Over the years, the following words have stayed with me. I will be the first to admit it is not an easy path to walk, but like you all… I am human too. So it is good to remind yourself often of the important things, the things we need to do, the way we need to walk. If we expect others to be and do better then we must help to guide them through example, through understanding, through the unconditional. For we hold the power within each of us, the power to Change the World!
So with that thought…check egos at the door as we walk the code together.
Rise with the sun to pray. Pray alone. Pray often. The Great Spirit will listen, if you only speak
Be tolerant of those who are lost on their path. Ignorance, conceit, anger, jealousy – and greed stem from a lost soul. Pray that they will find guidance.
Search for yourself, by yourself. Do not allow others to make your path for you. It is your road, and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you.
Treat the guests in your home with much consideration. Serve them the best food, give them the best bed and treat them with respect and honor
Do not take what is not yours whether from a person, a community, the wilderness or from a culture. It was not earned nor given. It is not yours.
Respect all things that are placed upon this earth – whether it be people or plant.
Honor other people’s thoughts, wishes and words. Never interrupt another or mock or rudely mimic them. Allow each person the right to personal expression.
Never speak of others in a bad way. The negative energy that you put out into the universe will multiply when it returns to you.
All persons make mistakes. And all mistakes can be forgiven.
Bad thoughts cause illness of the mind, body and spirit. Practice optimism.
Nature is not FOR us, it is a PART of us. They are part of your worldly family.
Children are the seeds of our future. Plant love in their hearts and water them with wisdom and life’s lessons. When they are grown, give them space to grow.
Avoid hurting the hearts of others. The poison of your pain will return to you.
Be truthful at all times. Honesty is the test of ones will within this universe.
Keep yourself balanced. Your Mental self, Spiritual self, Emotional self, and Physical self – all need to be strong, pure and healthy. Work out the body to strengthen the mind. Grow rich in spirit to cure emotional ails.
Make conscious decisions as to who you will be and how you will react. Be responsible for your own actions.
Respect the privacy and personal space of others. Do not touch the personal property of others – especially sacred and religious objects. This is forbidden.
Be true to yourself first. You cannot nurture and help others if you cannot nurture and help yourself first.
Respect others religious beliefs. Do not force your belief on others.
Share your good fortune with others.
So keep that list close, remind yourselves each day…and always remember you are not alone for we all walk the same way, one footstep at a time.
I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing culture with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth.
So today , since it has been showing itself multiple times here is the Crocodile!
The Crocodile is one of the oldest creatures and has been around for ions. The wisdom and survival skill it has taken for them to live through centuries of change is something we should look closely at as they are here to teach us as human as well. Crocodile teaches us sometimes we need to reach deep within to our primal energy, things that are instinctive to move through our paths. It speaks to us of our breathing patterns to take time to take that deep breath in order to bring balance to our minds and bodies.
Crocodile is a protector and keeper of All Knowledge. So it is time to tap into what it is we need in order to inspire, manifest and walk our dreams and ambitions. Remember patience and to allow yourself time to adapt to change that may show up in your life at this time. It is a time of growth and regeneration. It is time to expand and use what you instinctively know for emotional healing, for self and perhaps even to those that you may encounter in your days.
Crocodile speaks to knowing when to roll with what life throws at us, when to show patience, when to dig deep and when it is time to wallow in mud to allow healing and regeneration, transformation to bring about healing and a new part to our journeys. Honor your soul’s journey, from other lifetimes into our current path and continuing on as we gather energies and knowledge moving forward in positives to experience life in many forms.
To Our Brothers and Sisters Around the World… Happy Indigenous Day!
I learned of these teachings through the Anishinaabe’ people here where I live… it is a teaching that reaches within to my very core… and I would like to now share it with you…
Many Anishinaabe’ view the Seven Grandfather Teachings as traditional knowledge that represents what is needed for everyday life and survival, or simply put to walk the Red Road… a Good way of life. The origin of the teachings is unknown but my elders have shared that they are important and have long been a part of the language and handed down through generations of the People. These teachings have become known as the “Seven Grandfathers” once the Anishinaabe slowly began to control their own education during and after the American Indian Movement. As Our Elders began to retell stories they had heard as children it was realized once again that it was a connection from the present to a past when these values were a way of life.
