Animal Totems

BE-e Medicine

This part of BE-e medicine is what really stood out to me and why WE may-BEE here. The Connections & Synchronicity of it ALL !! !!


I'm posting apart of these writtings UP here first and the rest of BE-e Medicine to follow shorty, down BEE-low on this page as it's FAIRY long. lol !! !!


Morning Star's Quote taken from her writtings:


Bee Medicine:


I did not expect that I would be writing on the Honey Bee as quite frankly, of all the creatures in the world, these little ladies can really give me the willies (except for Bumble Bees, which I am quite fond of). It happened though that I had found a wonderful new book by Ted Andrews, a Workbook for his book Animal Speak, for my eldest son for Christmas. I too was curious to read it and so finally having a few moments to read and relax, I borrowed it from him and settled in for what I thought was going to be at least an hour of enjoyable relaxation. I was only a few pages into the book when I read how he believed that to conquer long term, repetitive problems we need to face the creature we most fear and learn to work with it's medicine because that creature is most likely a very powerful totem for the person and has qualities and attributes that will help to resolve the recurring challanges. Brilliant I thought, well let's see what do I fear..... oh no, Bees......

As Ted says however, gaining knowledge about what we fear or do not understand is the first step to overcoming the fear and learning to appreciate it. Certainly I was willing to see if Bee was both a totem for me and how I could better understand how to work with it's energies. Before going further I also must say that we do NOT always like or feel connected to all of our totems! Yet if something is a totem for us, it will find numerous ways to get our attention. It's not too surprising that many of the nightmares that have frightened me the most have included the honey bee for example. By researching and seeking to understand Bees as well as asking them as a totem for assistance, I learned a great deal within a very short time that has stirred much respect within me for these creatures. And not too surprisingly, what I learned also related to precisely the challenges occuring in my life.

To begin with, the first thing I read repeatedly is that Honey Bee's are not dangerous (the exception to this of course is the African Honey Bee which by nature is much more aggressive) and rarely sting unless they feel provoked to defend their hive and fellow workers. I thought back to all the times I have been around Honey Bees and the people that carry their medicine and truly for the most part, they have been extremely gentle, sociable creatures and folks. Many Bee people are extremely cooperative and the only other people that come as close to this sense of community are Ant people. These people really understand that in order for they themselves to do well in life, then all of life must also prosper and thrive and they are willing to work with many others to accomplish their own and others well being. What happens to many Bee people though is that since they themselves are so willing to automatically cooperate and behave in ways that are helpful to others, they don't stop to question whether those they are helping are also going to be willing to return the favour. Thus the Bee person often finds that they are giving and giving and wondering what went wrong when they find themselves in need of support or assistance and none of the people they have helped can be found. Bee communities thrive because each and every member is willing to extend to other hive members what they have been given. So too do Bee people need to insure that the "hive" they are hanging out with are truly folks that are on their same wavelength in recognising that giving is a two-way street. Bee's know who is a member of their hive and who isn't by pheremones. Each colony or hive has it's own individual scent that marks the individuals within it. Bee's have a highly developed "nose" for who belongs and who needs to be escorted off the premises, one way or another. So too do Bee people need to "sniff out" those that have earned the right to belong to their circle of people and who is simply trying to intrude to see if they can steal the Bee person's "Honey". I have known more Bee people who would swear they do not have an intuitive bone in their body and yet when they hear of something that does not feel right to them, they always say "this stinks" or "This smells fishy to me though I don't know why". It's important that Bee people learn to honour what their noses are telling them. It could be a "Bear" is getting close to the "hive" and extra defenses need to be put in place or a "mite" has piggybacked it's way into the hive and needs to be removed before it infects everything in the person's life. While a Bear may tear apart a hive to get to the honey within, Bee's can often easily rebuild (with up to 60,000 members strong, it takes little time for healthy bees to rebuild). Mites, though tiny, are a dangerous enemy to the Honey Bee. They weaken and eventually may kill off a hive, and so too do Bee people need to remember that sometimes it's the little things that get started and are ignored that can end up bringing down an entire structure for good. Even though the mites themselves do not carry the scent of the community, they may be hard to detect because they are living on one of the bee's as a parasite and thus the scent of the hive is masking the presence of the mite. I know in my own life there have been very small things that have occured; I have been asked to do someone a "small favour", or could I possibly take "five minutes" to do something and then before I know it, that small, seemingly insignificant thing has ended up turning into a huge favour costing me plenty in terms of time, money, energy and peace of mind. Bee (yes, pun intended!) aware of who is asking you to do what and for what reasons. It it doesn't smell right, it isn't. If you need help in saying no or walking away, call in the help of your own hive, for often Bee people do have at least a handful of folks around them that will be protective and caring of them! And sometimes we don't find out just how many people do care until we put out the distress call for help!

By Morning Star

Bee Medicine


Fertility and the Honey of Life,
Accomplishing the Impossible


Bees are the symbol of fertility and sexuality.
Its honeycomb, a hexagon, is the symbol of the heart and
represents the sweetness of life found within our own heart.
It is also the symbol of the sun and all its energies.

The bee reminds us to extract the honey of life
and to make our lives fertile (productive) while the sun shines.
No matter how great the dream is, there is the promise of fulfillment
if we pursue our dreams.

If a Bee has shown up in your life, examine your own productivity.
Are you doing all you can to make your life more fertile?
Are you busy enough?
Are you making time to savor the honey of life and not becoming a workaholic?

The Bee is the symbol of accomplishing the impossible.
Aerodynamically, its body is too large for its wings and should not be able to fly.
Although now we understand how it does fly (high rate of wing movement),
the Bee remains a symbol of accomplishing anything you put your mind to.

In Hinduism, the Bee relates to Vishnu, Krishna or Kama, the God of Love.
In Egypt, the Bee symbolized royalty.
In Greece, it was the symbol of the Eleusinian Mysteries.
The Celts associated the Bee with hidden wisdom.

Bee Medicine

I did not expect that I would be writing on the Honey Bee as quite frankly, of all the creatures in the world, these little ladies can really give me the willies (except for Bumble Bees, which I am quite fond of). It happened though that I had found a wonderful new book by Ted Andrews, a Workbook for his book Animal Speak, for my eldest son for Christmas. I too was curious to read it and so finally having a few moments to read and relax, I borrowed it from him and settled in for what I thought was going to be at least an hour of enjoyable relaxation. I was only a few pages into the book when I read how he believed that to conquer long term, repetitive problems we need to face the creature we most fear and learn to work with it's medicine because that creature is most likely a very powerful totem for the person and has qualities and attributes that will help to resolve the recurring challanges. Brilliant I thought, well let's see what do I fear..... oh no, Bees......

As Ted says however, gaining knowledge about what we fear or do not understand is the first step to overcoming the fear and learning to appreciate it. Certainly I was willing to see if Bee was both a totem for me and how I could better understand how to work with it's energies. Before going further I also must say that we do NOT always like or feel connected to all of our totems! Yet if something is a totem for us, it will find numerous ways to get our attention. It's not too surprising that many of the nightmares that have frightened me the most have included the honey bee for example. By researching and seeking to understand Bees as well as asking them as a totem for assistance, I learned a great deal within a very short time that has stirred much respect within me for these creatures. And not too surprisingly, what I learned also related to precisely the challenges occuring in my life.

To begin with, the first thing I read repeatedly is that Honey Bee's are not dangerous (the exception to this of course is the African Honey Bee which by nature is much more aggressive) and rarely sting unless they feel provoked to defend their hive and fellow workers. I thought back to all the times I have been around Honey Bees and the people that carry their medicine and truly for the most part, they have been extremely gentle, sociable creatures and folks. Many Bee people are extremely cooperative and the only other people that come as close to this sense of community are Ant people. These people really understand that in order for they themselves to do well in life, then all of life must also prosper and thrive and they are willing to work with many others to accomplish their own and others well being. What happens to many Bee people though is that since they themselves are so willing to automatically cooperate and behave in ways that are helpful to others, they don't stop to question whether those they are helping are also going to be willing to return the favour. Thus the Bee person often finds that they are giving and giving and wondering what went wrong when they find themselves in need of support or assistance and none of the people they have helped can be found. Bee communities thrive because each and every member is willing to extend to other hive members what they have been given. So too do Bee people need to insure that the "hive" they are hanging out with are truly folks that are on their same wavelength in recognising that giving is a two-way street. Bee's know who is a member of their hive and who isn't by pheremones. Each colony or hive has it's own individual scent that marks the individuals within it. Bee's have a highly developed "nose" for who belongs and who needs to be escorted off the premises, one way or another. So too do Bee people need to "sniff out" those that have earned the right to belong to their circle of people and who is simply trying to intrude to see if they can steal the Bee person's "Honey". I have known more Bee people who would swear they do not have an intuitive bone in their body and yet when they hear of something that does not feel right to them, they always say "this stinks" or "This smells fishy to me though I don't know why". It's important that Bee people learn to honour what their noses are telling them. It could be a "Bear" is getting close to the "hive" and extra defenses need to be put in place or a "mite" has piggybacked it's way into the hive and needs to be removed before it infects everything in the person's life. While a Bear may tear apart a hive to get to the honey within, Bee's can often easily rebuild (with up to 60,000 members strong, it takes little time for healthy bees to rebuild). Mites, though tiny, are a dangerous enemy to the Honey Bee. They weaken and eventually may kill off a hive, and so too do Bee people need to remember that sometimes it's the little things that get started and are ignored that can end up bringing down an entire structure for good. Even though the mites themselves do not carry the scent of the community, they may be hard to detect because they are living on one of the bee's as a parasite and thus the scent of the hive is masking the presence of the mite. I know in my own life there have been very small things that have occured; I have been asked to do someone a "small favour", or could I possibly take "five minutes" to do something and then before I know it, that small, seemingly insignificant thing has ended up turning into a huge favour costing me plenty in terms of time, money, energy and peace of mind. Bee (yes, pun intended!) aware of who is asking you to do what and for what reasons. It it doesn't smell right, it isn't. If you need help in saying no or walking away, call in the help of your own hive, for often Bee people do have at least a handful of folks around them that will be protective and caring of them! And sometimes we don't find out just how many people do care until we put out the distress call for help!

Bee communities are made up of the Queen, Workers (always infertile females) and Drones (males). Queens begin the nest and lay the eggs that will become workers and drones. She will continue to build up the nest or hive until enough eggs have hatched and there are enough mature adults to take over in her stead. So too do Bee people often find they must put much effort into starting things, but then they must learn to allow others to take over some of the tasks and help. The Queen or Bee person can then focus on what is needed to create new "workers" or "drones" that will continue to keep him/her fertilised and in production. The health of the hive can be dependant on having a Queen that is strong and healthy, for she will continue to produce new workers that are able to carry on as the older workers die off. Workers only live a short time, up to about 50 days while the Queen can live up to 4 years. Worker Bees literally work themselves to death due to their devotion to their Queen and their hive. Bee people need to learn to take time off from their work and activities for this reason, or they too will find they suffer from health problems or may even work their projects and even business's to death through over-expansion or continued activity that the market cannot support. Taking time off and allowing others to share more of the load will allow the Bee person to remain refreshed and invigorated so that when action does need to take place, the person is not too burned out or just plain knackered to follow through. Worker Bees also defend the hive against intruders as well as foraging for pollen and keeping the hive in good repair. Worker Bees will also "dance" to communicate to others where to find the best pollen. There is no sense of competition among Worker Bees, each behaves for the good of the whole and the more that know where to find abundant pollen, the more the hive will thrive. Bee people need to network on many levels in their lives if they too are going to attract the best that life has to offer. These folks are generally very generous with their own time and information as well, and if they can connect with many others of like mind, they can become extremely successful in their lives as well as being thought of as good and generous people. Bee people need to find numerous ways to connect with others so that they can share what they have to offer, even if that includes a process of trial and error to see what works best for them in this regard. Bee people who are in business for themselves will find it especially important to "spread the word" about their products and services and should take advantage of as many opportunities to do so as they can. Or if a Bee person's career depends on referrals from others as with sales or real estate for example, they should certainly make sure that as many people as possible know about them! Many Bee people I know do very well in Real Estate which is not too surprising considering how important the home/hive is for these folks.

Some Bee people I have known could really let fly with stinging words and actions, and it is important for these folks to learn to control this sort of behaviour if they find themselves acting out the African Bee side (or shadow) of the Bee medicine. Unfortunately, sometimes it is required and the Bee person is left with little choice but to sting to defend themselves or that which is of value to them. Yet when a Bee stings, it dies shortly after for the stinger along with part of the abdomen and poison sac is pulled away from the Bee has stung something or someone. Bees and Bee people do tend to instinctively know this and this is what makes them think twice before attacking. When a Bee person must "sting" they also need to understand that the energy involved in the situation also needs to die. If the "attack" is strong enough, the Bee person can rest assured that portion of their life is dying. And they may need time to grieve for what has been lost so they may move forward again. Yet if they are plugged into the medicine they carry, they will come in time to accept that a new community within them is being born and soon they shall be able to move on again. Take the time to rest and recharge for the long cycle of work and production that lies ahead! Along with this cycle of death and rebirth it is important to note the following: "It is not advisable to kill the colony without removing the nest because of the potential damage from remaining honey and larvae. If left in the wall, decaying larvae can cause an odor problem, and the honey may attract a number of other pests. " Those who carry Bee medicine must learn to be sure they "clean up" things that have died in their lives, even creating rituals to clear old energy, lest they find that the old energy hangs about and "rots" thus, attracting pests and causing damage to other areas of the person's life. It may be that the Bee person finds they undergo a cyclical process of death and regeneration and this may indeed fall into a cycle of four years or smaller cycles of about 42 to 56 days (the life span of both workers and drones). It can be helpful for Bee people to note when things on a small or larger scale tend to weaken and die off for a time in their lives and then see how long it takes before the energy begins to renew and resume progress. This can also help the Bee person plan to set aside resources or support for those cycles so they can be relaxed into rather than fought against.

It is also interesting to note that Bee venom has been used in the treatment of diseases such as Arthritis, Rheumatism, Multiple Sclerosis and other painful, aching conditions. Toxic substances have long been known to be extremely powerful healers when used in the right dose or combination with other drugs or substances. Bee people often do find that they have words and actions that can heal or words and actions that can wound and destroy. And sometimes things said that could be damaging, might really be just what the other person needs to hear or experience so they can examine how what they are doing may be damaging or hurtful to others folks too.

Bee people often find that from time to time they simply need to pick up and move on. Bee's swarm when looking for a new home or following a new Queen, because their old home has simply become too crowded for that many members to remain. Bee people may also find that they too need to seek out new environments and experiences if they are to continue to thrive and be happy and healthy in their lives. These folks may also find that people or situations they have been involved with have become too "crowded" for them to remain and it's time to seek something new. Trying to hang onto the old will only cause problems and defeat in the end. Instead Bee people need to send their own "scouts" out, and this can be done by asking Bee as totem to scout about for new situations and people that can be beneficial for you, and report back with the information. I have also known some Bee folks who simply must pack up and move house about every two to four years, regardless of how wonderful their home has been for them. And perhaps this too explains my own "itchy feet" for I too get this restless urge to move every few years. Again, asking Bee as totem to help you find the right new home for you will save you loads of time, energy and stress!

What to watch for when Bee appears:

There is a clear message here that there is pollen available to you that can be turned into life sustaining nourishment but you may have to get out there and hustle a bit to get it! Still, the efforts you make now are apt to be well rewarded.

Have you been slinging some stinging attacks or had some come your way? Do you need to defend what is of value to you, lest it be taken over or ripped apart by someone else?

All Bees represent the ability to do the impossible because they defy the laws of aerodynamics which states they should not be able to fly, though obviously they do quite well. Perhaps Bee is sending you a message that you too need to believe that the impossible can and does occur, we are usually just too blind to see it.

It may be time to look for a new community or hive. Is your home and the people around you supporting you in the way that is truly beneficial for you and others?

You most likely need to ask for help with something. Remember, even the Queen only works on her own just long enough to get enough mature adults up and running. So too do you need to work on your own for only so long and then you need to ask for assistance. Take a good look at your life, what do you need help with most right now?

Is your home clean and in good repair? Workers spend much time making sure their hive is well tended. Remember, decay and clutter attract pests and energy you really can live without.

By Morning Star

ANT

Patience, Order, Discipline

A person with an ant totem is active,
community-minded who sees future needs.
You are a planner
but content to build your dreams slowly over time.
You are content in knowing that everything will come to you in time.


The ant teaches you how to become the architect of your life.
The greatest success comes with persistence.
The ant shows you how to work with others.

Ask yourself if you are making things harder than they need to be.
Are you being patient with your own and others' efforts?
Using discipline, you can lay a foundation for success.

The ant is the promise of success through effort.

Pic from Photo Gallery.com

Ant Totem
Builder
From Phylameana lila Desy, About.com

See More About:animal totems insects ants Messages and Meanings: industrious, community, socialization, gatherer, slave, hard worker, team player, promise of reward for good effort.

Ant Totem

Ants are the ultimate laborers. They live in a communal colony, sharing menial tasks and food sources. Underneath the ant hill that we see on our lawns and gardens are elaborate living quarters. Ants as totems teach the value of work and getting along with your co-workers. They also teach the importance of community as a unit. Ants live within a caste system, A queen ant, mates for the queen, guards to protect the queen, and laborers. When ant appears you may need to evaluate the role you are playing in your current life situation. We can't all be queens. Laborers do have value! Team work offers rewards. However, if you feel you are enslaved by your job or circumstance ant totem showing up could mean that it is time to break away from current associations with others and take a solitary path for awhile.

My BE-e Pic

SHADOW ENERGIES

What is a Shadow Energy?

The shadow energy (more familiarly known as 'totem') is an animal that challenges us somehow.

We fear it, or we dislike it. We experience an irrational feeling of distaste or revulsion towards it. It is an animal that we might kill, or avoid, or turn off when we see it on television, and it is an animal that can feature in our nightmares or that may even have attacked us in the past.

It is thought that we fear these animals because they teach us the lessons that we don't want to learn, because we fear what we might lose in the process and even what we may gain. We may fear what the animal may tell us about ourselves, often it forces us to confront harsh truths about ourselves. What we dislike most about the animal, may be what we dislike most in ourselves, or it might represent something that happened to us, or is happening to us, that feels harmful and unpleasant. In extreme cases, we can develop phobias of these animals. Or worse, we may begin to kill them en masse if we get the opportunity.

It is called a 'shadow' energy, because like many aspects of ourselves that we don't like, it is often marginalised and ignored. Even spiritual people have a tough time confronting and working with their shadow energies.

It is possible to have more than one shadow energy, and it is possible for them to change over time. Almost everyone has them. In some cases it's easier to know which animals we have problems with than others, because they might be animals we confront regularly like spiders or fleas. Sometimes it's more difficult, it's an animal that's easy to avoid because it might only be at the zoo, or in books.

Some common shadow energies:

- Ant
- Flea
- Bee
- Wasp
- Mosquito
- Fly
- Tick
- Spider
- Snake
- Horse
- Raven / Crow
- Wolf
- Hyena
- Cuckoo

There are of course a lot of others! You might think of fears and dislikes your friends have had in the past, or fears and dislikes you have had.

Ask yourself the question:

If you fear 'spiders', you need to be very exact. Do you fear ALL spiders? Or the poisonous ones? Or the fast ones? Or the big tarantula ones? Do you fear all wasps? Even the ones you've never seen? Why? What about cuckoos? Do you hate them because they push eggs out of the nest? Or because you think they're ugly?

Ask yourself the relevant questions, WHY do you fear or dislike the animal. Start simple. Write down some answers to these questions and you can start to narrow down the nature of your fear:

What kind of 'animal' is it?

What does it look like?

How does it act?

How does it move?

Can it hurt me?

Do I fear / hate it as much as other animals that can hurt me more or in the same way?

Powerful Medicine

Needless to say, one of the most powerful exercises we can do, is confront our shadow aspects and work with them consciously and subconsciously to create a working relationship with them. This is a spiritual process, often initiated through meditation and visualisation of the animal itself, and can force us to light a candle to the shadows of ourselves that we deny, or suppress, or ignore.

Shadow energies have powerful medicine, if we imagine that we are trying to always improve ourselves and get closer to the spirit and wholeness, the shadow animal can give us very direct paths to this. Shadow energies are not gentle, they do not coddle us, and sometimes working with them can involve tears, terror, and even pain if the animal has attacked us in the past, but they do show us very direct paths to the spirit, and to home truths that once confronted, often show that the animal itself is not half as fearful as we thought it was!

For example, venomous animals often force us to confront that we too are capable of brutal, poisonous acts to get what we want. There's no point denying it, and spiders and snakes (and other venomous animals) tell us that we need to not only confront this truth, but embrace it, and eventually learn how to love and understand it. Through this love and understanding, we reach a new respect of ourselves and the animal through spiritual work.

Sometimes shadow energies will even become your primary 'totem', or one of your more significant guides. If you are open and honest with the animal and with yourself, you may even develop a powerful ally who can help you in otherworlds, ritual and spellwork. You will also become well-equipped to help others face their own fears and dislikes of the same animal, because you will often know what you had to go through to get to a place of understanding.

Taking your time.

Some people like fast results in their spirituality, the idea of a long and protracted journey of hard work with little results can be frustrating to say the least. But with shadow animals it is important to understand that reconciling your shadow self, even aspects of your shadow self, with your conscious self can be a difficult and ongoing process.

Of course the process might also be very fast! You might have a lightning bolt of realisation and suddenly go 'yes! I do hate that about myself, and I fear this, and I'm going to do *this* to fix it, why did I never figure that out before?' But most of the time this process is slow and ongoing, and entirely worth it and rewarding in the end.

Don't force the process, sometimes you will not be ready at all, and you will know when it happens. Be patient with yourself. Respect and understand yourself and your spiritual journey as you are learning to respect and understand your shadow energies.





2003-2007 Wild Speak

I thought I would post this about the other side of working with animal totems because a) I am allergic to bees so I kind of fear them coming near me although I do admire them from a distance...and b) because for days now I have been getting attacked by mosquitos and sandflies, this morning being mosquito vampire central wherever I go and it is getting ridiculous! It is like a comedy where a cloud of mosquitos envelope me and move with me and c) flies!! little flies, marchflies, fruit flies....what is the deal??? I am inundated with insects - help! What does it all mean???

Oh and mosquitoes I fear because they make that annoying buzzing in the dark and you don't know where they are but you think they are going to bite you so you flap your arms wildly trying to shift them along. The irony is, that when you can't hear them, that is when the real danger of being bitten exists NOT while they are still buzzing! So when you flap your arms and they stop buzzing even though your ears get a rest, you can never be too sure if they have left or found a juicy vein to attack!

Okay, I got the lowdown on the insects here...

Mosquito's Wisdom Includes:

*Using water to transform
*Drawing energy inside one self
*Controlling energy flow in one direction

Fruit Fly's Wisdom Includes:

* Transformation
* Multifaceted vision
* Ability to mutate as needed
* Courtship display
* Connection to color

Fly's wisdom includes:

* Survival
* Multifaceted vision
* Ability to change waste into valuable assets
* Transformation
* Adaptation to the harshest environments

From: Animal Spirits

Aha! it is all making alot more sense now. The strong message coming through is using multifaceted vision and drawing energy into myself to make it trough hard times - which is exactly what I have been going through. Interesting the mention of connection to colour...I started colouring mandalas with my young son to try and lift some of the grey moods I have been having. At first I was using all dull colours that didn't match...last night I used the brightest most vibrant shades and in the end I felt so energised.

Wolf`s Moon


Role ~Guide to the Higher Realms~

Lesson: Self Reliance

Element: Air

Wind: North ~Land of the EIders~

Medicine: Messenger





Perceptive Self Reliance Balance

Power of Silence & Mystery Psychic

Understanding the Shadow



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Self Reliance

Snow Leopards (like all members of the Leopard or Panther Family) are solitary creatures that hunt, feed and live mostly alone. In fact, the only time that a Snow Leopard will interact with another of their kind, is when the female is in estrus, or when she is raising her cubs. Yet as soon as the female is no longer in estrus, the mating pair will disperse with each going their own way. Likewise, once the cubs have reached sufficient maturation, they will be driven off by the mother (generally the next Spring, around one year after their birth) to face life on their own, and the she leopard will once more return to her solitary existence.

***Snow Leopard Souls are here in part to learn the lesson of Self Reliance. Like this Totem Spirit that has a mostly solitary life, the Two legged beside whom Snow Leopard strides, will face many encounters and situations in their current incarnation which develop the ability to rely upon and trust the inner Self.

This does not mean that these individuals are devoid of the desire to have a mate, what it does suggest, is that they often do their best thinking and problem resolution alone, and in fact do require some time alone with their own thoughts and feelings. If this ~Solitary~ time is not taken, there is the tendency for the Snow Leopard Soul to feel a stifling of the spirit, which in turn may leave them snappish or short tempered with their mate.

The lessons experienced that assist in the development of Self Reliance, can take many forms, though the most common manifestation is is through abandonment as a repetitive issue. This sense of "rejection" can come in either the form of actual abandonment (as in a partner leaving), or with the physical ~transition~ of loved ones.

Regardless of how this manifests itself, the end intent behind these lessons, is to teach Snow Leopard Soul the importance of trusting their inner Self.

***Through these lessons in Self Reliance, we are reminded that it is our Inner connection to the Divine that is the true source of our Strength. Then, in listening to that still, small Voice that speaks volumes to our Soul, we come to realize (through tuning into that Inner Knowing and following its urging) that we will never be led astray, nor are we ever truly Alone.***




Understanding the Power of Silence & Mystery

All Leopards are closely linked to Shamans, Medicine Workers and psychics or intuitives, as it is believed that the Leopard Spirit walks effortlessly between the plane of the ~Physical World~ and the Blue Road of Spirit. For the Snow Leopard, this seems even more the case when one considers the breath taking peaks and ranges that this splendid creature calls home.

Snow Leopards live in the high mountains of Central Asia, including the
mighty Himalayan Mountains. For millennia, indigenous Peoples have believed the Mountains to be the home of the ~Gods.~ Hence, all animals that live within the embrace of the Great Stone People, are held as sacred brothers and sisters, having a special Role as Messenger between the realm of the Gods and the realm of Man.

***How this relates to one with Snow Leopard as one of their Personal Totems is that one beside whom the Leopard walks may possess an inner knowing, reverence and respect for the mysteries of Life, Death and Rebirth.

This attribute is often marked by one whose Theme Totem is Leopard as
possessing an aura of mystery or penetrating intensity. These are the natural born sleuths of the Medicine Wheel, as their keen powers of observation make it difficult for others to keep secrets from them, though they are excellent repositories of secrets untold themselves.. Think here of the light eyes of the Snow Leopard, burning as twin green flames that seem to peer to the very core of one’s Being, yet always in Silence kept.

All members of the Leopard family are known for their stealth and stalking
ability. In fact, Snow Leopard will stalk his/her prey, gliding through the trees and along craggy rocks by stepping on the outside of their paws first, then slowly and carefully distributing their weight upon the rest of the feet. Walking in this manner, they avoid snapping twigs or leaves underfoot and thus alerting prey to their presence. Then, once they are within striking range, the Leopard will leap, grabbing the prey animal by the back of the neck and severing the spinal cord, thereby rendering the animal defenseless and in a state of paralysis.

In a two legged, this attribute of stealth is a double edged sword, for when it is translated to the positive manifestation of this energy, a confidence relayed by another is closely kept by these individuals and they are reliable and non-judgmental friends who can always be counted on to keep their silence at the appropriate times.

Yet, the Contrary medicine can be manifested as a ruthless streak in the
individual who has not fully integrated the ~Shadow Side~ of their nature, thus making a fearsome and vengeful adversary. Ultimately, when one chooses to operate from Contrary Medicine, there will be an exceedingly high cost to be extracted from such vengeful and ruthless behavior. Thus, it is wise to make certain that the Contrary Medicine has been integrated so that the true beauty of Snow Leopard’s silence and mystery may manifest.




Balance

There are several genetic features of the Snow Leopard that gives them an
excellent sense of balance. The primary feature is their thick, long tail which is heavy enough to act as an appropriate counterbalance when needed, with the length of the tail usually equaling the length of the body from tip of nose to the base of the spine.

Another key feature to their physiology are their large paws that are webbed. These large, splayed paws act as snowshoes during the long winter months and allow the Snow Leopard to move quickly across the surface of the snow. This particular physical feature, coupled with their lengthy and weighted tail, assists them in keeping balance on ice covered terrain or slick rock surfaces.
In those moments when the Snow Leopard Soul is experiencing great emotional turmoil, the sense of everything feeling off center may be nearly debilitating. These are the moments when it is important for the one beside whom Snow Leopard walks to call upon the Medicine of this Animal Ally, and request that he/she walk beside them in Balance and Confidence. It may help as well to visualize Leopard leaping gracefully from rock to rock, or from slippery rocks to secure perches, always maintaining his/her balance and stability. In so doing, this Totem Spirit is being recognized & honored for his/her Role beside you on this walk around the Sacred Hoop, and the Two legged also finds the Center of Calm and Balance that is the Eye within the Storm..
.
.

Understanding the Shadow Within
The snow Leopard is an animal that has elicited much thought and speculation over the centuries. Standing as a mysterious and solitary figure, he glimmers from the center of myths, legends and ancient wisdom as a spectral figure dancing between the play of shadows and beams of light.

This beautiful animal treads as softly through our imagination as she does along the pathways and jagged peaks of her Himalayan home. A ghostly embodiment of the dichotomy that is ever present in our ~Human Nature~ whilst in flesh, she sounds the call to lead us toward the integration between Personality and Soul, Shadow and Light, Unconsciousness and Conscious Awareness.

One need look no further than to the stunning coat of the Snow Leopard to see this principle reflected. The primary color of the coat ranges from creamy white for most of these big cats, to a light tan. This base coat of creamy white is then overlaid with black rings and rosettes.

While the dark rosettes and rings represents the dark realm of the Unconscious and our fear motivated impulses, the light base coat reflects the promise of light to be discovered in Conscious Awareness that is attained through acknowledgment and integration.

***For the Two legged beside whom Snow Leopard walks, what may at first appear as a conflict or set of extremes, may later be seen as a merging of two polar opposites, that when harmoniously conjoined, creates its own magical and mysterious energy that some philosophies refer to as the ~Yin/Yang~ principle. The key in this instance is the removal of those things which are counter-productive or harmful for the soul’s growth, after the lessons that they represent have been thoroughly acknowledged, learned and absorbed. There is a tremendous surge of energy that is created when the Soul has truly integrated a lesson, one that is often felt even upon the physical plane as an “ah-ha” or click.

There exists within the Snow Leopard Soul a tremendous reservoir of inner strength, determination and the awareness of the ~Shadow Self,~ which they will face with quiet determination and perseverance. Equally, they are able to see both the shadow and the light of Others, a skill that can assist those who are not offended by their penetrating insight.

For one who draws this Totem to them, truth, honesty & integrity are cornerstones of their fundamental being.

Snow Leopard Gem Stone connection to the " Leopard Skin Jasper " link:

http://lightwarriors.heavenforum.org/through-the-looking-glass-f18/gem-totems-t186.htm#1529

Goth~Ink wrote:

Aha! it is all making alot more sense now. The strong message coming through is using multifaceted vision and drawing energy into myself to make it trough hard times - which is exactly what I have been going through. Interesting the mention of connection to colour...I started colouring mandalas with my young son to try and lift some of the grey moods I have been having. At first I was using all dull colours that didn't match...last night I used the brightest most vibrant shades and in the end I felt so energised.

Aha !! !! Aha !! !! WOW


Quote from above Leopard Totem:


***For the Two legged beside whom Snow Leopard walks, what may at first appear as a conflict or set of extremes, may later be seen as a merging of two polar opposites, that when harmoniously conjoined, creates its own magical and mysterious energy that some philosophies refer to as the ~Yin/Yang~ principle. The key in this instance is the removal of those things which are counter-productive or harmful for the soul’s growth, after the lessons that they represent have been thoroughly acknowledged, learned and absorbed. There is a tremendous surge of energy that is created when the Soul has truly integrated a lesson, one that is often felt even upon the physical plane as an “ah-ha” or click.

There exists within the Snow Leopard Soul a tremendous reservoir of inner strength, determination and the awareness of the ~Shadow Self,~ which they will face with quiet determination and perseverance. Equally, they are able to see both the shadow and the light of Others, a skill that can assist those who are not offended by their penetrating insight.

For one who draws this Totem to them, truth, honesty & integrity are cornerstones of their fundamental being.






NOW this is ALL making so much more SENSE to me ALL-so !! !!



Thank-You

Solane your insight is incredible! Yes, I can see the link and relationship too. I am loving this thread. Even my other animal friendy the crow has a relationship to the insects - he eats them!

Crow Totem

“The Secret Magic of Creation Is Calling”, according to Animal Speak, by Ted Andrews. Andrews writes that “Wherever crows are, there is magic. They are symbols of creation and spiritual strength. They remind us to look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life. They are messengers calling to us about the creation and magic that is alive in our world every day and available to us.”

Crows are extremely social, exceptionally intelligent, and work well in community.

If you hear crows cawing, take note of their position and of what is going on around you. They can be warning you, metaphysically, of something going on. If you are not aware of anything physical around you that you need to be warned about, look inwards, check your aura, see if someone is attacking you spiritually. Spiritual attack is just as potent and harmful as physical attack.

Crows are omnivorous, meaning they eat everything - bugs, animals, fruits, vegetables. They will also steal from others in order to get it. Not noble, but efficient.



from: Peacock and Paisley

This ONE is for you Night Star !! !!

Goth the Crow has BE-en my mates number ONE Totem that he has walked with him, by his side, sense he was a young boy down on the farm. He says he use to sit down on the hill out back, on a big rock and they would fly right over to him and they would talk. Other Totem Animals do come and go to him, but it seems he only connects with two mean birds, that BE-ing of cause the Crow and the messenger bird " The Hawk " !! !! Watch started only coming to him after his Mom passed over to the other side, 8yrs ago.

The last time I seen her before she passed over, I was making Apple Pies for my mate(about 20 or sooo) !! !! She said to him as she was leaving our house that she was so HAPPY, I make him the Apple Pie, BE-ause their his favorite pie. He was the Apple of her eye

Here are two Ants that were frequenting my footsteps ALL the time. Goth, these three days when the Ants were at my feet these were the days that you where in my thoughts about the Leopard, it was always just the ONE, Why?? May-BE he's just checking it ALL out BE-fore he brings in his friends, the rest of the Comm-UNITY !! !! Lets check out this pad first. I was thinking like " Stand Still Dam-it, I'm trying to get a pic of you."

Goth~Ink wrote:

SHADOW ENERGIES

Powerful Medicine

Needless to say, one of the most powerful exercises we can do, is confront our shadow aspects and work with them consciously and subconsciously to create a working relationship with them. This is a spiritual process, often initiated through meditation and visualisation of the animal itself, and can force us to light a candle to the shadows of ourselves that we deny, or suppress, or ignore.

Shadow energies have powerful medicine, if we imagine that we are trying to always improve ourselves and get closer to the spirit and wholeness, the shadow animal can give us very direct paths to this. Shadow energies are not gentle, they do not coddle us, and sometimes working with them can involve tears, terror, and even pain if the animal has attacked us in the past, but they do show us very direct paths to the spirit, and to home truths that once confronted, often show that the animal itself is not half as fearful as we thought it was!

For example, venomous animals often force us to confront that we too are capable of brutal, poisonous acts to get what we want. There's no point denying it, and spiders and snakes (and other venomous animals) tell us that we need to not only confront this truth, but embrace it, and eventually learn how to love and understand it. Through this love and understanding, we reach a new respect of ourselves and the animal through spiritual work.

Sometimes shadow energies will even become your primary 'totem', or one of your more significant guides. If you are open and honest with the animal and with yourself, you may even develop a powerful ally who can help you in otherworlds, ritual and spellwork. You will also become well-equipped to help others face their own fears and dislikes of the same animal, because you will often know what you had to go through to get to a place of understanding.

Thanks for posting this one Goth

Oh my gosh, you reminded me just then that ants send out scouts - one lone ant tests the way forwards before leading the others to their find... I get the ants now!!

Funny you should mention about your mate and the crows and hawks - they are my birds too! Crows talk to me, but hawks constantly circle the skies and I notice them because ... well because they are so relevant to my path being able to see from a higher perspective and all. It is like the crow moves through planes and so does the hawk - both represent multidimensional being which is a big part of who I am.

Oh wow - the apple pies and the apple of your mate's mom's eye Incredible synchronicity. Such a wonderful connection you have. I am truly inspired.

Gorgeous photos as always dear one. You make me fall in love with nature over and over again. And that helps me honour who I am. Bless you

Oh My, speaking about " Birds of a Feather, F-locking Together " !! !!


I on this ONE and the EAGLE FLEW right to me, WELL to you, I might add.



Eagle: divine Spirit and connection to creator

Eagle feathers are used all over the world as ceremonial instruments and are considered to be the most sacred healing tools. They are a symbol of power, healing and wisdom. Eagle represents a state of grace that is reached through inner work, understanding and passing the initiation tests that result from reclaiming our personal power. Eagle Medicine is the Power of the Great Spirit. It is the spirit of tenacity. It is the gift of clear vision with which one can truly see the things one sees. It is the patience to wait for the appropriate moment. It is to live in balance with heaven and Earth. Eagle reminds you of your connection with the Great Spirit. It tells you that the universe is giving you the opportunity to fly above your life's worldly levels, or above the shadow of past realities. Eagle teaches you to look above in order to touch Grandfather Sun with your heart, to love the Shadow as much as the Light. Eagle asks you to grant yourself permission to be free in order to reach the joy that your heart desires.


Goth BE-fore I go any further here, I'd like you to know that, I do know that you were some-ONE that was alot more connected (BIG TIME) to the Mother Nature's Grandeur, the Grandfather Sky, Nature Spirit's and the like Somewhere along the way, you have some what dis-CONNECTED from your True NATURE, the center of your BE-ing. (Your source )This is ONE of the messages that I recieved from the EAGLE also. That ALL you really have to do to CONNECT again, is re-CONNECT to your LIGHT source, to rekindle it, to bring it ALL back , to FLY to a HIGHER level and with much renewed Prospective and JOY !! !! You've already done ALL the hard work girl, time to SHINE your LIGHT on the shadows. I have a personal coffee cup, that I got some yrs ago at a Native American Indian, Pow Wow and it reads " Keep your Face to the SUNSHINE and you cannnot see the shadows." It's my daily reminder !! !!

I feel this is like your last frontier, to face your fears with courage and proud, ONE last time, BE-fore the Doors can really open to go home. I feel we have BE-en brought together to do this very same thing, you and I, to share our LIGHT, lend some comfort along the way, to just hold hands This is what I recieved, so hope you don't mind me adding this in here.


Much Love and respect I have for you

EAGLE


Spirit, Healing, Creation




The eagle is symbol of the zenith.
A great reminder of your own ability to soar to great heights.

Eagles are messengers from heaven and are the embodiment of the spirit of the sun.

Those with an Eagle totem need to have an involvement with creation;
a willingness to experience extremes;
a willingness to use your ability
even if it means getting "scorched" a little as you fly high;
a willingness to seek out your true emotions.

A demanding totem, but one that offers so much reward at the end of the journey.

Its four-toed feet remind you to stay grounded even went soaring high;
Its talons remind you to grasp the things of the earth;
Its sharp beak shows you when to speak, how much, and how strongly.

This totem will show you opportunities and how to ride the winds to your benefit.
Eagle people can live in the realm of the spirit
yet still remain connected and balanced within the realm of the Earth.

You must become much more than you ever dreamed possible.

By Wayne Pinkston

I will have to respond properly to this when I can see again. I am sitting in the dark crying. It is 2.05 in the morning. I just want to put this in here, which I posted quite some time ago on another forum that brought three very special friends into my life who now work together with me here to spreading the light:

Aug 18 2007, 03:41 AM

I want to share this amazing experience I have just had. It kind of overlaps a few topics but I feel it belongs under the animal guides section.

Seven weeks I have been sick. Finally I decided to give it up to my guides and instead of relying on conventional medicine, returned to the knowledge I carried with me from previous lives. While meditating I was visited by a white tara who kind of opened my spiritual eyes to what I had been missing. I realised that this illness was not a burden but a journey that had led me back to my true nature - in particular, my shamanic knowledge carried forth from many lifetimes but in particular the one as a Native American Indian. So I started using natural remedies and herbal preparations not to just cure the different aspects of my illness but to rebuild my immune system and repair the damaged cells. I saw instant changes - and my energy shifted dramatically. I even found a golden feather after taking this course of action, left for me at the door of my house which I placed on my altar.

I saw the long illness as a shamanic journey that taught me many wonderful lessons and helped me reconnect to who I am, and for that part I was thankful. I recalled my love of the crow who travels between worlds = something I myself feel very comfortable and natural with. And I blessed the ravens and the crows for being my guides and sharing their knowledge with me. Once I realised this, I breathed in deeply enjoying the air and natural surroundings. And then I looked up, and this is what I saw:







I was both in awe and at the same time not surprised to see my guardians appear in the clouds.

Whether you believe my story or see what I see in the clouds is not important. What is though, is remembering that when we ask for signs they are given, and sometimes it comes in a way we could never imagine. Sometimes too we miss them because we either aren't looking in the right direction, or we see it but let our human mind talk us out of what our higher mind knows and acknowledges. When I first looked up and saw this huge bird in flight formed by the clouds directly over me - even appearing to be looking down on me!! - I was like 'hello guys and thanks for being here'. Then I thought, nah you are just seeing what you want to see. But I took the photos because I know that my first reaction was the right one for me.

Synchronicity? Or confirmation that the light continues to grow and new friends are joining the community of ants closing in on the treasure

I just saw it for the first time - it's a hawk!!