11/28/05 11:28am

As the Thanksgiving holiday weekend closes, a couple things come to an awareness of the mind and heart. Society and quite possibly "humanity" in general has become wrapped up with and spoiled by the advances of technology and science. There is a sense of need or desire for I want this and I want it now ... instant gratification ... as well as "needing" our ego stroked. This is happening in relationships, business dealings and family life.

There is a fine line between self-gratification (ego stroking) and being appreciated by others. The gratification/ego stroking is rather unattractive and is often found or experienced through fishing for compliments. In many ways I "personally" would attribute it to a lack of self-worth and a poor self image. In either case it is an emotional need or attachment to seek validation of who we are in life.

In many ways it causes me to recall the teaching of Jesus about the giving of alms ... to do so in secret, so that the lfet hand does not know what the right hand is doing.

Which then leads us or takes us to our personal motive for doing something. Are we doing this or that because we want to from our heart-of-hearts, or are we doing it, even if subconsciously, for our mind's recognition or praise or thanks from others?

The test is very simple ... after we do something, do we move on to something else, and let go of what we've done? Or do we linger waiting to show others what we've done, or do we feel neglected, or unappreciated if what we've done goes unnoticed?

The words of Oriah Mountain Dreamer

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for....and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon. I want to know if you have touched the center of the sorrow....if you have been opened by life's betrayals or have become shriveled and closed from fear or further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain....mine or your own....without moving to hide it ..or fade it..or fix it. I want to know if you can be with joy....mine or your own....if you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning you to be careful, be realistic or to remember the limitations of being Human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself....if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.

I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy. I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day and if you can source your life from God's presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure....yours and mine....and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon....Yes!

It doesn't interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of great despair, weary and bruised to the bone and do what needs to be done for the children.

It doesn't interest me who you are....how you came here. I want to know if you'll stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep....in the empty moments....

OriahMountain Dreamer(c)From Dreams Of Desire 1995..by Oriah House-all rights reserved-published by Mountain Dreaming

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't gettested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitch hiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And wewere O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride downthe hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cellphones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chatrooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no law suits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in usforever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn'thad to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law! This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them! CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good and while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

The Cave of Fire

The 'Cave of Fire' marks the beginning steps of going beyond regular emotional states of self awareness.
By Deja Allison

The ritualizing of human evolutionary process is older than when our forebears crawled out of the primal waters. It has over time set itself into our cultures, philosophies and human traditions.

This paradigm has surfaced and intertwined itself through human traditions such as Shamanism, or anyone of the many obeah practices that are prevalent in our many different cultures. Druidism, Whirling Dervishes, Buddhist monks, Cloisters and the many other lamasery practiced have taught the steps necessary to allow for personal growth and awareness through certain established edicts in order to raise the level of human awareness and consciousness.

Religion, in it's own system has been the more accessible criterion available to the masses. All cultures have known that a process outside the physical is essential to complete the total human evolutionary process. It is not by thinking, alone that we achieve this.

Spiritual precepts, metaphysics, sorcery, magic, and all forms of divination are the beginning (if one knows how to use them) instructions to take us further along the transformation than human reasoning could take us, but very few people had access to this knowledge on a mass scale. Most of the arcane knowledge was kept secret (more human power control struggles) from us ordinary folk, so the inner levels were kept guarded and not explored generally, by the mass populations. Read More

A Most Beautiful Heart

One day a young man was standing in the middle of the town proclaiming that he had the most beautiful heart in the whole valley. A large crowd gathered and they all admired his heart for it was perfect. There was not a mark or a flaw in it. Yes, they all agreed it truly was the most beautiful heart they had ever seen. The young man was very proud and boasted more loudly about his beautiful heart.

Suddenly, an old man appeared at the front of the crowd and said, "Why your heart is not nearly as beautiful as mine." The crowd and the young man looked at the old man's heart. It was beating strongly, but full of scars, it had places where pieces had been removed and other pieces put in, but they didn't fit quite right and there were several jagged edges. In fact, in some places there were deep gouges where whole pieces were missing. The people stared -- how can he say his heart is more beautiful, they thought?

The young man looked at the old man's heart and saw its state and laughed. "You must be joking," he said. "Compare your heart with mine, mine is perfect and yours is a mess of scars and tears." "Yes," said the old man, "yours is perfect looking but I would never trade with you. You see, every scar represents a person to whom I have given my love - I tear out a piece of my heart and give it to them, and often they give me a piece of their heart which fits into the empty place in my heart, but because the pieces aren't exact, I have some rough edges, which I cherish, because they remind me of the love we shared.

Sometimes I have given pieces of my heart away, and the other person hasn't returned a piece of his heart to me. These are the empty gouges -- giving love is taking a chance. Although these gouges are painful, they stay open, reminding me of the love I have for these people too, and I hope someday they may return and fill the space I have waiting. So now do you see what true beauty is?"

The young man stood silently with tears running down his cheeks. He walked up to the old man, reached into his perfect young and beautiful heart, and ripped a piece out. He offered it to the old man with trembling hands. The old man took his offering, placed it in his heart and then took a piece from his old scarred heart and placed it in the wound in the young man's heart. It fit, but not perfectly, as there were some jagged edges. The young man looked at his heart, not perfect anymore but more beautiful than ever, since love from the old man's heart flowed into his. They embraced and walked away side by side.

Astrologically Speaking - November 2005

There are signs you can see in the sky for yourself this month:

Look to the east as the Sun sets behind you, and you'll see Mars coming up over the horizon.

Watch through the night, and you'll see Jupiter rise - coming up over the eastern horizon just before the Sun does at dawn.

Simultaneously, Saturn looms overhead, while Mars is setting in the west. This is what a T-square looks like in the sky: two planets opposing each other (Mars and Jupiter at opposite ends of the horizon in this case), with a third planet at the halfway point, between them, which is Saturn.

Unseen is Neptune, not only because it's too dim to be seen with the naked eye, but more to the point in this case because it's directly below you - which is to say, overhead on the other side of the world forming a Grand Cross.

Along with all the Mars action is telling us that, from collective violence like war to individual violence like murder and other criminality, terrorism, from accidents and crashes and fires and explosions due to recklessness or evil intent and sometimes just plain bad luck, November is yet another adrenalin surging month. If you sense angst and impatience in yourself and others, don't be alarmed: it's par for the course when Mars is so prominent.

Get a grip, calm yourself as much as possible, keep focused on what you're doing and watch out for interference (or worse). Be ready to dodge danger, and for heaven's sake don't go where you're likely to find it unless you're just bound and determined for trouble. That being said, our best behavior = being aware & staying cool.

The Serenity Prayer ... expanded

No better statement of our need to reestablish balance in our lives can be found than in the Serenity Prayer.


