So this morning Grandmother Spider sets the tone of the day to remind us all we are the Creators of our Own Worlds and situations. It is time for us all to set the intent and purpose of our walks. It is time for us all to allow our voices to ring out with the truths we hold dear in positives that will let us be heard. Remember however that we must do this in powerful yet in precise ways that do not boast of ego or allowing negativity to spread, for if we choose that we will also lay damage to our own cycles, our own webs of protection and positive growth and being.
Harness the energy of today and allow it to bring through opportunities you have been waiting for by making room in your life. Be mindful though as Grandmother Spider reminds us of how we spin that web…and where you choose to place it. If you are thoughtful and place it safely so that as you allow it to be spun into reality… the dreams, desires, needs and more… foundations will become secure.
The Dreamcatcheris known to many far and wide. It is a part of the Native American culture that captivates the world. But for many of us it is a reminder of a gift given to us in return for holding a life as Sacred and protecting it.
The story goes that a spider was quietly spinning her web in her own space. It was beside the sleeping space of Nokomis, the grandmother. Each day, Nokomis watched the spider at work, quietly spinning away. One day as she was watching her, her grandson came in. “Nokomis-iya!” he shouted, glancing at the spider. He stomped over to the spider, picked up a shoe and went to hit it.
“No-keegwa,” the old lady whispered, “don’t hurt her.”
“Nokomis, why do you protect the spider?” asked the little boy.
The old lady smiled, but did not answer. When the boy left, the spider went to the old woman and thanked her for saving her life. She said to her, “For many days you have watched me spin and weave my web. You have admired my work. In return for saving my life, I will give you a gift.”
She smiled her special spider smile and moved away, spinning as she went.
Soon the moon glistened on a magical silvery web moving gently in the window. “See how I spin?” she said. “See and learn, for each web will snare bad dreams. Only good dreams will go through the small hole. This is my gift to you. Use it so that only good dreams will be remembered. The bad dreams will become hopelessly entangled in the web.”
So allow the negatives of life to become entangled in the web of life, and let only the good and positives to enter so that you will walk in a good light as you move forward in your journeys.
Today the Lion steps in and says Own it! If you are not meeting your potential take a breath to figure it out, stop pointing in other directions for missteps and take responsibility for your own choices! Empower yourself that we are all human and have flaws, but in understanding those scars and flaws we can make ourselves stronger and more powerful to make better choices.
Lion says accept those imperfections because in doing so we understand that we are unique and important in Life. That we all matter…we all have an important part to play in the story, the journey. So grab that spark from inside and make it grow bigger, stronger and brighter… and when you do, let the world see it!
Lions bring reminders of inner strength, assertiveness and personal power to the table. They try and warn us to also take hold and control the darker side and bring it to balance so that anger and aggression doesn’t spill over and push us to people or places we do not need to be.
Lions also will make itself known in order to warn about challenges and obstacles that may arise in our lives. Guiding us so that we may be able to deal and cope with courage and insight. Reminding you to walk with self-confidence and take ownership of your personal power. Lions show us that we need to utilize our own strength, courage and assertiveness to get ahead of the situation.
Lions also teach us that we can indeed be leaders but have to be careful not to dominate everything in our relationships at home or work. Find a balance that works and things will be healthier and more positive for you and those in your Sacred Circles. Just remember to temper any anger or negative feelings that arise…
Lionsthe embodiment of Strength …Courage… and Empowerment!
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,
Music provided by Chris Ferree and available at http://www.chrisferree.com as part of the Wolf and the bear Network @2018
Today a lot of emotions are surfacing and hitting us square in the face. Crocodile is here to tell us, “Deal with your stuff and stop trying to put it into the proverbial closet!” Sometimes we find ourselves sitting unable to move because we can’t believe the place we have landed. Well we landed there because of choices we made, and really nobody else choses for us we do that all on our own. So stop for a moment to take a breath and clear our minds so we can clearly see what needs to get done so we can have the positives outcomes we are wanting in our lives.
Stop worrying what others may think, they are not the ones walking the path you are on. Get a tougher skin and do what is needed. You have got this.
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.
Blessings to All,
bear
Music by Chris Ferree as part of the Wolf and the bear Network @2022 and is available at http://www.chrisferree.com and on Itunes
Today the Salmon is in the 7th place and tells us that if we want something in our lives… we should and need to fight for it! Don’t let things detour you from your goals. Sometimes in life we just have to work and push through the negatives and twists that life throws at us in order to achieve things. That is okay, for it is through the journey that Salmon shows us it can be done….
Just like us in the human world the Salmon run upstream against the odds to continue to thrive and exist. That is the lesson Salmon teaches us for today… and remember you have got this whatever it may be, work hard and push through it. Life can be an amazing thing filled with adventure and positives, but only if we get off our butts and move forward.
