Category Archives: Totems

Energy, Spirit, Totems

You Aren’t Alone

Sacred Stones
Sacred Stones

Have you even been in a situation where you’re surrounded by people and yet still feel alone? Or maybe you’re talking with a friend but you sense that they don’t really know who you are? And maybe, you feel disconnected to yourself….not sure of what you want or who you are anymore.

And probably the most important question of all: when was the last time you connected to the earth, the plants, trees, animals, the sun and the moon?

We live our lives in busyness. Running from one task to another and always behind. In my coaching work I hear more and more people complaining of stress and anxiety. And it isn’t just adults either. Kids and young adults are constantly pushing themselves to do more and do better.

All of this leads us to disconnecting to ourselves, our family, friends and the planet.

Ginger
Wild Ginger

But…..did you know that you’re never alone?

We are all made of the same matter and energy as everything else in our world. We just vibrate at different rates creating a sense of separateness. If we were to “tune” in to the vibrations around us we’d realize that at any moment, we are one with all that surrounds us.

And we have connections to every animal, person, plant, tree……every form of life.

It just takes opening up to this connection by our willingness to bypass the critical logical mind and remembering who we are.

AncestorsInStone
Ancestors in the stone

When you learn to remember, you’ll find your never alone. We have our Higher Self…..the part of us that is connected to Spirit. The Higher Self does it’s best to guide us, only to have us refuse to listen.

We have our ancestors, from this life and others. They often have a hand in many of our life decisions.

We have guides from the Elementals (the “rulers” of the element kingdoms), the Devas that give structure to the plant world, power animals to assist us whenever needed and beings from the “angelic” realm.

Stone Guardian
Stone guardian

All available to us when needed……if only we remember!

And, if we let down the blinders on our eyes to see the energy of others, we would be aware of how often we exchange energy and breathe each other’s breath.

We are never alone! There is a world of energy available to us every movement. If we just remember.

If you feel a calling to learn how to connect to these energies, join us in Sedona this April. Check it out at: http://www.spiritsmuse.com/ancientwisdom.html

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Spirit, Totems

Death-Eater……….Black Vulture Totem

Vultures!
Even the name conjures up squeamishness in some people. For some, the vulture seems gross and others associate it with death. But, in ancient and indigenous cultures it’s just the opposite!

I too misunderstood the vulture until visiting a nature preserve and was surrounded by about 20 Black Vultures. At first I was nervous, thinking they might attack me. After all, they were feeding off a dead rabbit. But no, they must have been at the end of their meal because they were more curious than anything else. It allowed me the chance to study them closely.

They are actually quite beautiful with purple-black feathers and solid black heads. The demarcation line between the feathers and the black skin on the head is very distinct, giving them the illusion of wearing a hood. I think I must have looked just as odd to them as they lined the roof of a building and perched in the trees, cocking their heads down at me.
Even when I walked close to them, they just stared.

(I later learned that a vulture, when threatened, will spit up bits of digested or decayed food! Fortunately, I must not have been very threatening.)

The Greeks thought the vulture to be a descendant of the griffin, the guardian of the mysteries of life and death. In Egypt, it was a vulture feather that the goddess Maat used in the Book of the Dead to weigh against the heart of man (conscience).
They were also noted for the nurturing of their young, so much so that the Priestesses wore robes made of vulture feathers.

In most cultures, there is a relationship between death and the vulture…..hence my name of the Death-Eater. They were thought to be the ones who released the spirit of the dead and assisted in the guidance to Sprit….almost like a Psycho Pomp or in today’s world the hospice worker.

Black Vultures are pretty smart. Unlike the Turkey vulture, their sense of smell is diminished. They will fly higher than the Turkey vulture, watching them for dives to a carcass. Following the Turkey vulture, they will often push the Turkey vulture out of their way to feast on the remains.

It’s been observed that without the vulture, we would have dead animals lying EVERYWHERE and have to use more taxpayers money to clean up road kill. Since the vulture uses strong acids in their stomachs to kill bacteria and disease, they also keep our environment more sanitary.

So next time you see a Black Vulture, remember that they are nature’s “clean-up” crew and give thanks for their efforts!

For years in Florida, a man, Stan Gober, paid homage to the lowly buzzard with a song, dance and costume contest. You can view it on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDYVOUUJlcQ

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Totems

The Regal Heron

It’s very common for people who are interested in totems to search Goggle or go to different books and look up the meanings of them. And you learn some great information. But…..often times the meaning of the totem is one that is not necessarily a generalized one.

For instance, lately when I’ve been walking the dog along the marinas, I’ve seen more Herons than normal. Now I see Blue Herons all the time but these particular ones are fishing. And I see them catch the fish.

There is one who usually hides behind a small boat and at the opportune moment spears the fish. It’s interesting to watch him, as he is very focused. First, he stands perfectly still…never moves. Then, when he sees his prey, he very very carefully and slowly moves one leg and then other to get closer. And almost so fast you don’t see it, he spears the fish. What amazes me is how still, focused and patient he is while waiting.

A day or two after watching that Blue Heron, I was writing at my desk when I heard a ruckus outside….sounded like dinosaurs fighting! (At least what I imagined they would have sounded like) There was a Blue Heron with a fish and 3 gulls trying to get it from him. He was not about to let them and even with the fish between his bills, managed to make a lot of noise about it. Before living at the beach, I had no idea at just how noisy Herons can be and what bullies gulls are at times!

Blue Heron Medicine typically means the ability to be a Renaissance man or woman. They follow their own path, which is unstructured. Not everyone is comfortable living this way as they perceive it as being without stability or security and yet it actually has it’s own security. Heron Medicine indicates that if one approach isn’t working then try another.

As I carry much Heron Medicine, I was familiar with all these attributes. This seemed different though. Maybe because they were getting my attention….even to the point that one of them was screeching at me to notice him.

So what does it mean?

When trying to analyze the meaning of a totem or message from the universe, one trick is to notice what specifically captured your attention.

Two things stand out in the experience for me. The first Heron showed massive patience, focus and goal orientation. That’s a pretty good lesson. Regardless of how much we vibrate to a specific feeling or desire we must put in the physical work and focus on our desire.

The second Heron’s “work or reward” was jeopardized by the gulls. This to me was a clear message that is common to the witnessing of smaller birds attacking a larger bird. To many aboriginals, this is a sign that someone is or may make an attempt to jeopardize or basically “make small” of something you’re doing.

Both of these messages made perfect sense to me. I am in the process of refocusing my business on a path that I’ve wanted to travel for years. For years I have longed to create a full-on Mystery School that blended the ancient wisdom with the modern magic.  I just recently set up the first of the certification workshops for this goal.

Before, I did not feel it was the right time. And I know that some people may not see the beauty or the “Spirit” drive behind it.

To me, Blue Heron was signaling me to keep my focus……to be patient….and to follow Spirit about the project.


If you’re interested in learning more about the ancient healing wisdom for self and others, check out: http://www.spiritsmuse.com/ancientwisdom.html

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