The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Serenity means that I no longer recoil from the past, live in jeopardy because of my present behavior, or worry about the unknown future. I seek regular times to re-create myself and I avoid those times of depletion that makes me vulnerable to despair and to old self-destructive patterns.

This Serenity comes from within the individual.
It is not based upon material wealth or external pleasures.
It comes from daily doing our best and the understanding that our "best" is going to change from moment to moment, often based upon our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
It comes from using our special gifts and talents on a daily basis in a manner that will not only benefit others but also be a witness of our personal beliefs.

Accepting change means that I do not cause suffering for myself by clinging to that which no longer exists. All that I can count on is that nothing will be stable --- except how I respond to the transforming cycles in my life of birth, growth and death.

Accepting things I cannot change.
You cannot change your environment in which you live.
You cannot stop the sun from moving across the sky.
If it is external to you, you most likely cannot change it alone.
Giving up my attempts to control outcomes does not require that I give up my boundaries or my best efforts. It does mean my most honest appraisal of the limits of what I can do.

Courage to change the things I can.
I can only change that which is internal to me.
I can change an external appearance.
I set my own personal boundaries of what I can do or allow to be done unto me.
By daily doing my personal best I am satisfied, but I let go of the outcomes and place no expectations on them.

Wisdom becomes the never forgotten recognition of all those times when it seemed there was no way out and new paths opened up like miracles in my life.
The wisdom to know the difference.
Wisdom does not come from a book, listening to a tape or watching something.
To be knowledgeable or learned does not imply wisdom.

Wisdom comes from the application of knowledge within the experience of life.
True wisdom comes from stepping outside the common boundaries of the mundane world and fully living life, often on what may be considered the ragged edge.

True wisdom comes through facing the challenges and opportunities presented by the daily events of human experience and learning from each experience; even if that experience teaches you that the experience is beyond your personal, individual ability to achieve or accomplish.
True wisdom teaches that failure is not being able to not succeed, but rather that failure is not being willing to try.

History repeated ... 1960 ... 2003

In December 1960, the Wizard had come into predominance in its new cycle. John F. Kennedy, a wizard Soul, had just been elected President of the United States, and a war was waging on the other side of the globe, brought about by the vagarities of the last Priest cycle (1950-1960), to which we were sacrificing our youth, much as the Grecians sacrificed their youth to a far-off monster, the Minotaur, on the Isle of Crete.

I truly believe that we will probably never know the true story as to who killed John Kennedy. I also believe that it's not really important that we know who killed him, as it is that we understand why he was killed, or sacrificed, actually. The sacrifice of the Sacred King is an ancient ritual in which the blood of the King would be shed in order for the land to be renewed and reborn. There was a great horror facing humanity at this time; that of the sacrifice of youth to the machine of war. It was not just the Vietnam war; other wars around the globe threatened the lives of our youth and the survival of our race. In allowing the sacrifice to take place (and there is evidence that Kennedy was aware that the sacrifice would occur), he averted the horrors of a greater war that would have wiped out most of the population of Earth. It doesn't really matter who pulled the trigger that killed Kennedy, or whether or not he was liked as a persona. The important thing is that Kennedy was successful in his service as a soul, and he is greatly honored for what he gave to humanity and the rest of the world.

We stand now upon the threshold of a new Wizard cycle, that began in April, 2003. It is up to us to bear the responsibility of bringing in a kinder, gentler cycle; one in which the Wizards are loving creators instead of warriors. Much of the current Priest cycle of the 1990's has been geared toward bringing in this Light energy. Many metaphysicians believe that it will be during the next Wizard cycle (April 2003-October 2013) that the Ascension of Humanity into the fourth dimension will occur. The window of opportunity, opened for us during the Harmonic Convergence during the Warrior cycle of August 1987, remains with us. It is up to us to make the decision to go forward into the New Energy.

President Bush Addresses the Nation The Oval Office
President's Remarks

view listen

March 19, 2003 10:16 P.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger.

On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign. More than 35 countries are giving crucial support -- from the use of naval and air bases, to help with intelligence and logistics, to the deployment of combat units. Every nation in this coalition has chosen to bear the duty and share the honor of serving in our common defense.

To all the men and women of the United States Armed Forces now in the Middle East, the peace of a troubled world and the hopes of an oppressed people now depend on you. That trust is well placed.

The enemies you confront will come to know your skill and bravery. The people you liberate will witness the honorable and decent spirit of the American military. In this conflict, America faces an enemy who has no regard for conventions of war or rules of morality. Saddam Hussein has placed Iraqi troops and equipment in civilian areas, attempting to use innocent men, women and children as shields for his own military -- a final atrocity against his people.

I want Americans and all the world to know that coalition forces will make every effort to spare innocent civilians from harm. A campaign on the harsh terrain of a nation as large as California could be longer and more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment.

We come to Iraq with respect for its citizens, for their great civilization and for the religious faiths they practice. We have no ambition in Iraq, except to remove a threat and restore control of that country to its own people.

I know that the families of our military are praying that all those who serve will return safely and soon. Millions of Americans are praying with you for the safety of your loved ones and for the protection of the innocent. For your sacrifice, you have the gratitude and respect of the American people. And you can know that our forces will be coming home as soon as their work is done.

Our nation enters this conflict reluctantly -- yet, our purpose is sure. The people of the United States and our friends and allies will not live at the mercy of an outlaw regime that threatens the peace with weapons of mass murder. We will meet that threat now, with our Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard and Marines, so that we do not have to meet it later with armies of fire fighters and police and doctors on the streets of our cities.

Now that conflict has come, the only way to limit its duration is to apply decisive force. And I assure you, this will not be a campaign of half measures, and we will accept no outcome but victory.

My fellow citizens, the dangers to our country and the world will be overcome. We will pass through this time of peril and carry on the work of peace. We will defend our freedom. We will bring freedom to others and we will prevail.

May God bless our country and all who defend her.
END 10:20 P.M. EST

Comment - - - Some will say that current military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan are nothing like Viet Nam and Southeast Asia. What is important is the "coincidence" of the timing of the events ... December 1960 to March 2003. The soul impulses of Warrior, Priest, Wizard, and Thief manifest not only among individual souls, but also manifest as generational influences within humanity. Each one of these archetypes cycles in and out of manifestation in accordance with a 127 month (10 year, 7 month) period for each one, for a full cycle of approximately 42 years. The occurrence of each Wizard cycle always has to do with breaking bonds that limit individual expression or creative action. From December 1960 the next "Wizard" cycle technically began in August 2002. This Wizard cycle will last until approximately January 2013. Of interesting note here is the association or proximity of the end of the Mayan Calendar, December 22, 2012.

Thesis for Bachelor of Sacred Religious Philosophy

The Divine, God and Goddess

The Divine

Growing up in the Roman Catholic faith, then being married to a Southern Baptist woman, the concept of The Divine, of God, of a Supreme Being and Intelligence or Higher Power, was not something that was or is foreign to me. My understanding was along traditional Judeo-Christian beliefs.

