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.

Totem Tuesday: Butterfly Medicine

Butterfly Medicine 

by Felina Lune Kavi

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.”

Keywords:  Transformation, Renewal, Inner Growth, Evolution to Higher States of Consciousness, Courage, Making the Impossible Possible, Soul Journeys, Psyche, Memory, Discovering Bliss, Joy After Struggle, Reincarnation, Immortality, Life Cycles, Grace, Movement, Releasing the Past, Elevation from the Mundane, Lightness of Being, Changing Perspective, Inspiration

Butterfly is the only living being capable of entirely changing its genetic structure during the process of transformation.  The transmutation of Caterpillar to Butterfly that occurs within the chrysalis is nothing short of amazing.  Because of this process of dramatic change, Butterfly Medicine assists us in the many changes we undergo throughout our lifetimes and gives us the courage to do so. 

Of all my personal totems, Butterfly (specifically the Monarch) has assisted me the most through times of struggle.  As it is with many who have this totem, these struggles are deeply internal (within the chrysalis)…and almost imperceptible to those around us.  There may be a hint of something dramatic occurring within, but what is often shown to others is the result rather than the process.  Those of us with this totem may seem to have changed drastically many times throughout our lives so that those who knew us in one stage of growth may have a hard time recognizing us if they weren’t present for the times of transformation.  Likewise, we can be very introspective and private in going about our business until we reach our full potential and show our colors to the world, effectively becoming that ‘social butterfly’ that everyone recognizes in us.

The transmutation that occurs from Caterpillar to Butterfly is symbolic of evolving into higher consciousness.  We begin, like the caterpillar, focused on accumulating, consuming, and growing larger…often destroying much of what is in our path.  Then something shifts within us and we become singularly focused on the necessity of searching within rather than outside of us for what we need…just as the hormonal changes in the last stage of the Caterpillar make it stop eating and start ‘wandering’, searching for a safe place to form into its chrysalis stage.  During this soul searching stage, we struggle with releasing who we were to create what is necessary to become our more evolved Self.  

Within the chrysalis, too, the Caterpillar’s genetic structure completely dissolves into a sort of ‘primordial soup’ from which the Butterfly emerges.  There is still memory in the Butterfly of the Caterpillar it once was, as studies show, but the life and purpose (as well as the physical composition) evolve into something completely different.  New wings form to elevate them beyond the mundane, the mouth parts change so that their only source of food is liquid (mostly nectar, suggesting that they have learned to take in the sweetness of life), and they become pollinators (suggesting a higher purpose of sharing the gifts that life has to offer with others). 

It is important to know that people with this totem must be allowed the time it takes for them to grow and change.  Helping a Butterfly out of its chrysalis may seem like a noble act, but the Butterfly's wings will not be able to fully form for flight.  It is the struggle that is required of the Butterfly in order to force fluid from its body to its wings to make flight possible.  You will find in people with this totem that they don't often ask for help when it seems they need it.  Butterfly Medicine teaches self-reliance in order to achieve the freedom they desire.  Those who love a person with this totem learn to practice patience and trust their process...in time, they always come out of their 'shell' in a beautiful display of color and bliss.

While we delight in the beauty of these creatures, we sometimes forget that so many odds are stacked against them.  Not only are they pretty low on the food chain, even inclement weather can be fatal to the Butterfly.  They can only travel when the weather is perfect for their body temperature and they must find shelter when faced with predators or even raindrops.  Those that migrate, such as the Monarch, seem to face an impossible journey with many obstacles to overcome before they can come ‘home’.  Yet, every year, large groups of them do find their way to their destination, though the numbers have been dwindling in recent years.  Because of this, Butterfly Medicine teaches the wisdom of making the impossible possible…a focus and inner knowing that pushes us onward even through the harshest realities of existence. 

Many Mayans believed that the soul would take the form of Butterfly and, at night during sleep, would take flight to go on journeys and return before they would wake.  What dreams they had were memories of those soul journeys, which was why it would often feel so real as if they were actually there.  Likewise, the Butterfly was a symbol of the Greek Goddess Psyche (which is the Greek word for ‘soul’)…who, according to Greek mythology, was a mortal woman that was granted immortality for the labors of love she performed in order to be with her beloved Eros.  Butterfly is also a symbol used by Christians to symbolize the resurrection of Christ.

Butterfly Medicine reminds us to enjoy life and to live it with grace and lightness of being.  Their movements are often compared to a dance…even as the hanging caterpillar sheds its skin to reveal the chrysalis, the whole process is much like dancing.  Butterfly Medicine encourages movement and joyful expression.  People with this totem often love to dance or at least seem to light up a room, encouraging others to do the same.

A Butterfly not only smells with its antennae and tastes with its feet, but its eyesight is also very specific to its needs.  Butterfly does see some colors, but can also see beyond what we humans can see.  It can detect ultraviolet light in the flowers it is drawn to and in the wings of other butterflies to attract them to the right mates.  People with this totem also tend to have senses that draw them to exactly where they need to be and whom they need to meet.  They are able to see a person’s beauty and potential beyond their physical reality and delicately coax it out of them.

If Butterfly is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Butterfly will encourage you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a butterfly, 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.  Whether Butterfly is your totem or not, all humans mimic this creature in a way.  We are always at some sort of stage of activity which can be associated with the stages of transformation Butterfly goes through in its life cycle.  The egg stage is the beginning of all things, where ideas are born.  The larva stage is the point where we decide to bring the idea to the physical world.  The chrysalis stage involves going within and developing it, while the butterfly stage brings it, fully realized, to share with the world.  Whatever stage of transformation you or your idea may be going through, Butterfly can give you the inspiration and courage to get there while adding lightness and grace to the journey.