posted June 22, 2010 10:13 AM            

In the past week I have seen two chipmunks.
Now I have always loved chipmunks. In my whole life I can count on one hand all of the times I have seen a chipmunk. Seeing 2 of them in one week and 50 miles appart means something.

Last week I was on a walk, I was in a suburban neighborhood, behind a large apartment complex, but a nice quiet walk through trees, and a field. Approaching one stand of trees I walked towards a large stand of bamboo I wanted to investigate. A rustling sound was caused by three deer that I had disturbed. Two older and one youngster. They slowly loped off to stand watching me next to a gazebo in a backyard, we watched each other for awhile as I walked further on, checked the bamboo, and found a chipmunk, sitting on a sewer drain watching me. I remained motionless for a minute then slowly made a lateral move forward in order to flank him from the back for a closer look. He allowed this and I was a foot away as we looked each other over.
I was smiling, and so happy that he cooperated!

The next day I had an owl that looked like this guy

fly right across the front of my car going about 45. I had a good look. And he had to be flying pretty darn fast!

Yesterday I saw the other chipmunk, and that was memorable as well, we got up close and I had another gift

posted April 26, 2012 02:35 AM            

Animal Totem and Animal Symbolism
Spiritual meaning of birds
ANIMALS, BIRDS, INSECTS AND REPTILES AND THEIR MEANINGS - this one is for dreams but i don't see why it wouldn't also apply to real life..
Animal Spirits - this one has the most animals

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I had this recently (feb/march this yr) with these guys

--one was at the park, all by itself, no other cranes around. i got close to film it cos it literally was not even in the water, it was walking on the cobblestone area by the pond, and not even scared of me, just as cool as anything. I don't know if they're skittish by nature, but this one wasn't.
--then a few wks later driving, and had to stop cos one wanted to cross the street in front of me, going from right to left.
--then saw another walking down the sidewalk a month after that.

quote:

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Crane: Independence, cessation of combat .

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quote:

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CRANE - denotes a sense of inquisitiveness. This is a symbol of renewal and of Christ resurrected. In China, it is a symbol of longevity, also for wisdom. A crane soaring toward the sun denotes desire for 'social elevation'. In the legends of India, however, it denotes deceit and knavery. It has also been denoted as a symbol of vigilance.

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quote:

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Crane's Wisdom Includes:

Symbol of spring and light
Astral travel
New knowledge
Seeing all things associated with secrets
Wisdom
Seeks to help others on their paths
Longevity
Elegance
Using voice uniquely

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posted April 26, 2012 02:40 AM            

quote:

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Turtle/Tortoise's Wisdom Includes:

Symbol of the earth
Connection with the center
Navigation skills
Patience
Self-boundaries
Associated with the feminine
Power to heal female diseases
Respecting the boundaries of others
Developing new ideas
Psychically protecting oneself
Self-reliance
Tenacity
Nonviolent defense

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posted April 26, 2012 04:32 AM            

quote:

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Woodpecker's Wisdom Includes:

Connection to the earth
Ability to find hidden layers
Understands rhythms, cycles and patterns
Warnings
Prophecy
Associated with thunder
The Earth's drummer
Pecks away at deception until the truth is revealed

Woodpecker speaks of not being hard-headed because they are able to use their beak to peck at trees. Woodpecker is telling us that even if something seems difficult to do, not to give up. To do what works, even if it is unconventional. To set your own pace, your own rhythm.

People born under the woodpecker sign need safety and security and are often wary because of their extreme sensitivity to their surroundings.

This totem is the power of rhythm and determination; stimulates new rhythms.
Woodpecker folks are able to "ride the flow of life" and to receive in silence. They are gentle, sensitive and dreamy folks who tend to both absorb and reflect things around them. They are here to learn more independence and stability.

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That's pretty spot on currently.

posted May 23, 2012 02:19 AM            

Lonake: thanks for the links >< checking them tomorrow.

The crane is so cool.

I was on a walk; went down to a small bridge. A huge whoosh, whoosh and a blue heron? or crane- flew out from under and down the stream. At that proximity they are quite impressive. Never truly appreciated the size before.

Ms T:

I was on a site tonight looking for 'Cardinal' found a new click:

Woody Pecker

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When I hear the woodpecker knocking, I think of opportunity. You know the old saying "when opportunity knocks, answer the door." That's precisely what I'm driving at here.

