Critters and the circle of life

Brook wrote:OH WOW!!!

I was busy yesterday getting ready to start canning my garden crop. I was pleasantly surprised to see this Troy. Thank you..and so much detail!

It all tracks too. These power animals do exist for anyone who seeks to find them. I fond mine when I created my sacred space. The monkey was first then the falcon. and they guide me everywhere. Together they are a powerful awakening to who I am. Never underestimate your guides...particularly the power animals. They are there because you chose them in the first place and they are always there....whether dormant and silent to you..they are guiding you in the most gentle ways when you are ready.

Thanks again Troy, that was fabulous work!

Last I'd like to add...they bring you to unimaginable worlds you had no idea existed. Worlds of a magical states of being that one can chose to deny or accept and hold close to their hearts....JRR Tolkien was guided by his inner guides to describe a world when he wrote of the world of Hobbits and Lords of the Rings.

Thanks again Troy!

Ahh yes...adding my monkey looks more like this...



He climbs high in the trees and guides my steps,...points the way...leads me to things

You are welcome. :)

All of this does seem to scan/track. Yep yep.

I like the Monkey pic you posted. I was feeling a bit whimsical whilst going about my monkey business. I like their playful side. :op

Next!... hehehehehehe

THE BEAR

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The Bear Totem

The Bear has many myths and legends surrounding it. They have played an enormous role in the Native American Indian culture and their skins were often used for protection from the cold in the form of coats and blankets; their claws were used for making jewelry and necklaces and their heads provided masks for Shaman. Native Americans believe that the Bear has strong medicine magic and many tribes consider bears to be Shaman themselves. They are known to American Indian tribes and their Shamans as “Keeper of Medicine” because they keep all the ancient healing secrets of the Indians and the spirits of the Earth.

The large powerful paws of a Bear contain, hidden within, long, sharp claws. They use their claws for catching one of their favorite meals, fish, and for climbing trees. Bears are good swimmers and surprisingly fast runners. Although many people see Bears as threatening most are content to mind their own business and only use force when absolutely necessary. They are not man eaters as many people believe, and, in fact, get most of their nutrition from, fish, plants, berries, herbs insects, and yes, even honey.

The Bear is a reserved and powerful animal. They signify leadership, family values and lunar magic. They are a spiritual and medicine Totem providing insight and calm grace and words of truth to those who seek their spirit council.

Bears are said to possess Lunar magic and many myths and legends depict the Bears special relationship to the moon. They are devoted mothers, raising and protecting their young from danger, teaching them to forage for food and fish in streams and providing them with all that they need until they are able to care for themselves properly. Mother Bears will fiercely protect her offspring from any harm or threat of harm.



Bears come in different colors and types, but most of them display similar spiritual and physiological characteristics. There are Asiatic Black Bears, American Black Bears, and the Magnificent Brown Bear which can be found throughout Asia, Europe, America and Canada. There is also the enormous Polar Bear, which can be found in colder regions of the world.

Bears are honored and respected by spiritualists the world over. Bears are known to impart pure and right wisdom and nothing profane will ever come from the noble Bear. Therefore they are trusted advisors in the spiritual world. The Bear possesses many animal virtues that are powerful and valuable and which any person would be wise to emulate or divine. One who has the power of the Bear will see enhanced leadership abilities, wisdom and fearlessness in defense; a better sense of self control allowing one the ability to use will-power to not speak when angered. Balance, harmony and strength are also all part of this noble totem’s magic.

The Magnificent Bear Totem possesses the following virtues: Right words and advise, clam reflective-ness, leadership abilities, courage to do what is right, medicine magic, shamanistic abilities, strong family values, devotion, reserved power, fearlessness in defense, and introspection.

Bear Animal Pearls are said to impart their particular magical virtues to their owner. Bear Pearls are characteristic of its host animal; they possess all the awesome characteristics that may be seen in the Bear itself; the balance and strength of this animal is contained within the pearl waiting for its proper owner to bestow its inner magic to that unique and fortunate individual. For century’s shamans, priestesses, spiritualists and practitioners of the occult have used Bear animal pearls to transfer the powerful magical energy of the Bear to themselves and to others in need of this commanding animal magic. Bear pearls are highly sought after by any wishing to absorb Bear virtues into their lives and develop stronger mental abilities such as those embodied by the powerful Bear. The owner of a Bear pearl will see their lives, spiritual energy and mental clarity imbued with all of the virtues attributed to the Shaman of the woods, the Bear. The Bear animal totem is a strong spirit indeed and its magical properties are one of the most influential of all animal totems. Strength in leadership, Shamanistic energy, the wisdom to know when to speak, higher self-esteem and so much more can be integrated into the spirit of the possessor of this magical pearl and the Bear totem.

