 |
|
Reply
| | From:  sageawk57 (Original Message) | Sent: 8/24/2004 3:59 PM |
Big Winds Moon (Cougar) February 19-March 20 Those born during the Big Winds Moon, between February 19 and March 20, have the cougar as their animal totem, the plantain as their plant totem, and the turquoise as their mineral totem. Their color is the blue-green of the turquoise, and they belong to the Frog elemental clan. The turquoise, their stone, is one of the oldest stones used for adornment and protection. It was being mined in Egypt at least six thousand years before the beginning of this Christian era and on this continent at least one thousand years. Turquoise is a hydrous aluminum phosphate, with copper or iron. It can range from sky blue to bluish green to deep green. It has a waxy luster and is one of the few jewels without a sheen that is so highly prized. Turquoise is largely found in kidney-shaped masses in veins within other rocks of almost any kind, although it is most often found along with copper, iron or silver. Many of the stones have veins, or matrixes, of these other ores running through them. Turquoise was referred to as the "sky stone" by the Native people. There is one old Indian legend that says that the sky is blue because a golden spirit eagle sits on top of a turquoise mountain and reflects the mountain's color up to the sky. Many powers are attributed to the stone. It was believed in many places that people wearing turquoise would never break their bones because the turquoise would fracture instead, thus protecting the wearer. It is because of this belief that horse's bridles, harnesses and tails were decorated with turquoise to ensure that the animal was even-footed. In some countries turquoise was used as the stone in engagement rings. People believed that the stone would remain blue as long as the couple were faithful to each other, but would turn green if either were untrue. That seems a fairly hard test for anyone with oily skin, as turquoise is a very porous rock and will change color because of contact with skin oil, or just about any liquid. Many Native people in the United States believed that turquoise could keep it's owner from injury or danger, and so they used it in shields to turn aside weapons. Turquoise was also used extensively both here and in Central and South America in religious ceremonies and was carved into fetishes or inlaid into other objects. Navajos used to throw turquoise into the river, with special prayers, as part of their rain-making ceremony. Apaches believed that turquoise can be found at the end of the rainbow. Other tribes would fasten a turquoise bead to a bow or arrow, believing that this would make the arrow always hit it's target. Like their stone, Cougar people have the possibility of having many powers that are outside of the ordinary. They have alot of natural medicine that can make them adept at many of the mysteries of life and the universe. Like the turquoise they can be people of the sky, initiates into many of the life processes that people of other totems do not know. But, like their stone, they have to be cut well to show their proper color. Without the right experiences of life, and without a willingness to do some real work on themselves, their natural powers don't develop but turn against them making them into moody, even melancoly people. This can happen to those who can see the mysteries of the sky but cannot see how to build a bridge from the earth to get there, while still functioning well on this plane. Cougar people often have the power to be healers, and, like their stone, they will often be involved with various types of religions and their ceremonies. Being of the Frog clan, their minds have the ability to flow into many realms, and most Cougar people make use of this ability to search out whatever things of life they can. The mystical, magical realm is often more comfortable to these folks than any other. For this reason it is important that they are careful that they have grounded themselves in the earth, or are around others who are grounded, or they will sometimes travel into these other realms and not have the ability to bring themselves back |
|
 First
Previous
2-6 of 6
Next
Last
|
|
Reply
| |
The plant totem of the Cougar people is the plantain, a common herb which is a well-known healer. There are two-hundred species of the herb, and they grow all over the world. The leaves all radiate from the base but, in some types, are broader than they are in others. They are dark green and have very visable lengthwise ribs. The flower of the plantain is a dull white and grows from six to eighteen inches high. The whole plant is used as a healer. Native here used it both internally and externally to cool and soothe as well as heal. It is a blood cleanser and helps to alleviate pain and reverse the effects of poison. It does wonders for either healing fresh or old sores, used either as a tea or a compress, and it is effective against stings or bites. It does the same thing for the inside of the body as it does for the outside, and so it has been used to heal ulcers of the stomach or the intestine, inflammation of these areas, kidney and bladder trouble. As a bath or a strong tea used in compresses it will aid in most conditions of aches and pains. It is useful for Cougar people to dip the leaves in vinegar, dry them over night and place them on the feet before putting on their shoes, as plantain used in this way will help to relieve pain of the feet and legs, a pain that these folks are prone to have. It's soothing internal effect will help Cougar people to keep their internal organs in good condition when they are in melancholy states. In that condition they are prone to diseases caused by inflamation of the stomach and intestines, which often come about through worrying. Externally, plantain will help to cure any skin lesions caused by stress and worry. Because plantain is so widely spread and well rooted in the earth, it can help Cougar people to learn about their own need to ground themselves in this enviroment before they reach too high for the sky. The color of Cougar people is a blue-green of the turquoise. Blue represents the sky, as well as spiritual aspiration. It indicates a seeking, spiritual person, and one prone to self-imposed struggle and melancholy. In it's purer color it connotes idealistic, selfless, artistic and spiritual feelings. It is said that the color of a seeker on the proper path is blue. The green mixed with the blue is helpful to Cougar people, as it gives them a balance between spirit and personality, between the sky and the earth. Remembering to keep green as well as blue around them will help them to be serene and can help to restore and heal them when they are out of balance. Since Cougar people are spiritual by nature, they usually prefer a pure blue, but they should remember the benefits that adding green or using, instead, a green-blue will give to them. This is an especially useful color for them to wear or have around if they are doing healing work |
