posted October 26, 2007 08:17 PM         

Shudders

posted October 26, 2007 08:22 PM         

* got it- Pfeiffer

The people who came up with those group names must have hung out w/ Lewis Carrol in his "Wonderland" daze. Pulchritude of plovers my eye.

posted October 26, 2007 11:54 PM         

Dee, I looked briefly into totems etc when I was very young but quickly moved on to different interests. I REALLY appreciated the information you posted. I would be interested in learning a bit more here and there now. Thank you.

What about Fayte's eagle? I know so many people seem to dig wolves and eagles and that may be what turned me off to animal totem type ideas at the beginning. I like wolves and eagles, but I wouldn't be interested in decorating my house with pictures of them and other items with images of them. My mother did get me a 'woman who runs with the wolves' (or something along those lines) t-shirt when I was younger and she first got started along the path of spiritual interests. I saw my own symbolism in that...

Anyway, I would be interesting in knowing a little about the significance of each of those. I don't necessarily think all of the people have a firm grasp on the symbolic nature of the animals or what the totem traditionally represents, but maybe they are drawn to those animals for a deep and meaningful reason.

posted October 27, 2007 12:27 AM         

quote:

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What about Fayte's eagle?

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posted October 27, 2007 08:55 AM         

Solane Star is more knowledgable about totem animals and their relation to Native American spirituality than I am. She is the one who has sparked a deeper interest about it in me. I was kind of like you, just took it in stride and only looked up animals that I encountered. I had a dragonfly one summer that followed me around my yard when I was outdoors. So cool. It was there everyday for the longest time. And when I looked it up it had very good spiritual significance. Once I got the message the dragonfly wasn't there any longer.

Zala the snail picture conjured up a horrible memory for me about the first ( and last ) time I sampled escargot.

posted October 27, 2007 11:04 AM         

Do I personally like to eat them? No. Adventurous eater I may be, but lawn toys should be left in the garden.

posted October 27, 2007 11:32 AM         

quote:

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Anyway, I would be interesting in knowing a little about the significance of each of those. I don't necessarily think all of the people have a firm grasp on the symbolic nature of the animals or what the totem traditionally represents, but maybe they are drawn to those animals for a deep and meaningful reason.

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posted October 27, 2007 11:44 PM         

You know something is really bad when you have to bury it under a heap of herbs and spices, dip it in butter and then not even chew it.

The time I sampled it that night I had a nightmare about the scene in the original "Alien" movie where the slimy looking thing popped out of the guys stomach. Not just kidding. I really did. It was a traumatic experience for me. LOL

posted October 29, 2007 09:10 AM         

Swan...

The power of woman

Entering Sacred Space,

Touching future,

Yet to come,

Bringing eternal grace.

39

Swan

Little Swan flew through the dreamtime, looking for the future. She rested for a moment in the coolness of the pond, a moment of confusion for Swan, as she knew that she had happened into the dreantime by accident. This was her first flight alone and she was a bit concerned by the Dreamtime landscapes.

As Swan looked high above Scared Mountain, she saw the biggest swirling black hole she ha ever seen. Dragonfly came flying by, and Swan stopped him to ask about the black hole. Dragonfly said " Swan, that is the doorway to the other planes of imagination. I have been guardian of the illusion for many, many moons. If you want to enter there, you would have to ask permission and earn the right. "

Swan was not so sure that she wanted to enter the black hole. She asked Dragonfly what she wanted was necessary for her to earn entry. Dragonfly replied, " You must be willing to accept whatever the future holds as it is presented, without trying to change Great Spirit's plan." Swan looked at her ugly little ducking body and then answered, " I will be happy to abide by Great Spirit's plan. I won't fight the currents of the black hole. I will SURRENDER to the FLOW of the SPIRAL and TRUST what I AM shown. " Dragonfly was very happy with Swan's answer and began to spin the magic to break, the pond/'s illusion. Suddenly, Swan was engulfed by the whirlpool in the center of the pond.

