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.

Totem Tuesday: Horse Medicine

Horse Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Totem Tuesday: Bear Medicine

Bear Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Totem Tuesday: Owl Medicine

Owl Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Totem Tuesday: Dog Medicine

Dog Medicine

By Felina Lune Kavi

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Full Moon Eclipse in Libra: Interwoven Cycles of Life

Interwoven Cycles of Life

4-4-2015

Lunar Eclipse @ 7:00am CDT

Full Moon @ 7:05am CDT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Totem Tuesday: Cat Medicine

Cat Medicine

by Felina Lune Kavi

"A house without a cat is like a hug without a kiss."  - a quote remembered from my childhood...inscribed on one of my mother's knick-knacks

Keywords:  Independence, Healing, Curiosity, Mystery, Magic, Perception, Agility, Intuition, Telepathy, Duality

Of all the animal totems I am asked about, Cat Medicine is most frequently mentioned.  It seems a good place to start, considering this totem has been with me from the very beginning…inherited from my mother and her mother (and many generations before her), and passed down to my daughter.  Cat is my ‘below’ totem, which is to say that it guides my feet along my path and connects me with nature.  Also, being an inherited totem, its medicine keeps me grounded and connected with my roots.  I have always had cats…or, rather, they have always had me.  My current familiar, Ani, is pictured above.  Our relationship is beyond companionship, even beyond family, and I have learned a lot from her as well as many other cats throughout my life.  I am grateful for these gifts.

The origin of the old saying that cats have nine lives has to do with their unique healing abilities.  A cat’s purr is not just their way of communicating contentment; it holds a greater magic.  The frequency of the purr (between 20 and 140 Hz) can heal bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and soft tissue.  We humans, too, can benefit just from being near them.  Petting a purring cat lowers stress and blood pressure, heals infection and swelling, and decreases the risk of a heart attack.  This is why, as they are self-healers, they can often bounce back quickly from near-death experiences…and why, as healers of others, they are often a welcomed pet in places that care for the sick or elderly.

Cats are also well-known for their curiosity, which allows for them to experience adventure even in the most domesticated circumstances.  They are courageous thrill-seekers and will investigate, with all senses, anything that piques their interest.  This teaches us to explore our world and our options, especially in new surroundings and circumstances.  

It is also true that there is a duality inherent in the cat nature…which is why we also have the phrase ‘scaredy cat’.  For as much as they are brave in their curiosity, they can also be easily spooked…usually by things that may seem irrational (such as the sound of plastic sacks…like my familiar, Ani.  Though, having been thrown away into a dumpster before she came into my life may have something to do with that fear).

Another duality of the cat is that one of their strongest totem medicine teachings is about independence…however, the domestic cat often appears dependent on their humans.  Still, that is mostly because we make the domesticated life rather easy for them…and they are smart enough not to refuse such luxuries as having a loving servant to care for their needs.  If left to their own devices, though, even a housecat would find ways to sustain themselves…especially if left outdoors.  Like many animals who share space with humans, cats are resourceful and opportunistic creatures and are highly skilled at self-care.

Cat medicine teaches agility in body and mind.  Cat people may appear to be quite lucky, seeming to symbolically land on their feet even after a difficult fall.  They have the ability to adapt to their surroundings quickly and the strength to bounce back after finding themselves in challenging circumstances.  Their clear perception allows them to sniff out a friend or foe easily. 

Timing is an integral part of what the cat has to teach us.  The way they attack their prey is very controlled.  They employ a great deal of patience while waiting for the right moment, the ability to preserve energy and observe every detail, and a clear sense of timing in action…even when situations are tense and heavy.

Deep perception, intuition, and telepathy are skills taught by Cat Medicine.  Their connection to others goes far beyond the physical, and this translates to those with this totem as well.  They are also very adept at mind-reading.  The ability to go beyond the barriers of language to send and receive messages is quite useful in getting a point across, as well as forming strong bonds with others.  And with their heightened intuition and perception, Cat people can sense all manner of things before they happen.

