Totem Tuesday: Horse Medicine

Horse Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“The spirited horse, which will try to win the race of its own accord, will run even faster if encouraged.” -Ovid

Keywords:  Power, Freedom, Service, Assisting Civilization, Compassion, Friendliness, Memory, Clairvoyance, Prophetic Abilities, Luck, Passion, Motivation, Emotions, Vitality, Overcoming Obstacles, Expression, Human Mastery of Natural Forces, Attachment, Restraint, Support, Intellect, Endurance, Work Ethic, Movement, Travel, Exploration, Adventure, Healing, Soul Retrieval

It is said that the Horse was the first animal medicine given to civilization.  We certainly owe a lot to horses and all they have given us.  No one single animal has contributed more to the spread of civilization than the Horse.  Prior to mounting the horse and riding like the wind, humanity’s trek across land was limited.  Horse made our journey to each other swifter and less of a burden.  And though there is one species of horse in Mongolia that is still wild, and some feral horses like the mustangs in North America, most horses alive today are intricately linked to the service and/or companionship they provide for humans.  For this reason, Horse medicine has as much to do with freedom as it does with assisting humanity in our mastery of natural forces.

This totem brings a lesson in power and proper use of that power.  The power of Horse comes from remembering the pathways of the overall journey and harnessing your talents for the good of all.  Horses have excellent memories and will especially remember areas where they have previously been spooked.  

Horses are very clever.  Beyond being proficient at relatively simple learning tasks, they are also recognized as having the capacity to solve advanced cognitive challenges involving categorization learning and a degree of concept formation.  

But even more, these are compassionate and intuitive animals.  They have the ability to sense danger before it is even upon them, they respond to the emotions around them, and they even mourn the loss of loved ones.  They express their emotions with their face and a horse's mood can be determined with the help of their nostrils, eyes and ears.  

People with this totem have a good balance of intellect and emotional awareness.  They care very deeply for others and are always looking to help out a friend or family member.  Sometimes they can be very clairvoyant and are able to predict things before they happen.  Expressing emotions, using your power for good, and seeing beyond what is in plain sight is an integral part of the lessons that Horse can teach us.

Horses are powerful creatures whose medicine often translates to people who are family and service oriented.  These people often become teachers in some respect and have a close relationship with the land in which they live.  Many blue collar trades are often the choice of careers for these people.  They can be workaholics, having a very strong work ethic, but they strive to keep a balance between work and family.  Even if they don’t belong to the blue collar workforce, they are often drawn to 'fixing' things…whether it be machinery, relationships, or people.

Wild horses need the companionship of their herd and every action is done for the good of the tribe.  Even young stallions who are banished from the herd when they reach sexual maturity will band together in the wild.  The same is true for domesticated horses, as they get lonely without companions.  

Horse people tend to focus their care on family and friends, sometimes to the detriment of their usually exceptional health.  An example of this is when a mare will continue to nurse her foal well past the age that they should be weaned and, as a result, her back will bow from the burden.  People with this totem will also do anything within their power to care for their loved ones.  And even though they are exceptionally friendly and helpful, like horses, they want to be treated as equals and prefer to accept and trust others as companions on their own terms.  Horse teaches us that we must also care for ourselves even when there are so many others who would benefit from our care and service.

Sensory awareness is often strong with people who have Horse guiding them.  Horses have a better sense of smell and hearing than we do and can turn their ears in different directions to aid their hearing.  They also have almost 360 degree vision with their only blind spots being directly in front and behind them.  Of all land-dwelling animals, horses have the largest eyes.  People with this totem are often visionaries who are able to see the big picture and predict the best possible path for the most beneficial outcome.

The strength and stamina of the Horse will help you explore ways to pace yourself and keep moving in positive directions.  It can raise your consciousness to new levels and carry you into other dimensions that will enlighten and illuminate your path.  The adventures of traveling these spiritual realms are enhanced by the friendship and loyalty of this totem.  The beat of a shaman’s drum is often related to being carried by Horse on a shamanic journey and Horse is a powerful guide in helping Shamans with their work during soul retrievals.  

