Totem Tuesday: Turtle/Tortoise Medicine

Turtle/Tortoise Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“Try to be like the turtle—at ease in your own shell.” – Bill Copeland

Keywords:  Mother Earth Energy, Ancient Wisdom, Healing, Protection, Psychic Shielding, Grounding, Stability, Dependability, Practical Expression of Creativity, Productivity, Steady Effort, Cautiousness, Deliberateness, Patience, Planning, Determination, Stubbornness, Self-Reliance, Completion, Peace, Luck, Longevity, Endurance, Opportunism, Adaptability, Listening, Non-violent Defense, Emotional Strength, Long Cycles of Transformation, Balance, Sacred Breath, Grace Under Pressure, Navigation, Going Within, Connection with the Center, Doorways to New Dimensions

In Native American folklore, North America is referred to as ‘Turtle Island’.  Turtle is said to have carried the weight of this land on her back and is known as the Peace-Maker.  In Hindu and Chinese cultures, Turtle is also known as carrying Mother Earth and holding the world in balance.  Those with this totem have a strong connection to the Earth as well as to water.  They carry a sense of ‘home’ with them wherever they go and appreciate our planet and all life upon it.  They have a strong connection to their own center and learn from Turtle to live in balance with our planet, giving as much back as we receive.  They try to strive for harmony with all things and try to keep the peace in their relationships.

Turtle is a shore creature, living between land and water.  As shore areas are associated with doorways to other dimensions and realms, Turtle helps us to navigate between worlds.  The females of the aquatic varieties journey out of the water to bury their eggs in the sand, which is symbolic of creative ideas being brought from the collective unconscious and being ‘planted’ in the conscious realm to manifest in a deliberate and practical manner.  Turtles lay many eggs, with only a few surviving the first trek through the sand and into the water.  

People with this totem may feel ‘pregnant’ with multiple creative ideas…but with the wisdom to discern the best survivors and bring one or two of them to completion at a time.  In this way, they become very productive people…seeing many projects to completion throughout their lifetimes with the ability to apply patient focus at a steady pace. Just as baby turtles rely on themselves immediately after hatching, Turtle teaches self-reliance and emotional strength to endure the struggles of the journeys ahead of us.  People with this totem learn to be their own protectors, as well as to rely on Mother Earth to provide for them what they need outside of themselves.

Because of their long life expectancy and their slow metabolism, turtles are associated with longevity and ancient wisdom.  Turtles and Tortoises are very slow animals on land (though aquatic turtles, with their webbed feet or flippers, and more stream-lined shells, are faster and more agile in water).  Those with Turtle as a totem are usually healthy, live long lives, and work through things slowly and methodically.  They inherently understand that they have all the time in the world and don’t need to rush through life to make the most of it.  

Turtle medicine teaches new perceptions about time and our relationship to it.  People with this totem learn not to push things, though they are determined to see things through to completion and develop the patience to go the long haul with their endeavors.  Though they are peaceful people, they can be quite stubborn, and they may also give a ‘warning snap’ when pushed too far.

When turtles molt, they only slough off a little bit of skin at a time.  Their process of transformation, both in the evolutionary sense as well as individually, is very slow.  The first known turtles lived around 220 million years ago and their shell, which has remained a remarkably stable body plan, is thought to have evolved from bony extensions of their backbones and broad ribs that expanded and grew together to completion…offering protection throughout every stage of its evolution, even when the shell was not complete.  Because of their evolution, turtles are also symbols of endurance and stability.  In Feng Shui, turtles and tortoises are often used as symbols in the career/journey sector of the home as well as in the prosperity sector to encourage steady growth in both areas of the lives of the inhabitants.

Turtles breathe less often than humans and eat and drink very little in comparison.  Teachers of Qi-Gong breathing techniques use the turtle as a symbol to teach their students the sacredness of breath. Even in kung-fu stories, heroes escape danger using ‘turtle breathing’ to play dead.  Turtles do not take more than they need, and they teach us to appreciate all life has to offer…stopping to ‘smell the roses’ from time to time and understanding that the race is already won.  Slow and steady finds the clearest path…directing us toward our goal with planning and determination.

Turtles have excellent hearing, and teach clairaudience and how to listen well to those around us.  People with this totem are also good listeners and are the type of people that others seek out when they need someone they can trust to confide in and listen to them.  Because of their ability to really listen to what others want to say to them, they also tend to have the ability to hear what is not being said at the same time.  They can detect subtleties of the voice that can clue them in on who people really are.  Sometimes they may learn more about a person than that person knows about themselves. 

When feeling threatened or uncomfortable in their surroundings, Turtle will withdraw into its shell.  Their medicine offers a similar protection from some of the harshness of the outside world and people with this totem often have a rich inner life in which they make time to withdraw and recharge. Often, they need to take this time to develop ideas, coming out of their shell again when those ideas are ready to be expressed and manifested.  

Also, if a turtle is flipped onto its back, it can flip upright again by using its strong neck and head to right itself.  Those with this totem learn to use their head and knowledge to right themselves when they are feeling like their world is turned upside down. 

Turtle medicine teaches the necessity of grounding yourself and being one with the earth.  Through planning, steady effort, and patience, those with this totem can be very productive in achieving goals throughout their lives.  They are also very adaptable people in many types of surroundings and they are skilled at waiting for the best opportunities to arise before taking action.  Turtle medicine helps to navigate the world with deliberate and cautious steps, always directing us toward peace and prosperity.

Turtle reminds us that all that we need is in Mother Earth.  She will care for us, protect us, and nurture us as long as we do the same for her.  To do this, we must slow down and appreciate all that we have been given on this planet while taking measured steps to ensure that we are giving back.  Turtle urges us to realize that we are all connected.  Just as it cannot separate from its shell, neither can we live separately from the Earth or what we do to her.  Turtle shares the wisdom that how we treat our planet is how we treat ourselves…so we must take care of her as she takes care of us.