It was through rehab, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Narcotics Anonymous that I discovered it was not necessary to consider other's concept of The Divine or Higher Power. All that was necessary was my own conception and understanding of the existence of this Creative Intelligence, a Spirit of the Universe, underlying the totality of all things. The Realm of the Spirit is broad, roomy, all-inclusive and never exclusive or forbidding to those who earnestly seek it.

As I stated, with a Judeo-Christian background or foundation, I had an understanding of this Divine as a being called God. Throughout the pages that follow because they have been written at various stages along this present Earth-journey, you will find I will frequently use the terms "The Divine" and "God" interchangeably. Yet in some of my latter writings I will use "God" in a different context, and will leave that to your discernment.

Throughout the world there are many names associated with The Divine. All referring to a supreme and inclusive, universal and eternal, essence and energy, visible and invisible, tangible and intangible. The Divine is all that is, and all that is not. It exists in all things, past, present and future. It is organic, as well as inorganic. "It Is" can just as well describe The Divine, as "I Am" is spoken of within the Old Testament of the Bible. The Divine has no beginning and no ending. It has no form or shape, but is present in all things. It can also be called The Source of all things.

As my studies have transcended beyond traditional Christianity by coming to an awareness or understanding of both Native American and Celtic/Druid beliefs, I now personally call The Divine ... "Spirit". The use of Spirit is consistent with all belief systems that have a divine Higher Power. Furthermore it is consistent with my personal awareness and understanding.

Within Biblical scripture, the Infinite and Eternal being is revealed as God. Purely spiritual, Supreme Personal Intelligence, the Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe (Unger's Bible dictionary, p. 410).

Here is where I depart from traditional Judeo-Christian teachings and doctrine. The Divine in Native American beliefs is known as "Great Mystery" and within the Celtic/Druid beliefs is known as the "Sacred One." For within Judeo-Christian doctrine, The Divine or "God" is often referred to in the masculine tense. Yet the perfection of The Divine transcends masculine and feminine, and is the embodiment or essence of harmony and balance.

Therefore, The Divine, as the Supreme Being, Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe then must be the union of that which is masculine and feminine, enjoined as One.

Of God & Goddess

The Divine, as the Supreme Being, Creator and Preserver of all things, the perfect Moral Ruler of the universe then must be the union of that which is masculine and feminine, enjoined as One.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. (Genesis 1:27)

Blessed Lady and Ancient Lord, enjoined as the Sacred One.

Earth Mother and Sky Father united as the Great Mystery.

Now the Judeo-Christian faith originated from a region of the world that is predominantly patriarchal or male dominated society. This dominance is often sited as being Biblical by using Genesis 3:16 to support it's claims ... "and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall have rule over thee."

At issue however comes the separation of the attributes of The Divine, The Sacred One, The Great Mystery, into masculine and feminine, of God and of Goddess. Through the ages, non-Judeo-Christian doctrines have identified the Goddess with the Earth and the Moon, and God being identified with the Sun and the life cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. I am not advocating "Feminine Spirituality" here, but rather the simplicity and balance of God and Goddess who are enjoined as The Divine. Just as my left arm and right arm are enjoined as parts of my physical body.

A perfect or complete knowledge of The Divine, of Spirit, is not attainable by the finite rational reasoning of the human kind upon this earth. The completeness of The Divine may be closer understood and revealed by an understanding of the godhead ... Spirit, God, and Goddess. For we cannot completely know Spirit, The Divine, unless we are able to experience Spirit. Yet by experiencing and understanding God and Goddess, as the masculine and feminine attributes of Spirit, we can become closer to the complete knowledge or understanding of Spirit.

As I previously stated, Spirit, The Divine, exists in all things. The Divine created man and woman in its own image, God and Goddess. Thus both God and Goddess are then also in all things, including us humans.

In non-Abrahamic descendent beliefs, the Goddess is often identified as I stated with the Earth and Moon. The Goddess is often called the triple Goddess of Maiden, Mother and Crone of whom the three aspects are related to the cycle of the Moon. The waxing New Moon is the Maiden, the Full Moon is the Mother, and the waning Old Moon is the Crone. God is often identified as stated with the Sun and life cycle of birth, death and rebirth. In certain beliefs, God is not only the spouse or mate of the Goddess, but also is Her offspring representing unbound fertility and is often crowned with the horns of a wild buck.

The existence or non-existence of God and Goddess can not be proven by scientific or technological methods any more than can The Divine or Spirit be proven or disproved. Thus the question I must present, "Is not the acceptance of a masculine and feminine, God and Goddess, essence of a Supernatural, Creator and Protector by any name in balance with the Natural Order of All Things? For in order for they're to be balance and harmony within nature, do not all-living things exist in a male and female? In science are not the flows of energy addressed with a positive and negative polarity? From the previously quoted Genesis 1:27, does it not stand finite human reasoning that there is both God and Goddess as part of the Divine, of Spirit, if male and female are created in their likeness. In concert or connection to my understanding of Native American and Celtic/Druid teachings that God/Father and Goddess/Mother are aspects of what is called Great Mystery or Sacred One or Spirit.

Then if we can accept, believe in "I Am" from biblical texts as "God", can not the same be said for the aspects of "Goddess"? Furthermore, I would ask ... Does it truly matter what we call The Divine or it's attributes of God and Goddess? For they truly know who they are, as well as they know to whom we are referring to in prayer and meditation? Do they not?


Silver Eagle

Recapping ...

My Totems
Power --- Bald Eagle --- the Power Totem is that Animal Spirit which is most closely related (of spirit) to us, and thus will reincarnate with us again and again, and from lifetime to lifetime, as it is our constant ally. Much as the Soul Ray will explain the Soul`s Unique Purpose whilst in flesh , the Power Totem is a reflection of our own Soul, and likewise represents our Life Path and the major lessons, attributes and abilities of our individual and eternal spark. --- Role: ~Illuminating Force~Lesson: Soar Above . . . Illumination . . . Ability to See Hidden Spiritual Truths . . . Strength . . . Connection to Spirit Guides & Teachers . . . Courageous . . . Intuitive . . . Rising Above . . . Creativity . . . Healing . . . Keen Sight

Theme --- Arctic Wolf --- While the Power Totem is the reincarnating You, and is with us from incarnation to incarnation, the ~Life Theme Totem~ is with us only for the current Earth Walk. This is the Animal Spirit that is with us to Teach the Wisdom and Understanding of the current Life Theme, as well as to assist us in fulfilling our Souls present ~Life Mission.~ For those familiar with traditional astrology, the Role of the Theme Totem is very similar to the Ascendant or Rising sign that establishes the "goal post" for the current incarnation. --- Role ~The Teacher~Lesson: Learning & Using Potential . . . WisdomMedicine: Manifestation~Keywords~Teacher . . . Resistance to Change . . . Stamina . . . Resilience . . . Wisdom . . . Determination

Mission --- White Buffalo --- Along with our Life Theme for the present incarnation, we also arrive with a Life Mission. Where the Theme represents the general goals and focus of the current earthwalk and is the current Pathway or direction for the evolving soul, the Life Mission is a specific Role we have come onto the Wheel to learn, absorb and fulfill. As such, we will feel the pull of our Life Mission as a "higher calling," and this is not far off the mark, as it is quite literally a Mission or Special Service that we have agreed to fulfill long before beginning our Earthwalk. --- Role ~The Bringer of the Light~ The Builder of the Bridge . . . The Giving Spirit. . . Lesson: Truth . . . Medicine: To Cross between Planes . . .