Horse people are very spirited, even if they are not spiritual.  Though they may often be surrounded by people who they care for or work with, they come alive when they can set all of that aside to just run free in a wide-open space where natural forces outweigh man-made environments.  They may be tethered to many responsibilities in their lives, but they understand the importance of sometimes breaking loose and having some fun.  A balance between restraint and freedom is inherent within Horse Medicine.  There is always work to be done, but sometimes you just have to let yourself run wild and free to reconnect to your inner power.

If Horse is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Horse will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a horse, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  It may be that you need to allow yourself some space to run free, express your emotions, or figure out the best way to be of service to the people in your life.  You can trust Horse as your guide toward harnessing the power within yourself for the benefit of all.

Totem Tuesday: Bear Medicine

Bear Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“When you are where wild bears live, you learn to pay attention to the rhythm of the land and yourself. Bears not only make the habitat rich, they enrich us just by being.”  ― Linda Jo Hunter, Lonesome for Bears: A Woman's Journey in the Tracks of the Wilderness

Keywords:  Strength, Healing, Dreams, Determination, Leadership, Protection, Courage, Self-confidence, Feminine Power, Warrior Spirit, Shamanism, Introspection, Solitude, Boundaries

Bear has played an important role in many Native traditions.  It is said that the power of Great Spirit lives through the Bear.  In honoring them, two of the most well-known constellations are named after this animal, Ursa Major and her cub Ursa Minor.  Because of their ability to walk short distances on their hind legs, some Native Americans have called them ‘the beast that walks like a man’.  Some tribes even felt Bear was too powerful a medicine and would only hunt them if it meant not starving.  In Siberia, the name used to designate shaman women is the same as the word used for Bear.  This totem is also connected to shamanism and women in Inuit traditions.

As the largest carnivorous/omnivorous land mammal (the record being held by the giant short-faced bear, now extinct for about 12,000 years, which was twice the size of the biggest modern bear), these powerful beasts can live as long as 30 years in the wild if they make it past the first few years.  The Mother Bear is a fierce protector of her young and will even fight off males looking to mate to avoid them killing her cubs.  People with this totem are also nurturing and protective of what is theirs.  They have the courage to stand up to adversity and project an inner strength that inspires respect.  These people usually have a strong link to their mother and/or a deep respect for the role of the mother and her importance in their family as well as others.  This totem teaches the depths of feminine power, whether the person is male or female.

Unlike some animals which are most active during specific times of the day, Bear is up both day and night (unless they are hibernating, of course).  Because of this, they embody both solar energy (power) and lunar energy (intuition).  People with this totem learn to harness and balance both within themselves.

Though not all bears hibernate, most do.  Even those that don’t (such as the Polar Bear) will go for long periods of time without eating, living off the fat they have accumulated during the months when food is abundant and easy to find.  Because of their association with hibernation, the Bear Totem teaches the medicine of introspection and dreams.  People with this totem learn how to go within and find the resources necessary for personal survival.  Their cycle of power is often in the spring and summer.  During the colder months, they may give birth to new ideas or projects that will take root in the spring.  For those with Polar Bear as their totem, however, the winter months may be their time for activity while they reserve their energy when the weather is warm.  

When bears hibernate, they do not defecate.  Their bodies can somehow recycle body waste into protein…a process that scientists still don’t understand.  Being able to live off their own fat for long periods of time and convert even their waste into energy, Bear teaches both endurance through tough times and also the ability to put energy toward things that are useful and guard it from things that might unnecessarily drain them.  

Bear people are often introverts who prefer to take time out in the comfort of their own space after being very active or being around others.  These moments of solitude and introspection provide a necessary recharge before more activity.  Because of this, some people with Bear as their totem may feel like their time is delineated by work and sleep cycles…eating what they can, when they can, to keep themselves going.  

Bear also reminds us to make time to play and practice other useful and enjoyable pursuits.  Bear is a good teacher for empaths, who often find themselves drained by the emotions of others.  Bear can help to protect against energetic imbalances that often manifest in mental, emotional, and physical ways. Bear’s strength is in protection through keeping energetic boundaries guarded.

