Recently, I was blessed with my first opportunity to hold a tiny wren. The Celts associate wrens with creatives including writers, poets, artists and musicians. This brought a smile to my face as my attention was drawn to the wren outside my patio window just as I was finishing a submission of a book proposal for a client who availed of my freelance editorial business providing substantive editing, writing, ghostwriting, proofreading and typesetting.
The word ‘wren’ comes from the Old English word ‘wanna’ meaning ‘little bird’. The Celts regarded the wren as a mystical bird and a symbol of a quick mind, agility, mischievousness, vibrance, determination and friendliness. Legend has it that the wren – despite its small size – outwitted the other larger birds in a challenge to be crowned ‘the king of all the birds’.
The wren symbolises rebirth, spring, protection and immortality. My contribution to my client’s book has rebirthed it into a new and improved version. I also gave the wren a second chance at life since my dog was chasing it in the garden and seemed determined to swallow it. When I noticed the commotion through the window, I ran as fast as I could, armed with a tea towel to swoosh my dog’s jaws away from the panic-stricken wren.
After the rescue, I cradled the wren in my palm, convinced that its bent leg was broken. I stroked its feathers and kissed its crown. To my amazement and delight it unfurled its bent leg. I carried it back out to the garden and encouraged it to fly away, hoping it was able to. The trees welcomed it home (the same direction – maybe the same tree – as when I sent on its way a robin that stayed awhile on my heart some months ago).
When I sent the completed work to my client, who knew nothing about the wren’s visit, she said she felt that her book – which she was now calling ‘our book’ – was ‘now ready to go on the wings of a prayer’. The wren was the physical representation of her prayer. Since ancient times, birds have been looked upon as the messengers of heaven, as bridges between heaven and Earth. I love the synchronicities that nature supplies. The other synchronicity was that several hours before the wren’s visit I had bought an ornament that looks like it is decorated with wrens.
Wrens are determined to change the world with their bright song. My client is determined to change the world with her book’s bright message of hope.
Wrens are motivated, persistent, busy and enthusiastic, which are all the qualities I use to complete book projects. If you have a book project that you’d like help with instead of winging it, then send me an email or give me a call to discuss your needs.