ANT

The ant is a very hard worker and conscientious in every detail of its work.  They live in huge communities where most tasks are delegated to  individuals who form work groups to carry out various activities of hunting, gathering, nesting and nursery, habitat construction, and protection.  The ant accepts its position within its community without question and is totally dedicated and loyal throughout its lifetime to the entire community.

ANT MEDICINE

• The ant people are wonderful builders and architects.  They can show us ways to build a reality based on our dreams.  

• Ants are determined and relentless in pursuit of their mission.  If the ant people come to visit you, it may be this quality they will teach. <O:P></O:P>

• Solidarity and collaboration are keys to the success of the ant.  Every individual in the community does its duty to ensure the welfare of the whole colony, regardless of its personal safety or how long it must labor.  The ant spirit teaches us teamwork and loyalty.

• Ants are unselfish and sacrifice themselves to benefit the community.  Learning this valuable lesson of the ant can be the greatest of all gifts.

• Honor and respect are the hallmarks of the ant people. 

• Ants are tireless workers and hunters and teach the art of perseverance and patience in all that they do. Those with this spirit will find that many of their life lessons will involve the mastery of patience in some way. <O:P></O:P>

• Ant medicine is subtle yet powerful. It teaches us how to release our egos and aligns us with the virtue of equality. Imagine what the world would be like if humanity held and applied the values that the ant expresses. The next time you step on, squash, injure or kill an ant intentionally, ask yourself why you are choosing to destroy the unconditional love that the ant shares so freely. Valuable insights about yourself and your history can be learned from this tiny little totem.

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ARMADILLO

 

Brother armadillo has a passive style of defense and its medicine comes from its own body.   The 'digger' is called the "Little Armored One" because of thick bony plates and horns that covers its back.  It teaches protection and ways to move through dimensions.

 

 

ARMADILLO MEDICINE

• The armadillo rolls into a tight ball when threatened to cover its vulnerable underside.   Brother Armadillo's medicine is to teach ways to expose your inner-self and allow natural defenses to protect you.  People who are too paranoid, 'hard-shelled' or cover their feelings unnecessarily may need the spirit of the armadillo.  

• Armadillos are territorial and regularly patrol their boundaries to sniff out intruders and potential threats.   If the armadillo comes to visit you, it may be time to examine your boundaries, or artificial limits placed on your abilities, time, or space.  Is someone invading your space?

• Medicine from Brother Armadillo is strong and tenacious.  It teaches how to protect yourself from potential threats.

• The armadillo is slow but persistent in its daily tasks and ignores most non-threatening activities around it.   These traits will help one who follows the armadillo medicine to realize when they may be negligent of a persistent problem or avoiding issues.

• Brother Armadillo is a solitary dweller and does not have many friends.  Pay attention to the shell of our armored friend when he enters your meditations and find new ways to join with others in social activities.

• The armadillo digs for its food and makes burrows to sleep and have its young.   The digging aspect of its behavior indicates that you may need to work harder at finding the morsel of sustenance in your life to bring more spiritual awareness.

• Brother Armadillo understand the necessity of spiritual purification and loves water.  He is a good swimmer, floats very well and can swim under the surface for long periods.   Armadillo readily crosses any stream or river with ease.  These traits give people of the armadillo spirit an understanding of the power of spiritual cleansing and ability to move with fluid easy movement between dimensions.

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BEAR

The Great Bear is found on every continent and comes in many sizes and colors.  The bear is revered on every continent, especially North America where the indigenous people who believe it was once human and Great Mystery lives in the spirit of bear.  Many American Indian tribes have bear clans and bear ceremonies. Bear people use herbs and other plants in healing.  Bear medicine is powerful and without peer among the animal people.  The bear is a guide to the river of meaning. 

BEAR MEDICINE

• Bear is spirit keeper of the West, the place of darkness, maturity and good harvest.  From this place, Grandfather Bear gives strength, introspection and knowledge.  <O:P></O:P>

• Bears are active during the night and day.  This symbolizes its connection with solar energy, that of strength and power, and lunar energy, that of intuition. It enhances and teaches those with this totem how to develop both within themselves. <O:P></O:P>

• Grandfather Bear is a solitary dweller and master of his domain.  This teaches us the importance of independent thinking and to seek peace in quite meditation to    

• <O:P></O:P>Bears are sensitive to Mother Nature's cycles.  They sleep long hours in the winter living on fat stored in their bodies.  It teaches us how to go within and find the resources for survival and how to remain balanced amid change.  This medicine is a reminder of the great circle of life and rebirth, renewal and fresh beginnings. 

• The stars above in infinite meadows of heaven show us the Great Bear in the Sky, Ursa Major, as a sign of the greatness and infinity of bear wisdom.    

• Bear is the embodiment of strength and is fierce to a threat on its lair.  It is not wise to come between the mother bear and her cubs, teaching us ways to always protect those we love.   

• The bear holds the teachings of introspection. When it shows up in your life pay attention to how you think, act and interact. Use 

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BEAVER

The beaver spirit is never defeated.  A gentle nature makes the beaver a friend to all creatures within its domain.  Beaver is an industrious neighbor with its unbelievable resolve and tenacity.  People who work with the beaver spirit will learn great lessons of life that will bring many blessings of strength, security and trust.

