May 18th - Journey to the Upper World

In my journey, I flew on the back of an eagle over fluffy cumulus clouds through sunshine, in lightness.  Then I landed in a field full of beautiful flowers, near a stream.  I was to become a yellow butterfly and experience the flight of a butterfly, then a frog, then a snake and then an iridescent green dragonfly.

From Ted Andrew's Animal Speak, some of the symbolism of these creatures:

Butterfly:  Transmutation and the Dance of Joy

In early Christianity, the butterfly was a symbol of the soul.  To Native Americans, the butterfly is a symbol of change, joy and colour.  There has long been an association in folklore of a relationship between the Faerie Realm and Butterflies.  Black and yellow are often associated with the archangel Auriel in her guise of overseeing the activities of the nature spirits.  Butterflies remind us not to take things quite so seriously within our lives.  They awaken a sense of lightness and joy.  They remind us that life is a dance, and dance, though powerful, is also a great pleasure.  Butterflies can be reminders to get up and move, for it you can move you can dance.  Dance bring the sweetness of life back.  This is further exemplified by the fact that butterflies actually have taste receptacles on their front legs.  They taste flowers by walking upon them.

Butterflies bring colour and joy with them.  When butterflies come into your life look at how much or how little joy is within your life.  Lighten up.  Look for change.  Don't forget that all change is good.  Butterfly medicine reminds us to make changes with the opportunities present themselves.  Transformation is inevitable, but butterfly will help teach you that growth and change does not have to be traumatic.  It will teach you that it can occur as gently, as sweetly, and as joyfully as we wish.

Frog:  Transformation through Water and Sound

Frogs are often associated with the magic of both elements of water and earth, which links them to the lore of fairies and elves.  Many shamanic societies, especially North and South American, link the frog with rain and control of weather.  Its voice is said to call forth the rains.  Because of its connection to water, it is also linked to lunar energies.

Frogs have been known to be heralds of abundance and fertility.... If frog has hopped into your life, you may need to get in touch with the water element.  It may reflect that there are new rains coming or that you need to call some new rains forth.  Maybe the old waters are becoming dirty and stagnant.  Frog can teach you how to clean them up.

Emotions are often associated with water.  Individuals with frog totems are very sensitive to the emotional states of others, and seem to know instinctively how to act and what to say.  They know how to be sincerely sympathetic.

Frog holds the knowledge of weather and how to control it.  Frog medicine can bring rains for every purpose - to cleanse, to heal, to help things grow, to flood, to stir.  Its energies can be used to bring light showers or downpours for most any purpose.

The frog is a totem of metamorphosis.  It is a symbol of coming into one's own creative power. 

Frogs are tuned keenly to sound.  This sensitivity to sound should be developed by frog people.  Their taste in music will probably not run mainstream, but they can learn to use their voice to stir the emotions and to call for the rains or change the climatic conditions of their own lives.

Snake: Rebirth, Resurrection, Initiation, and Wisdom


The snake is a symbol of transformation and healing.  Snake ceremonies involved learning to transmute the poisons within 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 snake was depicted as feathered and 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 alchemy 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 a symbol of wisdom expressed through healing.

In India the goddess Vinata was the mother of snakes and a symbol of water and the underworld.  The god Vishnu is often depicted sleeping on the serpent of eternity called Ananta.

The serpent and snake has long been a symbol of the sexual/creative life force within humans.  The kundalini or serpent fire 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, opening new dimensions and levels of awareness, health, and creativity.

In Chinese astrology one of every twelve years is named for the snake.  Those born within that year are believed to have the qualities of compassion, clairvoyance and charm.  They usually need to learn lessons associated with forgiveness, superstitiousness and possessiveness as well.

In Egypt the snake has also had mystical significance.  It was believed to represent a state of inner sight and control of the universe.

The snake has long been a symbol of death and rebirth.  It sheds it skin as it outgrows the old.  This death and rebirth cycle is part of what snake represents.  It s associated with higher wisdom that comes with the passing of time.  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 a 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 death and then back to life again.  As the skin begins to shed, the eyes begin to clear as if they will see the world anew.  For this reason, alchemist 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 with its relatives, the serpent and dragon, as a guardian.  It is found in myth and lore guarding treasures, the springs of life or sacred places.

Anytime a snake shows up as a totem, you can expect death and rebirth to occur in some area of your life.  This rarely reflects an actual death but rather a transition.

It can also reflect that your own creative forces are awakening.  The stimulation of the kundalini usually has physiological as well as spiritual consequences.  Physiologically it can bring more energy.  Spiritually it can stimulate greater perception of how to apply your insight and intuition.  Your own vision and intuition will become more accurate.