If Turtle is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Turtle will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a turtle, 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.  With the wisdom Turtle brings, you may want to ask yourself if things are getting too hectic and you need to slow your pace and breathe.  It could be that you need to ground yourself or go within to come up with new ideas and solutions.  Turtle is a patient creature teacher.  Its medicine, when applied over long periods of time, gives us the ability to make our dreams come true through steady effort and always walk the peaceful path, honoring the life within all things.

Totem Tuesday: Spider Medicine

Spider Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.” –Ethiopian Proverb

Keywords: Creativity, Receptivity, Patience, Storyteller Archetype, Shadow Self, Integration, Perspective, Adaptability, Feminine Wisdom, Intricacy, Patterns, Weaving, Engineering, Illusion, Entanglements

Of all our creature teachers, Spider connects with the most fear and aversion from humans.  Even as it is a personal totem for me (my above totem), and I respect it as an amazing creature, there is still a part of me that is that little girl calling for her dad when she sees a spider.  To my surprise, while picking cherries in my parents’ backyard on Father’s Day, my dad admitted that if he had a phobia it would be being in a room full of spiders.  IF he HAD one, that is…because I think he’d still like to be considered fearless.  But it made me realize that even while he was the one his wife and kids would call to swoop in and ‘save the day’ when we would see a spider, he was, in a way, facing his own shadow fears at the same time.

There are some totems that serve as shadow totems, and they represent those parts of ourselves that we repress or deny.  Though one of the most common shadow totems is Spider, for some people it is snakes, wasps, bats, etc.  Or, sometimes the shadow totem is an animal that we have had a traumatic experience with in our past…such as being bit by a dog or, in my case, attacked by a rooster.  With a shadow totem, the medicine of that totem is inherent in us, but we have a much harder time embracing it and utilizing it to our best advantage.  The Shadow Spider is there to teach us how to conquer our own fears and accept those parts of ourselves that we might rather eliminate than openly allow others to see.

Like many things that illicit fear from humans, Spider represents feminine wisdom.  As is the trend in a patriarchal society, the wisdom of the Feminine Mysteries is often repressed and we are taught to fear it or discount it in some way…much like the way we have been taught as a society, over time, to fear witches.  But spider is a very useful creature to have around us as it preys upon many of the insects that are not as beneficial to have around us. 

Spider Medicine has a lot to do with the creative skill they use to weave their intricate webs, the receptivity to any changes in their environment, and the patience they employ in catching their prey.  A spider’s web is a symbol of the balance between being delicate and being strong, and it is also a symbol of the story of creation and fate…weaving past, present and future events together with deliberate links and the ability to quickly adapt the ‘story’ to sudden changes.  Spider provides the wisdom to see from different perspectives the many possibilities our lives hold, and how certain patterns of behavior might get us tangled up in illusions. 

In India, Spider is associated with Maya, the Weaver of Illusions.  Spider is Grandmother, however, to the Native Americans and is in many of their creation stories as the weaver of the threads of life.  Or, to the Lakota, Spider is a trickster and shapeshifter who teaches, through our trial and error, the best way to walk along our journey.  Spider Medicine inspires us to weave our dreams into our own destiny and use our creativity to come up with solutions to our problems.  Spider’s Medicine also gives us the ability to see the patterns of good and bad fortune that entangle us in illusions so that we realize we can change our own fate.  Essentially, you can choose to be like the spider, or you can choose to be like the prey caught in her web.

Spider holds the archetypal energy of the Engineer, the Storyteller, and the Creatrix.  Depending upon the type of spider, other archetypal energies may color your medicine with specific gifts (such as the Weaver energy of the orb-weavers, the Caretaker energy of the Wolf Spider, the Networker of the more social spiders, or the Writer energy for those that scribble their stabilimentum across their web like the Garden Spider).

Spider also holds the energy of the number 8 as its body is in the shape of an 8, it has 8 legs, it has up to 8 eyes, and it has up to 8 spinnerettes.  In numerology, the number 8 is on the soul plane and represents wisdom and prosperity.  The shape of the number represents an infinite balance of giving and receiving.  As with the spider in the house who receives shelter and warmth while ridding the house of pests…Spider aims to live in a balance of reciprocity with its environment, and teaches us the wisdom of giving as equally as we receive.

If Spider is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Spider will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a spider, 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.  Spider may be contacting you to show how patience is key in trying to manifest something in your life, and reminding you to take action when opportunities arise.  Or perhaps you are getting too close to a situation of entanglement and must retrace a few steps and take an alternative route.  For many, Spider appears to face us with our fears, reminding us to embrace our shadow self.  However Spider chooses to share its medicine, it is an intricate web of wisdom that connects us to all things.

Totem Tuesday: Deer Medicine

Deer Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“A wounded deer leaps the highest.” –Emily Dickinson

Keywords:  Pathfinder, Gentleness, Purity of Purpose, Humility, Sensitivity, Intuition, Grace, Determination, Sure-footedness, Alertness, Focus, Swift Action, Vigilance, Innocence, Inner Child, Regeneration, Cautiousness, Silence, Peace, Kindness, Listening, Gratitude, Giving, Sacrifice, Independence, Protection, Survival, Unconditional Love, Clairvoyance, Clairaudience

Though there are many types of deer, and the behavior of deer is much different depending on the gender, Deer medicine teaches the lessons of sacrificing for the greater good, sure-footedness along your path, the necessity of being alert and aware of danger or obstacles along your path, and taking swift action when a change is needed.  

Deer Medicine holds the energy of the Pathfinder Archetype.  In the Celtic tradition, Deer is connected to Elen (the Reindeer Goddess of Sacred Pathways) and Cernunnos (the Horned God of Fertility and Wild Animals).  Both are depicted with antlers (reindeer are the only female deer to grow antlers), representing the power of regeneration and renewal as well as fertility.  The antlers are also symbolic of antennae that connect to higher energies.  Deer is the original pathfinder of the ley lines on land, or the magical grid of pathways throughout the land that link sacred sites, and guide those with this totem along the straight-and-narrow paths that…while not always the easiest ways…illuminate the soul’s journey.