So what's it all mean?
In very simple terms (I hope) I see it as follows, ... the Bald Eagle represents my soul/spirit throughout eternity and across the borders or boundaries of what our human mind conceives as "time." Possessing that ability to see hidden truths and provide illumination of them ... the Arctic Wolf represents the now, this present life, that is to be a teacher of what is illuminated, the ability to learn and use pure potentiality in wisdom ... the White Buffalo represents my "mission" in this life, the higher calling, which is to Bring the Light, the illumination, the truth, and to build the bridge through a giving spirit so that others may cross between the physical and spiritual.

Which as I look at my life and past and desire of the future with The Eagle's Nest for Spiritual Studies is actually a very neat package yet to unfold.

Spirit of White Buffalo

Spirit of White Buffalo
with
astrologybydiana@netscape.net

Role ~The Bringer of the Light~ The Builder of the Bridge The Giving Spirit
Lesson: Truth
Element: Water
Wind: North, The Elders
Medicine: To Cross between ~Planes~

White Buffalo walked from the West, her large eyes watching the grass that covered the endless plains as it waved in the breeze, like strands of golden hair stirring with the gentle touch of unseen hands.

Hooves trod over endless miles, mighty head held aloft as she continued her journey, following the whisperings of the summer breeze that carried the message meant for her ears alone. She would not rest until she had completed her Journey.

From over the softly rolling hills, emerged a figure walking upright. She recognized this figure`s shape as being that of a two-legged, and she hastened her own approach, recognizing the urgency of the voice that continued its whispering in her ear.

The man looked up toward the distant horizon, having been compelled to journey toward the west where the sun would soon be dipping down, marking the end of the day. His eyes caught the vision of white brilliance that was filling up the plains around him, indeed the very sky, and for a moment his heart leapt in fear, for this was unlike any light he had ever known, dazzling in its intensity and brilliance.

For some reason not completely known, yet thoroughly compelling, like the beat of the drum during the Sun Dance, the warrior suddenly felt no fear, and walked toward the magnificent creature who now had stopped just a few feet from him.

The beautiful creature`s great eyes met his own and the movement of time halted its relentless thrum. Long strands of grass moved in slow motion and he could see tiny particles of pollen dance and glitter in the rays of the sinking sun like tiny crystals cast upon the winds.

Her Light enveloped him and he knew no fear, no concern or anxiety, he knew only peace, as though the light were a warm blanket left before a roaring fire before being placed over his form. And in the next moment he was following the White Buffalo . . . toward the setting sun.

As they reached the Doorway Between Planes, White Buffalo turned to the two-legged and encouraged him forward. He stepped into the brilliance of the Light that spilled forth from the Great Doorway as a Warrior among Men. Yet he emerged on the other side as a Dove.

White Buffalo looked toward the farthest reaches of the Western Gate, the Place where the Buffalo Nation resides. She felt their love for her, and as she cast her eyes to the Sky Nation, she heard the song the Ancestors sang, yet as she watched the fading figure now enveloped in the brilliant Light, she knew the reason she had made the journey, and her heart sang a song of resounding joy.

Keywords
Light Bearer
White Buffalo is the Totem for one whose Life Path is to awaken the Soul of Others. Yet in order that she might fulfill this role, she need first to find the Light Within herself, to integrate the Mind, Personality, Emotion and Soul.

This is not an "easy" incarnation, as the process of divining ones own Light is an intensive undertaking that is achieved through a combination of life experience, acknowledgment and integration.

Yet the Light Within will illuminate the process of Discovery and lead him to the Doorway Between Planes, the Gate where the Blue Road and the Red Road intersect.

When he has attained true Integration, the LIght he brings will be seen by All who are willing to learn of the Light within themselves in the splendid dance of the Awakening Soul.

Builder of the Bridge
When Great Spirit moved Its Creative Force across the expanse of the Earth Mother, a Doorway was left between the Blue Road of Spirit and the Red Road of Physical Life. And yet there remained a chasm between Planes that the two-leggeds found difficult to cross, so Great Spirit called upon White Buffalo that she fashion a Bridge to link the Two Planes together.

She stood on the precipice of the mighty chasm and contemplated the task she had been given. For some time, she pondered the space between worlds and wondered how she would manage to bridge that distance. Then, a great calm settled over her Being, as she laid her body down only to discover that her back legs touched the Plane of Physical LIfe, and her mighty head rested upon the golden shores of the Blue Road.

***One who is blessed to have White Buffalo walk beside them, is aware of a "higher purpose" to Life. It is as though they can hear the call of Great Spirit in the secret language of the Oak trees as the wind whispers its path along its branches and leaves, sees the Chasm between Planes in the reflection of the setting sun upon the oceans shimmering surface, and feels the rhythm of Great Mystery in the beating of an eagles wings.

This soul has been gifted the blessing of White Buffalo Totem through his actions of Selflessness in previous incarnations . . . in his ability to integrate the many aspects of his Self into One in the current life as he seeks Truth and Understanding.

Yet with the Blessing comes also Responsibility, for the commitment is to Build the Bridge Between Planes so that Others might also cross.

This will manifest as one who will link understanding between different nations, creeds, religions and beliefs that currently separate their fellow two-leggeds in the ultimate understanding of the Truth, that the many, are in truth, One.***

Truth
It is said that part of the reason White Buffalo is white, is because she cannot speak any untruths, her spirit blessed in the Waters of Truth and Honesty which in turn turns her hide white.

***One with White Buffalo Totem is a soul that is based concretely in Truth, in the belief, adherence to, and upholding of, Truth in all of it`s wondorous forms. Consequently, she will always seek to operate from nothing less than Truth, though this is of course a gradual process, given our Physical Personalities and experiences along the Red Road.

First, Truth is merely spoken as a child, free of editing. Yet, as the child grows and matures, he observes that being direct and honest is not always favored by adults, since the things he may sometimes say seem to elicit a strong reaction, or even pain in others.