Salmon brings with today’s lessons family values and connections with our communities and friends that are in and around our lives. Reach out and strengthen the ones that are staying, let loose with love the ones that are not, and be in the moment with those that are balanced. So today the Coho Salmon want us to listen to the little voice that resides in each of us and follow the path of positives that bring us back to our family and foundations.
Coho Salmon bring to our lives and teach us ways of abundance, fertility, prosperity and renewal of both the physical and spiritual. Guiding us with transformation, intuition, instinct, and urging us to examine your life considering any of the obstacles we may have on our paths as we walk forward.
Coho Salmon teach us that the most valuable and sacred things in life must be fought for. Although it may seem the odds are impossible and the struggles have worn you out, your needs, goals and dreams are near, and that the most resistance normally occurs just before we succeed. So do not stop and give up now. This is not time to go with the flow today… ignore what outside pressures are placing on you and go with your own intuition, follow your instincts they will not fail you.
Like the Coho Salmonwe also go through several transitions throughout our lives, so remember if you are feeling stuck it may be time to transition into newness of self, leaving what is not needed anymore behind. Return to your Soul’s intent, feel the Sacred of you and honor that as you push ahead to reach your goals.
Enjoy the life we are here to live and experience, honoring the Sacred within! Our spirits have been given the energy to renew and transform…so take hold of our own power that comes from deep within our core! allow the abundance and fertility of ideas and creativity to blossom into positives your life… your path, your journey has been acknowledged and listen to the sacred from within and around your life and allow it to push you into the positive steps of life!
“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. Through the Music… the Arts…the stories…”
Many Blessings of the Day
~bear Medicinewalker
Music by Chris Ferree as part of the Wolf and the bear Network and is available at http://www.chrisferree.com and on Itunes
It was a time of the Wolf Moon ( Wa Ya sv`no`yi`e`hi`nv`do), when a young Zuni Maiden was headed back to her home after gathering water from the nearby river, when the Navajo who were noted for their quick raids and fearless ways swept her up and carried her off. She silently watched as her village and fields burned and slowly became little more than a puff of smoke to her eyes. Her heart was shattered, and tears ran down her face.
They rode for what seemed like endless days and nights, with her tied tightly to the back of a horse. Every muscle on her cried out as each step of the horses hooves hit the ground. At daybreak, they came to a dwelling and she was dumped onto the ground in front of a group of Navajo Women. They helped her to her feet and took her into a nearby dwelling. She collapsed into a darkened corner and slept all day.
She was awakened by the sound of the Navajo Man as he entered and appeared before her. He reached down and pulled at her clothing. Her eyes pleaded with him, and then looked towards the other women as they reached and took their blankets and went out into the night. Thinking she had all but shed the last of her tears, more began to flow. It was to be a long night.
This continued for many days and nights until one morning she woke early to see the face of the Navajo Woman crouching near her. Gently holding out her hand she grasped the young Zuni maidens in her own. Then handing her a blanket and a pouch of food, she took her to doorway where she pointed to the rising sun. The young Zuni Maiden reached within herself and gathered all the strength she had and ran as fast as her legs could carry her. She ran through brush, over stones, through water and sand. She reached a high spot and turned to look . No one was following her. No one had found her.
Her large eyes looked out as she searched the terrain wondering where she was. The wind howled around her as she sat to rest and eat what little that she had been given and then laid down under the tree line to sleep. Pulling the blanket around her to keep her warm her body gave a small shudder, snow was beginning to fall. Soon her weary body fell into a deep sleep.
As the cold winds brewed across the lands, the sounds of paws crunching through the fresh fallen snow could be heard. Coming upon the small form of the Maiden, a White Wolf bent towards her and sniffed, its silvery blue eyes glinting in the night. Raising its head it released a howl to be sent out to the winds to its pack. The maiden woke with fear, afraid to move as the White Wolf stood over her.
Soon more wolves arrived dragging the lifeless body of a recent kill and pulling it towards the White Wolf. In turn It reached down and pulled it over to the young Maiden, covering it over her for added warmth. Then with a glance he commanded the pack to lay beside her, gently warming her body in the cold winter night. The wolf then encouraged her to eat form the kill as he nudged its share to her. She ate and her body began to replenish itself.
Soon the morning light shone through the trees, and the day looked brighter. Disheveled, and her body covered in blood, the cold biting into her skin, the Young Maiden began her journey once again to return to her village. At the end of the day, she fell exhausted to the ground. Crying out in pain and frustration as her body hit the earth. Tears once again ran down her cheeks, turning to ice before they could fall any further. Once again a howl could be heard across the winds and soon the White Wolf returned by her side. It could hardly be seen as it moved towards her, its white fur blending with the snow. Reaching again with its paws and encircling its fur and sharing its warmth with her. Looking towards the moon, letting out a howl to the pack calling to them so they could add their warmth to their young charge. Soon they all slept.
