Dakota,
Very interesting. I went and read your Redtail posting and am surprised about something. I am not sure why I did this, but I left out of my post something that I wrote in my journal for my dream. When the red bird curled up in my hand, it did so like a cat would. I see that I did use the words 'curled up' here in this forum but left the cat part out of it. I also find it interesting that I also have a black cat in real life.

And, you actually kept your bird, albeit sans soul, while I readily let mine go it seems. I hope mine returns.
In the days following my dream and posting here several things have occurred. The marked selloff of the financial markets almost has me believing that I should have sold everything and moved into cash on the morning after my dream. That would have saved me quite a few dollars in my retirement accounts. But, the way I look at it is, I could also subsequently invest in something else that loses me any savings I might garner by selling now. And, I am not getting my usual gut feeling about the markets now in spite of all the negative hype. And, I am not managing to make any connections whatsoever between the red bird and financial markets (other than 'being in the red').
I found one mention on the internet of bird and red in dreams equating to everything is going to be OK. I also found mention that in Hindu interpretations red is just plain bad to dream about since it is only when we are cut or something that red gushes out. Personally I do not see that as being a very modern interpretation since these days we can heal most wounds with the proper care.
The one coincidental thing that has happened to me is that I cut my left hand right in the center of my palm,right on my fate line, a day after the dream. So, all I can do at this point is to interpret the dream in a very literal sense and make sure this cut does not get infected and take on a life of its own.
I like your assertion that meditation might be a pathway to get further information about my dream. Actually, visualization (Alla Shakti Gawain) is something that I am struggling with and working on at the moment. When they say you should 'visualize' what you want or how something should be, I do not get an actual image in my mind. When folks say to 'put your attention in your midsection or on your breathing', I have a hard time with that. I am not getting the feedback I feel that I need to know that I am doing it correctly and am improving. That is why I was very excited about seeing the bright red of the bird in my dream. It is my only recollection ever of actually seeing color in my dreams. This is why I say that I feel like I have reached some level of sorts. Because, I have been trying to 'visualize' better during mindfulness meditation.
Other than that, I am lost as to the meaning of my dream. However, when I am out in the world now, every red thing I encounter gets my immediate attention. A very strange side effect.
Thank you for the blessings and right back at ya
