ANIMAL SPIRITS
Snake Transformation and New Beginnings
Many believe that Snake medicine people to be very rare. In some cultures, to have Snake medicine means that the initiate has probably been bitten numerous times by poisonous snakes and survived. The power of Snake medicine is creative. It is being able to shed the old and create the new, just as the snake sheds its old skin and emerges as a whole new creature. As the snake crawls away, it leaves its old "life/skin" behind, never looking back and thus creating a new beginning. This medicine can serve as a powerful methaphor for those wishing to break free.
Lizard Dreaming and Remembering
Lizards bring messages of adaptation, of moving through time and space, of survival. Many original peoples believe that there is no seperation between dreaming while awake and dreaming while asleep. In fact, they say that if one can learn to dream different dreams, dreams of peace instead of competition, of harmony instead of dominance, then those dreams will in fact alter the world. It is said that everything that man has made began as a dream or as a thought. Lizard reminds us to pay attention to our surroundings.
Dolphin Unseen Communication
Playful creatures, dolphins have long entertained man with their joyful antics. Studying dolphin communication has proved to be an awesome task for man. As in all animals, dolphins have developed sophisticated auditory signals that warn others of impending danger. Some believe that these animals are now warning man of impending danger as he ignores the balance of the natural world. Swimming with the dolphins has become a powerful experience for many people, and as they interact with these playful creatures, they cannot help but feel their communication.
Turtle Protection
Many tribal creation stories say that earth was born on the back of Turtle. Since it carries its home on its back, it has also been recognized as having the ability to "manage" in difficult circumstances. Some folk tales say that if a turtle is flipped over, it cannot right itself and will eventually die. This however is not necessarily true, the strong neck muscles that Turtle possesses can flip Turtle upright. Turtle has good hearing and can sense movement in the water through the membranes in the skin. Turtle even has a sense of smell and pretty good eyesight, reminding us not to judge any of our relations by outward appearances.
The Racing Terrapin - Cherokee Story
Long ago the rabbit and the terrapin had a race. They had a long way to go and each hoped to win. They crossed valleys and high hills, and at the top of the each hill a new terrapin started. That's the way they did throughout the entire race. (There was only one rabbit, but there were many terrapins - a different one who started at the top of each hilltop.) Therefore the rabbit was left behind. So the terrapin won the race. That's all.
The Terrapin and the Deer Race The Terrapin and the Deer wanted to have a race. The terrapin said, "I am going to wear a white corn-shuck on my head." So he gathered his friends and told them that they were to station themselves at the top of each hill over which the race was to be run. So at each hilltop sat a terrapin exactly like the others. When they (the terrapin and the deer) started the race, they went downhill and uphill, and at the top sat the terrapin. When they went down in the valley again, then up the hill, there sat the terrapin who had arrived there already. Then when he went down and up the third time, there sat the terrapin already. The terrapin won the race, they say. He used his friends with corn-shucks just like he had and placed them at intervals. That's all.
Badger Aggressiveness
The very thought of a badger causes many smaller animals to run. It's loud hissing, sharp claws, and aggressive behavior can frighten another animal out of its way. Badger is quick, a moments delay may mean death or injury to another animal. Badger survives by clawing the earth in search of food. Medicine women with Badger medicine are familiar with the therapeutic properties of roots and herbs. They are said to be among the most powerful healers because they can get right to the "root" of the problem. "Action" is the badger's message.
Tirawa spoke to man through his works.
~Chief Letakots-Lesa~