The Ojibwas story of the seven grandfathers’ teachings was passed down from parent to child for many generations. The story goes…
The Creator gave the seven grandfathers, who are very wise, the responsibility to watch over the people. The grandfathers saw that the people were living a hard life. There was all kinds of illnesses and bad things around. The Messenger was told, “Go down there, look around and find out what is happening. Bring back someone who we can tell about what life should be, with the Peoples” He left immediately and went to all places in the North, South, West and East. He could not find anyone. On his seventh try, while he was looking, he saw a baby. The grandfathers were happy with the choice made by the helper.
So the messenger brought the baby back to where the Grandfathers were sitting in a circle. He was still very tiny and wrapped inside His cradleboard. One of the grandfathers looked at the baby very carefully. “This is the one. Messenger, pick up the baby. Take him all over; teach him carefully the way the People should lead their lives.” The Messenger picked him up and they travelled around the earth.
Seven years later they returned to the Grandfathers. By then He was a young man. The Grandfathers noticed that this boy was very honest. He understood everything that was taught. One of the grandfathers took a drum and started singing. Each of the grandfathers instilled within the boy a teaching telling him “These are the ones you will take with you, and share with the Peoples.”
The boy, because of all the time he had spent with the Grandfathers, was now an old man. So he returned to the Earth and gathered all the people around and shared his story of the journey to the seven grandfather’s lodge. He explained how to use the gifts and that it was now up to the people to try to follow the path of a good and healthy life using the seven grandfather’s teachings.
He shared each of these teachings and explaining that they must be used with the rest, and that you cannot have wisdom without love, respect, bravery, honesty, humility and truth. You cannot be honest if you only use one or two of these, or if you leave out one. And to leave out one is to embrace the opposite of what that teaching is.
Now to the Teachings…
The Beaver teaches us WISDOM
Nbwaakaawin pronounced Nbwaa kaa win
The ability to make decisions based on personal experience and knowledge and to cherish that knowledge is to know WISDOM.
We can acquire more knowledge by being open to others and applying these teachings to our own lives, and in turn it is also about the ability to value your own knowledge and share it with others.
The building a strong foundation in our lives is about the teachings shared with us by the creator and how we in turn use and share these gifts in our lives. The Beaver’s example of using his sharp teeth for cutting trees and branches to build his dams and lodges expresses this teaching. If he did not use his teeth, the teeth would continue to grow until they became useless, ultimately making it impossible for him to sustain himself. The same can be said for human beings. One’s spirit will grow weak if it is not fulfilling its use. When used properly however, wisdoms shared help bring about a peaceful and healthy life.
The Eagle teaches us LOVE.
Zaagidwin pronounced zaa gid win
LOVE must be unconditional. To feel true love is to know the Creator. Therefore, it is expected that one’s first love is to the Creator, the Great Spirit. Creator is considered the parent to all children, and the giver of human life. Love given to the Great Spirit is expressed through love of oneself, and it is understood that if one cannot love oneself, it is impossible to love anyone else.
To know LOVE is to know true peace. To be able to get along with others, sharing and being kind, willing to show that you care for others/self through sharing, being helpful and understanding the feelings of others; doing something that makes the day better for someone. To be accepting of each others’ differences.
The Buffalo teaches us RESPECT.
Mnaadendimowin pronounced Mnaa dendi mowin
Respect is the condition of being honored. The Buffalo, through giving its life and sharing every part of its being, showed the deep respect it had for the people. No animal was more important to the existence of People than this animal, and its gift provided shelter, clothing and utensils for daily living. Native people believed themselves to be true caretakers of the great herds, and developed a sustainable relationship with the Buffalo resulting in a relationship that was a true expression of respect.
To honor all of the Creations is to have RESPECT.Respect for yourself. To treat others how you would want to be treated. Making sure your interactions with others are positive by showing positive manners, speaking kindly and honoring a person’s human right to be who they are. Accepting feedback as helpful and considering different outlooks on things.
The Bear teaches us COURAGE.
mangide’
Courage is the ability to face danger, fear, or changes with confidence and bravery.
The Bear provides many lessons in the way it lives, but courage is the most important teaching it offers. Though gentle by nature, the ferociousness of a mother Bear when one of her cubs is approached is the true definition of courage. To have the mental and moral strength to overcome fears that prevent us from living our true spirit as human beings is a great challenge that must be met with the same tenacity and intensity as a mother Bear protecting her cub. Living of the heart and living of the spirit is difficult, but the Bear’s example shows us how to face any danger to achieve these goals.
