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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:42:54 GMT -5
From: CoSmIcNiGhTsHaDe (Original Message) Sent: 7/26/2003 7:11 AM hey. how do i find out what my animal totem is, and what it stands for? i know everyone has one, but, thats about all i know about this. can you help me with this? thx. angel
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:43:24 GMT -5
From: ♫Mysti♫ Sent: 7/26/2003 3:32 PM You find ur animal totum during meditation. I have a book that tells what each animal means.. you meditate and the animal that presents itself to u time and again is ur totum.
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:43:54 GMT -5
From: CoSmIcNiGhTsHaDe Sent: 7/27/2003 2:36 PM There's only one animal that really fascinates me, and that's a scorpio. I even had 3 scorpio's of my own, just cause i like em so much. But, when i dream, and an aniaml is in one of em, it always are spiders or snakes. And, well, they scare me to death. T (my hubby) had a tyger-python and, well, i got the cold shivers just thinking about it. Does tell me or does it help to find me my animal totem? Hugs, Angel
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:44:29 GMT -5
From: ♫Mysti♫ Sent: 7/27/2003 4:04 PM ok this is going to be a long post.. but informative for u i hope.. i cannot find scorpion in my book so i will have to look more on that for you .. but lets get some of the fear outta ur dreams first.. The spider has shown up in myth and lore throughout the world. Usually its symbolism has been very similar where it is used. In India it was associated w/ Maya, the weaver of illusion. It has has connections to the Fates in greek mythology and the Norns in Scandinavian lore-- women who would weave, measure, and cut the threads of life. To the Native Americans, spider is grandmother, the link to the past and future. Unlike insects, spiders have a two section body instead of three, often giving them a figure eight kind of appearance. This in conjunction w/ its eight legs(unlike an insect's six) links it to all the mysticism associated w/ the geometric form of the figure eight. On its side, this is the symbol of infinity. It is the wheel of life, flowing from one circle to the next. The difficuly is learning to walk those circles or even hold your position w/ in the middle between the two. Spider teaches you to maintain a ballance--between the past and the future, physical and spiritual, male and female. Spider teaches you that everything you now do is weaving what you will encounter in the future. In the tarot deck is a card-- The Wheel of Fortune. This is a card that has to do w/ rhythms-- the rise and fall, the flow and flux. It is linked to the energies of honor and fame, and the sensitivities necessary to place oursselves w/ in the rhythm of Nature. Meditaion upon this card would be beneficial for anyone w/ the spider as a totem. The spider awakens creative sensibilities. It weaves a web of intricate and subtle fabric, as it to remind us that the past always subtly influences the present and future. Often the webs will take a spiral shape, the traditional form of creativity and developement. the spider found w/ in the web reminds us that we are the center of our own world. The ancient mystery schools had one precept inscribed above their portals: "Know thyself and thou shalt know the Universe!" Spider reminds us that the world is woven around us. We are the keepers and the writers of our own destiny, weaving it like a web by our thoughts, feelings, and actions. The spider, because of its characteristics, has come to be associated by the mystics and in mythology w/ three predominant expressions of magic. The first magic and energy of creation. It is a symbol of creative power, reflected in its a bility to spin a silken web. It is also associated w/ assertiveness of that creative force, of keeping the feminine energies of creation alive and strong. This has ties to the characteristics of some spider, i.e. the female black widow, which will kill and eat the male after mating has exausted it. The third predominant magic of the spider is associated w/ its spiral energy the links w/ the past and the future. The spirial of the web, converging at a central point, is something to be meditated upon by those w/ this totem. Are you moving tward a central goal or are u scattered and going in multiple directions? Is everything staying focused? Are you becoming too involved and or self absorbed? Are you focusing on other' accomplishments and not on your own? Are you developing resentent because of it-- for yourself or them? Spider is the guardian of the ancient languages and alphabets. Every society has had myths about how the different languages and alphabets were formed. The Chinese alphabet is attributed to