Bear: symbol of maternal protection and strength
Winning in the game of life requires dedication to your goals and steadfast motion forward. Strength to stay a course in the practical side of life can sometimes be hard to achieve with distractions that pull you off in random directions.

Bear acts as a gentle reminder to be more focused and connected to the more practical world. The bear totem has been used for healing scattered thoughts into a more centered mental process.

Bears are quiet, swift and very protective of the family. The bear is the symbol of maternal protection. The bear totem can teach us:

Strength in the face of adversity
Finding one's way back
Solitude
Maternal protection
Focus on the practical side of life

http://crystal-cure.com/bear.html

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A bear totem or spirit guide symbolizes great strength, security and determination for the Shaman. Understanding and working with a bear power animal.

To American Indians, the Bear has a strong heart and unwavering will, and to Japanese and Siberian Shamans he is the leader of the animals, the animal that taught humans Shamanism.

Universal Bear Shaman Symbolism

Traditional names for the bear include King of the Forest and Grandfather, both of which show the respect that the bear inspires in Traditional Shamanic cultures. And who would not admire the noble bear, strong-willed and powerful, but also with great heart and supernatural powers?



Read more at Suite101: Totem Bear Spirit Guide: Symbolism of Bears as Power Animal or Animal Familiar in Shamanism | Suite101.com

http://www.suite101.com/content/totem-bear-spirit-guide-a136561#ixzz1QJBTWZ9n

http://www.suite101.com/content/totem-bear-spirit-guide-a136561


This one is me - lol.

Native American Astrology - Birth Totem Bear
Birth and animal totem: Bear (August 22nd - September 22nd).
Moon: Harvest moon.
Season Aspect: Harvesting time.
Wind Relation: South winds.
Directional Relation: South-south-west.
Element Relation: Earth.
Elemental clan: Turtle clan.
Plant totem: Violets.
Mineral totem: Topaz.
Polarity with: Wolf.
Color Aspect: Brown.
Musical vibration: G natural
Personality: Practical and industrious.
Spiritual energy: Masculine energies.
Emotions: Warm and thought out.
Positive traits: Detailed, humble, trustworthy.
Negative traits: Finicky, judgmental and often times hypocritical.
Compatibilities: Geese and beavers.
Conscious Desire: Reaching forth, aiming high.
Subconscious desire: Attaining pure wisdom and truth.
Spiritual Path: Understanding it all.
Strengths: Optimism, tolerance and self acceptance.
Weakness: Fault finding, pessimism and putting things off.
Keywords - Discerning, careful, practical, precise, kind, critical.
Birth totem bear is an individual whose outer personality is one of quiet observation. As birth totem bear moves through his/her daily life, there is a noticeable careful study of all he/she encounters and experiences. It is as though the intention is to sift and sort through all of the stimuli and input that the conscious mind encounters - to categorize and label each person, action and event so that a greater understanding and assimilation can occur. In the wild, bear is an omnivore, yet their diet will consist primarily of vegetarian fare and larvae or grubs. To attain the morsels of squirming grub, the bear must forage around beneath fallen logs and stones, sifting and sorting through the forest debris in order to be rewarded with the treats they so enjoy and that will provide the sustenance that will benefit their physical well-being. Yet birth totem bear will eventually realize that not everything can be understood with the physical senses alone, and the individual soul of another can never be neatly or completely labeled or categorized as it is dynamic and ever changing with that individual's evolvement.

Until bear can come to the awareness that life is ever-changing, and that to attempt to understand the process with the physical senses alone will inevitably (and invariably) lead to frustration, he/she will be stunting their own spiritual growth. Just as bear must rely upon her/his "higher senses" (intuition) in order to prepare for the lean months of winter and to alert him/her of impending threat, so must birth totem bear learn to rely a little less upon "physical evidence" and more upon his/her inner voice and feelings. In this way, integration of mind and physical to that of the emotions and soul can take place leading to the higher intent of bear’s incarnation - the perfection of the soul.

http://www.psychic-revelation.com/reference/m_p/native_american_astrology/bear.html

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The otter's white whiskers have gained them the nickname of "Old Men of the Sea." As the smallest of all mammals, male otters grow to just over 4 feet long, including their tail.