Though one who is blessed with White Buffalo will always come back to Truth as the cornerstone of their Belief System, and will live by a strict code of Honesty. Perhaps this is why, when Truth is not honored by Others, White Buffalo Soul may have moments of sadness for the dousing of the LIght of Honesty Within. Then he will raise his head once more to Light and Beauty of Great
Mystery and resume his Path of Truth.***

Elder Spirit
White Buffalo is an Elder Spirit amongst the Animal Totems, for she was with Wakan Tanka at the creating of Earth Mother and placed in the West to hold back the tides.

Her Wisdom is forged in watching, ever vigilent, the progression of the two-leggeds. She observes, understanding the pain the people experience while in the flesh, yet also witnessing the beauty of their souls as they unfold in Conscious Awareness of their Life in ~Physical.~

***One with Buffalo Totem is generally not given the gift as the Power Totem, yet inherites the gift both through previous lifetimes spent in service to their fellow Two-Leggeds, and in the current lifetime through continual study, learning, and conscious growth.

As this is a Totem with tremendous responsibility, she will be drawn to an "Elder Soul," one who has walked many times around the Sacred Hoop of Life. She will walk with one who is focused upon the complete integration of Self, as only once one has integrated all parts of the Whole within themselves, may they then seek to Unite others both to themselves, and to one another.
Herein lies the challenge, as the Path for White Buffalo is never smooth, yet riddled with pebbles, boulders and divided at times by raging rivers. Yet through Trust in his Path and Soul`s Purpose, Faith in Great Mystery that all will be exactly as it is meant to be, and Love for All, any challenge that presents itself will always be acknowledged, embraced and absorbed, leading him to the Light streaming from the Gateway where he may then lay himself down to fashion the bridge so that others might make the journey across.***

Spirit of the Arctic Wolf

Spirit of the Arctic Wolf
with
Wolf`s Moon

Role ~The Teacher~
Lesson: Learning & Using Potential
Element: Earth
Wind: North, Wisdom
Medicine: Manifestation

~Keywords~

Teacher Resistance to Change Stamina
Resilience Wisdom
Determination
Resistance to Change

Arctic Wolf lives in a land frozen in time where, for three quarters of the year, frigid winds blow across the tundra, creating landscapes of sculpted ice. Here, all life holds its breath while awaiting longer days that will bring the sun to gently bathe all in it's golden light, coaxing the emergence of new life to dance for awhile in its brilliant rays. Walking across these bridges and valleys of glimmering snow, the Arctic Wolf, thick white coat ruffled in the frosty breath of the Northern wind, is in a state of contented ~Oneness~ with his surroundings.

***It is said that at the door of each of the Four Winds, a wolf keeps silent vigil, each bringing change to the life of those who walk the Good Red Road and with the change, a lesson unique to that Wind.

The Arctic Wolf is the Wolf of the North Winds. He stands quietly in rigid determination, unyielding at times, much as the barren landscapes of his home appear to resist the beginning of Spring. She is a soul that is comfortable with her surroundings and therefore sees no "reason" to change.

Yet the promise of the North Wind is Wisdom unfolding through gratitude and acknowledgment. This is the Direction in which Wisdom is sifted from the sands of experience and then fashioned into a Red staff of Manifesting that wields personal potential. Therefore, if White Wolf Soul can accept change when it appears, yet remain true to his/her values, then the higher vibration of Wisdom and Truth can emerge from beneath stubborn resistance like shoots of sweet summer grass bursting forth from a blanket of winters snow. Thus, Personal Power can be embraced, understood and ultimately, the souls individual potential manifested.***

Resilience
In a climate in which very little life can exist, Arctic Wolf thrives. Drifts of snow gather in intricate patterns and shapes, castles of frozen snow glittering in the brilliant light. Wind, cold enough to freeze exposed flesh, passes nearly unnoticed by Arctic Wolf as he roams the blinding white expanse of his territory, thick white fur keeping him well insulated . . . Mother Earth has prepared him well.

***The individual with Arctic Wolf as their Power Totem is one who is capable of withstanding numerous challenges and setbacks, only to emerge stronger than before. It is little wonder that these souls will often face adversity in their lives in order to build the resilience with which to overcome obstacles? Paradoxically, they are also gentle souls with a great deal of emotional sensitivity . . . and this is the area in which they are likely to encounter their greatest lessons. Yet by calling upon the inner strength and resilience of the Arctic Wolf, they can triumph and raise their heads with gratitude to the loving rays of the Sun.***

Stamina
The Arctic lands stretch for miles, blinding white expanses that demand respect of all who dwell there. Upon this vista of pristine white, the Arctic Wolf roams his territory in search of food, a mate or any encroaching threat and will travel up to twenty miles a day, or more, to perform his tasks.

To withstand the harshness of the unrelenting winds, the brutality of an unforgiving and bitterly cold climate, and to do this while traversing many miles, the Arctic Wolf has been engineered with tremendous stamina to fulfill her role in Nature.

***Arctic Wolf soul is an individual who is capable of performing nearly miraculous bouts of stamina that would weary other souls as she travels the good Red Road.

He possesses within him the ability to push his body and mind to the limits, and in fact, can appear to even derive pleasure from doing so.

With each new goal that has been met, Arctic Wolf individual will then set his/her sights on the next task at hand. Preferably the new goal will be even more challenging than the one just completed, as this engenders the ~acknowledgment~ within their own reasoning that they are ~worthy~ of that which has been given to them, yet the truth of the matter is that anything they have received, has been honestly won.***

Spirit of the Bald Eagle

Spirit of the Bald Eagle
with
Wolf`s Moon

Role: ~Illuminating Force~
Lesson: Soar Above
Element: Air/Water
Wind: ~East~ Illumination
Medicine: Connection to Grandfather Sky

Keywords

Illumination Ability to See Hidden Spiritual Truths
Strength Connection to Spirit Guides & Teachers
Courageous Intuitive Rising Above
Creativity Healing
Keen Sight

On the currents of the Four Winds you ride the sky held aloft by unseen hands that hold you close to the Grandfather

Far below lies the world of Man a realm in which you also dwell, yet always from within comes the ache to rejoin the Great Spirit

Caught between two realms, you remind all who witness your beauty and strength of the eternal struggle of the two-legged to rise above the mundane and feel the Soul take flight

Illumination
In Earth Medicine, we recognize the Eagle (all members of the Eagle family) as a symbol of a powerful, spiritual energy. Because the Eagle soars so close to the Grandfather Sky, it is believed that Eagle hears the voice of the ~Great Spirit~ and is thus a link between the Divine and the Two-Leggeds (humanity)

Bald Eagle feathers are treasured and revered amongst the Native People, for they are recognized as containing a very powerful Medicine energy/magic). While speaking in Truth, seeking to bridge differences, or in asking for guidance and Illumination for a course of action, the Eagle feather is held during ceremonies to draw in such spiritual illumination.