Those with this totem are very sensitive and intuitive, and often have latent clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities that Deer gently nudges them to cultivate…sending subtle signals and moments of heightened sensory awareness as lessons in honing their skills.  Though Deer have been hunted by man and other predators since ancient times, their energy links the hunter with the hunted.  Both the Celtic and Native American hunters prayed to Deer to give them a good hunt, and in return they promised to take no more than was essential for the survival of the tribe.  

The power of gratitude in the reciprocal cycle of giving and receiving is a large part of this medicine, and Deer teaches the balance between pride and humility with its power and grace.  Those with this totem learn to reflect this message with kindness and, often, self-sacrifice to those that cross their path. 

Deer are a uniparental species where the doe (also called a hind or cow) cares for the fawn (or calf), while the stag (also called the hart, buck or bull) is mainly present only during mating season.  In the first 20 minutes of a fawn’s life, it begins to take its first steps.  Its mother licks it clean until it is almost free of scent, so predators will not find it. For the first week of its life, the fawn lies hidden while the doe grazes for food.  Later, the fawn is strong enough to join her and the doe is tenderly protective of the fawn…using her heightened senses to be cautious of any changes along the path and keeping them from danger.  

Fawns stay with their mother for about a year.  The males leave and often form bachelor herds while females often return with their own fawns to form small herds.  Females with this totem are also very protective of their children and extra cautious about others where their child is concerned.  They teach their children early on about the dangers they may encounter away from the safety of home and often take on the role of the primary guide for their children throughout their early years.  Males with this totem have an independent streak and will learn, even from their mother’s over-protectiveness, to survive on their own and forge new paths for their future.  Even still, there is always a strong bond to the mother with those who have this totem as she was their first and ever-attentive teacher.

The Fawn represents innocence, purity of purpose, and a connection to the Inner Child. The Doe represents unconditional love, peace, subtlety, grace, and gentleness.  And the Stag represents power, fertility, and independence.  The whole of Deer Medicine, though, is about protection, determination, focus, vigilance, and swift action.  Gentleness and kindness in word, thought, and touch is integral to the proper use of this medicine.  People with this totem are great listeners and give sage advice about alternative paths to a goal when their loved ones feel stuck.  Their hearts are open to all, especially the wounded or endangered, and they feel very strongly that respect for all living creatures is important to living in a peaceful, balanced world. 

If Deer is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Deer will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a deer, 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.  Deer may be awakening us to our soul path or teaching us the power of gratitude.  It may be that Deer is showing us how to gently nudge others in the right direction rather than pushing them to change.  Whatever the lesson Deer means to teach us, it always urges us to love and accept ourselves and others as we are and to let go of negative emotions.  Deer guides us in this way to leap into new adventures with a gentle and loving approach.

Totem Tuesday: Dolphin Medicine

Dolphin Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“Man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much—the wheel, New York, wars and so on—whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time.  But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man—for precisely the same reasons.” –Douglas Adams

Keywords:  Playfulness, Spontaneity, Spiritual Enlightenment, Prana (Sacred Breath), Sound, Articulation, Sociability, Intelligence, Self-Awareness, Change, Revitalization, Limitlessness, Dreams, Intuition, Altruism, Compassion, Salvation, Unconditional Love, Trust, Peace, Harmony, Inner Child, Natural Rhythms, Reception, Emotional and Psychic Sensitivity, Detachment, Progress, Soul Communication, Healing

Dolphin is a very intelligent animal that dwells simultaneously within two realms:  Water (emotions) and Air (intellect).  Not only are they one of the smartest animals, but they also have compassion for other beings.  They are especially drawn to children, and awaken a sense of playfulness and spontaneity that speaks to the Inner Child within us all.  They are known for helping those in need and being very receptive to those specific needs.

In one recent story, a local dolphin named Moko saved two beached Pygmy Sperm Whales in New Zealand.  The whales had been stranded for hours when Moko showed up and led them through the sand bars to safety.  There have also been many accounts of pods of dolphins circling people shipwrecked in shark-infested waters, leading them to shore.  

Dolphins’ compassion and receptivity to children, especially those with special needs, has proven beneficial as a type of therapy for children with autism or mental/physical challenges.  Dolphins are innate healers, not only caring for the sick or injured among their own pods, but also for those of other species.  

In these therapeutic interactions, the dolphins react instinctively to children immediately after they enter the water with them.  They swarm to them in a nurturing impulse, especially when the children are challenged.  Studies show them drawn to those children with special needs more than others.  They blast them with sonar, reading from the information that travels back to them that the child has special needs, and they are very gentle with these children.  Autistic children blossom after their interactions with these creatures.  Studies with terminally ill children receiving Dolphin Therapy have shown the Dolphins blasting cancerous cells, glands or tumors with sonar.  These children appear to receive a deep soul healing and are often more at peace with their own eventual transition as a result. 

Dolphin medicine is powerful because it comes from a place of unconditional love.  People with this totem are often drawn to helping and healing others, particularly those who need it most.  They have the Soul of a Healer, and are often drawn to careers that provide healing assistance to others in need.  Like the Dolphin, they understand that love is one of the strongest forces in the universe; its energy capable of transcending all barriers.  

Their unconditional love of all is inherent, though sometimes lost in the lessons of adulthood.  But it is ultimately rediscovered to direct their soul to where their medicine is most useful.  Dolphin awakens the ‘Christ Consciousness’ or the ‘Divine Within’, yet those with this totem will encounter many situations in their lives that will challenge this ability to give unconditional love.  These lessons are to hone and perfect this ability, not to weaken it.  Though some may become lost and mistrusting of others as a result of these challenges…not recognizing them as opportunities for growth. 

One of these lessons must test their ability to learn the distinction between compassion that can genuinely assist another, and taking on another’s pain for them.  Those with this totem are so drawn to helping others who are underprivileged or otherwise in need, true champions of the underdog, that they are often drawn to those with issues (such as drug or alcohol dependency or other debilitating conditions)…believing that they can heal that wounded soul, sometimes to their own detriment.  

