Inauguration comes from the word “augur.” Augurs were priests in ancient Rome who were consulted when any important decision had to be made–like going to war, signing a peace treaty, etc. And how did augurs get their magic powers? By looking skyward!! They studied the flight patterns of birds.

In a way, I guess, that makes all of us birders augurs, or potential augurs of the future.

I like this take from the website of the United Church of Two Harbors (Minnesota):

“As we inaugurate a new leader I think it’s important to look skyward.

And if we did look skyward, what signs would we see?
• Migration patterns altered by climate change.
• Bird species going extinct at the rate of 10 a year.
• Air pollution, noise pollution, water pollution, and ground pollution all heavily impacting avian life.
• Natural habitats and nesting grounds being destroyed.

What signs, indeed?”

So there you have it. Here’s another take.

P.S. - Thanks to Paul B. for passing this along….