As a means to speak with spiritual clarity and Truth, the Speaker will hold an Eagle feather, either as it is attached to a ~Talking Stick,~ or held in the hands. This serves as a connection to the Divine, so that all words that are spoken, are spoken from Higher Intent, and also as a means of asking that the Ancestors and the ~Great Mystery~ speak to and through, the Holder of the Feather.

***Thus, One who flies with the Eagle, has a responsibility along the Good Red Road, to operate from Higher Intent, to develop the latent abilities of Illumination, and then freely share this Illumination with Others. Obviously, this is no small task, or one to ever be taken lightly, for the ramifications are very far reaching, as are the Gifts and blessings for the Self and Others, which ripple outward from this particular attribute.

The Path to Illumination is one often fraught with boulders and stumbling blocks that serve as a schoolroom for the developing soul. A broad range of experiences (both pleasurable and exceedingly painful), are met by the one beside whom Eagle flies as it is from the depth of experience that true wisdom is forged and from wisdom, comes the Illumination of the Soul, or ~Enlightenment.~ However, as while encased in the Robe of Physical Life, there exists the possibility that the personality center may arise that Eagle soul may examine his/her current level of growth and integration. In some instances, one such manifestation of the Personality Center may be a sense of self-aggrandizement or self-importance, as these are individuals who have an intuitive grasp on mysteries that elude other less observant and/or intuitive individuals. This ~arcane knowledge~ often gets the Eagle individual noticed, and where the soul has not sufficiently integrated the lower vibrations of the personality center, arrogance may surface. Or the converse may be true wherein the Eagle Soul has not acknowledged the splendor and beauty of his/her soul. In this instance, what is obviously apparent to Others as to the Gifts and Quality of Being that exists in the one beside whom Eagle soars, will be non-apparent to the Eagle Individual, and the lesson then becomes acknowledging and embracing the Light of their own Spirit.

Soul of Bald Eagle will possess an innate ability to ~see,~ dream, feel or ~know~ secret or hidden spiritual truths, both of the other realms and planes of ~Being,~ and the hidden truths of ~Others.~ Such powerful insight and perception (think of the eagle’s powerful vision and ever-alert and intense eyes), comes from both a plethora of past life experiences whose memory bubbles just below the surface of conscious recollection, and partially from present lifetime experiences which serve as lessons in developing and honing the gift of ~Insight.~

For the one who is able to find the splendid dance of balance between self-love and humility, celebration of Self and celebration of the All, the dance is a beauty to witness, as the Eagle Spirit unfurls the wings of their Soul, like their winged Totem dancing upon the Wind as they fully embrace and inherit the brilliant Gift of true Illumination.***

Intuitive
The Eagle, as he soars amongst the clouds and floats upon the unseen currents of air, dwells in close proximity to Grandfather Sky. From his connection to the Grandfather, Eagle also seeks to rekindle his connection to the creative force of the ~Great Spirit.~ As such, Eagle intuitively understands that we are never far from Home, or completely dis-connected from the Source of All That Is.

Bald Eagle is one of the Totem Animals that dwells simultaneously within two realms. Such dualistic Totems symbolize the need for Balance between two points, or the requirement that the Soul whom Eagle flies beside, learns to dance between two planes. In the instance of this Totem, Bald Eagle is considered to be a Water or Fish Eagle, as the primary source of the Bald Eagle’s diet consists of fish that the Eagle will capture in fresh water rivers, streams and lakes. Yet he also exists in the realm of Air, living on the wing and soaring above the mountain peaks.
Earth Medicine teaches us that each elemental clan symbolizes various aspects of our walk along the Red Road. Water represents our emotional and spiritual Self, while Air represents our intellect and conscious mind. Hence, Eagle must dive into the water with precision in order to retrieve her meal of fish, which she will clutch firmly in her razor sharp talons, then to rise once more to greet the sky. Within this behavior of Bald Eagle, lies the clue as to the nature that it represents within all two-leggeds who have the Soul of Bald Eagle.

Water, as intuition, psychic attunement and emotions, represents your Soul’s ability to intuitively assess situations, individuals and circumstances with an immediate grasp. Yet water also symbolizes a depth of emotion and feeling that is nearly fathomless. Love is given whole-heartedly and without restraint, a trait that can often lead to your being hurt by souls who have not reached sufficient maturation and integration with their own Emotional Centers. Then, it is imperative that one learns the value of appropriately timed detachment (as represented by the Air), and the quality of discernment so that the beautiful nurturing and loving energy that flows so effortlessly through you is not "wasted" on those who have not earned this most precious of Gifts, and shared instead with those of a similar depth and maturation who are able to reciprocate what has been received.

With each successive incarnation, the Soul learns how to move swiftly from one realm to the next, to know when to utilize the psychic/intuitive gifts and depth of emotion, and when to soar above and revisit the condition of the encounter or experience with detachment. This is one of the primary factors in the Life Path of one with this Totem.

Ultimately, the Soul will reach the Zenith of this Life Lesson, and the Eagle’s desire for reuniting with the Great Spirit will be fulfilled as the Eagle Soul learns to love and nurture the Self.

Courage
Wherever Eagle soars, the Native People have recognized this splendid bird as a symbol of strength & courage. The builders of the American Constitution likewise acknowledged this majestic creature’s aura of strength, and established it as the national symbol of America.
In the wild, the Eagle is the undisputed king/queen of the skies with no other bird equaling the Eagle in either size or hierarchy. And it is in watching the heart stopping dives as the Eagle pummels downward to capture their meals of fresh fish, that one truly begins to understand the connection between these mighty birds and the keyword for this Totem of Courage.

***Like their totem Ally, the two-legged who has Eagle flying beside them, will often exhibit great depths of inner strength and courage. Often times, they will encounter situations in their flight along the Red Road of Physical Life in which they will need to call upon that courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Does this mean that the Eagle Soul feels no fear? Hardly, yet once the fear has been felt and acknowledged, the Eagle Soul will then establish a plan of action in order to confront and resolve the situation as these are the problem-solvers that will find a possibility in what appears to be an impossible scenario. In facing their fears we witness the Eagle demonstrating the literal meaning of Courage.

Whenever faced with situations, people or circumstances in which fear is felt, one with this Animal Spirit might call upon Bald Eagle to bring the Courage to face what must be done. In so doing, they are not only recognizing and giving thanks to the role of this Totem in their Life, they are honoring their own Divine Essence of the ~Eagle Within.~***

Rising Above
Much as the Eagle soars majestically, held aloft on the Four Winds and leaving the ground far below, so does the Soul who has Bald Eagle as their Power Totem, possess the same ability to Rise Above the mundane.