They often experience a sort of ‘Christ Complex’ because of their draw toward taking the burden of pain from others to save them from themselves.  They go through these lessons to learn that they must not take another’s lessons from them.  Therein lies the greatest challenge for those with a Dolphin totem.  A certain amount of detachment is necessary for the best use of this medicine, otherwise the emotional pain of these experiences can weaken their innate abilities to heal from a place of love.  This is the nature of the dolphin, which symbolically lives between the realm of emotional attachment (water) and intellectual detachment (air)…there must be a balance between.

Dolphin teaches the medicine of Prana, the ‘Chi’ or ‘Life Force’ that enters the body through breath.  People with this totem may find that focusing on their breathing will help them to balance in times of stress or anxiety.  Dolphin recognizes the ebb and flow rhythm of all life and teaches to become one with the environment.  Because of this connection, those with this totem may find that a strong spiritual foundation and connection is key to their progression in life. 

Those with a Dolphin Totem will have very deep emotions that will be predominant in their lives.  Dolphin teaches how to integrate them so they do not overwhelm.  Just as the Dolphin must surface for air, a person with this totem must learn how to balance with detachment from the pain and suffering of others so that they can assist others without being pulled under by tumultuous waters and drowned.  

In watching how dolphins within a pod take care of those who are sick or injured, you can see how those with this totem are often found caring for those in their family in a similar situation.  Emotions run high in these situations, and they must always remember to come up for air and allow themselves some breathing room every once in a while, to maintain their ability to take on that Caretaker role.

Except for their sense of smell, the senses of the dolphin are much more advanced than that of humans.  Their skin is also very sensitive, and though it is wounded easily…it also heals itself miraculously. Those with this totem are very sensitive souls.  And though they don’t necessarily have a ‘thick skin’ when it comes to being hurt by others…they can take a lot of abuse and recover from it better than most.  

However, this sometimes presents a very real problem for them because, since they are drawn to wounded individuals because they want to rescue them…they often find themselves in abusive situations and stay in them much longer than they should.  But just as the dolphin has been found to learn from previous experiences, so do the people with this totem.  

At some point in their life, the highest expression of all the lessons they’ve learned about love click into a certain balance and harmonious expression.  They become the healer who, like the Dolphin, teaches others to fish rather than only providing them with fish.  By their example, their love for all and their gift of understanding and compassion for all living beings on our living planet casts a wider net, rather than focusing that healing light on one or just a few others. 

If Dolphin is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Dolphin will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a dolphin, 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.  You may find that your Inner Child is being awakened and your sense of joy and playfulness must be cultivated.  Or perhaps lessons of the Caretaker or Rescuer are coming into your awareness.  However these messages reach you, Dolphin urges you to balance, breathe, and let your love and compassion flow to where it is needed.

Totem Tuesday: Dragon Medicine

Dragon Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

"It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him." -J.R.R. Tolkien

Keywords: Elemental Magic, Primal Forces of Nature, Protection, Power, Strength, Life Force, Potency, Longevity, Mastery of Self-Control, Battling Fears, Opportunity for Valor, Revealing Hidden Knowledge, Depth, Subconscious, Inner Voice, Inspiration, Luck, Material Gain, Prosperity, Wisdom

It is not uncommon to have a mythological creature as a totem animal, but it does mean that messages from this guide will come more creatively than sitting in a natural setting and observing the animals that appear.  Dragon is a powerful and unmistakable totem presence. In almost every culture and throughout history there are stories about these magical beasts.  As it evolved from the concept of the earth as a living being, Dragons are associated with the elements as well as with natural forces such as earthquakes, storms, and other weather phenomena. 

Earth Dragon

Wealth, Grounding Scattered Energies, Potential

Earth Dragon dwells within the belly of the earth.  This dragon is associated with natural forces such as earthquakes.  The man-made earthquakes associated with fracking in recent decades can be likened to awakening these dormant energies that protect the earth, resulting in earthquakes that would otherwise not happen. Known to hoard riches, Earth Dragon is symbolic of acquiring wealth and things associated with the material plane.  Those with this totem may find that they attract material abundance easily, but they are equally susceptible to hoarding material possessions.  To unlock the true power of this totem, they must learn to share their abundance with others…which, in turn, attracts more prosperity not only on the material plane but on the emotional, mental, soul and spiritual planes as well.  Because of the earth element, Earth Dragon Medicine grounds scattered energies.  It also unlocks the potential within those with this totem…as the Earth Dragon lives within the womb of the earth, awakening this energy awakens their greatest potential.

Air Dragon

Insight, Inspiration, Clear-Thinking

Air Dragon dwells in the sky among the clouds.  This dragon is associated with natural forces such as tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, blizzards, windstorms and thunderstorms.  Known to have the power to control the weather, Air Dragon is symbolic of the mental state.  A Dragon flying through clear skies gives the medicine of powerful insight, inspiration, and clear-thinking.  Stormy skies, especially when rain is present, represents the mental turbulence associated with heavy emotions clouding the thought process.  Those with this totem may find meditation to be particularly powerful in aiding them through anxieties and troubled times, unlocking the wisdom of this totem by clearing their mind of extraneous noise.  Because of the Air element, Air Dragon Medicine has much to do with controlling the mental state, the power of communication, and putting thought into action.

Fire Dragon

Energy, Creativity, Transmutation

Fire Dragon dwells within volcanoes.  This dragon is associated with natural forces such as volcanic activity, heat waves and wildfires.  Known to have the power of transmutation, Fire Dragon is symbolic of cycles of life and death and things associated with the soul plane.  Though in most myths, legends, and folklore many different types of dragons breathe fire…the Fire Dragon’s fire is not only for destruction but also for creation.  Those with this totem may have powerful energy that can either be used to create or destroy, and they must learn to harness this energy for its best use in their lives.  Because of the Fire element, Fire Dragon Medicine often comes along in our lives surrounding a significant death of someone or something…and a birth of someone or something else.

