Prairie Chicken In Snow - Spirit Animal

Yesterday, when I went out to my vehicle, there were three prairie chickens in the middle of the cove, pecking away at seeds.  They scurried away when I walked too close to them.  Then, today, when the I took my dog walking in the park, at the exit, there was a small flock of six prairie chickens.  This time, they flew away instead of scurrying, I think, because of my dog.

It is apparent to me, that Prairie Chicken has a message for me because it is appearing two days in a row, and the number of critters is multiplied by two.  This really illustrates how message totem animals work.  

“A Message Animal Totem usually is bringing you a self growth, spiritual message, or a cautionary warning. It is often a wake up call or slap in the face. It will usually be a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time and very impartial. A Message Totem is a brief period of time, a day, a week, and occasionally as much as a couple of months but can be immediate for just a few hours.”

Now, it is up to me to figure out what the message is because the animals did not stay around to give the message to me directly.  Prairie Chickens, and many chickens and quail, and even grouse, are about community, about feeding or nourishment, and about protection – especially fleeing at the first sign of danger.  This means that chicken is also about being ultra aware of one’s surroundings.

The message that resonated for me as I meditated on Prairie Chicken and the chickens’ actions is:

• When the unknown approaches and it feels threatening, simply flee and then observe it from a distance.  Warriors are careful.
• Finding the best place to eat and creating the best food will keep your group very strong.  Nourishment is part of spirituality for the body must be kept healthy.
• Feeding people is a small sacrifice that shows that you are in service.

 Blessings,

Judy

Jaguar - A Spirit Animal

 

Picture of jaguar from www.animals-images.com

On Sunday, in our Solstice Celebration, several people had an encounter with a jaguar. 

Last night, as I was falling asleep, my Black Jaguar, who sits on my Sacral Chakra, popped in and asked, “Why don`t you write about jaguars as spirit animals?” So, today, I will write about jaguar.

Jaguar is sacred to indigenous people in South and Central America.  They call it “the animal that kills with a bite”`because the Jaguar kills its prey with a single bite.  Jaguar makes a loud coughing noise.  She is unable to roar.  

In Munay-Ki, Jaguar is a totem that reflects integrity, steadfastness, truth, and the ability to blend in with the day or the night.  Her skills include climbing, running steadily for hours at a slow trot, and keen night vision.  The people with this totem or spirit animal, are generally agile, loners and leaders, and very good orators.  Most Jaguar people are writers and thinkers, and do something to change the world.

Jaguar likes to live in caves, close to water, much like the hermits or isolated monks do. If she appears to you, she may be reminding you that in the Northern hemisphere, people should be moving into a hibernation or isolation stage in their life.  Winter is a time of regeneration.  This is a time to heal, to refresh the mind, and to contemplate one’s next steps.  When we don’t take this time, people get out of balance.

 

Black jaguar image from www.worldwildlife.org  

 

 

Have jaguar dreams tonight.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Porcupine as a Spirit Animal

 Picture from a friend 

We live close to a provincial park and we have had several experiences with porcupines coming up into the neighbourhood to check out the gardens and the fruit trees.  They are beautiful in their laid back, quiet saunter.  Their ability to climb trees is awesome.  And, we know to stay clear of them.

If you grew up in the country or had a cottage at the lake, then you know that the porcupine is on the list of “beware of” animals.  One – it has quills that it can “throw” at you and they are very, very difficult to get out of either you or the dog! Two – don’t leave any tools on the ground because the porcupine will eat the handle – it likes salt! Well the first item is partially true – the quills are very difficult to remove. However, the porcupine cannot throw them. It can, however, back into either you or the dog, and do lots of damage. And, it really does like salt – possibly because it likes to be close to water and prefers willow and water lilies to eat – both with high water content.

The porcupine is a fascinating totem animal and spirit guide. Although it is a land animal, it spends most of its time in trees eating young buds, blossoms, and bark. As mentioned earlier, it loves water lilies and so spends time in the water where it maintains its buoyancy through its quills which are filled with air. Thus, porcupine has an affinity with three of the five Earth elements – wood, water, air, and metal. Porcupine is a reflection of a gentle nature that is joyful and full of innocence. Yes, it will defend itself. Yet, it never goes on the attack except in the protection of its young which the mother raises alone. Porcupines are very much loners and seem to exist in isolation. However, they do share their burrows or hollowed out trees with others if the occasion arises. Porcupine is also about communication – reflecting the “barbs” that hurt us and the barbs we hurl at others. 

If porcupine shows up for you, ask yourself if you are communicating offensively, particularly to loved ones. Also look at porcupine’s diet and determine if you are eating healthy foods, drinking lots of water, and getting lots of fresh air. Do you need to climb to a higher height to have a better view of the world? Do you need to allow others into your den in a move of generosity? Is your salt intake too high, too low, or adequate? Is it time to be alone?