Swan reappeared many days later, but now she was graceful and white and long-necked. Dragonfly was stunned! " Swan, what happened to you! " he exclaimed. Swan smiled and said, " Dragonfly, I learned to surrender my body to the power of Great Spirit and was taken to where the future lives. I saw many wonders high on sacred Mountain and because of my faith and my acceptance I have changed. I have learned to accept the state of GRACE!!!! " Dragonfly was very happy for Swan.

Swan told Dragonfly many of the wonders beyond the illusion. Through her healing and her acceptanceof the state of GRACE, she was giventhe right to enter the Dreamtime.

So it is that we learn to surrender to the Grace of the rhythm of the universe, and slip from our physical bodies into the Dreamtimetime. Swan medicine teaches us to be at one with all planes of consciousness, and trust in Great Spirit's portection.

If you pulled Swan, it ushers in a time of altered states of awareness and of development of your intuitive abliities. Swan medicine people have the ability to see the future, to surrender to the power of Great Spirit, and to accept the healing transformation of their lives.

The Swan card is telling you to accept your ability to know what lies ahead. If you are resisting your self-transformation, relax; it will be easier if you s-Elf-transformation, you know who is calling when the phone rings. Pay attention to your hunches and your gut knowledge, and honor your female intuitive side.

By Jamie Sams

posted October 30, 2007 03:44 PM         

Swans

Keynote: Wakening the True Beauty and Power of the s-ELF

Cycle of Power: Winter

The Swan is one of the most powerful and ancient of totems. This is reflected even in it's name. It is one of the oldest names in the English lanuage, and it has come down un-changed since Anglo-Sax times.

The swan is a stately aquatic bird with a long graceful neck and beautiful white plumage.It is the largest of all waterfowl. It foods on soft water plants, and its bill is so sensitive that it serves as a feeler underwater. For those with this totem, the emotions will become more sensitive, and you will find yours-ELF becoming more sensitive to the emotions of others as well.

The swan is usually pure white (except for the bills and feet). This makes it a solar symbol. There is a black swan ( Australian) and it is more of nocturnal symbol. It is also consided a symbol and something rare and /or nonexistent.

The neck of the swan is long and graceful. It is one of the swan's most distinguishing features. The neck is a bridge area between the head (higher realms) and the body (lower worlds). In the swan totem, as you begin to realize your own true beauty, you unfold the ability to bridge to new realms and new powers. This ability to awaken to the inner beauty and bridge it to the outer world is part of what swan medicine can teach. It can show how to see the inner beauty within yours-ELF or in others, regardless of outer appearances. When we are capable of this, we become a magnet to others. This is reflected in the familiar story by Hans Christian Anderssen, " The Ugly Ducking. "

The swan is a cold-loving bird. They do not like the heat, and can stand the cold very well, as long as there is food. Those with this totem will find it easier tostand colder climates than warmer. Because of this, the swan also has ties to the direction of North, and symbolism should be examined as well.

The kind of swan and it's characteristics will have signficance unique to thems-ELVES and to you. The largest of all swans is the trumpeter. It is named for it's loud, far-carrying call.

Swans are powerful birds. They can break a man's arms with the beat of their wings, and they have strong bites as well. They are also devoted parents and they mate for life, and some live for as long as 80 years. They reflect the power and longevity that is possible as we awaken to the beauty and power within ours-ELVES.

The swan is the totem of the CHILD, the poet, the mystic, and the dreamer. Swan fills mythology and folklore, usually as traditional symbols of beauty and grace. Swans were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. They were depicted pulling the chariot of Apollo. Zeus took the shape of the swan to make love to Ledo, a mortal--reflecting the ability of a swan to link different worlds and dimensions.

The swan fills forelore and fairy tales. Many speak of young maidens who turn into swans by putting on the magic garment of a swan's skin. If the were found, the beautiful maiden had to remain human and marry whoever found the skin, or do their bidding. The swan thus has come to be a link to the Faerie realm of life. Many of these tales involving swans ended tragically, hinting at the primal life-changing power of beauty when released freely. It hints of the control necessary to effectively work with such energy.

From Greece comes the mystery of the swan song. This belief taught that the swan sang its most beautiful song just before it died. The swan can teach the mysteries of song and poetry, for these touch the child and the beauty within.

Taken from my book by Ted Andrews