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Across the Fence:  your "TOTEM"  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 06:53:27 AM
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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 |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 09:02:50 AM
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Well I'd have to say at least one of my totem animals is a squirrel. And I am pretty squirrelish. I also have a very strong connection to owls and dogs.
Blessed Be
www.sqrlbee.com www.sisterhood.sqrlbee.com
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lamarguerite farm
True Blue Farmgirl
649 Posts
missy
Battle Ground
Wa
USA
649 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 09:15:19 AM
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Mine would be a chicken! he he Outside of raising them I have also inadvertantly started collecting vintage, white ceramic roosters and hens. I didn't realize it was happening until my husband pointed it out! haha
If you have a dream, even if you don't feel qualified to accomplish it, just try your hardest.-Maggie Jensen |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 3:08:52 PM
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Mine would be a mule for sure...pretty dang stubborn..and sturdy.
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/ |
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Horseyrider
True Blue Farmgirl
1045 Posts
Mary Ann
Illinois
1045 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 3:11:03 PM
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Well gee, mine must be a horse. I was born in the Chinese Year of the Horse, have horses all over my house and live ones in the barn, have hundreds of books on all aspects of horses, and wear horses on my clothes. And as far as being slashed by a lion goes, I've been kicked, bitten, stepped on, thrown sky high, rubbed off, and crowded into solid objects. Yes, I have scars. My chiropractor says I have many subluxations, and every one has a horse's name on it. 
So yeah, I have a totem. And if it's not a horse, it's a dim bulb. |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
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greyghost
True Blue Farmgirl
650 Posts
Lynn
Summerville
Georgia
USA
650 Posts |
Posted - Jan 05 2006 : 4:52:41 PM
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I guess mine is a dog.
Strays always seem to find me, it's like I have a sign only they can see "I will feed and love you and find you a home" tattooed on my forehead somewhere. |
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cajungal
True Blue Farmgirl
2349 Posts
Catherine Farmgirl Sister #76
Houston Area
Texas
2349 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2006 : 04:03:13 AM
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Frannie, I had forgotten about that book. I think I read it about 20 years ago. I'll have to refresh my memory on it....just their "ug" talk is coming to me right now.
I have so many interests and collections that represent parts of me....hard to pin down just one thing that I would identify myself with. It might be a chili pepper....I love red, I like spicy, I'm part cajun and am known for my cooking (being good, that is), and I'm pretty spicy in personality, too.
I suppose another symbol for myself would be a rock. My grandmother was always the matriarch and rock of our family. She lived with us until her passing in 2004. It was such an honor to care for her at her most vulnerable moments. The place of rock and cornerstone of my whole family has seemed to be given to me....such a bitter sweet place to be.
Blessings!
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2006 : 05:05:42 AM
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i'm loving reading of everyone's 'totem' .. really gives a great picture of who we see ourselves as. keep 'em coming farmgirls!
True Friends, Frannie |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2006 : 05:18:23 AM
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Mine is definitely a fox. I even did a totem ritual once from a book called Medicine Cards from Sams and Carson. First card up....the fox. That cemented my premonitions right there. I have many stories of real foxes showing up in my life as I have hiked through the wild, and even in my backyard. I do not know what it means, and I hope it does not mean I am sly and cagey! I like to think it means I am smart, a little wild, but fiercely protective of my loved ones. My little fox visitor would come to my yard, limping, and I would feed him dry dog food on the ground. He then began to bring his wife, and he would curl up beside her and let her eat first before he ate. I loved that.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
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sqrl
True Blue Farmgirl
605 Posts
Melissa
Northern California
USA
605 Posts |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2006 : 11:57:55 AM
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Thanks, Sqrl! In my totem book, the squirrel is one who can plan ahead for lean times. Their gathering power is a great gift. A squirrel knows how to store energy and find good food around it in the earth. It is always prepared. It also knows safe places. It has the agility to circle a branch at lightening speed which makes it hard to catch by hunters. By the way, you are a nutrition expert aren't you?
Back to my fox stories....have we covered wild animal stories anywhere else.....probably. :) If not, it would be a good one to share.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jan 06 2006 12:06:20 PM |
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shepherdess
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Robin
Eatonville
Washington
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 12:40:29 AM
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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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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 06:45:41 AM
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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" |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jan 07 2006 06:48:43 AM |
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Judes
True Blue Farmgirl
156 Posts
Jude
OH
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 10:07:51 AM
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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 |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 11:13:23 AM
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Jude .. let's "Talk Turkey"!!
True Friends, Frannie |
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bubblesnz
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
helen
New Zealand
291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2006 : 6:29:13 PM
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jenny louise
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
jennifer
cass city
MI
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 04:23:22 AM
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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 |
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Debs
True Blue Farmgirl
100 Posts
Debs
Wellington
New Zealand
100 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 09:27:08 AM
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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 |
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mollymae
True Blue Farmgirl
694 Posts
Molly
Visalia
California
USA
694 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 10:02:06 AM
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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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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 10:56:02 AM
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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" |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jan 08 2006 11:06:09 AM |
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bubblesnz
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
helen
New Zealand
291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 2:10:54 PM
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| 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. |
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jenny louise
True Blue Farmgirl
166 Posts
jennifer
cass city
MI
USA
166 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 2:21:07 PM
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Thanks for the info and time to look it up, JP!
Jenny |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 3:52:44 PM
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You guys are welcome! Gypsy cards, Helen? What are they like? Sound very interesting.
"Sell cleverness and buy wonder" |
Edited by - jpbluesky on Jan 08 2006 3:53:20 PM |
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bubblesnz
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
helen
New Zealand
291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 5:44:23 PM
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| 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. |
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bubblesnz
True Blue Farmgirl
291 Posts
helen
New Zealand
291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 08 2006 : 6:17:31 PM
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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. |
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Across the Fence: your "TOTEM" |
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your "TOTEM"
