posted July 15, 2009 12:24 PM         

For a long time last summer & fall, I was always running into wild rabbits. I haven't seen them much this year, but there was a family of them living in the field behind my house then. I never bothered or sought them out, but they always seem to show themselves when I really needed them to. My son was an infant then and had severe colic due to a milk allergy we weren't yet aware of. I would periodically go outside to smoke and re-gather myself during this time. One of the rabbits would always magically appear during these times, a few feet away. Once (during a REALLY hard day) two of them did. One of them even allowed me to photograph her once (no flash, of course).

time to mow the law, AC!

As far as resonating goes, since childhood I've been obsessed with wolves. I used to pepper my walls as a child with pictures of them and hand-made flyers protesting their bad reputation, haha. I'm always wearing wolf related jewelry and an entire book of my poetry once was dedicated to a werewolf fable I'd dreamed. Since childhood and to this day I participate in activism and advocacy on their behalf.

posted July 15, 2009 05:04 PM         

at times it seems a cardinal will be very close to me and when i see them i make a wish or a prayer type thing and in my mind i think they carry it straight to god's ear. i just always thought they were special to me.

years ago i was having a crap day, i was taking care of my ex husband who is in a wheelchair and driving him somewhere to an appointment, i got bogged down in the mud in the middle of winter with the car and of course his chair was in the trunk and i just felt like i had a heavy load, like my whole life was bogged in that mud just like that stupid car.... in my mind, and not out load, i said to myself, huh, i doubt my cardinals are even special, and JUST when i thought that, i mean the second i thought it.... hundreds of beautiful cardinals swept out of the ditch and flew in front of the car and this blessed feeling came over me, like i KNEW someone was watching over me and indeed the cardinals are special for me. i will never doubt it again.

posted July 15, 2009 05:12 PM         

This shock of red, especially against the stark backdrop of winter snow, is a magnificent sight. The male cardinal reminds us passion, warmth and vibrancy is available to us - even in under the cloak of winter's grey clouds.

Interestingly, the more bold and bright his color is, the more successful the cardinal will be at prolonging his lineage. Dull colored male cardinals are less likely to mate successfully than bright ones.

True to the fire of his color, the crimson cardinal has got some major spunk. He will aggressively defend his territory, and fight attackers with ferocity. Indeed, they have been known to fight ghost males (their reflections) in mirrors for hours on end.

Both male and female give us glorious songs. Along with peeps and pips and warbles, the tuned ear can also hear "cheer, cheer, cheer!" Very appropriate to the animal symbolism of cardinals, because they are a delight to both eyes and ears.

The cardinal makes a fantastic animal totem. It reminds us to hold ourselves with pride - not ego pride. Rather, the cardinal asks us to stand a little taller, be a bit more regal, step into our natural confidence as if we were born to lead with grace and nobility.

posted July 15, 2009 06:32 PM         

Cheers,
Dean.

------------------
I realized it for the first time in my life:
there is nothing but mystery in the world,
how it hides behind the fabric of our poor,
browbeat days, shining brightly, and we don't even know it.

Sue Monk Kidd, "The Secret Life of Bees", p79

posted July 15, 2009 09:12 PM         

Rabbits, I can't bear to see one hurt or, horrors, on someone's dinner plate.

posted July 16, 2009 11:23 AM         

i think feeling a special affinity does indicate guide connections. for me horses were a MAJOR one, including a stallion at a stud ranch near my home, who would charge over to the fence to say hello to me whenever i stopped by - a horse who had to be blindfolded to be led around he was so untamed...and several others too.

the last place my daughter lived the crows were so plentiful my grandson and i used to sit on the back porch talking to them (in crow of course)

posted July 16, 2009 04:02 PM         

Crow is the left-handed guardian. Crow knows the unknowable mysteries of creation and is the keeper of all sacred law. There are several species of crow. Raven is one of these and magpies are another. Crow medicine people are masters of illusion. Do not try to figure crow out. It is the power of the unknown at work, and something special is about to happen.

***

Crow is also the guardian of ceremonial magic and healing. In any healing circle, Crow is present. Crow guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality and dispel "dis-ease" or illness. You can rest assure when ever crows are around, magic is near by and you are about to experience a change in consciousness. Crow can give you the courage to enter the darkness of the void, which is the home of all that is not yet in form.

They are territorial and won't give up an area without a fight. They are loners, seeming to like to spend time to themselves.

****

Fertility and New Life

The Rabbit is known for its ability to procreate,
its fleetness, and its movement is by leaps.
People with this totem may find that their
endeavors go in leaps and bounds also.

If a Rabbit totem has appeared in your life, it may indicate a need for more planning
or to check those plans already set in motion.
Do not box yourself in a corner.

This totem may also bring a need to examine the kinds of foods you eat.
Perhaps a vegetarian diet, if only for a short time, can help you strengthen and heal.

The Rabbit is associated with the goddess Hecate.