Water Dragon

Intuition, Memory, Feeling

Water Dragon dwells within the depths of the oceans.  This dragon is associated with natural forces such as floods and tsunamis.  Known to control the seas, Water Dragon is symbolic of the subconscious realm and the emotional plane.  In the days when people thought the world was flat, cartographers would inscribe maps with a warning that said ‘Dragons Be Here’ in the part of the ocean where they assumed was the edge of the world.  Accounts of different forms of Water Dragons are the earliest recorded in history, and this is likely because the seas were, and really still are, full of mysteries in their depths…much like the subconscious realm.  Those with this totem hold a great depth of feeling and are often empaths.  Their memory, especially for how things felt to them, is very strong…especially the memory stored in their subconscious mind.  Because of the Water Element, Water Dragon Medicine brings a heightened intuition and the ability to receive messages through dreams.

All of these elemental dragon energies combine into the quintessential dragon medicine of the fifth element…known as Aether in ancient Greece or Akasha in India.  This is the cosmic dragon energy alluded to in the astrological nodes of the moon which tell the story of what we have learned and what we are here to learn now.  While each person with a Dragon Totem may have a stronger influence of one or two of the elemental varieties each element is present within the whole of Dragon Medicine.  People with Dragon as their totem guide are often very wise and powerful guides themselves, possessing the ability to see beyond the mundane and into a person’s greatest potential. 

However, Dragon medicine is not easy to learn as it often seems quite foreign to us humans who are far removed from being at one with nature in a world that pulls us apart from that bond.  It may take a great deal of time and dedication to fully understand and utilize this medicine, but it is well worth the effort.  Dragon Medicine offers powerful protection and strength to withstand the most difficult of battles.  Most of us grow up with stories of dragons being slain by a hero.  Though in these stories Dragon is the adversary of man this totem is a great ally in your own 'hero’s journey'.  Dragon will face you with your fears…giving you opportunities for valor while teaching self-mastery along the way. 

If Dragon is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Dragon will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a dragon (usually in dreams or journeys), 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 pay closer attention and give more care to the earth and what she is trying to communicate to us.  Or you could be presented with opportunities to use your skills for powerful effect in your life or in the lives of others.  In all cases, Dragon offers protection and the strength to face adversity.  Call upon Dragon to reveal hidden knowledge and provide you with great wisdom along your path.

Totem Tuesday: Wolf Medicine

 Wolf Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack.” –Rudyard Kipling

Keywords:  Loyalty, Guidance, Path-finding, Instinct, Intuition, Strength, Stamina, Discipline, Order, Community, Responsibility, Teamwork, Diplomacy, Individuality within the Group, Self-Expression, Communication, Boundaries, Respect, Wisdom, Authenticity, Patience, Intelligence, Problem-solving, Competition, Perceived Threats, Protection, Family, Freedom

There is a Native American proverb that tells of a grandfather telling his grandson that we each have two wolves inside of us, struggling with each other. The first is the wolf of peace, love and kindness. The other wolf is fear, greed and hatred. "Which wolf will win, grandfather?" the boy asks.  The grandfather replies, "Whichever one we feed." Not only does this proverb allude to the inner struggle of human nature, but it also highlights a certain duality to the totem medicine of the Wolf. 

Despite actually being non-aggressive toward humans (and even each other) unless provoked, the fear of wolves as violent killer beasts that would threaten anything in their path is still a popular belief (though this idea is not supported by more earth-based cultures such as the Native Americans and the Inuit and Yupik tribes, who respect the power and stamina of the animal but do not fear them). In North America, there have been only 2 fatal wolf attacks in the past 100 years…which means that people are in more danger of being killed by a cow than a wolf.  However, this misguided vilification precedes them…as many learn about wolves from stories such as ‘Little Red Riding Hood’, ‘The Three Little Pigs’, and ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’ as children.  Because of this reputation, wolves have been hunted to near extinction by humans.  In the past two decades though, the Endangered Species Act has helped to protect them and increase their numbers.  

The darker side of Wolf Medicine has to do with what happens when a threat, real or imagined, is perceived by those with this totem.  While people with this totem have strong powers of intuition and instinct, and an excellent ability to patiently solve problems…when they feel threatened, their instincts can turn against them and they may make a problem worse by becoming aggressive, overly competitive, or fearful. 

However, as it is with all canines, friends and family are essential to their well-being and, in most cases, survival.  Wolves are pack animals and look out for each other.  Contrary to popular belief, the lone wolf is a very rare case.  Those with this totem would do well to understand that they are never alone…there is always at least one other person who cares very deeply for them.  A wolf pack may be as small as two wolves or much larger, depending on the food supply.  

Another common misconception about wolves is that there is a hierarchy from alpha to omega.  Wolf packs are essentially family groups, so the leader of the pack is usually the father.  They mate for life, so the lead female is the mother of the pack.  None of the other wolves in the pack will mate, unless they form their own pack and choose another territory.  Females of breeding age won’t even go into heat unless they are the designated mother of the pack.  In cases where the food supply is low, the father and mother will not breed until the conditions for survival are well-suited for new members of the family.  Because of the breeding habits of the pack, increasing the number of wolves from their near extinction has been a slow process and they are still an endangered species.

People with Wolf as their totem guide are very family-oriented and very protective of their pack.  They are often very smart parents who will put the needs of their children above their own and, in the event that they have little to provide for their family, they become very savvy at making a little go a long way.  People with a wolf totem make survival of any harsh realities like an art form.  Their children will always have what they need, even if it means their parents have to go without for a while. 

People with this totem are extremely loyal, not only to their family and children, but also to their mate.  They recognize and respect their significant other for the leader they are within their family as well as for all that they do to provide for them.  Even when in conflict with each other, they keep the lines of communication open and treat each other diplomatically in order to work through any issues and get back to what is really important.  Teamwork is an essential part of this medicine, so when they feel as though their mate isn’t pulling their weight this is usually where the most conflict arises.  Wolf people take on a lot of responsibility in their lives, and they are excellent teachers and guides to others, especially their children.  In fact, every wolf in a pack is responsible for the education and caretaking of the pups, as well as for providing for the family when they are of age.

Wolf medicine is that of the Pathfinder, and this totem will similarly guide those with its medicine to keep on the right path toward their goals.  Wolves are so good at hunting together that even the Department of Defense respects their force.  In 2014, they mimicked the way coordinated wolf packs hunt with minimal communication by creating semi-autonomous military drones that could enter enemy air space and work together to invade and attack.  

