Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 23:30:34 GMT -5
From: ♫Mysti♫ (Original Message) Sent: 9/29/2003 3:16 PM
KEYNOTE: Guardianship, Ritual, Loyalty, and Spirit
CYCLE OF POWER: Year Round-- Full Moons-- Twilight
Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of the wild mammals. Tales of terrror and their cold-bloodedness abound. Although many stories tell otherwise, there has never been any confirmed attack and killing of a human by a healthy wolf. In spite of the negative press, wolves are almost the exact opposite of how they are protrayed. They are friendly, social, and highly intelligent. Their sense of family is strong and loyal, and they live by carefully defined rules and rituals.
Wolves are the epitome of the wild spirit. Their positive characteristics are so numerous it is no wonder that Native Americans and others practically deified them. Many believe that the true test of America's sincerity about protecting the environment will revolve around whether or not the wolf remains protected and is allowed to be reintroduced into areas of the country where it has heretofore been eliminated. The wolf is the true spirit of the free and unspoiled wilderness.
There are several kinds of wolves in North America. The red wolf is the smallest and it may even be extinct in the wild, although there are efforts to reintroduce it. Its territory was in the southern US. The Mexican wolf is a subspecies of the more common gray wolf. It is found in the southwest United States and Mexico. It was hunted almost to extincition , and is now part of a recoverand captive breeding plan. The Arctic wolf is probably the purest breed. Ling in an isolated are around the Artic circle has enabled its survival.
The gray or timber wolf is the most common. Only in Alaska, Canada, and the region around the Great Lakes area is it found today. It was hunted to extinction in all other areas of the country. The gray wolf is not always gray. It may be black, gray, brown, white, or various combinations.
Wolves are very ritualistic--in as many ways as humans. They live by carefully defined rules. There are specific territories that are sacred. Their social behavior is based upon a hierarchical structure. Each has its place and function within the hierarchy. There is an "alpha" male and an "alpha" female.
Wolves do not fight unnecessarily. In fact, they will often go out of their way to avoid it. Thourgh they are extremely strong and powerful, disagreements rarely end in serious fights. Often a glace, a posture, a growl is all that is necessary to determine dominance. They dont have to demonstrate it, but they are capable if it comes down to it. This is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf teaches you to know who you are and to develop strength, confidence and surety in that so that you do not have to demonstrate and prove yourself to all.
Wolves have a complex communication system--using body language. The movement of the head, an erect tail, direct eye contact--all have great meaning. The postures are often subtle, but eeach wolf learns from the time they are pups how to read and respond. The facial expressions of the wolf are varied and useful in conveying the mood to other members of the pack. It is a most important visual center of communication. It also uses its tail position to effectively communicate as well. Usually those with wolf totems are very expressive w/ hands, posture, face or in some other manner. If you have difficulty conveying your moods and ideas to others, meditate and study the wolf. It will teach you how to empower your verbal communications w/ appropriate body language.
Wolves also have a complex system of vocal communications. They howl, whimper, whine, growl, and even bark. Even the howls may serve as a signal to call others of the pack or to locate the other members. They may be social expression. They are used to greet on another and to define certian territories. They even howl just for the joy of it.
Every member of the pack knows its position in relationship to everyone else within that pack. The ritualistic behaviors that establish the wolf ranks are part of its magic. Wolf packs are not entire.y autocratic--under the supremem rule of the alpha member. Neither are they democratic. There are times when both occur, and it is this flexibility which adds to the success ofthe wolf government. Wolf can teach the lesson of proper governorship--a balance between authority and democracy. Wolf can teach you how to use ritual to establish orderand harmony within your own life. Wolf helps us to understand that true freedom requires discipline.
The alpha male and female often mate for life. Breeding season is usually in late winter, with the female giving birth about two months later. All members of the pack show great care and affection toward the playful pups. They are extrememly tolerant. If the mother or father is unable to care for them, then another member will adopt the yhoung. Some wolves will even serve as babysitters. Adult wolves are friendly and amiable toward pups, and wolf medicine teaches respect and honor for family and for children.
Wolves become sexually mature at about the ager of 22-24 months. For those who have a wolf come to them, look for its energies and influences in your life to take this sam possible time pattern.