 

 

BEAVER MEDICINE

• The beaver is a tremendously complex, yet simple totem - Complex because their abilities and talents are many, and simple because most qualities of the beaver can be emulated by humans.  They are master architects and are among the few animals on earth, that alter their environment to meet their requirements.

• As an expert builder, beaver medicine strengthens the foundations of ones life and can help to build new ones.  Beaver can show us ways to be in harmony with our environment even as that environment changes.  

• The beaver is an excellent swimmer, able to hold its breath under water for 15 minutes or more.  As a water creature the beaver spirit is deep within where dreams past and knowledge flow in the subconscious warehouse of our mind.  This medicine can help us to call those inner waters to the surface where they can be used to build a better life.

• The beaver's fur is highly prized because it is both waterproof and soft, teaching us to repel afflictions of life in a good way.

• The beaver is practical, quick-witted and resourceful.   All these qualities are brought forward and understood while working with the beaver spirit.

• The beaver's large teeth are among its most prized possessions and they continue to grow until the moment of death.  This prominent feature of the beaver is a reminder that the tools we use to improve our lives must continually honed and sharpened.

• Beavers are very industrious, hard working, and tenacious in what ever project they undertake.  People who work with his spirit are reminded to work hard to achieve their goals and they will never be defeated by a lack of initiative.  If you feel overcome or overwhelmed by life's challenges, ask the beaver for help. 

• Beaver has a kind and gentle spirit.   We should all be like the beaver. 

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BUFFALO

The great bison or buffalo of North America is a very powerful symbol to American Indians.  Though best suited to cooler climates, buffalos roamed virtually in entire continent.  The smaller woodlands buffalo and its bigger cousin, the plains buffalo were revered and honored in ceremony and every day life. To the plains Indian, our Buffalo Brother meant sacred life and the abundance of the Creator's blessing on Mother Earth.  

 

BUFFALO MEDICINE

• The buffalo is powerful medicine that is a symbol of sacrifice and service to the community.   The buffalo people agreed to give their lives so the American Indian could have food, shelter and clothing. 

• The buffalo is also a symbol of gratitude and honor as it is happy to accept its meager existence as it stands proud against the winds of adversity.

• The buffalo represents abundance of the Creator's bounty and respect for all creation knowing that all things are sacred.

• The buffalo represents a manifestation of the divine aspects of our being.

• Because of its size, speed and sharp horns, buffalos can be dangerous when threatened.  People who hear the message of the buffalo spirit are reminded to temper their power in dealing with others and allow the tranquility and peace of the Buffalo Brother to enter their lives.  

• Those with this totem need to remember to see the good in all things and not let their frustration store up inside them.

• Unlike the European domesticated cow that places its rump toward approaching cold and faces away, the buffalo turns its head to face and stand firmly against raging storm.  This quality reminds us to have courage and face problems head-on.       

• Buffalos unite against danger as buffalo cows defend their young, old and sick by forming a protective circle around them and the bulls form a circle around the cows.  If you see the buffalo circle in dream or vision, it may mean someone around you requires your strength to defend and honor them. Or, it is a call to unite with others to bring about positive change.   

• The huge head of the Buffalo Brother signifies higher mental abilities that is grounded to Mother Earth by their tough bodies.

• The buffalo teaches us how to eliminate our burdens by directing our energy in a balanced way. 

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BUTTERFLY

The butterfly is great admired among American Indians and is a bringer of joy and peace. Cultures all over earth revere its delicate and colorful beauty. Most butterflies live very short lives, only a week or two, except for the Angle Wing and Monarch live about six months.  They experience stages of development from egg in the cocoon to caterpillar to adult butterfly.  

BUTTERFLY MEDICINE

• The short life span and beauty of the butterfly is symbolic of early spiritual growth.   Lessons of life will be shown during sometimes difficult formative years and come to light as the butterfly spirit begins to fly.  They hold the gift of transformation and soul evolution.    

• The butterfly is reminiscent of freedom and creativity.  <O:P></O:P>

• Butterflies have a pair of large compound oval eyes made up of thousands of individual lenses.  They can see a single image clearly and are able to perceive ultraviolet wavelengths of light.  This suggests clairvoyant abilities for those that hold this totem. <O:P></O:P>

• The antennae of the butterfly has small knobs on each end which is said to play a role in orientation.  When one antennae is missing the butterfly will fly in circles unable to find its way.  Those with this medicine need to stay consciously connected to spirit at all times in order to arrive at their desired destination. 

• Butterflies are not very organized, often return to the same flower many times before they realize it, and cannot remember relatives.  This trait shows us to be better prepared for life's challenges and relationships.  <O:P></O:P>

• The butterfly represents the process of transformation and shape shifting.  When butterfly shows up, make note of the most important issues confronting you at the moment.  What state of change are you at in regard to them? <O:P></O:P>

• Butterflies remind us not to take life so seriously. They feed on flowers that they help pollinate, thereby further spreading beauty. They represent the element of air, quickly changing and ever moving, so gracefully.  Butterflies are messengers of the moment. They come in a variety of colors. To understand the message that the butterfly holds for you a study of its colors can be helpful. <O:P></O:P>

• Whenever an eco system is damaged, butterfly is usually the first to leave. They are especially sensitive to the harmony of earth. If butterfly comes to you in a hurt, trapped or ill way, you are being asked to stop disturbing the natural design of life and to flow with events in a more gentle, natural way. 

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