Ts'ang Chien, the god w/ the dragon face and four eyes. He formed it from the patterns of the stars, the marks on the backs of the turtle and the footprints of birs in the sand. The Norse god Odin created the Runic alphabet after hanging upon the great tree of life for nine days and nights. After this time, the twigs fell off and spelled out certain formulas and words. To many, there was an alphabet even more primordial. It was formed by the geometric patterns and angles found w/ in spider's web. To many this was the first true alphabet. This is why spider is considered the teacher of language and the magic of writing. Those who weave magic w/ the written word probably have a spider totem. The spider has long been associated w/ death and rebirth. Part of this may have to do w/ the fact that some female spiders will kill and eat the male after mating. This is often found in the insect world, the praying mantis being another such example. Because it is constantly building and weaving new webs, it has also been a lunar symbol, w/ ties to the waxing and waining of the moon. For those w/ this totem, this pattern is a reminder to maintain balance and polarity in all aspects of life. Spider teaches that through polarity and balance creativity is stimulated. Most spiders are actually very very delicate. If you were holding a tarantula and dropped it, it would break and die. Spiders are a combination of gentleness and strength, and they have learned to combine both for successful survival. This is an important lesson for those w/ this totem. As delicate as they are, spiders are also very agile. They can maintain ballance and walk the tiny silken threads w/ ease. To walk the threads of lif and maintain balance has been one of the mysteries throughout the ages. Myth and lore often speak of individuals who have learned to walk the threads between life and death--waking and sleeping--between the physical and the spiritual. This is part of what spider medicine can teach, for spiders are the experts at walking threads. Most people have little or no contact w/ the bigger spiders, but they will often see a wide variety around the house and home. Maany of these serve vital functions, killing more harmful insects. Most of their movement occurs in the dark, and they move into inaccessible areas. This relects much about how to express the creative energies. Don't be afraid to employ it in seemingly inaccessible corners. Weave your creative threads in the dark and then when the sun hits them, they will glisten w/ intricate beauty. If spider has come into your life, ask yourself some important questions. Are you not weaving your dreams and imaginings into reality? Are you not using your creative opportunities? Are you feeling closed in or stuck as if in a web? Do you need to pay attention to your balance and where you are walking in life? Are others out of balance around you? Do you need to write? Are you inspired to write or draw and not following through? Remember that spider is the keeper of knowledge of the primordial alphabet. Spider can teach how to use the written language w/ power and creativity so that your words weave a web around those who would read them. Animal Speak Ted Andrews
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:44:54 GMT -5
From: CoSmIcNiGhTsHaDe Sent: 7/28/2003 2:42 AM Ow, well. It a little more clear for me now. Cause sometimes, when i have dreams, and a spider is in it, I do feel kinda "trapped". Like being stuck in a web and can't or don't wanna get out of it. It seems now that the spider is much more than a "scary" animal, and, well, that is really is kinda fascinating. Imma gonna try and see if i can find out what exactly i find so scary about em. Maybe, if i spend some time studiying or reading about em and stuff, i'll find em more beautiful and smarter then i thought they where. Tyvm Mystic!
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:45:23 GMT -5
From: CoSmIcNiGhTsHaDe Sent: 7/30/2003 7:29 AM MM Mystic.
It's just that I'm feeling a little strange, I dunno what's happening. Last few weeks I have had a few visions. One time, when i shaked hands with a stranger, one time when i wanted to take a nap, and another time when we where walking home at night. I saw some things that "would happen" and, well, the scary thing is, they did came out like i "saw". I really dunno how to deal with this, cause, i didnt even know it was "real", i thought it only happened at television or in stories. I had another one this morning when i went to a shop and the owner gave me his card with adress and closing-hours. It upset me a little, cause, i dunno what or how i getting these visions, and, well, im pregnant, so, i gotta stop worrying. lol. Hope you can help me find out why i'm getting em or stuff like that, cause, i really find it scary. Thx.