Wolves are, of course, predators. Their prey consists most often of the sick, the young, and the old. Deer is their most common prey animal. Wolves will not waste much time on a healthy adult moose that stands its ground. Wolves travel great distances in their hunting. They have a stamina and strength that enables them to travel far, and for exteded periods. They have been clocked at 24 to 28 miles per hour. Although the wolf cant maintain that speed for any great length of time, it does seem able to trot indefinitely t about five miles per hour. In winter wolves will use frozen lakes and rivers as travel routes and can travel 15-25 kilometers in a single night.
Wolves usually consume all that they capture, gorging themselves. For those w/ wolf totems, this can indicate a need to make use of all that is available to you. Sometimes wolves show up as a totem to remind us not to waste, as much as to remind us to keep our spirits alive.
The wolf has an extreme intelligence. It goes out of its way to avoid trouble or danger. Some believe that wolves even use ravens as aerial spotters for possible food sources. The raven has a connection to the moose in Eskimo lore, and since moose can be a prey of wolves, raven is linked to them as well. Ravens will often follow wolves. They will fly ahead, land in a tree and wait for the wolves to pass and then fly on again. Wolf expert David Mech reported a playful behavioral relationship sometimes displayed between wolves and ravens. Raven should also be studied by those w/ wolf totems.
Wolves have extremely keen senses, particularly that of smell. It is said to be one hundred times greater then that of humans. The sense of smell endows it w/ great discrimination, and the sense of smell has often been associated w/ spiritual idealism in metaphysical circles.
The wolf also has an excellent hearing sensitivity. Its hunting depends strongley upon its sense of smell and hearing. This would be a reminder to those w/ this totem to listen to their own inner thoughts and words. The intuition will be strong. This idea is even futher emphasized by the thick coat of fur the wolf has. Fur and hair have long been symbols of psychic ablities. The wolf has both an inner coat and an outer, giving it the ability to reflect the archetypal forces associated w/ psychic insight.
The wolf has a capacity for making quick and firm emotional attachements. Learning to trust your own insights and to secure your attachments accordingly is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf can help you to hear the inner and guard you from inappropraite actions. It will guard you as it teache you--sometimes strongly, sometimes gently--but always with love. When wolf shows up, it is time to breathe new life inot your life rituals. Find a new path, take a new journey, take control of your life. You are the governor of your life. You create it and direct it. Do so w/ harmony and discipline, and then you will know the true spirit of freedom.
Animal-Speak Ted Andrews
KEYNOTE: Guardianship, Ritual, Loyalty, and Spirit
CYCLE OF POWER: Year Round-- Full Moons-- Twilight
Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of the wild mammals. Tales of terrror and their cold-bloodedness abound. Although many stories tell otherwise, there has never been any confirmed attack and killing of a human by a healthy wolf. In spite of the negative press, wolves are almost the exact opposite of how they are protrayed. They are friendly, social, and highly intelligent. Their sense of family is strong and loyal, and they live by carefully defined rules and rituals.
Wolves are the epitome of the wild spirit. Their positive characteristics are so numerous it is no wonder that Native Americans and others practically deified them. Many believe that the true test of America's sincerity about protecting the environment will revolve around whether or not the wolf remains protected and is allowed to be reintroduced into areas of the country where it has heretofore been eliminated. The wolf is the true spirit of the free and unspoiled wilderness.
There are several kinds of wolves in North America. The red wolf is the smallest and it may even be extinct in the wild, although there are efforts to reintroduce it. Its territory was in the southern US. The Mexican wolf is a subspecies of the more common gray wolf. It is found in the southwest United States and Mexico. It was hunted almost to extincition , and is now part of a recoverand captive breeding plan. The Arctic wolf is probably the purest breed. Ling in an isolated are around the Artic circle has enabled its survival.
The gray or timber wolf is the most common. Only in Alaska, Canada, and the region around the Great Lakes area is it found today. It was hunted to extinction in all other areas of the country. The gray wolf is not always gray. It may be black, gray, brown, white, or various combinations.
Wolves are very ritualistic--in as many ways as humans. They live by carefully defined rules. There are specific territories that are sacred. Their social behavior is based upon a hierarchical structure. Each has its place and function within the hierarchy. There is an "alpha" male and an "alpha" female.
Wolves do not fight unnecessarily. In fact, they will often go out of their way to avoid it. Thourgh they are extremely strong and powerful, disagreements rarely end in serious fights. Often a glace, a posture, a growl is all that is necessary to determine dominance. They dont have to demonstrate it, but they are capable if it comes down to it. This is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf teaches you to know who you are and to develop strength, confidence and surety in that so that you do not have to demonstrate and prove yourself to all.