***
i also have affinity for deer - they are just so beautiful to me **

Gentleness and Innocence

Deer teaches us to use the power of gentleness
to touch the hearts and minds of
wounded beings who are in our lives.

Don't push towards change in others,
rather gently nudge them in right direction
with the love that comes from a Deer totem.

When a Deer totem shows up in your life,
a new innocence and freshness in about to be awakened.
There is going to be a gentle lure of new adventures.
There will be an opportunity to express the gentle love
that will open new doors for you.

posted July 16, 2009 04:33 PM         

horses taught me so many lessons and helped hone my self-confidence in the face of power much greater than my own. also how to go with the flow where the outcome was unknown!

the others are great too...

posted July 17, 2009 08:25 AM         

Transmutation, Dance of Joy

The butterfly is the symbol of change, joy and color.
It is the symbol of the soul.

They remind us that life is a dance,
not to take things quite so seriously.
They also remind us to get up and move.
Dance brings the sweetness of life.


Butterflies bring color and joy to your life.
Look at them and remember what joy is in your life,
if its a lot or a little, it is still joy.

They teach us that growth and transformation does not have to traumatic;
it can occur gently, sweetly, joyfully.

posted July 17, 2009 08:26 AM         

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.

posted July 17, 2009 08:27 AM         

A Dolphin totem can show you how to enter
the waters of life and then with breath and sound
call forth what you most need or desire.




Sounds are a part of dolphin life, and therefore, if you have this totem,
they need to be a part of yours.
Sound is the creative life force.
Learn to create inner sounds so that you can create outer manifestations.

The dolphin, along with the whale, are the other sentient beings of our planet.
They too are self-aware and have souls.
Accordingly to the Michael Teachings, they are on their fourth cycle,
while most of mankind is on its eleventh or twelfth cycle.

posted July 17, 2009 08:28 AM         

The owl is associated with Athena.

An owl totem gives you the power to extract secrets.
Meditate on the owl and things will be revealed.
Listen to its voice inside of you.

You will hear not what is being said by others, but what is hidden.
You can detect subtleties of voice that others cannot.
People cannot deceive a person who has an owl totem.

Owl people can see into the darkness of others souls.
Most owl people are clairvoyant because of this ability.
It can be very scary at times.
Learn to trust your instincts about people.
Let your owl totem guide you.

Snowy Owl
Conserve your energy until the time is right; be observant of your surroundings.
Has the power of prophecy.

Barn Owl
This totem reflects the ability to the heart and the mind.
It can connect you to spirits and the houses that they haunt.
Mediums and “ghost hunters” often have this totem.
This totem can give you very strong clairvoyant abilities.

Barred or Spotted Owl
People with totem can appear threatening on the outside,
but are actually very benign.
This Owl can teach us how to use your voice to great effect.

posted August 28, 2009 01:18 PM         

A Hawk totem is filled with responsibility
because Hawk people seek the overall view.
They are aware of omens and spirit messages.

A Red-Tailed Hawk Totem is special.
It has direct ties to the Kundalini, the seat of primal life force.
It is associated with the base chakra .
If you have this Totem, you will be aware of and work towards fulfilling your soul's purpose.
It reflects a greater intensity of energy within your life:
physical, emotional, mental and spiritual forces will all be strong within you.
The Red-Tail Hawk is a permanent totem -- it will always be with you.

It is associated with the number "14" with the Tarot card Temperance.
This card represents the teaching of higher expressions of psychic ability and vision.

bat

Dark night flyer, lift me higher
Realms of life where loved ones go,
That I might find joy mind to mind,
My heart hurt less. I miss them so.
Teach me that death can hurt much less
If I accept it as no end,
But see it true, just another view
Of life continuing round a bend.


Transition, Rebirth

A Bat totem appearing in your life
is a call for the end of a way of life and the beginning of another.

You must face your greatest fears
and get rid of the part of your life that no longer is needed.
This transition is very frightening for many:
"better the devil you know..."
But you will not grow spiritually until the old parts are gone.

posted September 01, 2009 04:43 PM         

The butterfly is the symbol of change, joy and color.
It is the symbol of the soul.

They remind us that life is a dance,
not to take things quite so seriously.
They also remind us to get up and move.
Dance brings the sweetness of life.

Butterflies bring color and joy to your life.
Look at them and remember what joy is in your life,
if its a lot or a little, it is still joy.

They teach us that growth and transformation does not have to traumatic;
it can occur gently, sweetly, joyfully.

If a butterfly totem has shown up in your life,
make note of the most important issues in your life,
and see what needs to be changed.

hedgehog -
The Hedgehog teaches how to be on the defense and how to protect yourself.
It shows how to protect the soft inside – your inner self.
Hedgehog shows how to be gentle, yet protective at the same time.
How to build defenses and protective barriers that discourage negative people.

It also is the symbol of the Wisdom of the Female Elder, with close ties to Mother Earth. People with a Hedgehog totem often understand weather patterns –
they know when it will rain.