Woodpeckers are extremely opportunistic themselves. Each tree is a door, revealing tender morsels of food (grubs and ants are their favorites). Other trees will yield against their beak-hammering to provide great mansions for their young.

When the woodpecker comes tapping into our awareness, it's also a signal to use our heads. Just as the woodpecker uses its head (beak) to hammer out solutions (food, shelter), we too can use our intellect in finding solutions to our own barriers.

The symbolic meaning of woodpeckers also point to a need for creative vision. Being opportunistic, woodpeckers can see value everywhere, even in dead trees. Have you ditched an idea or given up on a project? The woodpecker may be trying to tell you to breathe new life into your project, just as they build new homes into dead trees.

Further, the symbolic meaning of woodpecker indicates a return to our roots, or having trust in our basic (gut) feelings. Dr. Carl Jung observed the woodpecker as a symbol of a return to the womb of creativity. In this observation the tree is symbolic of a womb; earthy, grounded, sturdy and secure. The woodpecker's home within the tree is analogous of a fierce determination to return and protect that which is sacred to us.

When this bird comes pecking, it is a call for us to return to our roots, back to the womb of our ideas and use our intellect and discernment to follow through with our plans.

This analogy is doubly profound in the case of red-headed woodpeckers as the color red is associated with the root chakra. Prime, protective energy. Another clear sign for being aware of our core impulses, and our basic beliefs.

Native North American wisdom recognized the protective home-based themes of the woodpecker too. Prairie tribes had a myth that the title of protector of humankind was once vied for by the turkey and the woodpecker. The woodpecker won the title because of her ability to make such marvelous nests wherein the spiritual seed of humankind would always be sheltered from predatory threat.

The woodpecker may also remind us to be mindful of our words. It has a narrow tongue, extremely effective for picking up food in narrow places. This is symbolic for using a narrow route to get the most profound effect. The woodpecker asks us to use fewer words to make a stronger impact in our statement.

As we continue to explore the symbolic meaning of woodpecker, we see communication is a strong theme. In fact, when I hear the woodpecker, I think of Morse code, and I try to figure out what kind of rhythmical message the woodpecker is sending me.

It wasn't until years later I did some research on the bird that I discovered, indeed, the woodpecker actually does peck out signals to their kin as communication!

Drumming has historically marked the beginning of events such as processions, honorable ceremonies, even war. Perhaps this is why the woodpecker (and its beak-drumming ways) was often associated with Roman battle, war and victory.

Native North American wisdom also prescribes drumming as a means to journeying (transcendentalism), and so many tribes considered the woodpecker as an other-worldly messenger, and a prophet.

In Roman mythology, the woodpecker is associated with Mars, which is a planet of energy, and initiative. The zodiac sign of Aries might be drawn to the woodpecker as a totem animal because of its association with Mars too (Mars is the ruling planet for Aries).

These two (woodpecker and the Ram which is the zodiac animal for Aries) have the propensity of initiation (trail blazers, starting new projects) in common. The woodpecker is the first to initiate communication. Consider the silence of a winter day cracked wide open by the echoing beat of a woodpeckers beak.

Also, the symbolic meaning of woodpecker deals with progress because she doggedly hammers at her purpose until she sees to the other side of the obstacle. Aries are equally determined in their purpose, often ramming through astounding odds to obtain their goals.

Concepts of determination and drive in the symbolic meaning of woodpecker can be stretched further when we consider the woodpecker's love for the oak tree. Oak trees are symbolic of stability and strength of character, read more about their meanings here.

Also in Roman myth the woodpecker was noted as befriending the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus (who, interestingly were fathered by Mars, the god of war). Legend states the both the wolf and the woodpecker fed the twin boys in their infancy while they were sequestered in the wild to avoid demise (as typical Roman myth, it's a long story, you can read it here).

And so, when the woodpecker comes calling, it may be a sign to:

• Fly back to our roots.
  
• Nurture our ideas in the womb of our core passions.
  
• Shelter our wisdom from predatory threat.
  
• Use our heads (intellect) to think up innovative solutions to overcome barriers.
  
• Communicate our ideas in more creative or non-traditional ways.
  
