Dragon is a Spirit Animal

Dragon image from fantasygalleryart.com/library. Picture by Ciruelo.

 

 

 

 

As I was wrapping Christmas presents, I watched/listened to Dragonheart, one of my all time happy movies.  So, I thought that I would talk about dragons.

What does Dragon mean to any of us?  Wikipedia has a wonderful list of general characteristics of a dragon which it draws from many cultures.  It says:

"There are many kinds of dragons in the different cultures. In general:

• A dragon is usually big and impressive 
• A dragon has: none to four legs, claws, scales and possibly spikes. Optional wings 
• A dragon perhaps looks like a snake with wings, or like lizards 
• A dragon has a tail and a long neck. 
• A dragon has a wide mouth with big and dangerous teeth 
• Sometimes they have horns and hair. 
• A dragon can fly 
• A dragon can perhaps breathe fire (or other dangerous substances). 
• A dragon has special powers. 
• A dragon could have flight sacs full of hydrogen and methane, that not only help it to fly, but also to breathe fire.  - from simple.wikipedia.org/dragon "

The article clearly states that the dragon is mythical, and yet, here are some well known characteristics, and a picture to prove the traits.  We humans have a great love affair with Dragon.

When protégées take the rites of the Munay-Ki, the Third Rite, the Harmony Rite, provides the protégée with a "serpent" in the base chakra.  The archetype of serpent may be either a dragon or a lizard or snake.  Many protégées tell of receiving a black or red or blue or multi-coloured dragon as their first archetype.

What message does Dragon bring?  Dragon is about  being in integrity, about being a healer, about walking softly on this earth.  Each of these aspects of Dragon speak to us about being able to walk and talk our truth, and healing those around us.  The "walk softly" means that we need to stop leaving our footprints of destruction of nature on this Earth.  

Ancestors tell us that Dragon was one of the original earthly guardians of all things.  When Man advanced, Dragon believed that it could retire to another realm because Man would care for the world.  Dragon had taught its knowledge to Shaman, Wise Men and Wise Women.

If Dragon appears, she is telling you to remember that YOU must care for the Earth and help restore it to health.

Many blessings,

Judy

Tumeric Root

A picture of the Turmeric Root  from www.chinesemedicinenews.com

Cold and flu and covid!  How do we stay healthy and strong?  One of the oldest solutions to fighting disease is to eat or drink food with tumeric in it. Here is what you need to know.

 ""Turmeric has strong antioxidant activity. It is more potent than either vitamin C or vitamin E. In the body these important disease-fighting substances mop up unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals that can otherwise damage cells and cause diseases such as cancer. One component, dimethylbenzyl alcohol, normalizes cholesterol in the blood, while curcumin removes accumulation of cholesterol in the liver. Turmeric normalizes arterial health. Turmeric is also called for when indigestion, gas, and eliminatory issues imbalance the body.   From http://www.bellybytes.com/nourish/turmeric_root.html""

  After reading the information above, it is easier to understand what our Ancestors wanted to do with  roots and creating medicine from combinations of food.  Yogis and herbalists have worked to create many recipes that both balance the ACIDIC/ALKALINE levels in our body as well as working to provide good nutrition.  

Other properties of Turmeric are that it lubricates joints, cleanses the skin, cleanses the mucous membranes and cleanses the female reproductive organs. Yogis advise that Turmeric lubricates the spine and helps break up calcium deposits.  One of the drinks that Yogis recommend is "Golden Milk".

Golden Milk Recipe

1/4 to 1/3 teaspoon Turmeric       1/3 cup of water

8 ounces of milk, dairy or non dairy,  1 teaspoon almond oil and honey to taste

Boil Turmeric and water for about 8 minutes.  If water boils away, add more water.  Add milk and almond oil.  When mixture boils, remove from heat and add honey.  Makes 1 to 1 1/2 cups of Golden Milk. 

(from Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan, written by Shakta Kaur Khalsa).

Blessings,

Judy

A Lonely Crow - Spirit Animal

Picture of 
"Crow In Flight" from Wikipedia

 

We are at the time of year when all of the crows should have flown south - from Alberta - for the winter.  So, I was surprised to see one lonely crow in the park woods on my walk the other morning.  I know it was a crow because of the distinctive "caw" noise.  Thinking about the scene, I then began to wonder if I had actually seen the crow or whether it was a Spirit Crow that was there as the woods were eerily quiet.

Crow makes a wide range of noises, and it is possible to learn their language in our rather primitive human way.  Sometimes the sounds are about danger, others about gossip and where the food is, or where there are other animals that may present some fun! The shiny blackness of Crow's feathers remind us that absolute blackness is the chaos that we - the cosmos - was born out of. And, Crow represents the magic that is present during the day. (Appropriate for me in the woods.) 

What messages does Crow bring?  Messages that really need to be reflected upon.  Here are some of them.

a)   Crow likes to be very high up to observe and watch for danger.  If you see Crow, and she is cawing at you, perhaps you need to be warned of danger ahead.

b)  Crow likes to gather with other crows.  Some liken this to a Council.  Perhaps it is time to turn to your Council of Twelve for guidance.

c)  Various legends of the Gods and Goddesses tell of their use of Crows as spies because Crow has an inherent knowledge of truth.  If Crow appears, it may be that she is saying that you need to look beyond the apparent for the actual Truth.  Shaman say that you need to look for the story behind the story.  

d) Crow therefore is also about integrity.  Is there something that is challenging your truth and integrity?  Do you need to be diligent or discerning in your association with others?

As I look at my Crow experience, I realize that my  message came from Great Spirit, and that Crow was there to remind me that there is much beyond what we know, and that I need to turn more to guidance from Great Spirit, Ancestors, and my Council of Twelve.   I will be spending more time in mediation!

Blessings,

Judy