Otters have huge appetites and will normally eat 5,000 pounds of food a year. Though they'll eat any type of marine animal, they prefer the slower moving prey.

Sea otter babies are almost the same size as their mothers.

Otter brings understanding of our childlike self and asks us to rediscover our playful side. In its wisdom it advises us to nurture our talents and make good use of them.

http://www.animaltotem.com/otter.html

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Native American Astrology - Birth Totem Otter

Birth and animal totem: Otter (January 20th - February 18th).

Moon: Cleansing moon.
Season Aspect: The cleansing time.
Wind Relation: North winds.
Directional Relation: North.
Element Relation: Air.
Elemental clan: Butterfly clan.
Plant totem: Fern.
Mineral totem: Turquoise.
Polarity with: Salmon.
Color Aspect: Silver.
Musical vibration: E natural.
Personality: Sociable, talkative and independent.
Spiritual energy: Masculine energy.
Emotions: Creative, unconventional.
Positive traits: Inventive, soothing and very perceptive.
Negative traits: Nosy, unpredictable, often times too blunt.
Compatibilities: Crows, falcons and deer.
Conscious Desire: To gain knowledge.
Subconscious desire: To attain wisdom.
Spiritual Path: Applying spiritual knowledge to daily life.
Strengths: Tolerance, courage, is often an original thinker.
Weakness: Considered to be rebellious, and often times eccentric.
Keywords: Inventive, friendly, curious, independent, tactless.

Birth totem otter is an individual who has incarnated into this particular lifetime to immerse him/herself in the fountain of knowledge. As such, these souls will be in continual search of information, ideas and concepts that will provide a refreshing fountain from whence he/she will thirstily drink. However, as the fountain of knowledge is an eternal and never ending source, in their enthusiasm to glean as much knowledge as quickly as possible, there may exist a tendency within these individuals to skim the surface, rather than explore the deeper waters that would result in truer understanding.

By looking at the general inquisitiveness of the playful sea otter, we witness a creature that is capable of delving deep into the ocean waters to retrieve oysters encapsulated in shells. The otter will then rise to the surface of the water, float on his/her back and crack open the shell to retrieve the tasty morsel that awaits inside. Much like their birth totem, otter individuals have a deep-seated curiosity that leaves them hungry for all of the "oysters" of information that exist in a universal sea of knowledge. Yet the challenge for them is to not become so weighted down by the variety that is available to them that they are constantly picking up, then dropping each idea in favor for a new and more tantalizing one. Once birth totem otter individual can learn that true knowledge comes from applying experience to ideas, then he/she will then crack the shell of understanding to delight in the wisdom found within, thus fulfilling the soul’s higher purpose.

http://www.psychic-revelation.com/reference/m_p/native_american_astrology/otter.html

Wolves are the epitome of stamina, known to run 35 miles a day in pursuit of prey. They are highly misunderstood animals, who have gained the reputation of being cold blooded. In reality wolves are friendly and social creatures. Aggression is something they avoid, preferring rather to growl or create a posture to show dominance.

Even though living in close knit packs provide wolves with a strong sense of family, they are still able to maintain their individuality. Wolves represent the spirit of freedom, but they realize that having individual freedom requires having responsibilities.

Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. Those who have a Wolf Totem will move on to teach others about sacredness and spirituality. Wolf can also teach how to balance the responsibility of family needs and not to lose one's personal identity.

Wolf teaches us to develop strength and confidence in our decisions. He shows we will learn to trust our insights once we learn how to value our inner voice. This wisdom keeps us from inappropriate action. If wolf appears in your life examine where you need to develop more confidence and if you need more balance between friends, family, and yourself.

http://www.animaltotem.com/wolf.html
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http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/wolftotemmain.html