Together they traveled for four more days. At daybreak upon the fifth day, the Wolf nudged to the young Maiden and looked in the direction of a distant village. Her feet ran numb to the pain they held, as she got closer to the tiny village. Next to her keeping pace was the White Wolf. Soon she began to see some people of her village, calling out to them and waving, she yelled her name. They all stood silently watching as she approached. Her joy suddenly turned to fear as she soon saw them lifting their bows towards her and pointing them at the White Wolf that ran by her side.
“No do not shoot this White Wolf! It is my protector and has brought me home!” She stopped standing at the entrance to the village, the White Wolf quickly turned and ran back towards which way they had come. The Wolf had gone. She collapsed at the men’s feet.
They carried her to her family’s lodge and left her on the cold bare floor. They left her there without uttering a word. Lying on the floor next to her was her Mother and Father. She called out to them and they did not respond. The cold Winter’s wind screamed through the walls, swirling a dusting of snow around them all. With that she realized that the winds of life had long since left their bodies. She looked around her and the lodge was bare. She had come home to an empty place of death. She called out and no one answered. She was not a traitor to her people, she had been taken from them. She cried out in pain from a place deep within herself. Yet the people would not speak with her, and left her alone.
With the tender loving hands, she dug into the earth until her fingers were worn and bloody to reach the Yucca Root. So she could make the soap that would lovingly clean her parents and prepare them for burial. She adjusted their clothing and one by one she placed them on the tiny blanket and dragged them through the village to the place of the burial grounds. Once again the people watched, stared and said nothing. No one making an attempt to help her.
Leaving their bodies upon the Cliffs of Death, she sang the death song, chanting for their spirits to be taken to the Grandmother’s and Grandfather’s of the Sacred Directions. Lighting a small sacred fire, she then placed the burial bowls beside them with cornmeal borrowed from others to help in the souls safe journey. She then returned to her lodge. Empty as it was, it was home. Sometimes food was left at the door during the night.
The adults of the village did not speak to her, yet as days passed, the young people of the tribe would come and visit. Asking her to tell the story of the White Wolf. So she went about her simple life each moment, sharing the strength and unconditional love that was shared with her by a wolf with all children that sought her out wanting to learn. Sharing with them stories and encouraging them to relish in their freedom and spirit, and in turn becoming a teacher to them all.
Years passed and with it time brought age, age brought weakness, and soon it was time for her to leave the village and go to the place of death. In her heart she new she would never be taken, that she must take herself. She prepared herself, cleansing herself and putting on her worn leather dress.
She made her way through her door and onto the path that led to the burial site. The people watched as she crawled and pulled her frail self up the hill. Her eyes were filled with strength and dignity. She turned her head sensing something, and her ears heard a loud howling across the lands. She raised her voice and returned the howl. It was a howl of freedom that flowed from her, and as it did she transformed into that of a White Wolf. Gaining strength in her legs her eyes shone in the darkness as she ran across the hills to her freedom.
Today there is still seen a Woman with White flowing hair that stands a top White Woman Canyon even today. Having been seen to change before your eyes into a White Wolf. Helping others to find home, restore faith and find their own personal freedom. Listen to your Spirit form within you, and let it breathe and allow yourself to be who you are meant to be.
Today the Praying Mantis shows up in the 7th card, bringing with it the insights of prayer and meditation. It is easy for all of us to focus on the negatives of the world simply because it’s all around us everywhere. But to find what are souls are searching for is part of our purpose and journey here as we walk the human. When one looks to Buddha, Prophets and Saints the human ideology is to see them as the answer. But what they all have in common and what we should be doing more of is we all have, the gift of Unconditional Love. Do we need to look for something that is so easy to feed our souls with? I think we all can do better by looking at ourselves and loving ourselves for who we are… an imperfect human who is perfect and fits into this big Universe to help bind us all together. Part of that great jigsaw puzzle that works in harmony with the rest of the world. So bring about balance for yourselves by simply understanding we are all no better than, less than eash other.
Praying Mantis reminds us this day that as Humans we need to walk hand in hand with this amazing world we share with so many… Not only others like us, but ALL Creatures and Life that are part of the Great Mother Earth. We need to remember that even the smallest pebble, the tiniest blade of grass have purpose in the Great Sacred Circle, and it is up to each of us to keep it protected and safe. Just as it is the same with each other… we must keep each other protected and safe from all the negatives in this world.