Cats are associated with magic and mystery as well.  They are symbols of many Goddesses (most of them deities associated with fertility or wisdom) such as Freyja (Norse), Ceridwen (Welsh), Atana Potnia (Minoan), Shasthi (Hindu), and Bastet and Sekhmet (Egyptian).  Those who practice magic and who have a cat know that these animals are drawn to such things…they feel very at home in a sacred circle and will often join you.  

With powers of stealth and shape-shifting, cats are adept at traveling between worlds.  Their ability to see in the dark, with eyes that quickly adapt, shows us how to illuminate what is often ‘unseen’.  Because of this, Cat people often find themselves particularly drawn to shadow work…knowing that the light within will always be overshadowed if we do not first do the difficult work of acknowledging and embracing the dark and repressed parts of ourselves.

If Cat is one of your totems, these and many other lessons will be prevalent in your life.  Cat will urge you to refine your mastery of this medicine.  If you see a cat, but it is not one of your totems, respect it as a messenger for that time.  You may need its medicine for what is happening then or what is coming up in the near future.  Accept and appreciate the gifts the cat gives you, whether it is affection in the form of a purring companion in your lap or a meal in the form of a dead animal at your doorstep (you can always thank them for providing for you and dispose of it later when the cat isn’t looking!).  Despite their reputation for being aloof and finicky, cats actually care very deeply for their loved ones.

New Moon Eclipse in Pisces: Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow

Planting the Seeds of Tomorrow

3-20-15

New Moon @ 4:36am

Solar Eclipse @ 4:45am

Spring Equinox @ 5:45pm

This New Seed Moon Eclipse lands on the Spring Equinox this year, also called Ostara (which is also National Astrology Day, as the sun returns to the first sign of the zodiac, Aries).  But before both the moon and sun move into Aries, the New Moon Eclipse highlights the lessons of the last degree of Pisces. 

Every New Moon is a time for new beginnings, and the same goes for the Spring Equinox.  Though while we are starting something new, the Eclipse may occult some of the light and energy we are putting forth, facing us with our shadow from the start.  Each eclipse brings up themes that will be present for six months, until the next eclipse window begins.  So while a new moon’s energy can be felt for a month, and an equinox for a season…the eclipse energy will hang around for half a year.  To add to that, the Uranus-Pluto square series just brought in a load of energy for clearing out the old and planning to rebuild something better during the last part of the previous waning moon.

New Moon Eclipse in the 30^th Degree of Pisces

The Sabian Symbol for this degree is ‘A majestic rock formation resembling a face is idealized by a boy who takes it as his ideal of greatness; as he grows up, he begins to resemble it’.  This is a symbol of envisioning an ideal and becoming it.  What do you idealize?  This image we try to project is much greater than us, but as we admire and try to emulate it…we take on some of those characteristics as we grow into who we are meant to become.  The rock formation in this image is created by Mother Nature herself; not by man.  She created it to show who we can be.

The boy in this image gazes up at the stone face in awe.  It commands respect in a gentle and quiet way.  It shows a solid character at peace with its surroundings.  There is a sense of immortality to it…an ancient and enduring truth.

This is a time to work on defining and manifesting goals and ideals in our lives.  We must be clear about it.  What do you want?  Who and where do you want to be in this life?  With clear intent, we can plant those seeds now.

The shadow side of this image that may come up with the eclipse is when we project the wrong kind of image…one that doesn’t line up with what we intended.  It may be that we are trying too hard to live up to the ideals that others project upon us…or that we are unsure and vacillate between what we think we should be for others and what we really are.  The key is to not get caught up in superficial ideals.  Many may look in the mirror at this time and see only what they don’t like about themselves being reflected back to them.  The more conscious thought you give to the negative, the more the negative is reflected.

Spring Equinox

Every Springtime, the Sun returns to the first degree of the zodiac in Aries.  The Sabian Symbol for the 1^st degree of Aries is “A woman emerges from the ocean; a seal embraces her”.  It is all about creative beginnings now.  Each individual has the potential now to arise from the collective and actualize their destiny in society and in the planetary organism of the Earth. 