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Native American Astrology - Birth Totem Wolf
Birth and animal totem: Wolf (February 19th - March 20th).
Predominant elements: Water with air.
Elemental clan: Frog (water) clan.
Plant totem: Plantain.
Mineral totem: Jade.
Polarity totem: Brown Bear.
Affinity color: Blue/green.
Musical vibration: F sharp.
Personality: Compassionate, benevolent, generous, artistic and gentle.
Spiritual alchemy: Yin predominates.
Starting totems: Wolf, buffalo, frog, plantain, jade and brown bear.
Feelings: Deep.
Intention: Understanding.
Nature: Trusting.
Positive traits: Sympathetic, adaptable, impressionable and sensitive.
Negative traits: Impractical, vague, timid, indecisive.
Sex-drive: Tender.
Compatibilities: Woodpeckers, bears and snake.
Conscious aim: Freedom.
Subconscious desire: Identity.
Life-path: Love.
Must cultivate: Intuition, Creativity and Understanding.
Must avoid: Timidity, Indolence and Impracticality.
Earth influence: The Blustery winds time.
Keywords - Psychic, compassionate, spiritual, illuminating, mystical, vague.
Birth totem wolf individuals arrive on this plane of existence to learn the gift of the seer. As such, these souls are highly intuitive, with an ability to attain great spiritual heights as they seek union with the ancestors that walk the Blue Road of Spirit. Consequently, there is a part of the birth wolf soul that will seem to be somewhere far away, existing in another state of consciousness and not completely in touch with their physical surroundings or reality (as most would perceive reality to be). This is because some aspect of birth totem wolf is operating at a slightly different wavelength, with one ear tuned and listening for the voice of the great mystery. Herein lies both the greatest blessing and the greatest challenge of this particular birth totem. While taking up the robe of physical life, it is necessary to be in the physical world, to face in truth those things which may be uncomfortable, painful or "ugly" as it is a part of the educational process of the soul that walks in flesh. This is where the challenge comes for the birth totem wolf individual, as these are sensitive, compassionate and tender beings that abhor the thought of others existing in pain or suffering.

This is not to say that we need also to be of the physical world. In other words, while it is important for the growth of the soul to encounter, acknowledge and transmute the shadow, it is neither necessary nor beneficial to participate in those thoughts and actions that may bring pain or suffering to self or others. Equally, wolf as he/she walks beside the two-legged (in any role of totem, e.g. birth, power, etc.) is a teacher soul, and therefore it is part of the life lesson of these individuals to teach others the gift of compassion. Yet part of the higher vibration of compassion, is the knowledge of when to stand back and allow another to walk their own path in truth, just as the mother wolf in the wild will teach her cubs requisite survival skills so that they may then either become a contributing member of the pack, or so that they might forge off on their own to establish a new pack. In facing one’s own shadow self with conscious awareness, eliminating and integrating those behaviors that inflict pain or delay the progress of the soul, birth totem wolf then operates from a clearer octave of compassion, and ultimately fulfils the soul’s higher intent of spiritual illumination.

http://www.psychic-revelation.com/reference/m_p/native_american_astrology/wolf.html

Hmmm....



LMAO -

Close Encounter of the First Kind: Sightings of a UFO
(Unidentified Furry Obsession)
Close Encounter of the Second Kind: Physical Evidence
(Hair in drains, cookie crumbs, empty bottles, etc.)
Close Encounter of the Third Kind: Contact
Registration for IBR 2011 opens this month. So get your facts right, collect your evidence, and put February 17th through the 21st on your calendar.

http://www.bearotic.com/2010/10/05/ibr-2011-has-close-encounters-of-the-bear-kind/

As companions, helpers, and spiritual guides, animals have always held a special relationship with humans. As we access our natural ability to communicate with animals, we cannot help but open ourselves more profoundly to life, other human beings, and our own deep nature—the essence of who we really are. Animal Voices, Animal Guides presents a wide variety of ways in which we can tune in to the “universal language” of all life and reconnect with the animal kingdom in more conscious, meaningful ways.

Through myths, shamanic journeys, and dreams we meet our power animals, spirit animals, and wise animal guides. the exercises, meditations, stories, and experiments included are designed to help us tune in to the subtle whispers of nature and expand our awareness. we learn what sled dogs have to teach us about teamwork, how llamas see themselves as healers of the world, and how it would feel to inhabit the skin of a shark. Filled with advice from animal communication professionals and actual conversations with animals, Animal Voices, Animal Guides is an invitation to explore our inner ways of knowing. when we learn how to use all our senses to listen to animals, we will find out how to listen to our authentic self as well.

http://www.animalvoices.net/Animal_Voices/_Animal_Voices,_Animal_Guides_.html


The animal world has much to teach us. Some are experts at survival & adaptation, some never get cancer, some embody strength & courage while others exude playfulness. Animals remind us of the potential we can unfold, but before we can learn from them, we must first be able to speak with them.In this book, myth & fact are combined in a manner that will teach you how to speak & understand the language of the animals in your life. Animal-Speak helps you meet & work with animals as totems & spirits-by learning the language of their behaviors within the physical world. It provides techniques for reading signs & omens in nature so you can open to higher perceptions & even prophecy. It reveals the hidden, mythical & realistic roles of 45 animals, 60 birds, 8 insects, & 6 reptiles.Animals will become a part of you, revealing to you the majesty & divine in all life. They will restore your childlike wonder of the world & strengthen your belief in magic, dreams & possibilities.