Bear is smart and an expert at survival.  They have been known to roll rocks into bear traps to set them off and eat the bait after.  They are also very good at climbing, whether it be on trees, mountains, or rough terrain.  

Most bears (though not the Polar Bear, who is carnivorous) love honey and people with this totem are often drawn to people with Bee totems.  Honey indicates a taste for the sweetness of life, and Bear people know where to find it.  Many bears are good at digging…often for their food.  This represents the ability to dig for knowledge and truth in people who have this totem.  

Elders often teach the young bears the most efficient methods of survival…from the Mother teaching her cubs the best ways to find and acquire food to the males sparring against each other in preparation for the battles that ensue during mating season.  Bear people are great teachers, and also students.  They often prefer to learn by observing and doing, rather than listening to an explanation.  They would much rather be hands-on.

Unlike many mammals, bears can see in color.  They see almost as well as humans and can hear a little better.  However, their sense of smell is around 100 times greater than a human’s.  Polar Bears, for example, can track down an odor from 20 miles away and smell a dead seal through 3 feet of solid ice.  People with this totem may find they have a strong sense of smell.  Even figuratively, they may often sniff out situations to determine if it ‘smells’ right.  In keeping with their keen powers of detection, a group of bears is called a 'sleuth'. 

All bears are good swimmers, though the polar bear is the most efficient.  It can swim up to 6 mph for 100 miles, though one has been recorded to swim 200 miles without stopping.  Because of their association with being able to transition between land and water, Bear medicine awakens the power of the unconscious and teaches how to navigate between realms.  This is another connection with the shaman, who learns to navigate between ordinary and non-ordinary reality.

If Bear is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Bear will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a bear, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  It may be that you need to take some time out to recharge, or to look within to find the solution to something, or even that your own healing abilities are awakening to encourage you to step into the role of healer.  Whatever it may be, communication with this totem is often linked to dreams and the shamanic state of consciousness, so a shamanic journey or a deep sleep may unlock the power of this medicine.

Totem Tuesday: Owl Medicine

Owl Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“A Wise Old Owl sat on an Oak.  The more he saw, the less he spoke.  The less he spoke, the more he heard. Why aren’t we like that wise old bird?” –Author Unknown

Keywords:  Wisdom, Prophecy, Intuition, Vision, Discernment, Silence, Solitude, Secrets, Enlightenment, Death/Transformation, Feminine Power, Vigilance, Dreams, Stealth, Observation, Insight, Guidance, Patience, Adaptability, Occult Knowledge

Of all my personal totems, Owl has been the most prevalent throughout the years when I have needed guidance through dark times.  Owl is my ‘left’ totem, which connects me to feminine power.  From this medicine, I have learned to navigate the dark and use what I have learned to help others do the same.

With the ability to turn their heads around 270 degrees and even upside down, and their field of vision being about 110 degrees, Owls have a unique ability to see the world from many angles.  Their eyes are perhaps their most distinguishing feature and are protected by three sets of eyelids…the upper one for blinking, the lower one for sleeping, and one that closes from the inside out to keep the eyes clean.  

People with this totem have powerful insight and the ability to see more than most.  Just as an owl sees very well in the darkness, owl people have the ability to look into the depths of a soul and see them more clearly than that person may see themselves.  Much of their wisdom comes from this type of penetrating vision.  Because of this they are often able to see what has yet to reveal itself.  There is usually no hiding a secret from an Owl person because of their keen powers of observation and intuition.  They can detect subtleties in voices and mannerisms and hear what is not being spoken or what is being hidden.

The owl stomach is in two parts to help them digest food.  What they can’t digest is formed into pellets that they regurgitate.  People with Owl as their totem often take in information this way as well.  They have the ability to extract the truth from information and discard the rest with great skill and discernment.  They are also aware of what is not useful to them and go through periods of purging those things in order to move on.  Some cultures believe the Owl to be an omen of death…but Owl people know that death is a transformation, one in which the bones are discarded (as they are in owl pellets) but the energy of that life transfers to new life and lives on.

