Native and tribal peoples believe that all living things have lessons to teach us. By observing the characteristics and behaviors of our creature and feathered relatives, we can become aware of these lessons. Many native peoples carry or wear carvings of animals or birds (fetishes) as a reminder of the wisdom, experience, understanding and medicine power of that animal or bird. These likenesses honor these teachers, as well as inspire us toward a clearer understanding of our own strengths and remind us of where we may need to concentrate more effort in our own lives.The following is a list of animals and birds and a very brief explanation of the medicine power associated with them. Mitakuye Oyasin. Ant: patience, stamina, community-mindedness Antelope: knowledgeable action, speed, rapid growth, grace Armadillo: knowledge of boundaries, objectivity Badger: aggressiveness, persistence, centeredness Bat: releasing old habits, new growth, rebirth Bear: strength, introspection, self-knowledge Beaver: balance, alterations, building, shaping Bee: service, gathering, community Bird: unity, freedom, community Buffalo: abundance, prayer, healing, good fortune Butterfly: transformation, courage to change, balance, grace Caribou: travel, mobility Cat: grace, independence, sensuality, psychic vision Cougar/Mt.Lion: balanced leadership, cunning, wit Coyote: humor, trickiness, adaptability, reversal of fortune Crow: council, intuitive knowledge of universal law, assertiveness Deer: gentleness, sensitivity, alertness, peace Dog: loyalty, courage, unconditional love Dolphin: harmony, love, wisdom, connection with self Dragonfly: refinement of skills, illusion, need for change, relentlessness Duck: female-mothering energy, male-coping with stress Elephant: memory, learning ability, health, good luck Elk: stamina, friendship, pride, power, majesty Falcon: accuracy, rapid progress, restraint Fox: cleverness, adaptability, cunning, subtlety, discretion Frog: emotional healing, cleansing, peace Goat: tenacity, diligence Goose: safe return, love of home Gopher: gathering, preparation for the future Grouse: completion, sacred spiral dance, fulfillment Hawk: messenger, truth seeker, clear vision, heightened awareness Hedgehog: self-preservation Horse: inner power, freedom, safe movement Hummingbird: beauty, wonder, joy, agility Lion: association with the sun, courage, nobleness, prosperity Lizard: caution, regeneration, renewal, growth Loon: communication, serenity Lynx: subtlety, silence, secretiveness, elusiveness Manatee: serenity, gentleness, trust Moose: self-esteem, confidence, strength, spontaneity, unpredictability Mouse: scrutiny, caution, success, awareness of danger, illusion, charm Opossum: peaceful alternatives, deception Otter: playfulness, efficiency, female energy, healing power of laughter Owl: wisdom, insight, psychic vision Pigeon: romantic love, loyalty, peace, innocence Porcupine: self-protection, memory, security, innocence, humility Quail: protectiveness, group harmony Rabbit: conquering fear, safety, gentleness with self Raccoon: curiosity, skillful investigation, playful energy Raven: prophecy, clairvoyant vision, magic, mystery, exploring unknown Salmon: determination, persistence Sandpiper: quickness, foraging, scavenging Seagull: observation, swift action, opportunity, carefree attitude, versatility Seal: contentment Skunk: reputation, self-preservation, respect Snake: transmutation, fertility, regeneration, life force, sexual potency Spider: creativity, balance, interconnectedness, industry Squirrel: planning ahead, playfulness, trust Swan: grace, faithfulness, commitment Tiger: caution, appropriate timing, stealth Turkey: setting limits, appreciation, renewal Turtle: protection, grounding, longevity, healing, symbol of the bounty of Mother Earth Vulture: resolution of problems Weasel: stealth, seeing beneath the surface, supernatural power Whale: intelligence, self-expression, intuition, creativity Woodpecker: sacred heartbeat, rain caller, growth, fertility, cleansing Wolf: eliminating weakness, commitment, family loyalty, teaching skill Zebra: power, alertness, community BIRDS: Blackbird: understanding of the energies of Mother Nature Bluebird: modesty, unassuming, confidence and happiness Blue Jay: proper use of power Canary: power of song and voice. heightened sensitivity Cardinal: renewed vitality through recognizing our importance Catbird: language and communication Chickadee: cheerful expression of truth Chicken: fertility and sacrifice Cock: sexuality, watchfulness and resurrection, optimism Cowbird: parent and child relationships, resolving old issues Crane: longevity and creation through focus, expression of feminine energies Crow: magic, creation, spiritual strength Cuckoo: heralding new fate, intuitive ability Dove: feminine energies of peace, maternity, prophecy and promise of future Ducks: emotional comfort and protection Eagle: spiritual enlightenment, clarity of vision, transcendence, messengers, healing and creation Finch: energy of variety and multiplicity, increased potentials Flicker: rapid growth and trust, increased healing love, new sensitivity of heart Goldfinch: awakening to the nature spirits- fairies, elves and devas Goose: call of the quest, travels to legendary places, search new dimensions Grackle: overcoming excess, dealing with emotions Grosbeak: Healing the family heart Hawk: Awakening visionary power, guardianship, awareness, truth Heron: Aggressive self-determination, self-reliance Hummingbird: Tireless joy, accomplishing the impossible, beauty, agility Kestrel: Mental speed, agility, grace, control Kingfisher: New warmth, sunshine, prosperity, and love Loon: Lucid dreaming and re-awakening of old hopes, wishes and dreams Magpie: The proper use of intelligence, familiars, and occult knowledge Martin: Good luck and community peace, peaceful living energies Meadowlark: Cheerful journey inward, discovery of intuition, innate abilities Mockingbird: Finding your Sacred Song (soul purpose) and recognition of your innate abilities Nuthatch: Grounding of faith and higher wisdom, teaches true path to realization is learning to manifest the spiritual within the physical Oriole: The weaving of new sunshine, can open doors to positive relationship with all members of nature realm Ostrich: Becoming grounded Owl: The mystery of magic, omens, silent wisdom, and vision in the night; symbol of the feminine, the moon and the night Parrott: Sunshine and color healing; teaches power of light and colors Peacock: Resurrection and wise vision (watchfulness) Pelican: Renewed buoyancy and unselfishness; teaches how not to be overcome by emotion Penguin: Lucid dreaming and astral projection Pheasant: Family fertility and sexuality Pigeon: Return to the love and security of home; very gentle and loving energy Quail: Group nourishment and protection Raven: Magic, shapeshifting and creation Road Runner: Mental speed and agility Robin: Spread of New Growth in a variety of areas of life Sparrow: Awakening and triumph of common nobility; shows how to survive Starling: Group behavior and etiquette; clear communication Stork: Birth and unspoken communication Swallow: Protection and warmth for the home and proper perspective Swans: Awakening the true beauty and power of the self Swift: Speed and agility in the great quest; responding to opportunity Swisher: Awakening to the Fairy realm Turkey: Sharing blessings and harvest Vulture: Purification - death and rebirth - new vision Waxwing: Gentleness and courtesy Woodpecker: The power of rhythm and determination; stimulates new rhythms Wren: Resourcefulness and boldness
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