Wolves have a complex communication system--using body language. The movement of the head, an erect tail, direct eye contact--all have great meaning. The postures are often subtle, but eeach wolf learns from the time they are pups how to read and respond. The facial expressions of the wolf are varied and useful in conveying the mood to other members of the pack. It is a most important visual center of communication. It also uses its tail position to effectively communicate as well. Usually those with wolf totems are very expressive w/ hands, posture, face or in some other manner. If you have difficulty conveying your moods and ideas to others, meditate and study the wolf. It will teach you how to empower your verbal communications w/ appropriate body language.
Wolves also have a complex system of vocal communications. They howl, whimper, whine, growl, and even bark. Even the howls may serve as a signal to call others of the pack or to locate the other members. They may be social expression. They are used to greet on another and to define certian territories. They even howl just for the joy of it.
Every member of the pack knows its position in relationship to everyone else within that pack. The ritualistic behaviors that establish the wolf ranks are part of its magic. Wolf packs are not entire.y autocratic--under the supremem rule of the alpha member. Neither are they democratic. There are times when both occur, and it is this flexibility which adds to the success ofthe wolf government. Wolf can teach the lesson of proper governorship--a balance between authority and democracy. Wolf can teach you how to use ritual to establish orderand harmony within your own life. Wolf helps us to understand that true freedom requires discipline.
The alpha male and female often mate for life. Breeding season is usually in late winter, with the female giving birth about two months later. All members of the pack show great care and affection toward the playful pups. They are extrememly tolerant. If the mother or father is unable to care for them, then another member will adopt the yhoung. Some wolves will even serve as babysitters. Adult wolves are friendly and amiable toward pups, and wolf medicine teaches respect and honor for family and for children.
Wolves become sexually mature at about the ager of 22-24 months. For those who have a wolf come to them, look for its energies and influences in your life to take this sam possible time pattern.
Wolves are, of course, predators. Their prey consists most often of the sick, the young, and the old. Deer is their most common prey animal. Wolves will not waste much time on a healthy adult moose that stands its ground. Wolves travel great distances in their hunting. They have a stamina and strength that enables them to travel far, and for exteded periods. They have been clocked at 24 to 28 miles per hour. Although the wolf cant maintain that speed for any great length of time, it does seem able to trot indefinitely t about five miles per hour. In winter wolves will use frozen lakes and rivers as travel routes and can travel 15-25 kilometers in a single night.
Wolves usually consume all that they capture, gorging themselves. For those w/ wolf totems, this can indicate a need to make use of all that is available to you. Sometimes wolves show up as a totem to remind us not to waste, as much as to remind us to keep our spirits alive.
The wolf has an extreme intelligence. It goes out of its way to avoid trouble or danger. Some believe that wolves even use ravens as aerial spotters for possible food sources. The raven has a connection to the moose in Eskimo lore, and since moose can be a prey of wolves, raven is linked to them as well. Ravens will often follow wolves. They will fly ahead, land in a tree and wait for the wolves to pass and then fly on again. Wolf expert David Mech reported a playful behavioral relationship sometimes displayed between wolves and ravens. Raven should also be studied by those w/ wolf totems.
Wolves have extremely keen senses, particularly that of smell. It is said to be one hundred times greater then that of humans. The sense of smell endows it w/ great discrimination, and the sense of smell has often been associated w/ spiritual idealism in metaphysical circles.
The wolf also has an excellent hearing sensitivity. Its hunting depends strongley upon its sense of smell and hearing. This would be a reminder to those w/ this totem to listen to their own inner thoughts and words. The intuition will be strong. This idea is even futher emphasized by the thick coat of fur the wolf has. Fur and hair have long been symbols of psychic ablities. The wolf has both an inner coat and an outer, giving it the ability to reflect the archetypal forces associated w/ psychic insight.
The wolf has a capacity for making quick and firm emotional attachements. Learning to trust your own insights and to secure your attachments accordingly is part of what wolf medicine teaches. The wolf can help you to hear the inner and guard you from inappropraite actions. It will guard you as it teache you--sometimes strongly, sometimes gently--but always with love. When wolf shows up, it is time to breathe new life inot your life rituals. Find a new path, take a new journey, take control of your life. You are the governor of your life. You create it and direct it. Do so w/ harmony and discipline, and then you will know the true spirit of freedom.
Animal-Speak Ted Andrews