With every new beginning, something is often left behind.  This is a quiet step out of the collective unconscious (symbolized by the ocean) and into individual consciousness…but not a separation.  This image speaks of mermaids and the Selkie myth…where the woman is of two worlds.  This is when the seed germinates, having to pierce through the crust of the soil still covered with the remains of the past.  It is about potentiality more than actual presence.  The impulse is to be, not to assert the self.  Every potentiality contains the two-fold possibility of success or failure.  The seal embracing the woman is not only a nod to the Selkie myth, but also is symbolic of being welcomed into concrete manifestation from those who represent our past or our origin…or even others who are also trying to ‘emerge’ and ‘become’ as well.

Finding your feet and reaching solid ground is part of the process, and may take some getting used to as you step into this new arena.  Whatever is emerging, either in you or around you, needs to be accepted, welcomed and nurtured.  This includes embracing the shadow that will likely surface, and instead of regressing back into the sea to avoid it you will need to face it and move forward with it.  Don’t be discouraged by setbacks.  Be fearless in the face of the future, and work now to create the best of your potential.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

Square Seven of the Fool’s Tower: Recognition of Life and Our Reflection Upon Mother Earth

Square Seven: Recognition of Life and Our Reflection Upon Mother Earth

March 16^th, 2015 (Uranus Square Pluto in the 16th Degree of Aries and Capricorn) at 9:21pm CDT


Spock:  "Logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few."
Captain Kirk:  "Or the one."
-Star Trek II:  The Wrath of Kahn

Uranus and Pluto are two of the three Generational Outer Planets that allude to the collective experience of our global community.  These planets take much longer to move through our solar system, and so their energies have an enduring effect when triggered by alignment.  Though I am writing this series as they approach each of the seven exact square alignments, the powerful effects can be felt months before and after (as they gradually approach and recede from the alignment).

On this 7^th and final square during this cycle, Uranus urges us to return to the lessons of the Full Blood Moon Eclipse of last October which was in the same degree.  As an eclipse’s effects last for half a year (until the next eclipse begins a new lesson), this month and the next are essentially the climax of that eclipse energy.  To find hints of similarity during this stage of our journey, consider what in your life has been your emotional focus since that eclipse last year.  Has it come to a crisis point as we have drawn nearer to this current planetary square?  A total transformation is in store for each of us and for the world at large, and these dynamic planets are urging us to take action.

This is when Human Nature and Mother Nature respond as one unit of symbiotic cells to each other as well as to the Universe as a whole.  These pulses of crises throughout this past three years, enduring the lessons brought on by 7 intense planetary squares, have been urging us to take action in how we should operate as a celestial organism together.  Body, Mind, and Spirit together experienced the void left in the wounds of collective and individual soul loss.  Now is the time to retrieve the soul parts hidden under past regrets and misfortunes. 

Though we may look outside to the distant celestial bodies that can help us predict our timing from our perspective, our Earth is the best indicator of how to respond to who we are and what we should do with our lives.  Now is the time to listen.  Now is the time to hear her and follow her lead. 

Young or old, male or female…in our rainbow of colors and many forms of love…we are the children of Mother Earth.  The separations of percentages and statistics, the shackles of time and money, and the judgments of entitlement and deprivation are human constructs built on insecure foundations. We’ve been witness to the fall of the tower of man in our lifetime, and we are here to pick up the pieces.  Who is to blame is not important.  We all had a hand in it.  This cycle of the Fool’s Journey is ours to experience together, and we are meant to come out of the ruins more alive than ever.

We are to see with fresh eyes the lies and deceit and fears of our past that brought us to this point in our journey.  We do not forget as we turn away from it, but we must forgive.  After all, what comes next in our journey is a glimmer of hope…shining a light in the distance during our moment of despair.  What was lost may appear to be just out of reach, but it is there.

The next step in our collective evolution after the fall of the Tower is symbolized by the Star in the Major Arcana of the Tarot.  The image is often characterized by a woman kneeling between land and water, pouring from two chalices under the light of a very bright star.  In this part of the Fool’s Journey, the Fool stands amongst the rubble where the Tower once stood.  He hoped to find direction on this spiritual journey; a path to his spiritual self.  Instead he just learned that most of his life was a lie and now he feels lost.  Looking for some kind of guide, he gazes into the night sky.  A bright star shines down on a beautiful woman with two chalices of water.  She is emptying one into a pool of water and the other onto the ground.  She tells him she is refilling the pool so that those who are thirsty can drink and she is watering the earth so that more food will grow for those who are hungry.  She offers him water and food…both of which heal his wounded spirit.

