Power Animal Cards

Owl, Omens. (pay attention to signs).

It's extremely important to pay attention to signs--especially repetitive one's. These are clues you can see, hear, or feel around you. Sometimes they're subtle, sometimes very obvious. These messages may come through a conversation you overhear, a newspaper headline you just happened to glance at, a friend calling on the phone, or any number of other ways. The key is to be open at this most auspicious time for guidance in the form of these omens.

These are not random occurrences. Although they appear outside your own skin, they're responding to a call your soul is making, whether or not you're aware of it. These omens are manifestations of spirit's directives, so it's important to keep an open mind and heart to the cues you're receiving. Don't over-analyze them, but do heed them. By observing with all your senses, the wisdom of the natural world and even the human made world will speak to you.

Additional Associations: Wisdom, Shadows, Secrecy, Magician.

Coyote - Wise Fool

Pause for a moment. Think of those times when you've acted thoughtless or foolish--perhaps even more recently. How did you feel? Embarrassed? Ashamed? Well, it's time to let go, to stop attacking or shaming yourself. It's not just about forgiving yourself or blandly accepting these instances. It goes way beyond that to loving the fool inside, that part of you that with such childlike innocence behaves in a way that sometimes brings on social or self-condemnation.

To sincerely and deeply love that part of you surpasses rote forgiveness or bland acceptance. It opens you to loving yourself unconditionally as well as loving the foibles of others. The burden of such shame is too great for anyone to carry. You must see these idiosyncrasies with a sense of humour. When you do something foolish, the sooner you can laugh about it--with yourself, not at your--self the sooner you can move to a place of true self-acceptance. It's often only later, when we can look back at these situations, that we can discern the more important lessons and the wisdom contained within them.

Additional Associations: Trickster; Sociability; Adaptability; Wisdom-keeper

Wolf - Guardian.

You are protected at all times. Trust that! The physical, emotional, and psychic barriers you've erected to protect yourself from past hurts and wounds are simply no longer needed. You've moved beyond your need for the illusion of safety that these habitual defences have provided. It's time to trust that spirit is always available to aid in your protection when you really need it.

Relaxing these barriers, and knowing that they're accessible if you really need them, leaves you open to love, both giving and receiving - especially to the ones you're closest to. Don't hold back, clutching to some obscure fear that others won't love you back. Be outrageous in expressing your affection for those you love, and know that your family ultimately extends beyond any lines drawn by heredity, race, or species. All of us beings on this planet are family--whether human, animal, or plant--and the more you love, the more love finds you. Take good care.

Additional Associations: Family; Loyalty; Friendship; Teacher.

Hawk – (Focus) - Choose your priorities and eliminate all “distractions”

Look at all the choices – before you, and select one to which you’re willing to give your passionate attention. Once you decide, the right action to take becomes immediately apparent, and Life supports you and provides what you need. You can then arrange all your priorities around that which you’ve chosen. Set personal boundaries and practice self-care when and where needed. If you don’t, you can easily get overwhelmed and fragmented, and your power will become scattered and diffused.

Let go of all those habitual diversions that you’ve made so important. It’s time to go to work on the priority you chose and let it flow. The practice of staying focused is in itself a meditation, and this is how you can best express the gifts of service you have to offer to the world and to your Creator.

Additional Associations: Messenger; Perspective; Detachment; Swiftness

Snake – (Healing) – “You are a Healer”

The healing gifts you possess are not actually yours. They emanate from divine spirit and are grounded in your body, and it’s through your body that this force is focused and expressed.
The two areas that are “hot spots” for this concentration of life force are your heart and your hands.
Pay attention to these areas, and do whatever you must to keep them energetically clear.
An effective way to clear your heart and hands is to purge them by bathing them in white light, allowing whatever psychic debris has been rinsed off with the light to drain down your spine and legs and out through the soles of your feet into Mother Earth.

She will readily and easily accept this invisible toxic waste and transform it into new life.
Don’t fear your healing power. It’s your destiny to relieve the suffering of others, and do as you do so, you transform your own suffering from this and other lifetimes and into compassion and love, which is the purest expression of life energy you can have.

That is healing, no matter what the form is. The more open you remain, the more the master power of the universe can come through you and create miracles.


Additional Associations: Rebirth, Sexuality, Transmutation, Transformation

Raven – (Magic) – Own your power

Trying to keep yourself little by denying your power so you won’t be a threat to anyone merely keeps you in a false bubble of safety. Of course, at least that way you won’t get noticed much or stand out. Well, that trick has worn out its welcome. You’re more powerful than you think you are, so it’s time to stop pretending. Those psychic games you play – like finding convenient parking spaces or knowing when a certain someone is going to call – those are just parlour tricks, yet they’re subtle testimonies to the gifts you have.

There’s no need to take on airs about your incredible talents. Let them serve you, but mainly let them be of service to others – whether human, animal, plant, or mineral. Use your abilities to demonstrate to others that there is this amazing power of spirit available that can move mountains, a force that can be accessed with the proper mix of faith, intention, and focus. So stop doubting, worrying, or making excuses, and own your capacity to be a powerful magician. Use these gifts to help make this a better world for all beings.

Additional Associations: Shadow, Insight, Prophecy, Shape-Shifting

Dolphin: (Playfulness)

You’re thinking too much and doing too much, such that you’re disconnected from your feelings. The best way to integrate your intellect, emotions, and actions, believe it or not, is through play. You’ve been analyzing this and that and strategizing for the future at the cost of ignoring the present and a more basic need to let go and just have some fun. Get away from all that through play, and you’ll find that your thinking is much clearer and more insightful.