Blessed Be, Angel_eyes_21
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Post by Spirit of the Lynx on Jul 4, 2007 18:45:55 GMT -5
From: ♫Mysti♫ Sent: 7/30/2003 10:53 AM Ok here is ur info on the snake.. Of all the reptiles-- and maybe even all the animals-- the snake has been the subject of great controversy and paradox. Religious sources argue over whether it is the symbol of the higher or the lower. Sometimes seen as devil and sometimes as healer, it is an animal that truly has earned the mythical reputation. In the Americas, the snake served as a prominent symbol in art and lore. To the Native Americans, the snake is a symbol of transfromation and healing. Snake ceremonies involved learning to transmute the poisons w/ in the body after being bitten multiple times. Survival of this would then enable the individual to transmute all poisons--physical or otherwise. It activated the energy of kill or cure, ultimately leading to dramatic healings. In the Meso-American societies, the serpent or snake was depicted as feathered or flying. It was a symbol of their greatest god and hero, Quetzalcoatl. Quetzalcoatl's story is the myth of a dying god who would someday return. In many ways he was the patron god of the Toltecs, and it was said that the heavens and stars and all the motions of the universe were under his dominion. He was the master of the winds and of the clouds and the protecting genius of his people. In Greece the snake was also a symbol of aschemy and healing. The god Hermes carried a staff upon which were entwined two snakes. This caduceus symbol is the primary symbol of modern medicine and doctors. It is the symbol of wisdom experssed through healing. In India the goddesss Vinata was teh mother of snakes and a symbol of water and the underworld. Also in India there were demigods, Nagas and their beautiful wives, Naginis, who were usually depicted as half cobra and half deity. The god Vishnu is often depicted sleeping on the serpent of eternity called Anata. Shiva wears snakes for braceltes and necklaces, representing sexuality. The serpent and snake has long been a symbol of the sexual/creative life force w/ in human as is taught in Eastern traditions. The kundalini or serpent frire lies coiled at the base of the spine. As we grow and develop, the primal energy is released, rising up the spine. This in turn activates energy centers in the body and the mind, opneing new dimensions and levels of awareness, health, and creativity. In Chinese astrology one of every twelve years is named for the snak. Those born w/ in that year are believed to have the qualities of compassion, clairvoyance and charm. They usually need to learn lessons associated w/ forgiveness, and superstitiousness and possessiveness as well. A study of Chinese astrology will help you w/ this. In Egypt the snake has also had mystical significance. The uraeus is a head band in the shape of the snake. Th head of the snake rests and sticks out at the brow area. It was believed to represent a state of inner sight and control of the universe. It was a symbol worn by those who were initiated. Some believe it to be a variations of the eye-of Horus, while others see it as the sacred eye of Ra. It represented a certain degree of wisdom and understanding. Because it sheds its skin, the snake has long been a symbol of death and rebirth. It sheds its skin as it outgrows the old. This death and rebirth cycle is part of what snake represents. It has ties and significance to the ancient alchemists and their symbolic transmutation of lead into gold. This is associated w/ higher wisdom that comes w/ the passing of time. This cycle of death and rebirth is often symbolized by the ouroborus, the ancient image of a snake swallowing its own tail. it is the symbol of eternity. Before the snake begins to shed its skin, its eyes will begin to cloud over. it gives the snake the trancelike appearance. To many mystics and shamans this indicated the ability of the snake to move between the realms of the living and the dead, of crossing over from life to deat and then back to life again. As the skin begins to shed, the eyes beging to clear as if they will see the world anew. for this reason, alchemists often believed that wisdom and new knowledge would lead to death and rebirth, enabling the individual to see the world from an entirely new perspective. The snake has often been depicted, along w/ its relative, the serpent and the dragon, as a guardian. It is found in mythand lore guarding treasures, the springs of life or sacred places. The snake/serpent guarded the tree on which the golden fleece hung in the Greek tale of Jason and the argonauts. The snake is sinuous and fast. Although many people think of them as slimy, their skin is very dry. In fact, humans are slimier then snakes. If a human runs his or her hand on the floor, it will pick up dirt. A snake's skin will not which