Restored, he looks back to the bright star.  The woman tells him to keep it in sight on his journey.  It will guide him to his destination no matter how distant it is.

Ruled by Aquarius, this card is a sign of hope for the future and reminds us that there will always be help to offer us sustenance in bleak times.  It tells us we can rebuild on stronger foundations this time…not on power and greed, but on hope for future generations.  The message here is that creating a better tomorrow won’t happen overnight.  It will take time and care, but we must not lose sight of it.  Now is a time of healing…a need for the collective soul retrieval after trauma and loss.  This is a time to revive and move forward…away from that which no longer serves us and toward that which makes our future on this planet possible.

Uranus in the 16^th Degree of Aries:  Nature Spirits Dancing in the Setting Sunlight

The Sunset is often a symbol of personal fulfillment.  In such times, we may be able to establish a life-giving contact with natural forces.  Such forces are active any time growth processes take place, but our individualized minds are usually too focused on working for consciously set goals to be able to realize the presence of invisible forces in operation. 

Still, these forces of nature act as guiding, balancing, and harmonizing factors in all life.  It is when our own individualized energy becomes less dominant (symbolically, at sunset), or the body is weakened by illness, fasting, sensory deprivation…or even set aside in meditation, altered states of consciousness, or sleep…that it becomes easier to perceive these ‘nature spirits’ and to give them forms that symbolize the character of their activity. 

The Sunset also indicates the end of a long day’s labors.  In this time, these forces of nature want to take over…while we rest, relax, and step back from all emotionally-charged concerns.  These nature spirits, then, examine just what is needed and dance in order to shift and balance our vibrational realities into harmony, healing, and healthy function. 

As this cycle of Uranus-Pluto squares comes to a close, Uranus in this degree is an invitation to open our minds to the possibility of approaching life in a holistic and nonrational, intuitive manner. It reminds us that we have help when we need it…often from unexpected places or unseen forces.

Pluto in the 16^th degree of Capricorn:  School Grounds Filled with Boys and Girls in Gymnasium Suits

There is a need to get active…to get the physical body in shape for the future that is to come.  At the same time, we must enjoy it…it must be fun if we are to keep at it.  Many of us have been neglecting this part of our lives…placing greater importance on so many other things that we may attribute to ‘adult responsibilities’.  But when we are truly honest with ourselves, we know that keeping our bodies healthy is of greater importance than most other things we tend to focus on in our daily routines.  Physical health spirals out to improve our emotional, mental, and spiritual health as well.  When we are physically unhealthy…it is much more difficult to reach a balance with all other aspects of our well-being. 

Spontaneous enthusiasm and the joy of being alive can regenerate, revive, and bring about carefree contact with like-minded people.  Proactive excitement for the future makes living in the now that much more enjoyable. This symbol also highlights children in uniform…where everyone is on a level playing field.  It reminds us that we are one of many who are making an effort to reach the same goal.  It also reminds us that no matter how ‘adult’ we have become…we are all children, and we must revive some of that youthful exuberance to get the ball rolling. 

Pluto here encourages us to put forth the effort needed in order to reach our goals toward positive transformations.  This is a time to rebuild, and we will need to be physically able to endure the long haul so that our children, and our children’s children, can reap the rewards of our endeavors.

Love and Gratitude,

Felina Lune Kavi

P.S.  If you haven’t read the information I posted in June 2012 about the first of these squares as well as the general information about what these alignments mean, please check out this article:  Attunement to the Visionary Archetype.  Here you will find the overview of the squares and their relation to the Fool’s Tower of the tarot.  If you also want a refresher on the themes of the 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th squares, you can find them at these links: Manifesting Our Future, Commitment to Change, The Turning Point, Awakening on the Cross, and Reuniting Individual Will to the Universal Self.