Not sure if you are still following this thread Linda, but I just stepped outside to turn on the water, and this is what I found near the ground, right under the light of the porch. I think she is the biggest I have ever seen. Amazing. I thought about you.

Now what? If I do not send her away, someone will kill her.

I guess I will have to try a rescue operation in the daylight.

Oh: she is not camera shy. The flash did not disturb her, at all. She did not even flinch. Had that been a brown recluse, I would be tenderized by now. :op

HigherLove wrote:Not sure if you are still following this thread Linda, but I just stepped outside to turn on the water, and this is what I found near the ground, right under the light of the porch. I think she is the biggest I have ever seen. Amazing. I thought about you.

Now what? If I do not send her away, someone will kill her.

I guess I will have to try a rescue operation in the daylight.

Oh: she is not camera shy. The flash did not disturb her, at all. She did not even flinch. Had that been a brown recluse, I would be tenderized by now. :op

Problem solved, at least for now.

Upon going back outside to shut off the water, Ms. Widow had dropped from her web (note that she was on the bottom of her web; it was the top that was sticky), and was crawling on the porch. As soon as I opened the door, she freaked out and dove into a pipe in the side of the house.

This gave me time to whisk away her nest (she would have been a sitting duck in the daytime). She did not return. So far, things are clear.

FYI: Black Widows can be really fast when they want to be.

:op

Edit/add: She used her speed and agility to get AWAY from me, NOT to attack. She gave herself a way out by building her nest so close to the escape pipe (just out of view in the telephoto pic I took -- still, I had to get close).

Well thanks to good ol' thinking, I have gone and conjured up a host of spiders. Go figure.

Two nights ago I went outside and lo and behold! 'twas ANOTHER female Black Widow spider in the SAME spot on the porch.

Now, it could have been the same spider, but this one was longer and skinnier (but the red was just as scarlet as the other spider). This would mean she had lots of babies, somewhere.

Under the house?

Oh well. They are not aggressive.

Wolf spiders are the bane of MY existence: they are fast, they refuse to communicate, and do not have any problems with crawling over me to get where they are going.

The same night that I saw the second Black Widow, I had a visit from a most curious (and not-at-all-afraid) beetle, in the garage. The heat has been getting in the way of extended periods of time in the garage, but the beetle seemed quite curious about me, so we spent some time staring at one another and tried to communicate.

I always start with, "You are safe with me, I am honored by your visit, and what might you have to teach?" (It sounds better than saying, "Why are you here and what do you want to say?").

Unlike a wolf spider, the beetle had the decency to stop and listen to me when I spoke. Even if it knows more than I do, at least I felt humored.
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http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/dictionary_of_insects.html

Beetles:

Beetles aid in transformation, metamorphosis, resurrection and rebirth - rebirth of the soul to a new spiritual ideal and renewed devotion. This animal teaches harmony in the coming changes by utilizing your intuitive abilities and teaches discernment where you need it the most. Beetles have a protective quality that will aid in the ability to socialize and communicate effectively by illuminating problems and situations in the correct perspective. Are you eating correctly? Now is the time to examine eating habits. Can you identify which stage of development are you in egg/larva/pupa/adult?. Is it time to fly or walk in life? Beetle will teach persistence with charm, trust in the process, proper movement and actions which allows the regeneration of your spirit to prosper.

I owe something to the honey bees.

I have to keep the wild mustard mowed down around here, or it becomes a fire hazard. However, the bees were so abundant that it was heartbreaking.

If this were my property I would do things so differently, but it is part of the agreement.

If I mention the spiders, they will spray them all dead.

Just about an hour ago it was still cool enough to sit in the garage. The opening faces west, so once the sun gets overhead, I do not open the door more than a few feet (it is a great location for glorious sunsets, however).

I wish I had been more quiet, because a bird walked in. Yep. Walked. Once it saw me it froze, but did not panic.

This may all seem quite ordinary, but something is going on. This has been a really strange year on so many levels (universal, planetary, personal). We have all been through a lot in a short amount of time.

I got stuck in the snow in February, had a visit from a mountain lion, flew into another dimension filled with monks, and now I am talking to beetles.

The iLLs aka The illuminati
are scared of spiders,
esp; weaving ones

Cosmic Weaver is the 3rd initiation
- Susan Lynne Schwenger