We learn to deal with challenges positively without worry about the outcome. To work through and give all aspects of your life your best effort. Being able to accept responsibility for your behavior. Be willing to be a role model by standing up for your values/beliefs. Accepting challenges (conflicts) and learn from them.
The Sabe teaches us HONESTY.
Gwekwaadiziwin pronounced Gwek waadi ziwin
Honesty is speaking and acting truthfully, and thereby remained morally upright.
Long ago, there was a giant called Kitch-Sabe who walked among the people to remind them to be honest to the laws of the creator and honest to each other. The highest honor that could be bestowed upon an individual was the saying “There walks an honest man. He can be trusted.” To be truly honest was to keep the promises one made to the Creator, to others and to oneself.
The Elders would say, “Never try to be someone else; live true to your spirit, be honest to yourself and accept who you are the way the Creator made you.”
HONESTY in facing a situation is to be true to self. It is not backing down when the situation seems too hard and you know that it needs to be dealt with to make your life better. By looking at what you do and realizing how it affects you and others either positively or negatively. To approach life situations and challenges with an open mind and heart.
The Wolf teaches us HUMILITY.
Dbaadendiziwin pronounced Dbaa dendi ziwin
Humilityis being humble and not arrogant Recognizing and acknowledging that there is a higher power than man and it is known as the Creator is to be deemed truly humble. To express deference or submission to the Creator through the acceptance that all beings are equal is to capture the spirit of humility. The expression of this humility is manifested through the consideration of others before ourselves. In this way, the Wolf became the teacher of this lesson. He bows his head in the presence of others out of deference, and once hunted, will not take of the food until it can be shared with the pack. His lack of arrogance and respect for his community is a hard lesson, but integral in the Aboriginal way.
HUMILITYis to know yourself as a sacred part of Creation. To be able to know that we are equal regardless of age, race or sex. Being able to be assertive, positively making your needs known, without becoming angry or withdrawn. Being able to listen to others with an open and non-judgmental mind.
The Turtle teaches us TRUTH.
Debwewin pronounced Deb we win
TRUTH is to know and understand all the seven teachings have been given to us by the Creator and we are to remain faithful to them. To know truth is to know and understand all of the original laws as they were shared with us. It is said that in the beginning, when the Creator made man and gave him the seven sacred laws, the Grandmother Turtle was present to ensure that the laws would never be lost or forgotten. On the back of a Turtle are the 13 moon, each representing the truth of one cycle of the Earth’s rotations around the sun. The 28 markings on her back represent the cycle of the moon an of a woman’s body. The shell of the Turtle represents the body real events as created by the Higher Power, and serves as a reminder of the Creator’s will and teachings.
TRUTH is to know all of these things. Be true to yourself and your fellow man. Be able to speak the truth. This is considered the final and last teaching because to live this teaching, one must achieve and understand the first six teachings. By being honest with those around you with your feelings and behaviors; by loving yourself and others; by respecting others with what they say and do; by being humble – knowing that everyone around you deserves your respect as you theirs; by being brave when facing new challenges and by accepting your own and others wisdom.
These are the seven Sacred Teachings as were taught to me…and now I have shared them with you….it is not so much that you all don’t know these teachings from what ever background or culture you walk in. but I hope it has served all as a reminder of how we all need to walk as Humans.
“I am Dedicated to Educating and sharing culture and our stories with the World. It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…” Blessings, ~bear Medicinewalker
So Wolf stops in today in the 7th spot to listen to our intuition as it will be tuned in sharply today. Listen before speaking or reacting and trust your guts. Walk with your eyes wide open, you have learned much on your journey so trust what you were taught.
Wolf reminds us also that as we travel on our paths we will learn many things from many people, creatures, and other things… these are all lessons to make us stronger and better people, more compassionate people, more connected people. We need to stop feeding the negativity f the world and seeking solutions, positive solutions instead of filling the air around us with more distrust and hate, negativity. Walk with the Wolf pack, not as a Lone Wolf … for the Lone Wolf is not well and the pack seeks to cut it and the disease or weakness from themselves in order to protect itself.