There are a couple of ways to play. One is a structured activity or game. This is a great avenue for socializing and playing with other people. Another is – hold on. Now – spontaneous, but you can simply be spontaneous. All it takes is the right attitude. You can do this anywhere, even at work. Dance, sing, or make a joke. It,ll help you lose your mind for a while, or at least bring it into balance with your body and your feelings. And stop taking all of this so seriously! It’s only life!

Additional Associations: Communication, Breath, Community, Guidance

Turtle

Turtle is the oldest symbol of the Earth. The personification of goddess energy and the eternal Earth itself. Self protection through non-violent defense. Healing powers of feminine illness, inner
knowledge and thought. Slow down your pace and focus on grounding your thoughts and actions. Return to the Earth equal to what you take. Keeper of doorway into the Faerie Realm.

Turtle reminds us that the way to heaven is through the earth. In Mother Earth is all that we need. She will care for us, protect us, and nurture us, as long as we do the same for her.
For that to happen, we must slow down and heighten our sensibilities. We must see the connection to all things. Just as the Turtle cannot separate itself from its shell, neither can we separate ourselves from what we do to the Earth.

Turtle is the totem of the Earth Clan. Once, when there was only water and nowhere for the people and animals to go, Turtle made a great sacrifice and let everyone come and live on her back. TurtleIsland is the Native American name for the Earth or the continent. Turtle will be your guide to contact our Earth Mother for wisdom and healing and reminds us, in return, to tread gently and with respect.



The Raven
This was Posted by Theresa F Koch M.S. on December 1, 2009

Raven Totem Mandala

This Mandala is done combining the style of traditional Pacific Northwest Indian art with celtic knotwork. In the center is Raven - the main deity of Pacific Northwest myth. Raven is a trickster, shaman, and light-bringer - responsible for bringing light to the world. Meditate on this Mandala to bring yourself out of darkness. If you're going through a troubled period in your life, Raven can help you rise out of it. Pay attention to your dreams - some of the answers you seek will be shown to you there.

Mandalas have been used throughout time as a tool for meditation and healing. The sacred circle can be seen everywhere in nature - galaxies, our planet, flowers, individual cells - it can be seen everywhere. The energy of these powerful patterns is poured into all Mandalas. Every Mandala symbolizes or represents an aspect of nature and/or spirit. This energy can be used to help heal and transform through meditation.

How is this done? Here is how I've learned to do it:

Find a Mandala that represents what you're trying to heal or meditate on. Place it before you and relax. Focus on the center of the Mandala. Stare directly into it, blinking as little as possible. Breathe slowly in and out. After a little while you will notice a shift - the colors of the Mandala will brighten and maybe even begin to move. Let yourself open to the energy pouring from the Mandala. Feel it flowing into and through you. Do this for as long as it is comfortable. After you see the colors shifting and pulsating for awhile, close your eyes - you will see an amazing thing! The Mandala will appear in front of your closed eyes. Watch and feel it as it pulsates - parts of the Mandala will brighten then fade. Imagine and feel the power and energy of the Mandala flowing through you. Feel it soothe and calm you. If you're trying to heal some part of yourself, feel the energy of the Mandala flowing into you - healing what needs to be healed. Repeat this for as many times as you feel you need to...



A BIT ABOUT THE RAVEN

Raven's Wisdom Includes:

Rebirth without fear
Ability to tear down what needs to be rebuilt
Renewal
Ability to find light in darkness
Courage of self-reflection
Introspection
Comfort with self
Honoring ancestors
Connection to the Crone
Divination
Change in consciousness
New occurrences
Eloquence

Raven
Corvus corax

Range
Worldwide, except for the high Arctic, Antarctic. southern South America, New Zealand and most oceanic islands.

Habitat
Seacoasts, mountains, forests and deserts.

Size
6 - 26 inches long. Can weigh up to 50 ounces. The largest member of the crow family.

Characteristics
Large bird with a short, or medium-lengthed square tail and plumage that is black with a slight purplish gloss. They have a large black bill and black legs.

Behavior
Often seen in small groups, typically with a sentinel on a high perch. These birds are wary of humans and learn quickly from their experience in situations. These birds are known for their 'cah cah' call, but are capable of mimicking many sounds.

Reproduction
The male and female raven will often defend breeding territories where they nest. Usually 2 - 8 eggs are laid and incubation lasts 18 - 20 days. The young will usually leave the nest after 20 - 45 days.

Diet
Varied. Includes fruit, seeds, insects, small vertebrates, eggs of other birds and carrion.

Lifespan
15 - 20 years. Record in captivity is 29.

Miscellaneous
The ravens name (corvus corax) means "croaker" in Greek.

The Raven was a sacred bird to the ancient Celtic peoples. Many of the Celtic Dark Goddesses, such as the Morrigan, are able to transform themselves into the forms of ravens and crows while observing a battle.

These large black birds are generally seen after the battle, picking the carrion off the newly slain. Stigmatized as dirty scavengers, they can never-the-less give us the message that we all must take in the life of another to sustain ourselves.

This bird's association with death has given it a mysterious power. The Celts believed that ravens and crows served as messengers from the Otherworlds. Often to see one or hear one's terrible cry was an omen of great change within the observer's life, a death of one thing and the rebirth of another.

This is the Raven's gift: beginnings in endings. This ancient wisdom is what the crows and ravens carry with them, this is their terrible and wonderful magic.
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