|
Reply
| |
The animal totem for people of the Big Winds Moon is the cougar, the lion of this continent. Unfortunately, our native lion has not been given the same respect as its African counterpart. The cougar has tended to be misunderstood and feared, and this has often resulted in its wanton slaughter. The cougar is also known as the mountain lion, puma, panther, screamer, painter and ghost cat. It is the largest member of the feline family on this continent usually measuring between seven to nine feet, and weighing 150 to 300 pounds. It is an unspotted cat, after it has left the kit stage, with a twany tan to gray coat and lighter underparts. It's tail and ear tufts are tipped with brown or black fur, which never seems to stay still. The cougar has a handsome face and a round head with prominent whiskers. The cougar is found in the western states, Florida, Canada and Mexico at this time. They used to be found all across the United States prior to the spread of this current civilization. Because of the treatment they have received at man's hands, they now largely inhabit steep canyon country or mountainous terrain. They make their dens in rocky caves, washout holes or thick brush. Of all cats cougars are considered to be the best climbers. If pursued or hunting they can climb trees, although they prefer to stay on the ground. They are swift runners, although they are not good at lengthy long-distance runs. They cover large individual territories, but their social structure does not allow these territories to overlap. They are careful to mark their ranges so other cougars do not intrude. Cougars have a harsh, high-pitched scream which can be quite terrifynig, but it is seldom heard. Cougars tend to be silent unless they are cornered and then they growl, snarl and spit. Cougars are hunters, with deer being the mainstay of their diet, although they will eat other small animals. They like the chase of the hunt, and often join efforts with their mate or relations to obtain better results. One cougar will chase the animal, while the other waits in ambush. They do not hunt for more food than they eat. They only turn to livestock when their natural food supplies have been so depleted that they haveno choice. The cougar is one of the most expert in wild hunters, because of his speed, power and endurance. In his lithe and graceful way the cougar will move in circles through his territory so swiftly and silently that he was sometimes called the "sneak cat." He is a patient hunter, sometimes making many approaches before he gets into his desired position. Cougars have sometimes waited a day and a night on a ledge or limb to have a chance to make their meat. Female cougars are better hunters than the males. One nasty rumor about the cougar is that it would hunt humans. There is no documented case of a cougar that was healthy ever having done so. They do, however, like to follow humans, but this is out of curiosity, natural to felines, not out of hunger. When cougars mate, the female is often the aggressor. She will chase after the male of her choice and then give him a few swats to get his attention. When he reciprocates, they wrestle for awhile before sealing the relationship. Male cougars do not have much to do with raising the young kits. The mother cougar is very loving and devoted to her kits, and she will protect them against anything that threatens them, weather a wild predator or a man hunting with a pack of hounds. It is possible for a cougar to outfight a dozen hound dogs on the ground, but the hounds usually tree the animal so that their master can shoot it |
|
Reply
| |
People who have the cougar as their animal totem share many traits with this kingly cat. They like to keep to themselves, in the high territory of their own minds and spirits, because they often feel that they have been hurt at the hands of their fellow humans. They are very sensitive people, and they can be easily hurt, even by chance remarks with no harmful intentions. Like the cougar, they like to have their own den, a place to which they can retreat for contemplation and self-analysis. Like their totem, they are good climbers, although most of their climbs are ones of the mind and spirit rather than physical ones. In their minds they are swift runners, capable of going to distant realms where few others travel. Cougar people need to have their own territory. This is essential to their well-being and balance. Without the proper spiritual territory in which to travel, they become moody and dissatisfied individuals. With the proper direction, they can be among the most productive of humans. Like their totem, Cougar people also have the tendency to mark their territory, whether it is of philosophy, of business or of relationships. Once this is marked they do not like others to intrude into it, without their invitation, and they will be hurt if other people try to do so. They seem to be especially wary of other people of their own totem coming into their territory, perhaps because, more than others, they are aware of the potential power that they share. Cougar people are often silent, especially about the things that they really feel. They find it easy, when they are in good balance, to initiate the kind of conversation that makes other people feel comfortable, but they will not reveal any of their true selves until they are sure of those around them. Because of the intuitiveness that comes from their ability to pierce other realms, they can easily sense what kind of talk and actions will make the effort to do this for other people, as they are gentle souls who are capable of truely liking others. Because cougar people tend to keep silent on many of their deepest feelings, they often feel cut off from people, as though they are outsiders that others are not capable of understanding. They often repress these feelings for a long time, sometimes for their whole lives. If they are around others they trust enough