Wolf teaches us that although it is often difficult to see the value of things that cause us pain, regret and anger… it is in those very things that we learn from in order to make better choices in the future. Those bumps in the road make us stronger for getting through them all, but there is a limit to how long we allow ourselves to carry it all forward as it hinders our growth. So today let it all go and be in the moment of saying goodbye to all those things that have held us back! Be free of it so you can create new things, more positive things for yourself!
Wolf reminds us to sense what is important in our life circle and allow that to shore us up against negativity and the thoughtlessness of others. Be caring and nurturing with your energy and life source today… as it is an important key to how we need to walk and be.
Wolf reminds us that it is far to easy to shelter ourselves or do what I call self isolation, but sometimes by doing so we miss out on some amazing things and people. So enrich your souls today and expand your reach by including some of what life is offering us all outside of our circle.
Wolf has been a spiritual and totem animal in the religions of many cultures. Wolves represent the symbol of freedom and individuality, yet also remind us we have a responsibility to the pack. Some religious beliefs attribute the creation of the earth in part to the Wolf. It was believed that the power of a Wolf would could help with the success of a hunt, bring a chief’s dead son to life or alleviate the pain of childbirth. The People and the wolf are part of each other.
Wolf and its medicine live harmoniously with us…they will hunt together, live together and their spirits are one. Wolf represents courage, strength, loyalty, wisdom and teacher of balance. Some of the stories that have been passed down often tell of the first ancestors being transformed from wolves into Human.
Whatever they represent to each of us may be different, but the one thing I hold as truth is they are our teachers, our sisters and brothers… not something that should be controlled or hunted. They only take what is needed, they stay away from humans unless provoked…and we have taken all that is theirs when they and many like them have openly shared with us all. It is time for us all to raise our voice in protection of this magnificent animal and others like it…
Wolf is a very organized creature. It understands there is need for order and balance for harmony to occur with our Sacred Hoops. Wolf is regarded as one of the most powerful spirit guides of all for it represents teacher and lessons to be learned and shared with self. It speaks to us to seek counsel from people that you respect. To take a moment to step back and look for the true meaning from the issue you face. By doing so, you will be able to walk clearly ahead and do what needs to be done with the knowledge you can see it all clearly.
Although many think the sight of a Lone Wolf means freedom it actually does not. It instead represents that it is a time to look deep in oneself and find the balance that is needed in your own life that is lacking. For the wolf is meant to be in packs, in a community, in a family, with its mate. The times you see wolves on their own or isolated is do to unbalance that needs to reground and once again be in the circle of the Sacred Hoop.
The Wolf cry reminds us to stand our ground, remember we all need boundaries. It is about communication, answering the call and listening to the response. The Wolf an assist us to open and listen to the sound of others in order to understand better the situation. It is about having the strength of the pack, and your closest friends with you when you need them without questions.
Wolf is strongly connected to lunar cycles, so learn to move with that cycle and honor it in order to be at your best. They teach us to weed out what is the weakest and no longer serves us, so that new and better things will come our way.
I am bear Medicinewalker and I am dedicated to Educating and sharing the lessons, teachings and culture I have been taught by my Elders and journey with the World. It is not enough merely to learn the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Blessings to You All,
“Coyote Jump-Lightning Drum”. available at Canyon Records
So today the Praying Mantis steps into play telling us we need to set our priorities in the correct fashion. Is it really important to know what our neighbors are doing as they go through their day? Nope, why because while we are focused on everyone and everything else we are neglecting what really matters… our own soul care. Stop trying to live up to the Joneses as it is said and worry more about the stuff you are neglecting in your own house! The Praying Mantis is significant as Continue reading “Spiritual and Totem Insights the Praying Mantis”
Today the Crystal Keepers show up in the seventh spot, reminding us to harness your power and utilize the energies around you. Today the energy that swirls is often chaotic, so remind yourself to stick to the plan. The task at hand is important and you can and are able to redirect the energies as you need to utilize them. Sometimes we need to steady our thought process to make sure we are thinking clearly and in proper fashion. Today is one of those days.
Remember thoughts will be racing with all the energy today… and we are all experiencing it whether we know and understand that is up to you!
The Crystal Keepers share with us that the answers to our soul piece that we may feel are missing lie deep within ourselves, but we have to slow down enough to listen to them and in doing so we will find that yes indeed we are enough… that our own happiness does not depend o another… and that we are just as important as the next.