Praying Mantis shares that we have gotten lost in the daily activity and chaos of our own lives. That we have forgotten to listen to our own voice. With that said it is time to take a step back and breathe in the 7 Sacred breathes. Reground, replenish what we have given away to this moment. Possibly do some simple meditation to recenter ourselves and remember our true self, our true path. Take a moment and breathe, look at all that is Sacred around us. the beauty of even the simplest thing or thought. Time to contemplate before stepping back into life. By doing this you will rekindle the purpose and meaning that are needed at this time.
Praying Mantis teaches us to return to the core of who we are born as. To step on our path with thoughtful placement of how we will imprint ourselves into the world around us. To carefully consider how we will move forward in positives and be prepared to step quickly and decisively when we need to. It is time to listen to our intuition, do not push it away it has guided you through your life sometimes without us realizing. Trust what you are sensing, what you are feeling and move or stand accordingly to that inner voice.
I thought it was fitting sinceGrandmother Moon has been ever so playful of us as of late, keeping us on our toes and eyes wide open during her reign in our night skies, that I once again revisit the story of the Snow Moon. It has long been a favorite of mine and a story that delights the children as well as the child that dwells within. Yet it also holds valuable lessons of community, trust and working together. So I hope you can enjoy the story as much as I do telling and sharing it. Perhaps it will shine a little light in your life and illuminate your world to a better understanding of things….
As it was long ago and far to the north… winter nights were very long, dark and bitter cold. Nights were so long, dark and cold that all the Four Leggeds and their friends could barely gather enough food to survive the season. No matter how quickly they tried to gather nuts and seeds, the darkness covered them and stopped all their efforts. On such a day Squirrel decided that something had to be done. Her first stop would be a visit to her friends the field mice.
“Oh, we do not know what to do,” said Father Mouse. “We have so many children to feed, and the winter nights are so long and dark.”
“I will help you my little friends,” Squirrel replied.
Next Squirrel went to see Porcupine to ask him if he too had been having trouble finding food during the long dark winter.
“Oh, yes,” said Porcupine,“ nothing can be done it has always been this way.”
“I don’t believe that,” said Squirrel. “There must be something that can be done.”
“It’s best to leave things as they are for you never know what could happen if you try and change things,” said Porcupine. With a bristle of quills, he scurried off through wintery wind and snow.
Squirrel sat and thought for a bit and then decided to seek out Owl. Owl rested by day and flew the woods at night, with eyes bigger than all the other animals. Perhaps Owl would know a way to bring light to the winter forest.
Squirrel climbed high in Owl’s maple tree and waited for Owl to wake.
“What brings you to me Squirrel?” asked Owl.
“All of the small woodland animals need to hunt by darkness as well as day. The northern winter nights are far too dark for us. If we could only find a little light to help us see we could gather our food with ease”
Owl agreed to ponder on this problem. He lifted his feathery head and then buried it into his shoulders to think. He thought all day long, while Squirrel shivered on the windy branch. Finally, he startled with thought, “I will talk to the Sky Father and see if he can bring the stars closer to us during the winter time.”
Squirrel flicked her tail in excitement and hope as she raced down the tree to her spot in the woods. A few days went by and then Owl flew in and landed at Squirrel’s burrow.
“Tell our small friends that the Sky Father has decided he will bring the stars closer to us at night. But first, he must clear all the clouds from the sky. We must all prepare for a strong and terrible blizzard.” With that said, Owl flew off to his tree.
All the animals worked as quickly as they could to forage all the nuts, berries and seeds that they found. Then they gathered and huddled in a hollow log and watched as the huge storm clouds gathered in the sky above.
For three days the Sky Father gathered the storm clouds in the sky, stacking them in huge towers. The animals shivered below, waiting. On the third day, the storm arrived. The blizzard howled through the woods. The animals were frightened, all except Squirrel for she believed in what Owl had promised.
When the storm died away, a huge snowdrift had blocked the hollow log so that the animals could see nothing but the wall of snow and the darkness from inside the hollow space. They were scared and disappointed, thinking that only hunger and darkness awaited them.
Brave Little Squirrel made her way through all her friends and turned to them, “Wait here, I will tunnel out and see if the stars are closer as the Great Sky Father promised.”
Squirrel dug and dug, pushing through the cold and wet snow finally reaching the top. When her head popped out through the snow, she gasped in surprise. The winter stars hung so low in the evening sky, it seemed that she could almost touch them.
A large, antlered moose stepped forward and bowed his head, “I have been sent to help you, if you little animals can gather all the snow you can and push it into a giant snowball, I will then carry it cradled in my antlers across the highest mountain ridges, where it will shed light on even the darkest winter nights.”
So they all worked together with the help of the moose and the Sky Father to create the first Snow Moon. Now despite the cold and the long nights of darkness, all are happy in the winter when the stars come close and the moon shines bright like great snowball in the sky.
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,
bear Medicinewalker
Music provided by Chris Ferree and available at http://www.chrisferree.com as part of the Wolf and the bear Network @2021