The Great Eagle – Totem of Higher Vision, Strength, and Resilience
Dr. Stacey Lamar is a seasoned nurse practitioner and healer. Author of Starseed, published in 2021, she developed The Forgiveness Factor, steps to complete self-healing and return to one's authentic self, mission, and purpose.
2026 brings the Year of the Fire Horse as we shed 2025, the Year of the Snake. As one year transitions into the next, it is a time to let go and welcome new beginnings. During my end-of-year reflection, I saw a sign from the universe while driving down a local highway, something I'd never witnessed here before. This experience renewed my spirit and stirred a genuine, childlike excitement. The vision assured me: "You are okay. All is okay." Then, a grand bald eagle soared over my car, majestic and strong. The moment took my breath away. That morning, I had asked for a sign, and here it was: the great eagle, a meaningful messenger between worlds.
Across many Native American nations, the eagle is revered. As the bird of flight that travels closest to the sun, it is believed to carry our dreams to the Great Creator, returning to earth with our answered prayers and guidance from above.[1] The eagle also demonstrates clarity through its keen vision and strength, soaring to great heights.
As a spiritual messenger, the great eagle represents the following:
Vision. Its keen sight reminds us to look beyond the surface and see deeper within, beyond what is presented.
Strength. Amid strong winds, the eagle uses their power to soar higher, teaching us inner resolve and determination.
Rebirth. As the eagle sheds feathers and molts, it reminds us to release old patterns without fear, trusting we will grow anew.
Balance. As a mediator between earth and sky, the eagle embodies poise and duality between the seen and unseen.
In trauma healing, connecting with the great eagle’s message can be therapeutic. Trauma often silences survivors or fractures their trust in their own truth. The Lakota saw the eagle as a totem of strength in speaking truth. The eagle brings sacred energy, dissolving rebellion or shame. Survival deserves honor. This corrects trauma-based self-blame. Walking with the eagle totem is empowering.
In Ojibwe teachings, the eagle (Migizi) symbolizes vision, leadership, and responsibility. Edward Benton-Banai writes that Migizi flies nearest the Creator and perceives the clearest truth. In addition, eagle medicine represents clear thinking, justice, and acting with integrity for the people.[2]
Merging spiritual beliefs with trauma healing gives survivors a chance to reframe threats and return to clarity. Self-worth, safety, and choices realign, metaphorically implied by mastering the great eagle. The eagle’s vision models trauma integration: seeing the whole story without being consumed by it.
Sharing the eagle as a symbol of healing is done with great humility. As noted above, the eagle embodies grandeur and has a wide body of interpretation. It is a sacred symbol adopted in ritual, law, and culture. To witness an eagle in flight is a reminder of the oneness of all.
Healing from trauma can be challenging, but support can make the process feel less overwhelming. If you find self-care difficult right now, please consider reaching out to a trusted professional. For information or support in your healing journey, Dr. Stacey Lamar is available via her studio or thesourceny8@gmail.com.
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Dr. Stacey Lamar, Nurse Practitioner & Healer
Dr. Stacey Lamar is an experienced women's health provider who has risen from the ashes of childhood trauma and abuse in many forms to become a leader in assisting others to heal and return to their personal power. She is an author and successful business entrepreneur. Her healing strategy assists in the realignment of oneself to the origins of one's mission and purpose and the strengthening of body-mind-spirit to the collective consciousness.
Reference:
[1] Brown, J. E. (1953). The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (Lakota). University of Oklahoma Press.
[2] Benton-Banai, E. (Ojibwe). (1988). The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway. Indian Country Communications.
