Totem animals, part 2

Week 40 - the letter "T" again

In my previous post on totem animals, I shared the soul collage my friend made based off a set of cards.  Well, I now have that info to share. 

The deck is Medicine Cards by David Carson and Jamie Sams.  According to the book that accompanies the deck:

Each and every person has nine power or totem animals that represent the medicine they carry in their earth walk.  These animals or creature beings emulate each person's abilities, talents, and challenges

Cool, eh?

Based on the order in which you draw your cards you get deeper meaning and interpretation. 

East: the animal in the east guides you to your greatest spiritual challenges and guards your path to illumination. 

• I got Turtle (Mother Earth) 
• Turtle...Great Mother, Feed my spirit, Clothe my heart, That I may serve you too
• If you draw the Turtle card, it augurs a time of connecting with the power of Earth and the Mother-Goddess within.  This is a reminder of the ally you have in Mother Earth.  It does not matter what situation you have created, ask her for assistance, and abundance will follow.

South: the animal in the south protects the child within and reminds you when to be humble and when to trust, so that innocence will be balanced in your personality.

• I got Fox (Camouflage)
• Fox...Where are you?  Under the ferns? Becoming the forest, So I can learn?  Are you watching, Invisible to me?  Trying to teach me, To become a tree?
• If Fox has chosen to share its medicine with you, it is a sign that you are to become like the wind, which is unseen yet is able to weave into and through any location or situation.  You would be wise to observe the acts of others rather than their words at this time.  Use your cunning nature in a positive way; keep silent about who and what and why you are observing.  In learning the art of camouflage, you need to test your abilities to pull this off.

West: the animal in the west leads you to your personal truth and inner answers.  It also shows you the path to your goals.

• I got Mouse (Scrutiny)
• Mouse...If I could see the world, Through your tiny eyes, Maybe then I would know, How to scrutinize.  Every detail carries weight, And true to its purpose, Has its perfect puzzle place, To stop the "three-ring circus!"
• If Mouse is in your card-spread, its medicine is telling you to scrutinize.  Look at yourself and others carefully.  Maybe that big hunk of cheese is sitting on a trigger that will spring a deadly trap.  Maybe the cat is in the pantry waiting for you.  Maybe someone to whom you have delegated authority, such as a doctor, a lawyer, or even a plumber, is not doing the job faithfully.  The message is to see what is right before your eyes and to take action accordingly.

North:  the north animal gives wise counsel and reminds you when to speak and when to listen.  It also reminds you to be grateful for every blessing every day.

• I got Salmon (Wisdom/Inner-knowing)
• Salmon...keeper of inner knowing, Illuminate all that I can see, Fill me with the love of learning, Life's sacred wisdom offered to me.
• If Salmon swam into your cards today, it may be telling you to trust your guy feeling and inner knowing at this time.  Avoid the influence of those who may have hidden agendas or who manipulate events for their personal gain.  Do you need to reflect on the personal experiences that will help you decide whether the tide is ebbing, or flowing in the direction that benefits your forward movement and growth?  The wisdom is inside you, and when honoring it, you will not go wrong.

Above: the above animal teaches you how to honor the great star nation, and remind you that you came from the stars and to the stars you will return.  This animal is also the guardian of the dream time - for your personal access to the other dimensions.

• I got Wolf (Teacher)
• Wolf...Teacher, Pathfinder, Moon-dog of my soul, Howling, Singing, Teaching how to know.
• If you have drawn Wolf's card, you may be able to share your personal medicine with others.  Your intuitive side may also have an answer or teaching for your personal use at this time.  As you feel Wolf coming alive within you, you may wish to share your knowledge by writing or lecturing on information that will help others better understand their uniqueness or path in life.  It is in the sharing of great truths that the consciousness of humanity will attain new heights.  Wolf could also be telling you to seek out lonely places that will allow you to see your teacher within.  In the aloneness of a power place, devoid of other humans, you may find the true you.  Look for teachings no matter where you are.  Wolf would not come to you unless you requested the appearance of the tribe's greatest teacher.

Below: the below animal teaches you about the inner earth, and how to stay grounded and on the path.

• I got Raven (Magic)
• Raven...Black as pitch, Mystical as the moon, Speak to me of magic, I will fly with you soon.
• If you have chosen Raven, magic is in the air.  Do not try to figure it out; you cannot.  It is the power of the unknown at work, and something special is about to happen.  The deeper mystery, however, is how you will respond to the sparkling synchronicity of this alchemical moment.  Will you recognize it and use it to further enhance your growth?  Can you accept it as a gift from the Great Spirit?  Or will you limit the power of the Great Mystery by explaining it away?

Within: the within animal teaches you how to find your heart's joy and how to be faithful to your personal truths.  It is also the protector of your sacred space, the place that is yours alone and is never shared except by invitation.

• I got Elk (Stamina)
• Elk...Your antlers reach for the sun.  Show me that strength and stamina are one.
• If you have picked Elk medicine, you may be telling yourself to seek the company of your own gender for awhile.You may need a support group to realign yourself with the stamina of the warrior/warrioress energy that you are a part of.  This communication with others of your own sex allows you to air your feelings in safety and to get feedback from others who have had the same experiences.  You may need a new sense of community - communication in unity.

Right side: this animal protects your male side and teaches you that no matter where you turn, it will be your father-protector within.  This animal also carries your courage and warrior spirit.

• I got Ant (Patience)
• Oh tiny Ant...Your patience grows, Like the sands of time.  Can I learn to be like you? Of is it too sublime?
• If Ant meandered into your spread today, it is time to show a little trust and patience in some life situation.  You may have forgotten that you will always receive that which you need, at the time when you need it most.  If it is not on the horizon or just around the next anthill, you may need to use some strategy.  How can you put to use your power of creation until "it" arrives - whatever "it" means to you at this time?

Left side: this animal is the protector of your female side and teaches you that you must learn to receive abundance as well as to nurture yourself and others.  The left-side animal is also your teacher about relationships and mothering.

• I got Butterfly (Transformation)
• Butterfly...That flutters In the morning light, You have known many forms, Before you e'er took flight.
• If you look closely at what Butterfly is trying to teach, you will realize that it is the never-ending cycle of self-transformation.  The way to discern where you are in this cycle is to ask yourself:
1. Is this the egg stage:  Is it just a thought or idea?
2. Is this the larva stage:  Do I need to make a decision?
3. Is this the cocoon stage:  Am I developing and doing something to make my idea a reality?
4. Is this the birth stage:  Am I sharing my completed idea?

• By asking yourself these questions, you will discover how Butterfly is relating to you at this moment.  When you understand where you are, the symbol can teach you what to do next to continue in the cycle of self-transformation.  If you have found the position through which you are cycling, you will see the creativity of Butterfly.

Going back and reading through the analysis, I think I might need to get this deck.  I definitely want to explore totem animals and further discover the meaning behind the special animals in my life.  Even if I don't get the deck, I will use the spread.