Communication is another big part of Wolf Medicine, and while they are often more vocal than the fox, they rely just as heavily on scent communication.  People with this totem are often very good at ‘sniffing out the truth’ in any situation as well as knowing when something just doesn’t smell right.  Wolves howl for many reasons, whether to call back to their pack or to alert other packs to their territory.  But they also howl together before they go out to hunt, almost like a pre-game ritual where they all get each other fired up to do their best.  People with this totem are similarly encouraging to each other and find that they are very comfortable communicating within a group when a shared purpose arises.

Though they have a strong community mindset, Wolf also guides us to express our individuality within a group.  When they need to, they may act as if they are of one mind…but when they are comfortable, their self-expression comes out and is encouraged by the group…so long as they don’t overstep any boundaries that might endanger the pack.  Because of being raised with a good balance of discipline and encouragement, people with this totem often have very healthy ways of self-expression.

Wolves have proved themselves to be powerful creatures that command respect as well as essential to the survival of many other species.  For just one of many examples of this, between 1914 and 1926, under pressure from cattle and livestock industries, U.S. congress allowed the last of Yellowstone National Park’s 136 wolves to be hunted into extinction.  After that, the land started changing.  The trees began to disappear.  A little over 20 years after wolves, and new tree growth drops to just 10% of what it was before their absence.  50 years after wolves, and those trees are down to just 1%.  Trees that were once up to 98 feet tall would rarely make it past 2 feet tall.  

The reason for this is that the trees were being devoured by one of the wolves’ favorite meals, the Elk.  Without wolves to keep them in check, the Elk population exploded to 19,000 strong.  With each elk devouring 10 to 20 pounds of plants per day, that’s 380,000 pounds of species-supporting habitat eaten every day.  Riverbanks started to crumble without the roots of trees and plants to hold them together.  The beaver population that depended on the rivers and the dwindling trees dropped from 25 colonies to just one.  Even Grizzly Bears suffered without wolves.  70 years without wolves and that world was dying. 

But then, in 1995, thanks to provisions in the endangered species act, two wolf packs were reintroduced to Yellowstone.  The impact was palpable.  In just a little over 10 years, elk populations dropped 50.3% to a more sustainable 7000 heads.  It’s not just that they kill and eat the elk, but wolves also keep them running so that they can’t overgraze any one area.  

Also, less elk competing for food means more bison.  In the years after wolves returned to Yellowstone, bison populations doubled from under 1000 to over 2000.  Because wolves eat big game animal, they actually were leaving behind carrion that were being scavenged by ravens, vultures, and even bears.  

15 years after the return of wolves, and even the shape of rivers started to change.  Deeper roots meant stronger soil and more defined riverbanks.  Yellowstone went from having one beaver colony to over 100.  The wolves’ impact on Yellowstone’s biodiversity is undeniable.  After the return of top predators like wolves, Yellowstone began to recover.  This interconnectedness is known to scientists as atrophic cascade.  It is now obvious that wolves are a vital part of a complex ecosystem.  People with this totem learn that they, too, have an integral role to play in the development and maintenance of a balanced world.

If Wolf is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Wolf will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a wolf, 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 are struggling within yourself to keep on the straight and narrow path toward your best outcome, or it may be that you need to keep clear boundaries in place to protect you and your family from unwanted influences.  Whatever the message may be, Wolf is a patient creature teacher and will guide you with the wisdom of a caring leader and a respected member of a close-knit family.  Often, when in need of Wolf Medicine, it may come to you from a wise elder in your family or community.  Seek out their help in times of trouble, and Wolf will be there to encourage you along your path.

Totem Tuesday: Fox Medicine

Fox Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“Old foxes are hard to trap.” –German Proverb

Keywords:  Cunning, Shapeshifting, Healing, Magic, Agility, Guidance, Dreams, Between Times, Fairy Energy, Camouflage, Invisibility, Integration, Balance, Meditation, Swiftly Overcoming Obstacles, Responsiveness, Quick-Thinking, Analytical Intelligence, Observation, Deduction, Discernment, Adaptability, Trickster Archetype, Playfulness, Sense of Humor, Heightened Senses, Fertility, Protection of Family

Foxes are well known for their swiftness, cunning, and resourcefulness…making them expert teachers for survival and getting out of tricky situations.  One of the most intelligent and adaptable animals, foxes live in many different habitats around the world.  Though they especially like forested areas, they are also often found in close proximity to humans.  They are omnivores and eat just about anything to survive, even what they find in our garbage.  Those that live near the ocean have even learned how to fish and hunt for crabs.  

Because of their eating habits, they are often considered a nuisance by farmers since they will often kill more chickens than they can even eat.  However, it is a common misconception that they will kill just for the fun of it.  Because they eat frequent, small meals, if they find more than they need they will kill them and save them for later.  But because they eat many rodents and bugs, they are actually beneficial to have around…as long as you can keep them out of the chicken coop.  

People with this totem often benefit from eating frequent, small meals throughout the day.  They understand the archetype of the Trickster, as you can’t often fool one as crafty as the fox, so they can see through what would usually fool those who are less observant.  They are usually very intelligent people who prefer to observe others rather than call attention to themselves…until they are very comfortable with someone, of course, and that’s when they let their guard down.  They can get along with most people and adapt to almost any situation, always seeming to be two steps ahead of the game on what moves to make next in most situations.

Though they are canines, foxes have many cat-like qualities.  Their eyesight, especially keen in the darkness of night when they do much of their hunting, is much like a cat’s because of their vertically-slit pupils.  And though they live in packs, called ‘earths’, like most canines…they stray from the pack to hunt alone.  Like a cat, they tend to pounce on their prey and even play with it before they kill it.  Also, like a cat, foxes have additional whiskers on their hind legs…these are for finding their way around as well as for tracking prey when close.  The whiskers are so sensitive, they can feel the slightest change in the direction of a breeze, and will certainly feel a mouse or other animal running near their legs.  Because of these similarities, Fox medicine has much in common with Cat Medicine…perhaps even more than with Dog or Wolf medicine.