and these feelings begin to surface, they can come out in a scream of emotion that can be terrifying both for Cougar people and for their friends. Cougar folks must learn to find others they trust enough to let their feelings come out, even if it is temporarily frightening, for they will never find their true spiritual expression if they are weighted down by a lifetime's worth of supressed emotion. This blocked energy is what often plunges them into depths of depression and melancholia and keeps them from grounding themselves so that they are capable of successfully reaching for the sky. Fear of their repressed emotion also can keep them from being able to make clear decisions, a trait that sometimes makes them seem indecisive. Like their totem, Cougar people are hunters but, again, what they are hunting is most often spiritual development, not anything on the material plane. They, too, enjoy the chase of the hunt and will often enjoy hunting these things with people who have proven themselves to be true friends and sincere seekers. A balanced Cougar person is as lithe and graceful, both spiritually and physically, as his totem. Cougar people are also intelligent enough to know that they have to be patient in order to successfully hunt the things that they are seeking. They will usually try a number of approaches before settling on the position that they take. This trait, too, tends to earn them the "indecisive" label |
|
Reply
| |
In relationships between two Cougar people, the female, like her totem, will be the agressor. She has to be or the relationship will never get started. Outside of Cougar relationships, however, the female Cougar person will passively wait for the other person to take the lead. This is true of the Cougar male in other relationships also. Cougar people have to be coaxed and teased into relating to someone else, then they need to be constantly assured that the other person really wants to continue the relationship. While Cougar people can learn to be secure in the correct spiritual realm, they will always need reassurance that they are doing the proper thing in the material realm. The insecurities and moodiness that Cougar people sometimes have are intensified by their membership in the Frog clan. Frog clan people are sensitive to the shifting flow of human emotions, and this additional sensitivity makes Cougar people even more aware of the potential pitfalls of any human relationship. On the positive side, their membership in this clan increases Cougar people's ability to know and flow with the creative and unifying energies of the universe. Cougar men do not have an easy time with parenthood. They find it hard to relate to the physical demands that a child makes upon his parents. While they can truely love their children, they find it difficult to express this love. Cougar women have a little bit easier time of it, since, like the cougar, they have a protective and devoted attitude toward their children while they are young and need them. As the children get older, however, this strong maternal instinct tends to dissipate as the mother wants to get on about her own business of exploring the spiritual realms with which she is most comfortable. Cougar children need a lot of love and protection, as they are dreamy and still very much in the realms from which they have come. They need to be grounded as quickly as they can so that they are capable of surviving their own childhoods. They should also be taught to express whatever emotions they can at this age, as it will make it easier for them to continue doing so as they grow older. They are bright, intuitive and gentle children. You are just not sure that they are always hearing what you are saying to them, and you're probably correct. Cougar children are very creative. You don't need to buy them a lot of toys, as they can make a toy out of anything that takes their fancy. This creativity does continue as Cougar people mature, and, as long as they do keep grounded, they can be excellent artists in any medium. Often this creativity will come out in their spiritual searches as well as in artistic form |
|
Reply
| |
When Cougar people loose their balance, they can be very fierce toward anyone they feel has wounded them. When they feel cornered, they will unsheath their claws and really put up a remarkable fight. Sometimes fighting serves a constructive purpose for them, as it is one way they can express some of the emotions that they tend to repress. It can often get them out of one of their melancholy times. But it can also hurt the others in the battle, sometimes more seriously than the Cougar people think. The moon of the Cougar totem is the Big Winds Moon, a moon of mysterywhen the season is almost ready to turn and the winds blow freely from all directions. It is a time of rapidly changing energies as all of earth's children prepare for the time of new growth that follows the season of rest. Being born under this moon intensifies the mysterious and restless side of the Cougar nature. It increases the ability they have to deal with the energies coming through them. This is the third moon of Waboose, Spirit Keeper of the North. Her gift of purity helps Cougar people to retain their spiritual purity despite any problems they have on the material plane. Her gift of renewal helps them to bounce back from even their most severe bouts of melancholia. Cougar people compliment those of the Brown Bear and find easiest compatibility with their fellow Frog clan members, those of the Flicker and Snake; and with the others of the Turtle clan, those of the Beaver and Snow Goose. When they are in good balance, they do, however, find it easy to relate to most people, at least on a superficial level. They do need to watch how they relate to Deer people, as they sometimes can be unconsciously vicious to them, as the cougar is to mule deer. When people of other signs find themselves in this position during their trip around the wheel, they will experience as much spiritual energy as they are capable of handling, and sometimes a little more. In this, they will experience the feelings of impending chaos that often stalk those of the Cougar, making it a difficult task for them to learn to truely be in balance. People traveling through this position will also have the opportunity to pierce through realms that are closed to them at other times |
|
|
First
Previous
2-6 of 6
Next
Last
|
|
Free Forum Hosting
Important Announcement
Recommend
Return to Earth Astrology