***In many respects, this keyword is linked to the preceding one of Illumination, for it represents the Soul’s ability to integrate the lessons of the physical world, to leave behind the trappings of the past and the darker shadows of the human mind, so that one might soar on the winds of illumination and awareness. Only once the ~Lower Personality~ has been thoroughly embraced, understood, resolved and integrated, will the Soul have the freedom to Soar. The road “there” is not an easy one to take, nor for the faint-hearted, yet it is a Journey that all of us must make in order that our Soul may evolve beyond the need to incarnate into flesh.

This process is begun by uncovering those habits, beliefs and actions which are either self-destructive or cause pain for another, and is the crucial first step in the Journey of integrating the personality to the Soul. Many lifetimes may be spent in this first step alone as to face one’s own Inner Truth in complete honesty may be painful and require a good deal of detachment, it also requires that we embrace those aspects of ourselves that we may see as less than desirable. Yet once the Soul has acknowledged these ~Truths~ then the greatest step has already been taken.

Next in this process (once our ~stumbling blocks~ have been identified), is to evaluate what lessons they have presented in our life. This is then initialed by once again evaluating the Self in honesty, by asking if these lessons and issues have been resolved, for if they have not been, they will simply re-present themselves again and again, becoming exponentially larger, until we are “forced” to confront and resolve them. For some who chose to evade and fool themselves, this can ultimately manifest physically with the individual either becoming so ill that they are left under the surgeons knife, in the hospital, or they ~transition,~ only to come back in the next life and face those very same lessons yet again.

If indeed, one can honestly affirm that those lessons have been thoroughly acknowledged, learned and absorbed, then the unfolding of the Soul begins and with it, the ability to rise above the mundane. This, as stated earlier, is a very involved process and must always be approached in conscious awareness, yet the freedom of the Soul on the wing, able to rise above those things that have caused one so much pain, anger or torment in the past, is a glorious unfolding to behold.***

Connection to Spirit Guides and Teachers
As an Animal Totem, the Eagle has long been revered by the Native People for the proximity in which he/she soars to the Great Spirit. Because of the Eagle`s ability to fly so near to the roof of the sky, to view all that which lies below from a viewpoint similar to that of the Great Mystery, this mighty bird is believed to be a conveyor of messages between the Blue Road of Spirit and the Red Road of Physical Life.

***Like their Spirit Animal, the two-legged beside whom Eagle soars, will have an aspect of him/herself that will be attuned to the voices of the Ancestors. This ability to tune into other realms and hidden knowledge, may be seen by those lacking in such sensitivity and attunement as "day dreaming" or "spacing out." The truth of the matter is that the soul of the Eagle individual is in a near-constant state of receptivity, though they may not be consciously aware of the messages they are receiving from Spirit Guides, Totems and Teachers, the messages are coming through none the less.

The more that the Eagle Soul can learn to tune into his/her feelings, intuitions and visuals received, the greater this perception and ability to tune into ancient wisdom becomes. For some, the knowledge received will be expressed as "automatic writing" or trance channeling, others will express this ability via creative artwork in the form of beautiful illustrations that convey a deep spirituality, for others still, such knowledge and connection to the ~Higher Self~ is expressed via deeply stirring music.

Regardless of the medium through which such a connection to both the Spirit Guides and Higher Self is established, the end result is that these are the souls that carry profound messages for the rest of Humanity. Through conveying such messages in their non-judgmental and beautifully presented manner, the messages and knowledge passed along is received on a deeper level, and thus both the Messenger and the Recipient benefit from this beautiful Talent.

Creativity
The Eagle is recognized in Earth Medicine as a Winged One that is a symbol of Creation. In particular, the Thunder Eagle (or Thunderbird) is revered as a powerful Spirit that heralds great change and unlimited happiness that arises through the fountain of the Divine Creative Spark.

Eagle’s place in Native American culture is quite significant, as very few Totem Animals are believed to possess such a broad and all-encompassing range of Medicine. For Eagle, the greatest creation is Life, either in the saving of the life of another (as through the strong healing emphasis associated with this raptor), or in the act of procreation. Like the legendary Phoenix, the Eagle is a Animal Totem of Transformation and Regeneration, a Spirit in a continual creative process.

***The two-legged who is blessed to have this Spirit Animal fly beside him/her, will be an individual that has entered onto the Good Red Road to express themselves creatively. This Divine Spark of Creativity may manifest in a multitude of channels, from music to making intricate and stunning jewelry, producing beautifully illustrated paintings to conceptualizing impressive architectural designs. Whatever medium this creative genius asserts itself, these will often be amongst the most skilled of artisans, poets and musicians.

Indeed, the entire existence of the Eagle individual will seem to be a creative process, and life will be seen with a sensitivity that is both esthetic and deeply spiritual. Herein lies the key for the Eagle Soul, as the art they create will contain deeply spiritual overtones and undercurrents, their music, writing or art will transcend their captive audiences to a higher vibration where all life is celebrated with a deep reverence and joy.

The irony perhaps is that often these souls are not fully aware of the talent they possess, as like the white crown feathers of the adult Bald Eagle, the two-legged beside whom this raptor travels will mature into his/her supreme talents. Such profound creativity must be reclaimed with a willing heart, yet one that is willing to fully embrace the responsibility to convey the realms of ethereal beauty, mysticism, music and art that is often invisible or unheard to the average two-legged. Yet when the Bald Eagle Soul has fully embraced both his/her talents and the responsibility to pass along their ~Vision,~ the physical world is not only made more esthetically appealing, the spirituality inherent in the visions conveyed will call to Others to reach for that sense of Beauty, Peace and Illumination within.***

Power Totem, Theme Totem, and Mission Totem

~Power Totem~
Chief amongst the Animal Totems, the Power Totem is our primary animal spirit that walks, flies or swims beside us as constant companion, guide, protector, teacher, soul brother/sister, and connection to the Blue Road of Spirit and the ~Great Mystery.~

In esoteric astrology, the Soul Ray is the reincarnating You, the essence of the eternal spark which transcends physical "death" to continue its evolution as it reincarnates into different bodies, times and places so that it might experience all that it needs in order to reach the point where there is no longer the "need" to incarnate into flesh.

Similarly, the Power Totem is that Animal Spirit which is most closely related (of spirit) to us, and thus will reincarnate with us again and again, and from lifetime to lifetime, as it is our constant ally. Much as the Soul Ray will explain the Soul`s Unique Purpose whilst in flesh , the Power Totem is a reflection of our own Soul, and likewise represents our Life Path and the major lessons, attributes and abilities of our individual and eternal spark.

~Theme Totem~
While the Power Totem is the reincarnating You, and is with us from incarnation to incarnation, the ~Life Theme Totem~ is with us only for the current Earth Walk. This is the Animal Spirit that is with us to Teach the Wisdom and Understanding of the current Life Theme, as well as to assist us in fulfilling our Souls present ~Life Mission.~ For those familiar with traditional astrology, the Role of the Theme Totem is very similar to the Ascendant or Rising sign that establishes the "goal post" for the current incarnation.