Foxes are less aggressive than wolves and more non-confrontational.  A fox, which is one of the smallest types of canines, would prefer to flee from danger rather than fight.  Depending on the type of fox, they can reach speeds between 25-45 mph which is why they are well-known for their swiftness.  People with this totem also have a gentle approach with others and will try to avoid confrontation if they can.  Fox medicine teaches how to get around obstacles instead of confronting them head on.  It also teaches how to be smarter about dealing with areas of resistance in your life or projects, finding a quicker and more clever way toward a solution to any problem.

The fox doesn’t communicate by barking as other canines do.  Instead, it relies almost solely upon non-verbal communication.  This includes the posture of the body, tail wagging, and facial expressions.  Even still, they can identify each other’s voices much like humans do, and a fox has almost 30 different sounds that they will use to communicate, including yips, growls, howls, and mating calls that sound like a human scream.  So to answer the question, ‘What does the fox say?’…well, they can say a lot, but they prefer to communicate silently.  People with this totem love to communicate…though usually are not the type to call a friend on the phone just to gab.  They often prefer more silent forms of expression…such as visual art or writing.  They can be very expressive people in whatever avenue they choose for communication.  However, in person, they may seem more quiet than you would expect…not because they have nothing to say but more because they are listening carefully to what others have to say.

Of all of my personal totems, Fox Medicine has always been most present in how I raise my children and care for my family.  Foxes are very social animals and a fox earth may include older siblings, kits (fox babies), foxes of breeding age, mates, and mothers.  Vixens are occasionally assisted in rearing their kits by a non-breeding female or a female kit from a previous litter (as I am sometimes assisted with baby Felix by his half-sister, Alyrica).  These sisters and ‘aunts’ gain valuable experience which helps them to rear their own litter successfully the next season.  Foxes are usually monogamous and a male fox (called a dog, tod, or reynard) will support the vixen and their kits by bringing them food.  

A fox den (also sometimes called an ‘earth’, like their pack name) is often a burrow below ground which has many different rooms and multiple exits so they can easily escape if another animal comes in their home.  A special room is made inside the den for the kits, called a nesting chamber, where the vixen gives birth on a nest of leaves she made after mating.  The gestation period is only 53 days and the litter usually consists of two to seven kits.  

People with this totem often have a similarly quick gestation period for creative ideas and the preparation and planning ability to ensure that the manifestation of these ideas have everything they need to succeed.  With a strong family base to support them, they are often successful in their ventures.  Always concerned with the safety of family members, Fox Medicine protects the family unit and people with this totem are often very caring parents who are protective of their offspring and do anything for their family.

Because foxes are most active from dusk till dawn, they are totem guides of the ‘between times’ and unseen realms such as the realm of the fairies.  As with all nocturnal animals, they often communicate their medicine to those with this totem through their dreams.  Their connection to dreams also has to do with their knowledge of things underground and unseen by human eyes.  Foxes have the ability to see movement and objects on the very edges of the field of vision.  Those with this medicine can often see Spirit and the beings between worlds.  With their sensitive hearing, Fox Medicine may also allow you to hear Spirit as well. 

Unlike most mammals, foxes can hear low-frequency sounds very well…such as the sound of an animal digging in the dirt or snow.  Fox also uses the Earth’s magnetic field when hunting prey.  The odds of a fox catching a mouse buried beneath snow rise to nearly 75% if the fox is facing north.  The fox uses the invisible magnetic field of the planet to triangulate and home in on its prey, buried in up to 3 feet of snow, from 18 feet away. Those with this totem are often very attuned to Mother Earth and, along with their regular senses being heightened, also seem to have a sixth sense about things which helps to guide them.

Through the art of camouflage, foxes know how to observe while being unseen doing so.  Because of this, Fox Medicine teaches shapeshifting, invisibility, and observation in its ability to wait, hidden in its surroundings, silently watching those around them without them noticing they are being watched.  This allows a person with this totem to use their heightened senses to detect what a person or situation is really like without calling attention to themselves or the fact that they are observing.  People with this totem may notice the smallest nuances in body language or speech that tell much more than what is being done or said.  Because of their powers of observation, they are able to become aware of certain patterns of predictability with people and situations that help them to quickly decide what to do or who to trust.

Along with the medicine of camouflage and shapeshifting, the tail of a fox holds similar symbolism.  People with this totem often feel that changing their hair, whether it be with color or cut, is symbolic of a deeper change within them.  Hair is very important to them, whether they know it or not.  If a change is needed in their life on some level, changing their hair to reflect that desire helps to activate fox medicine and its magic of shape-shifting.  Those with long hair may hide behind it or use it to keep warm, or they may put it up or cut it shorter to open themselves up to the world or stay cool.  Foxes expel body heat through their ears, so whether a person with this totem has their hair covering their ears or not often has to do with their body temperature (though, in my case, I usually have to pull it back lately to protect it from getting pulled by our baby).  

The tail is also symbolic of the ability to protect yourself from uncomfortable situations.  Foxes also use their tails as balancing devices when standing on their hind legs to search for prey over tall grass.  Fox medicine helps to keep yourself balanced and confident in your abilities.

Foxes are very playful animals and teach the benefits of a good sense of humor, especially in serious situations.  While they have become well-known for finding the fun in things (thanks to countless home videos on the internet showing that foxes enjoy bouncing on backyard trampolines when they think no one is watching), they also use silliness to distract predators who might threaten them or their families.  People with this totem can find the fun in even the simple things and encourage others to have fun and let their guard down by their example. 

If Fox is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Fox will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a fox, 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 a message to practice the art of camouflage or to be unseen.  Be observant of the actions of those around you instead of just what they may be saying to you.  Be cunning in your observations and keep silent about who, what, or why you are watching.  See yourself as being invisible and learn from what you are able to see.  However, Fox reminds you to keep this balance between being watchful and careful but also taking the time to be playful and silly.  Fox will help you understand when to keep your guard up and when to let it down in any situation and to trust your senses.