Blessings,

Judy

Elk - Spirit Animal

 North American Elk picture from Wikipedia

 

 

Whenever we drive to the mountains, to Banff or Lake Louis, or in other park areas, we were constantly on the alert for Elk.  I have had past encounters with Elk on the road, and, in their majestic way, neither the bull or cow Elk will give way.  If Elk appears in your life, and you have a strong, personal energy, Elk may be reminding you that you descend from a lineage of royalty, and to carry yourself accordingly.

Elk is very strong and agile, and can run for miles.  When wolves or cougars attack the herd, all the Elk scatter in different directions to confuse the predator.  And, if cornered Elk will fight to the death either predator.  The message that Elk's strength and courage sends to you is to first understand the environment you are in - either home or work - and watch for changes in energy indicating that some danger is occurring for you.  The message is also about standing your ground and answering to your own principles.  When you are attacked, fight for what is true relentlessly.  To keep from being provoked, Elk cautions that you should take time for yourself and retreat to Nature occasionally, or simply spend time in solitude, away from friends and family.  This time of recharging will regenerate your strength and power.

Elk is well known to The People of the plains and the mountains.  Many of the stories told by the Ancestors tell of Elk being very large - as in giant large, and that in the days of creation, Elk created the mountains and the valleys by dragging its antlers through the ground in pursuit of those who would harm Elk.  Elk is also known as an animal that protects, and therefore is the totem animal for some, and the spirit guide for others. 

When Elk walks into your life, you may be sure that you are in for an adventure!

Many Blessings,

Judy

Prairie Chicken Visits - Spirit Animal

 

Picture from pixels.com

Yesterday, when I took recycling out to the bin, there were three prairie chickens in the middle of the cove, pecking away at seeds.  They scurried away when I walked over to the bin.  Then, today, when my dog and I were walking in the park, at the exit where a small flock of six prairie chickens.  This time, they flew away instead of scurrying, I think, because of the dog.

It is apparent to me, that Prairie Chicken has a message for me because it is appearing two days in a row, and the number of critters is multiplied by two.  This really illustrates how message totem animals work.  

“A Message Animal Totem usually is bringing you a self growth, spiritual message, or a cautionary warning. It is often a wake up call or slap in the face. It will usually be a very unusual experience making it very powerful at that time and very impartial. A Message Totem is a brief period of time, a day, a week, and occasionally as much as a couple of months but can be immediate for just a few hours.”

Now, it is up to me to figure out what the message is because the animals did not stay around to give the message to me directly.  Prairie Chickens, and many chickens and quail, and even grouse, are about community, about feeding or nourishment, and about protection – especially fleeing at the first sign of danger.  This means that chicken is also about being ultra aware of one’s surroundings.

The message that resonated for me as I meditated on Prairie Chicken and the chickens’ actions is:

• When the unknown approaches and it feels threatening, simply flee and then observe it from a distance.  Warriors are careful.
• Finding the best place to eat and creating the best food will keep your group very strong.  Nourishment is part of spirituality for the body must be kept healthy.
• Feeding people is a small sacrifice that shows that you are in service

Spirit Animal - Rooster

                       

                                Picture from www.nashvillescene.com

I often dream about animals and many times, the animals talk to me in the dreams.  The Shaman believes that all animals speak and that animals bring us messages.  These spirit animals may also act as guides or as guardians for us both in the dream world and in this world.  As a side note, one of the meanings of the word - Shaman - is to identify the person as one who walks between worlds or walks between the daylight world and the night time world.

My dream the other night was about several things although the prominent figure in the dream was a Rooster.  Rooster had a lot to say.

A rooster is a symbol of male domination, not only of the chickens, but of the farmyard.  Several sports teams have Rooster as an emblem or totem, on their team sweaters.  Roosters have been used in betting circles to stage “cock fights” and to proclaim mastery at fighting.

Rooster, however, is not happy with Man, and Man’s attempt to subvert Rooster’s natural protective  tendencies to become a fighter without any other job and therefore be a source of entertainment and profit.  Rooster has this to say about life.

• I like to work with farmers and keep the barnyard safe by alerting the farmer to potential threats from predators.  I do not like that Man has made me a predator in the ring.  I tell everyone that being made to do something against your will is a form of slavery. Fight against it.
• I crow as a warning to other roosters, and to foxes and wolves, and other eaters of chickens, that I am on the job.  I tell them to beware.  I see people move through life without doing any crowing.  You need to have the confidence to say, “I am great at what I do.”  Moving through life with your head up and in an alert state will protect you.
• Roosters scratch in the dirt for food.  In this way, we stay grounded, and stay in touch with Mother Earth.  More people should ground themselves in the here and now instead of allowing their lives to drift away by fantasizing about what will not be because they have not taken action.

Many blessings,

Judy