So today and in the next few weeks ahead, examine our relationships… with life around us, with family members, friends, and most of all ourselves. Stop long enough to feed the parts that need to be fed, and to let go of the parts that should not be. Sometimes the old cliche` is actually correct in saying that sometimes people and things that imprint on us are meant to be there on our paths for a blink and other times for lifetimes. Time to accept that and work on the parts that are honestly meant to stay. Relationships start with self.
Crystals have always seemed magical to me, they are used for gazing, they can hold energy and power, they have been used by Seers and mystics, Shaman and Medicine people of all races and religions for as long as time can be recorded.
The “Crystal Keepers Speaking of all the knowledge from the Ancestors, those that have walked before us from beyond time, that has been recorded and is accessible to each of us if we chose to listen to what is being shared. It is the history of life itself, of how we can attune our souls to balance, walk a better and in a more positive way.
They speak to us of opening ourselves to that inner core, the D.N.A. that has been encoded inside us from generation to generation. We don’t need science to hear and share in it’s wealth of knowledge… we don’t need to super smart to tap into it…we simply have to trust in our abilities that we are each born with and reignite the switch to openness.
It is time to listen and relearn the ways of our Ancestors in order to balance ourselves and life on the Great Mother Earth. It is time to remember the Grandfather/Grandmother Teachings of Humility, Honesty, Truth, Wisdom, Courage, Respect and Love. It is time as the “Crystal Keepers” share to amplify those traits and restore what needs to be happening here while we ALL walk the Human.
It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories… WE All need to become proactive in saving our planet, the creatures that live upon it, and each other
Blessings to You ALL from a Little bear and a little bird named Pip,
~ bear Medicinewalker
Today the Seventh card shows itself large and in charge, the Crystal Keepers! We all will have to look at things clearer and pay attention to details as all may not be as it appears. Because energy will feel sharpened and at times come at you with a heavy charge… make sure you remember to maintain your balance for if you do not things will not go as you have planned.
Remember also that the Crystal Keepers are the Keepers of the Code, of our past, of our Ancestors History… so if you have them take advantage of them and tap into them for assistance and guidance. You will be surprised how much insight can be attained. So buckle up as it will be an energetic day, but remember you are still in control of how you maneuver through the obstacles of the day!
The Crystal Keepers share with us that the answers to our soul piece that we may feel are missing lie deep within ourselves, but we have to slow down enough to listen to them and in doing so we will find that yes indeed we are enough… that our own happiness does not depend o another… and that we are just as important as the next.
The Crystal Keepers remind us to examine our relationships… with life around us, with family members, friends, and most of all ourselves. Stop long enough to feed the parts that need to be fed, and to let go of the parts that should not be. Sometimes the old cliche` is actually correct in saying that sometimes people and things that imprint on us are meant to be there on our paths for a blink and other times for lifetimes. Time to accept that and work on the parts that are honestly meant to stay. Relationships start with self.
Crystals have always seemed magical to me, they are used for gazing, they can hold energy and power, they have been used by Seers and mystics, Shaman and Medicine people of all races and religions for as long as time can be recorded.
The “Crystal Keepers” Speaking of all the knowledge from the Ancestors, those that have walked before us from beyond time, that has been recorded and is accessible to each of us if we chose to listen to what is being shared. It is the history of life itself, of how we can attune our souls to balance, walk a better and in a more positive way.
They speak to us of opening ourselves to that inner core, the D.N.A. that has been encoded inside us from generation to generation. We don’t need science to hear and share in it’s wealth of knowledge… we don’t need to super smart to tap into it…we simply have to trust in our abilities that we are each born with and reignite the switch to openness.
It is time to listen and relearn the ways of our Ancestors in order to balance ourselves and life on the Great Mother Earth. It is time to remember the Grandfather/Grandmother Teachings of Humility, Honesty, Truth, Wisdom, Courage, Respect and Love. It is time as the “Crystal Keepers” share to amplify those traits and restore what needs to be happening here while we ALL walk the Human.
It is not enough merely to teach the ways of our Elders. We must honor those traditions by sharing and educating the World. Inspiring others …Inspiring our Youth. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories… WE All need to become proactive in saving our planet, the creatures that live upon it, and each other
Blessings to You ALL,
~ bear Medicinewalker
Music provided by Canyon Records Louie Gonnie@2020 – “Swirling Smoke”
I learned of these teachings through the Anishinaabe’ people here where I live… it is a teaching that reaches within to my very core… and I would like to now share it with you…