Totem Tuesday: Bison/Buffalo Medicine

Bison/Buffalo Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

“To use the power of the bison, I had to perform that part of my vision for the people to see.” –Black Elk

Keywords:  Prayer, Abundance, Generosity, Support, Shouldering Burdens, Self-Reliance, Empowerment, Affirmation, Manifestation, Patience, Strength of Will, Protection of Resources, Releasing Fear and Stress, Clearing Obstacles, Moving Forward, Living by Example, Perseverance, Standing Ground, Proper Use of Energy and Resources, Exploring New Ground, Trust in the Universe/God, Healthy Expression of Anger, Gratitude, Mother Earth, Grounding Energy

The American and European Bison* are the largest land animals in North America and Europe. Because of their massive size as well as all that they have provided for people, Buffalo medicine is one of abundance, prosperity, generosity, and gratitude.  People with this totem are often very generous with their time and resources, and without the proper use of energy and resources that this totem teaches, they often shoulder more burdens than they should actually handle, leading to stress which leads to physical ailments.  

These people learn to rely on themselves for all that they need but must also learn to teach others self-reliance as well, so others don’t take advantage of their giving nature.  Buffalo teaches the power of prayer but also teaches to back that up with right action and give thanks for what the Universe/God provides.  Waiting for what you want to come to you, or demanding that of others, does not manifest what you want.  Knowing your intention (and putting that intention forth through prayer) is only the first step to receiving a blessing in your life.  Your actions must follow accordingly to attract what it is you want.  And, finally, when you receive what you asked for…gratitude keeps you open to more prosperity to come.

Essentially, Buffalo Medicine teaches the Law of Attraction to receive what you need, the wisdom of reciprocity to balance giving and receiving, and the power of gratitude to keep right relations.  Putting these teachings in practice helps those with this totem to release fear and stress, trust in the Universe and a higher power, and move forward with strength of will and a sense of empowerment. 

Health problems often arise in people with this totem because of stubborn refusal to release unwanted burdens, stress and fears.  Often, they are prone to keep doing the same things over and over but still expecting a different result.  Changing one’s thinking toward positivity and affirmation in a world where so many things can go wrong is a difficult task, but Buffalo is a patient creature teacher.  Through Buffalo, we can learn that if we want to receive abundance and prosperity…whether it be good health, a better job, financial gain, etc…we must believe not only in the possibility of these things coming to us, but that we must live in gratitude for having already received them.  

Like the Buffalo’s tendency to ‘wallow’ in the ground…those with this totem are prone to wallowing in grief, sadness, and negative thought patterns until they learn to forge new paths…both neurologically and in life.  Just as the Buffalo’s wallowing creates depressions in the earth…those with this totem are prone to depression when negative thought patterns take hold.  Buffalo is there to support you in exploring new ground…teaching how to live by example so that others around you become just as empowered to achieve their goals.

In winter, Buffalo will use its massive head to shovel snow out of its way in order to eat the grass below it.  This totem teaches how to clear obstacles in order to get what you need and move forward...understanding that you will always be provided for even in bleak times when you take action on your own behalf and provide a channel for the manifestation to flow through to you from the Universe.  People with Buffalo as their totem know that perseverance is key to getting through tough times.

It is the females, or cows, that lead family groups while bulls remain solitary or in small groups for most of the year until mating season when they rejoin the herd. Bulls and cows do not mingle until breeding season. Dominant bulls “tend” to cows, following the cow around until the cow chooses to mate. During this period, the bull blocks the cow’s vision so that she may not see other competing bulls, and bellows at males striving for the cow’s attention.  

Fights between the males often occur during this season.  They will use their heads and horns as battering rams, effectively using the momentum of 2000 pounds moving at 30 mph.  The hind legs can also be used to maim or kill.  The herd is often very restless during mating season…when the animals are most dangerous and unpredictable.  

Just as the Buffalo, people with this totem may appear peaceful or unconcerned…yet they may attack anything or anyone without warning or apparent reason.  They may find that they need to learn to express anger clearly and cautiously.  Because of their patience as well as a reluctance to express themselves in the moment, they may let things build up until they explode.  Buffalo teaches to respond more quickly to your anger…examining where it is coming from instead of just the triggering person or event.  Anger is best used as ignition to make necessary changes rather than to hurt others or distance yourself from them.  Despite being fully capable of severe damage, Buffalo often chooses peace while still standing their ground. 

Because the males and females segregate themselves from each other until necessary, people with this totem often find that they have a hard time understanding the opposite sex and will often close themselves off to them until they need something from them.  Males with this totem often have a strong bond to their mother and a good relationship with women early on…but as they grow older, they may feel they lose that connection.  But Buffalo will help you to establish a deep connection to Mother Earth and teach you to understand that all creatures are equal. 

In addition to all of this, the White Buffalo is considered sacred and spiritually significant.  They are extremely rare and only occur in one out of about 10 million births.  The White Buffalo is often visited for prayer and other religious rituals.  People with this specific totem may find that teaching the sacred way is part of their soul journey.  They are here to awaken the souls of others and bring them to the place where the Blue Road of Spirit and the Red Road of Physical Life intersect.  They are bringers of light and builders of bridges between disparate groups.  The white color symbolizes purity, peace, and spiritual truth.  They are aware that they have a ‘higher purpose’ in life to create understanding and peace between different nations, creeds, religions and beliefs.  This is not an easy task, and it is one that necessitates integrating the disparate parts within you and bringing them into the light to reflect that wholeness and oneness to others.

If Buffalo is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Buffalo will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a buffalo, 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.  Buffalo asks that you open yourself up to abundance and prosperity by trusting that the best possible outcome is always in your field of opportunity.  By relying on yourself and your ability to take action and make necessary choices, the world opens up to you.  Ask, and you shall receive.  Do, and you shall receive more quickly.

 *While the terms bison and buffalo are interchangeable to refer to these animals, ‘buffalo’ is not as accurate since bison are only distantly related to the true buffalo and closer in relationship to the cow, especially with much of the cross-breeding that brought them back from near extinction.  However, the term Buffalo is historically older and, for our purposes, refers to all species of this animal.