Female owls are about 25% larger than the males, which is uncommon with birds.  Because of this, they are associated with feminine power.  Their association with the moon and with the night also alludes to feminine mysteries and occult knowledge. 

An Owl person often gives the appearance of being wise beyond their years…and while they often act as guides and teachers in some way, they tend to do more listening than talking.  They know that silence often holds more information than words, and often appear quite stoic and a bit guarded.  

Owl is a silent predator.  Their large wings, made up of five different types of feathers, not only serve to protect them and allow them to feel their surroundings…but also allow them to fly without making a sound.  Owl people tend to go after what they want in a quiet, imperceptible manner.  Unless opposite animal energies are also dominant, they don’t usually call attention to themselves and often prefer to blend into their surroundings and work behind the scenes of things.

Owls are versatile and adaptable creatures.  Because of this, they can be found anywhere (except Antarctica) and in a variety of habitats…from forests, prairies, or tundra to man-made structures like barns and churches.  Most owls don’t migrate.  As long as they have food and shelter, they will stay in their home location.  

The same can be true for those with this totem.  They can live anywhere and adapt well to their surroundings…often preferring to stay in one location and get to know it well rather than moving to new places often.   Though if they do move to a new home, they can easily adapt.  Many owl people might be considered homebodies, and tend to prefer staying up late (even proudly calling themselves a 'Night Owl').

Owls are also very solitary animals.  They are content to be alone and often work better this way.  However, many species of Owl will mate for life, and both are fiercely protective of their offspring.  Though people with this totem may need plenty of alone time, they are very loyal to their partners and care deeply for their children.

If Owl is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Owl will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see an owl, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  Accept and appreciate the wisdom the owl gives you.  It may be that you need to face your fears, rid yourself of something that no longer serves you, or take time out to enjoy some quiet time alone.  Either way, Owl is a patient guide…and while it may take time to impart all of its wisdom, it is likely to be persistent.

Totem Tuesday: Dog Medicine

Dog Medicine

By Felina Lune Kavi

“The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.”  -Andrew A. Rooney

Keywords:  loyalty, friendliness, protection, service, guidance, helpfulness, unconditional love, compassion, worry

Of all the qualities associated with the Dog, loyalty is perhaps their most well known trait.  In fact, most dogs won’t even hold a grudge after being scolded or mistreated (the same can’t usually be said for cats, of course).  Their love for those who take care of them is unconditional, and they are always quick to return the favor by offering their companionship, protection, and service.  

The same is true for those who have Dog as their totem animal.  They are selfless servers of humanity, loving and friendly companions, and fierce protectors of their families.  They may find themselves being loyal to the wrong kind of companions at times in their lives…trying hard to make things work, making excuses for why someone might mistreat them…but in the right relationship, people with Dog as their totem animal will be friends for life.

Dogs are very social creatures and often don’t like to be alone.  They are inherently communicative, expressive and demonstrative…even when silent.  They have a need to get out and about and see the world, using all of their senses to discover what’s going on around them.  

People with this totem are very easy to read and easy to get along with.  They wear their hearts on their sleeve and are an open book to anyone who seems interesting or interested.  They love to talk, go out and have fun with others and are playful and friendly companions who are often good with children.  They are quick to help anyone in need without any expectation of something in return.  Always wanting to sniff out the truth, they may get a bit ‘nosy’ at times…but it is usually just because they care about people and want to know more about them.

Dog people, much like dogs, have a tendency to worry to the point of getting worked up over things and stressing themselves out, often making matters worse.  A dog may show this by chewing up the furniture while its owner is away at work…while a person with Dog as their totem may show this by having a panic attack about their kid’s first day of school, for example. 

Dogs are compassionate animals who tend to put others first before themselves.  They have long served as protectors of a tribe or family, or as guides for the blind.  Helping others and serving humanity in some way is part of their medicine.  People with this totem often choose a profession along these lines.

