds
- Speakers
- Bird nests
- Concerts when paired with Garden
- Recording studios or music shops
📱A personal story with the Birds
It took me two days to write this section. During that time, my thoughts kept circling which stories to include. My phone would not stop ringing. Messages kept flashing. My sons constantly interrupted me with questions and conversations. I felt pulled in every direction, between family, friends, and this book. By the end of the second day, I realized that all of this was the Birds card in action. That reminded me of an older meaning of Birds that I had not used in a while: small annoyances that are temporary and easily resolved.
Birds often refers to discussions, siblings, meetings, and pairs. One day, before going to SeaWorld, I quickly drew two cards with no specific question and got Birds and Mountain. My first thought was blocked communication or people not seeing eye to eye. In a crowded park, with children wanting to do different things, keeping everyone together peacefully can be challenging. I reminded myself to stay calm and not let small issues escalate.
Early in the day, minor frustrations appeared, but I handled them with patience. Later, somehow, the five of us got separated. I stayed with my second son, my thirteen year old stayed with his six year old brother, and my husband was alone. At first I remained calm, assuming we could all contact each other. After repeated failed attempts, panic set in. The park was packed, and I could not reach anyone. Someone told me the network was overloaded and phones were not working.
Eventually my husband found us, but the other two boys were still missing. I was especially worried about the younger one. I did not move, fearing I would miss them. I stared at my phone, which was now useless. Birds and Mountain suddenly made perfect sense. No signal. No connection. No calls.
I reached into my bag, pulled a card, and drew Clover. Relief washed over me. I waited patiently, trusting things would work out. Soon enough, my husband found the boys, and we were reunited safely. From that day on, we stopped relying solely on phones and always had backup plans.
🏰The Birds in the Grand Tableau
Traditionally, if Birds appears far from the Man or Woman card, it can indicate a short, unexpected trip. When close, it points to small worries or annoyances that are easy to resolve.
The surrounding cards reveal the tone of communication and relationships. Negative cards turn conversations into gossip or misunderstandings. Positive cards highlight praise, joyful news, pleasant meetings, and welcome messages.
🔗Key combinations and examples
- Birds with Mountain: Announcements of obstacles, flight delays, blocked communication, loss of voice
- Birds with Garden: Receptions, parties, conferences, family reunions, sales meetings, concerts
- Birds with Cross: Bad news, failed negotiations, difficult interviews, days that do not go as planned, prayers or pleading
- Birds with Star: Hopeful news, good updates, shared information, announcements, or status updates on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or email
💡 Once circumstances shift, the outcome and the prediction shift as well.