• Stop and consider the opportunities available to us at this time.
  Look at projects in unique creative ways to bring new life to a project.
  
• Listen more clearly to subtle energies, there is a message that only our intuition can interpret.

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posted May 23, 2012 08:04 PM            

quote:

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As we might guess, a large part of the animal symbolism of the cardinal comes from the brilliant red color of the males.

Even its common name is derived from the royal red vestments worn by Catholic cardinals.

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.

Those who attract the cardinal as their totem are naturally energetic, love life, and happily help others where/when they can.

Call upon the cardinal when you are feeling low (especially if you have the winter blues). Also call on the cardinal when you need bolstering for an event you are nervous about - the cardinal is better than B-12 for giving energy and vitality to those who need it!

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My guy was a young male w/ some serious attitude.
Leaving work, I was in the deep 'S' of a turn to access the beltway, and there he was right on the pavement! He was staring at me w/ fire in his eye...think Robert De Niro here->

"you lookin' at me?? No seriously, you lookin' at me"?

Seriously great encounter.

posted May 23, 2012 08:19 PM            

That is exactly what it sounds like.

posted April 28, 2013 12:17 PM            

Node! Sorry I missed that last post you wrote to me!

Love the interp. Makes so much sense. Woodpecker is one that has stuck, but lately it's been The Wren.

Yesterday as I was getting a "sign" from Wren again and thinking about it's meaning, a huge black crow came swooping down in front of me - then, right behind it was a wren, dive-bombing it (must be a nest nearby). I watched them fly off, land a few times, all the while, Wren was chasing after it and diving down onto Crow. Seemingly to protect something and get Crow to go away.

So that was my confirmation sign that I had to look into Wren's meaning.

be back with info in a bit.

This thread is too good to get lost in the shuffle....

posted April 28, 2013 12:24 PM            

Celtic Meanings for the Wren
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meanings-of-wren.html

posted April 28, 2013 12:31 PM            

excerpt from another great site:

Wren Medicine, in Totem Library http://spiritlodge.yuku.com/topic/834#.UX1NfOBn-Zg

quote:

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Its feathers were considered fetishes against drwoning, and it has usually been considered unlucky to kill one. In pagan traditions, wrens were considered sacred to the earth godsa nd goddesses. It has been thought a bird that stole fire from the sun and brought it to earth, giving it its short, cocked tail feathers. In medieveal Europe it was considered the pet bird of the Virgin Mary, especially among the lower classes. This is probably due to the fact that most often the ruling classes were depicted in story and legend as eagles, hawks, bears -- the greater birds and animals of prey.

The wren is a most resourceful and adaptable bird. It will build its nest in any convenient home. Usually their homes are built close o the ground or even upon the ground, especially in marshy areas. The male wrens do most of the building and they will build several *dummy* nests as well as a true nest. Partly this is for protection, although some believe it is also to entice the female. Only after the dummy nests are built does the female settle in and have her brood. The male will sleep apart from the female and the young.

The wren is a bold and resourceful bird. One Native American tale speaks of a time when the wren tricked the boasting eagle into carrying it far into the heavens, until the eagle could go no higher. At that point the wren hopped off eagle's back and flew beyond the clouds, laughing at how much higher it was flying than the eagle ever would.

The wren has the vocal power of a bird much larger. It will sing from daylight to dark, as if overflowing with confidence. It is also a bit of a spitfire, and it will not hesitate to confront any threatening bird or animal.

If wrens have come into your life, it is time to ask yourself some important questions. Are you using the resources available to you? Are others? Are you not displaying enough confidence? Are you so wrapped up in daily worries that you are forgetting to sing? Are you not staying grounded? Are you not seeing the forest because of the trees? Are you not attacking your life with enough gusto? Wren holds the medicine for using what is available, and can teach you the most effective means to build within your own environment.

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beautiful Wren Song (& how adorable is that little gal?)
sounds similar to the ones I've been hearing.
so pretty and complex
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvdwamHv_fk

(gets really amazing at 2:13 ish)

posted April 28, 2013 01:08 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by T:
Lovely site:
http://www.starstuffs.com/animal_totems/dictionary_of_birds.html

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You can listen as well as read here.

posted April 30, 2013 06:15 AM            

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Remember, love can conquer the influences of the planets....It can even eliminate karma.

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