If Dog is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Dog will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a dog, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  Accept and appreciate the guidance Dog gives you, whether it is in the form of unconditional love or excited barks to greet you along your walk.  Dog may be encouraging you to be more social or to practice being a helpful friend to yourself as well as others.

Full Moon Eclipse in Libra: Interwoven Cycles of Life

Interwoven Cycles of Life

4-4-2015

Lunar Eclipse @ 7:00am CDT

Full Moon @ 7:05am CDT

This Full Seed Moon was a powerful one with strong influences bringing those things we started during the Equinox Eclipse to a point of manifestation.  So, though I had to write this a couple days later so I could take some sick days, since it’s an eclipse…the energies are present for another half-year before the next one.

All Full Moons bring up matters dealing with relationships of all kinds, but particularly those that are nearest and dearest.  Libra, being the sign that has an emphasis on relationships, is where the Moon (representing emotions, habits, patterns, and the past) was focused over the weekend.  What we are seeing now is how those seeds we planted a couple weeks ago are affecting (positively or negatively) those relationships in our lives.

While I don’t use astrology to try to definitively predict events, this one feels a bit ominous on a global scale (especially for the Middle East, where the major alignments of the past few years seem to have a lot of focused energy) because of the proximity of the luminaries to the slowly separating, but still in effect, Uranus-Pluto square as well as some alignments with fixed stars that may exacerbate some already established problems.  However, when we focus locally and individually…the harsher aspects can often be worked through to bring about some positive action.  Also, Jupiter is casting a positive light on things…so while on a bigger scale, it may make issues expand and get worse…on a smaller scale, we have more ability to focus that energy of growth and expansion on things that are positive rather than negative.  The energies are there, for better or for worse…it’s just all in where you focus them.  That’s how I use astrology.

Moon in the 15^th degree of Libra:  Circular Paths

This symbol has a lot to do with establishing steady rhythms with yourself and others, daily routines, healthy social circles and activities.  Each of us has a bare minimum of a natural daily cycle we have to do…get up, eat and use the bathroom a few times a day, do a few things, and go to sleep again.  It’s the ‘do a few things’ that may need some work in these next few months.  Some of us have a few other imperatives such as taking care of the kids or animals or going to work.  But, the rest of the time, what activities have priority?  What really needs to happen to make our lives better in those in-between times?  Those are the parts of our cycles we may be looking to revamp as we go along.  For most, this means ditching those things that are wasting our time and filling it up with things that are more useful to ourselves and others.  As the warmer months are now right in front of us, we know our schedule, too, will pick up in many ways…whether we are doing more social things, more outdoor activity, gardening, etc.  So now is the time to get things in order so that we have time for the things we want to do.

For many, the start of this eclipse cycle may have forced a break in an already established cycle in order to get you to have a rest period before the next begins.  This may have meant that you got sick (before, during, or after the Full Moon) and couldn’t keep up with everything for a little while, needing to have some time for recovery, as it was in my case.  Whatever it was that jostled the routine up a bit, even if it was just a general boredom with the previous monotony that focused you on what you can do to liven things up some…now we get back on the path and find ways to make our journey more fulfilling.

Sun in the 15^th degree of Aries:  A Native American Weaving a Ceremonial Blanket

This is a symbol of projecting the realization of wholeness and fulfillment into everyday living by living in harmony with the universe and disregarding artificial values.  The ceremonial blanket in this symbol refers not only to something that has spiritual energy woven into it, thus bringing spirit into matter, but also it tells a story of existence.  Each of us is weaving our own stories every day; this is our ultimate conscious task.  Such an act holds the potential for self-realization as well as realizing how and why our own lives are so integral and interwoven into others’ lives as well.

The circular paths mentioned previously are the daily weavings we do, while this symbol refers to the big picture.  If we weave boring and unimaginative patterns into the blanket each day…the final product will reflect that.  But if we put some life into it and some areas of interest and color and intention…the result will not only be a masterpiece, but it will also hold those higher vibrations within its threads and become more than just a ‘blanket’.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi