| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 06:53:27 AM
do you have a special 'sign' or tangible artifact .. that you consider your 'totem'? (did you read "Clan of the Cave Bears" where the little girl's 'sign' was that of a LION because she was (as a very young child) scarred by a lion's claw .. yet avoided death by him)?
i seem to find 'feathers' wherever i go .. lying right in front of my path .. so .. for many years, i've considered my 'totem' to be a 'feather' .. i have saved most of them all together. Not sure what it signifies ... perhaps my 'flighty' personality .. or my desire to 'soar' (hmmmmm ... both would surely be appropriate!)
oh ... and maybe my 'angel-being' would be nice!
how about you girls? xo
True Friends, Frannie |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Feb 19 2006 : 09:30:11 AM
wanted to send a great big THANK YOU to Christine Telcamp for the lovely package of Turkey Down Feathers .. my 'totem' .. feathers .. they have been lovingly added to my collection of 'totems'. thank you darlin' for thinking of me! xoxo p.s. gonna' save that TWO DOLLAR bill too!
True Friends, Frannie |
| bubblesnz |
Posted - Jan 28 2006 : 8:59:39 PM
I enjoy time alone too Laura, dont feel bad about it. I think it is a great gift, that you are able to be comfortable with yourself. Alot of people "need" others around and are unable be content by themselves.I also love fairies. In shamanism,working with animal spirits the Heron represents:All aspects of diversity
Self-reliance
Boundaries
Exploration
Self-esteem
Balancing multiple tasks
Dignity
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| CountryGirl85 |
Posted - Jan 28 2006 : 7:26:51 PM
I know I'm late in replying, but I wanted to share my totem animal with everyone. Mine is the Great Blue Heron. I knew the heron was guiding me a few years ago when I was struggling with depression. Many times when I felt sad or hopeless I'd look out the window and see a heron flying overhead. I also had dreams about them. I remember one winter having a dream and the next day in the car I was thinking about the dream when a heron flew by. They always seem to lift my spirits. I have always been a shy person, I was always a little "different", never had lots of friends, and always felt like the odd man out. I also enjoy spending time alone, hiking, thinking, reading, writing. I always saw these things as flaws, but the heron has showed me that it's ok to be who you are. Great Blue Herons are solitary birds most of the time, but when it's time to mate and raise their young, they form small communities. I have realized that it's ok to enjoy time spent by myself and that the friends and family I have are enough, but I have to make sure I take the time to be with them as well. I feel the Great Blue Heron is speaking to me right now. I was feeling a little lost today, kind of sad, kind of confused, and I happened upon this thread. Thanks for letting me share with y'all! As for mythical creatures, I'm drawn to fairies. I think they are angels of Nature. I'll definitely have to check out some books on the subject of totems and spirit guides!
Much love,
Laura |
| sqrl |
Posted - Jan 16 2006 : 10:28:25 AM
I just love Gnomes, they've always been my favorite little guys.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com www.sisterhood.sqrlbee.com
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| greyghost |
Posted - Jan 15 2006 : 12:26:37 PM
Sqrl, that's cute! I love gnomes.
Now: why a gnome? |
| sqrl |
Posted - Jan 13 2006 : 10:20:37 AM
My mythical "animal" would a Gnome.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com www.sisterhood.sqrlbee.com
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| greyghost |
Posted - Jan 13 2006 : 07:52:29 AM
Can you have an animal totem, and a bug totem?
I too have dragonflies everywhere I go. The first time I saw a red one, I was on my parent's roof about 10 years ago. It hovered by me for a looong time, landed next to me, flew off, came back.
They have always landed on me, or been on my backpack if I set it down.
How about a mythical totem?
I know "dragons" are supposed to be mythical... but I have a very strong attatchment to them. I drew them often as a kid. I have red Dragon China that my mother's friend got from her mother, and hated. I love it. I'm a fighter (physically and mentally - I called one of my spinning kicks the "dragon's tail" because that's how I could see one whipping around and surprising someone), sometimes I feel like I am afire with the need to do something or set it right. Dragons, so I have heard, are supposed to be loyal, and family-oriented, and lovers of peace and quiet. I was also born the year of the Dragon... and something funny - my hubby's initials are "DRA."
If your totem has to be a real animal... while dogs always seem to come to me, I don't know that they are my totem, really. I think they just know they are safe with me. |
| realme52 |
Posted - Jan 13 2006 : 07:14:18 AM
Thanks, Frannie for bringing this up!
I consider myself a spiritual person, but have never thought about considering what my "animal" totem would be. Now I pondered it for a while: Maybe it would be a Dragonfly. I have a strong attraction to how they look, move, what they can do ("stand" still in the air, "land" on water...). I am fascinated by the light playing on their wings creating new colors. Their wings must have been the original inspiration for those magnificent lead glass cathedral windows.
I remember vividly that as a small child I was afraid of them because (as I recall it) "I couldn't see their face". The fact that I like them now is a symbol of how you can grow and change, how you can learn things if you just look close enough.
I had them hoovering over me when I work in the garden and once one of them landed on my shoulder.
And while I was thinking, another thing occured to me: their name! It's Dragon and Fly, two quite oppositional incorporations.
Thanks for spuring these insights. For me and everyone else who responded.
From this hour I ordain myself loss'd of limits and immaginary lines. Walt Whitman |
| twigs |
Posted - Jan 12 2006 : 6:03:22 PM
mine would be the sheep, i see them almost everywhere i go and always find them in pictures or something, then learned my freat grandmother was an artist and her favorite thing was sheep i hope to one day have her drawing of it, its beautful, i love to work with sheep wool too
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| mollymae |
Posted - Jan 12 2006 : 11:22:45 AM
<<The butterfly symbolizes the art of transformation, of new ideas being born, clarity of the mental processes, and assistance in finding the next step in your life.>>
Thank you Jeannie for looking this up  . This is very fitting as my life has been undergoing many transformations through the past 6 months (and I'm working on the next steps in my life in certain areas). This means a lot to me!
Molly
http://mollymaequilts.tripod.com
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet."~Rumi
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 6:38:29 PM
Utah is the "beehive state"...something to be proud of now that I hear what it symbolizes!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ |
| bubblesnz |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 6:17:31 PM
Deb, Bee meaning is:
BEE - denotes industrious and cooperative teamwork and denotes diligence and a sense of order. A beeswarm suggests an overwhelming situation Being stung by a bee can represent a negative situation. Dreaming of a bee flying away can symbolize death as the bee is the soul, but if the bee flies into the mouth of the dead person, that person will come back to life. In the mediterranean civilizations, the bee was seen to be brave, chaste, industrious, clean and lives harmoniously. The Christians looked upon the bee hive as the church and the bees as the parishioners, who collected only the best from all the flowers. They were symbols of purity and abstinence. In the secular world, the bee was a royal symbol and the queen bee was long regarded as a King. The sweetness symbolised Christ and his mercy. The sting was felt to be the last judgment. |
| bubblesnz |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 5:44:23 PM
These Gypsy cards have been done by Svetlana Alexandrovna Touchkoff, and are based on gyspy teachings of the nineteenth century Russia. A woman was selling cards decks on trade/me, similair to e-bay, anyway asked if she had any others. She said she had this set and that I could have it for the price she put it up at, but then, she put it up for auction. Anyway, placed my bid and was the only one, so got then at then original price she offered them to me for. Felt they must have been meant for me. The cards are divided into 4 triangles and can be turned certain ways to make 2 triangles make a complete picture. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 3:52:44 PM
You guys are welcome! Gypsy cards, Helen? What are they like? Sound very interesting.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| jenny louise |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 2:21:07 PM
 Thanks for the info and time to look it up, JP!
Jenny |
| bubblesnz |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 2:10:54 PM
Thanks for that Jpbluesky, will try and get hold off it. I do use a deck of very old gyspy cards, that great to work with, they are also based on animals. |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 10:56:02 AM
Helen, a good book that I use is called Medicine Cards by Sams and Carson. It comes with a set of cards (optional)from which you can do readings, but it is nice also because it explains the meanings of the creatures that come into our lives.
Jenny Louise, the bear is the power of truth and introspection. This inner knowing reflects our intuitive side of the brain, the right side.
The snake teaches on a personal level that you are a universal being. Snake medicine people were very rare, because their intuition involved experiencing and living through multiple bites! Yikes. The power of snake medicine is the power of creation.
The buffalo is the most sacred animal, and means prayer and abundance. It was the major source of sustenance for the Plains Indians, as we all know. So it is seen as the Great Giver.
The butterfly symbolizes the art of transformation, of new ideas being born, clarity of the mental processes, and assistance in finding the next step in your life.
The black bird, or raven, is a strong symbol. It carries a lot of magic and healing. The American Indians did not see it as a dark symbol but one of mystery, healing and energy.
The heron is majestic and solitary (most of the time) and a lover of the quiet waters. It denotes quiet beauty.
Debs I could not find a bumblebee in my book! I am sure there are more books out there that cover more living things. Like mighty trees.
No matter what our beliefs, it is fun to consider the ancient meanings of other cultures....I believe God speaks to us in many ways.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| mollymae |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 10:02:06 AM
I think mine is a butterfly
Molly
http://mollymaequilts.tripod.com
"This is love: to fly toward a secret sky, to cause a hundred veils to fall each moment. First to let go of life. Finally, to take a step without feet."~Rumi
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| Debs |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 09:27:08 AM
It's not an animal but I think my totem "creature" is a bumblebee, or it could be a blackbird, there always seems to be one anywhere I go, in the city, in the garden, even when I travel! Or is it just that they are everywhere anyway? It could be a cat also, as they seem to always be friendly to me, even if they are not to other people.
Debby |
| jenny louise |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 04:23:22 AM
The Great Blue Heron is one of my totems, another is bear, and snake, and buffalo. Also, maple tree. I designed a tatoo after a vision quest and had it put onto my back where noone sees it.
I meditate outside and the heron always finds me; it brings a tear to my eye and thrills me to my core when they fly over and make their call.
Animal Speak is a great book on the subject.
Jenny |
| bubblesnz |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 6:29:13 PM
What is a good book to buy on animal messengers/meanings ? |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 11:13:23 AM
Jude .. let's "Talk Turkey"!!
True Friends, Frannie |
| Judes |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 10:07:51 AM
I love reading these! I have always had "animal messengers" I know that birds are one of them, because at several points in my life birds have come into my world in strange, strange ways & acted in nontraditional bird fashion. I have always loved turtles, but never made a point of telling anyone...then an artist friend began painting me a large series of turtles. I'm sure there are others. I was given an Animal Medicine book about 8 years ago, and anytime I have reccurrant animal sightings or "totems" I look it up. I'll look into it to see what it says about all of yours!
Robin-A friend of mine's husband, a construction worker, once found a heart shaped rock while he was on site, our of town on a job. He picked it up, thinking nothing of it and brought it to her. She was more delighted by it than any other gift he had ever given her, so he kept an eye out for them. He has been bringing them home for decades now. She now has a "heart shaped rock garden". They look so beautiful, almost spiritual...when they are all together. Some of them are "almost" hearts, but most of them are perfectly formed heart shapes. I think that's such a wonderful tradition for your grandchildren.
If anyone wants to share animals stories...let me know. I'm overdue for my "Turkey Tale"!
Judes
http://schoolstreet.typepad.com
www.jac.etsy.com |
| jpbluesky |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 06:45:41 AM
Robin - it is good that you are able to notice things like the raven coming into your life. I think these signs are all about us, but we sometimes fail to notice them and read into them the true meaning. I have been to many funerals where something similar happened. One of my friends, whose husband had been a great outdoorsman, stood over his grave at the cemetery, and above her I saw a beautiful hawk circling and circling. It was a clear blue day, and the hawk was directly above her, and very low. I still do not know if anyone else noticed it, and I have never told her, but someday maybe I will be brave enough to tell her what I think it was. I am glad you have your raven.
Oh, and once I found a rock that had a design on it that looked exactly like a candle with a flame. I found it in the Grand Tetons and brought it back to Florida. The only marking on it was the candle shape. I gave it to a friend battling lung cancer but she lost it when she had to leave work and was packing her stuff. I often wonder where that rock is! Now I will look for heart shaped rocks.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
| shepherdess |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 12:40:29 AM
Mine is the Raven.Raven came to me after my dad passed away. My dad was a retired logger and in the woods when the loggers see a Raven it is supposed to be the spirit of a logger that has passed away.The spring after my dad passed a Raven came to my pasture and has been back every year since. Ialso love to find heart shaped rocks. I have taught my grandchildren to find them. Heart shaped rocks are very important in our lives.
Farm Girl from Western Washington
" From sheep to handspun " |
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