To understand a little better exactly what the role of this Animal Spirit is, perhaps it is best to begin by understanding what is meant by the Life Theme and Life Mission.

As we are standing at the Eastern Gate of the Wheel of LIfe and preparing to enter into the flesh for our next incarnation, our Soul is guided to make choices and decisions that will bring us the lessons and experiences that we need in order to best achieve the Souls growth. Part of this is the choice of what the general ~Theme~ will be for the new incarnation.

As an example, for one who chooses the ~Theme of Truth,~ their experiences within that lifetime will be encountered so that they will learn the importance and necessity of operating from Truth, not only in the words they speak, but in the way in which they conduct their dealings with Others, how they face their own issues and lessons, and ultimately, in how they relate, respond and act upon ~Life in Physical~ itself. Consequently, this soul may encounter many individuals and situations in which they are deceived, lied to and spoken Untruths to, causing emotional pain or perhaps resulting in financial losses, or other such manifestations that will reinforce within their own Soul the importance and value of Truth in all things.

Truth thus becomes a motto that they will then live the remainder of their life by, and held as a banner of sorts that will mark their personality (both to others, and to themselves). This would be an example of a Life Theme.

The Theme Totem in this example then, would be one that would have Truth as an integral part of that Animal Spirits Wisdom, and hence, he/she would act as a guide, teacher and mentor to light the way toward fulfilling that two-leggeds current Life Theme. One of the Totems that would have Truth figuring prominently in their Medicine would be White Buffalo.

~Mission Totem~
Along with our Life Theme for the present incarnation, we also arrive with a Life Mission. Where the Theme represents the general goals and focus of the current earthwalk and is the current Pathway or direction for the evolving soul, the Life Mission is a specific Role we have come onto the Wheel to learn, absorb and fulfill. As such, we will feel the pull of our Life Mission as a "higher calling," and this is not far off the mark, as it is quite literally a Mission or Special
Service that we have agreed to fulfill long before beginning our Earthwalk.

As an example, say one chooses the ~Mission of Healer~ in the present existence. That individual would come in with latent healing abilities, either through the "laying on of hands," the ability to send out healing energies across vast distances, or as a highly skilled surgeon or doctor. There would be the sense that the soul has a "special calling" to fulfill in Medicine and must obey that call at any cost. Thus, the Animal Totem that walks, flies or swims beside the individual who has Life Mission of Healer, would have a strong alignment to Healing as an integral part of that Animals Medicine.

As Little Children

The mind is fertile ground for concepts, ideas, and opinions. If someone tells us a lie and we believe it, that lie takes root in our mind and can grow big and strong, like the majestic oak tree. One little lie can be very contagious, spreading its poisonous seeds from person to person when we share it with others.

The voice in our head doesn't belong to us. When we are born we don't have that voice. Thinking comes after we learn --- first language, then different points of view, then all the judgments and lies. The voice of knowledge comes as we accumulate knowledge.

Before we eat the lies that come with knowledge, we live in truth. We speak only truth. We live in love without any fear. Once we have knowledge, we judge ourselves as no longer good enough; we feel guilt, shame, and the need to be punished. We begin to dream lies and separate from our true spirit.

The concept of heaven exists when our spiritual eyes are open, when we perceive the world through the eyes of truth. Once lies hook our attention, our spiritual eyes are closed. We fall from the dream of heave and begin to live the dream of hell.

There mere importance of having nearly a pure mind of a child, unblemished by millenia of social, family and religious tranditions and knowledge, is important to our mental, physical and emotional stability. I say "nearly pure" because we only possess the purity of mind and awareness but once. However as the authors, creators, and artists of our own story, we are able to rewrite and change our story.

Yet just as with a computer, while we continually rewrite our story, there will always be residue of the first files written on the hard drive, on our brain. Sometimes these will be buried beneath layers upon layers of our story and its changes; though just the right word, circumstance or event will cause them to come forward to our present consciousness and awareness.

To become as a little child does not mean to act or possess the behavior of a child, but rather to posses a newly aware childlike perception. Meaning that each moment in life becomes a new experience untainted by the past and its perceptions. Yet that in and of itself does not mean we proceed with wreckless abandon. Instead we use the lesson of prior experience to guide our present action. As some would say . . . to be twenty again armed with the lessons and knowledge of what I know at eighty!

A very simple mental exercise and challenge is to begin to attempt to notice or become aware of at least five new things each day. When five becomes easy, double it to ten, when ten becomes easy, double it again. These don't have to be some monumental or earth shattering. They may be the simplest things such as a new flower, the shape of a cloud, taking a different way to the conrer store. Use all your senses to experience life each new day. Another good part of this exercise is that with five senses, try to use each sense for one new thing.

Silver Eagle

True, Unconditional Love

True love must be unconditional, meaning that it is based neither in fear nor in ambition, and is therefore a pure expressions arising from the heart. The implications here are that we are not affraid to speak and to act openly and honestly, even if our actions are not going to be perceived as being supportive and uplifting, and even if this then does mean a separation of sorts, as in the loss of a relationship, or even a job for that matter. And yet realize that the intention behind all acts of unconditional love, whether perceived as being supportive or not, is to uplift the other person and to encourage them to become the epxression of their true purpose within life.

However, people are so incredibly selective in thier perception, that whenever they are told something they do not want to hear or whenever an action is taken which they perceive to be against them in some way, they usually end up feeling hurt, victimized, and hard-done by. Yet such people never realize that they are not their behavior, and therefore that whenever they are confronted, it is not they personally who are being confronted but only their behavior.

by Theun Mares, Shadows of Wolf Fire

Every single action, physical, emotional or mental is dependent upon firstly, MOTIVE, and secondly, CIRCUMSTANCE. Thus to measure action, we must consider whether it is life supportive or life destructive. Sometimes it is hard to know when to defer to the weaker person. A simple rule of thumb . . . we should be sensitive and gracious. While some actions may not be wrong, they may not be in the best interest of others. While we have freedom, we shouldn't exercise our freedom at the cost of hurting another. We are not to consider only ourselves, but we must be sensitive to others ... Do what you will, but harm no one.

Yet if someone is stuck in their view of the world about them and one wants to uplift them, the one has no choice or alternative than to shake them out of the perception which is keeping them stuck. However, in doing so, one's actions are never seen to be supportive, for invariably one is forecd in to having to destroy that person's present perception in one way or another in order to make room for a new view.

Analogy - - - much like now in our information age of computers. Every so often we must run the defragmentation program and wipe disk program to restore the operating efficiency of the computer. The human brain, in very simplistic terms, is much like the computer's hard drive. The years of life are much like writing new computer code onto the hard drive. And every once in a while it becomes necessary to reboot, or even reformat.