is why it is able to slide and move in the manner it does. A snake attacks quickly. It raises itself up and strikes quick, hard, and true to its mark. It is not unusual to find that those w/ this totem can respond the way if need be. It is best not to anger snake people. Although slow to lose thier tempers, once lost, their bite is quick, shar, and direct. They almost always hit their mark. They may end up swallowing you whole or just poisoning you in some way. Anytime a snake shows up as a totem, you can expect death and rebirt to occur in some area of your life. This rarely reflects an actual death but rather a transition. Look for a change in conditions and a movement to new life. Examine what is going on around you. Are you needing to make changes but aren't for some reason? Are you trying to force change too quickly? Are you striking out at people and shouldn't? Are you not striking and should? Remember that a snake not only usues its venom and bite to overcome prey, but also for defense. What is needing to be healed? What new opportunities are surfacing that you need to strike out for and take advantage of? It can also reflect that you own creative forces are awakening. This stimulation of the kundalini usually has physiological as well as spiritual consequences. Physiologically it can activate the sexual drive, bring more energy, etc. Spiritually it can stimulate greater perception of how to apply your insight and intuition. Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate. To understand the specific role your snake totem will play w/ in your life, first begin by examining the form it takes. This alone will tell you much. Every snake has a head, body, and tail, and there are a wide variety of snakes. Some are poisonous, almost all can bite, and some squeeze and strangle their prey by coiling around it. Examine your snake's markings, and the patterns of its scales. A diamond-back rattler is named for its pattern of scales. Examine the significance of geometric shapes. This will help you to define the role the snake will have in your life. The rattlesnake, for example, moves around only during the cool hours of the night. Extreme heat is deadly to it. You may find for yourself that becoming more nocturnal would be of benefit. It has a sidewinding motion to its movement. It also has special sense organ, a small pit in the heat that reacts to heat put out by other creatures. This is how it senses its prey. On a symbolic level this indicates for those w/ this totem an increasing sensitivity to the auras of others. You may start seeing them soon, but you will definittely start sensing them. Trust what you feel around others, no matter how strange it may seem. Always examine some of the qualities and characteristics of the snake in general. Snakes are carnivorous. They swallow their prey whole. To be able to do this, their jaws will unhinge. The mouth is where we take in nutrition in the form of food. This unhinging ability of the snake reflects the increased ability for those w/ this totem to swallow and absorb greater amounts of nutrition for the head, ie: knowledge. Learning opportunities, formal and informal, will surface frequently. Usually w/ a snake totem, there is little chance of overloading the brain circuits. You will be able to swallow and digest whatever you take in. Some people have associated hypnotic qualities w/ the snake because of its stare. The uynblinking stare occurs because the snake has no eyelids. Learning to use the eyes to mesmerize and look into the hears and souls of others directly is part of what traditional snake medicine can teach. It may even indicate a need to look more closely into your own heart and soul. Snakes have a keen sense of smell. They actually smell w/ their tongue, which is why it flicks in and out so much. Inside the mouth of the snake in the roof is an organ called the Jacobson's organ. This organ enables the snake to assimilate the air around them. This organ helps them to taste the air and its ordors, helping thm to locate food sources. The sense of smell is linked to higher forms of discrimination and spiritual idealism. Individuals w/ the snake totem will find themselves extremely sensitive to smells and fragrances. Aromatherapy may be a form of healing that is beneficial to explore. They should pay attention to what is going on around them. Do things really smell right around you? Make sure that you are very discriminating about what you say and to whom--and w/ what you involve yourself. Snakes are symbols of change and healing. They have speed and agility, so those who have snakes come into their life will usually find the changes and shifts occur quickly and are soon recognized and definded. When snake comes inot ur life you can look for a rebirth into new powers of creativity and wisdom. Animal-Speak Ted Andrews
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