Snake medicine may indicate a need to look more closely into your own heart and soul.

Snakes have a keen sense of smell.  They actually smell with their tongue, which is why it flicks in and out so much....The sense of smell is linked to higher forms of discrimination and spiritual idealism.  Individuals with the snake totem will find themselves extremely sensitive to smells and fragrances.  Aromatherapy may be a form of healing that is beneficial to explore.

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 defined.  When snake comes into your life you can look for a rebirth into new powers of creativity and wisdom.

Dragonfly: The Power of Light

Dragonflies are very ancient with estimates of having been around for over 180 million years.  The bright colours take time to develop, reflecting the idea that with maturity our own true colours come forth.  This is part of dragonfly medicine.

Dragonflies inhabit two realms - water and air.  In their early life they live within the water.  As they mature and go through their metamorphosis, they move to the realm of air.  It is not unusual to find individuals with dragonfly totems to be very emotional and passionate in the early years, but as they get older, they learn to balance it with create mental clarity and control.  Sometimes it can indicate that the emotions have gotten shut down because of emotional issues in the early life.  Remember that the dragonfly is always found around water.  There must be expressions of the emotional and the mental together.

If a dragonfly has shown up in your life, you may need some fresh air in regard to something emotional.  You may need to gain a new perspective or make a change.  It may even indicate that you are neglecting your emotions.

A dragonfly remains a nymph for almost two years before it transforms into an adult dragonfly.  This can indicate that an approximate two year period of change is about to reach its culmination.  It may reflect that you are coming into a two-year period of transformation.  It may even reflect a need to institute changes that may culminate in the colourful transformations you desire within a two-year period.  Only by examining your life and activities will you begin to understand its specific role.

The frog should also be studied by those with this totem.

Their realm is the realm of light.  Summer is their most powerful time, as they need the warmth and the light of the sun.  For those with this totem, this will be important to consider.  Spending time outside in the sun near fresh water sources will be beneficial for restoring and changing health conditions for the better for those with this totem.

Although some have colour pigments in their skin, for most the colours are caused almost the same way rainbows form.  Structures in their shell scatter and refract the light, making them look iridescent green and blue.  As they age, they may pass through several colour changes.  This ability to reflect and refract light and colour has caused it to be associated with many forms of magic and mysticism - including colour magic, illusion (causing others only to see what you wish), and more.  Dragonfly's magic is the power of light and all that has ever been associated with it.

Dragonflies represent new light and joy.  To some Native Americans, they represent the souls of the dead.  Some stories speak of the time in which they used to be real dragons.  Often we assume that dragons have to be gigantic beasts breathing fire, but the fantastic creatures of the Faerie Realm often come in many shapes and sizes.  Dragonflies because they are mythical relatives of the ancient dragons are wonderful links to working with nature spirits. 

The dragonfly reflects and works with the sun and light.  The light changes throughout the day.  The dragonfly undergoes its own transformations.  If they have shown up, look for change to occur.  Dragonflies remind us that we are light and can reflect the light in powerful ways if we choose to do so.  "Let there be light" is the divine prompting to use the creative imagination as a force within your life.  This is part of what dragonflies teach us.

Life is never quite the way it appears, but it is always filled with light and colour.  Dragonfly can help you to see through your illusions and thus allow your own light to shine forth.  Dragonfly brings the brightness of transformation and the wonder of colourful new vision.

***

Wow!!!!  All this from a 15 minute journey...

Our flower affirmations:

Linda - Wild Rose = Love

"I give myself to love, nourishing my heart, body, mind, and soul."
"I release my deepest heartaches and devote myself to love."
"I begin this day in love and live in love all day long."

Pat - Pinyon = Enduring Patience

" I am free to love myself and others without shame, blame, or guilt."
"I live patiently in the moment thanking my Creator for all that I am."
"I allow the body of the earth to nurture my roots."

Jennie - Indian Paintbrush = Creativity

"I feel relaxed and rooted in who I am, knowing that my needs are met easily and creatively."
:In the stillness of mind and body, I feel the power of my presence."
"I love myself for who I am, and through love of myself, I creatively express compassion toward humanity and all earth life."

Last night's chant - let's see if we can create a tune for this:

Mother I can feel you under my feet.
Mother I can hear your heart beat.
Mother I can see you where the eagles fly.
Mother won't you take me higher

Kim's Healing Prayer

Light Prayer:
We are light.
We are created of light to be light.
We exist in a bubble of light.
Only light comes to us. Only light emanates from us.
We welcome only those who seek or are of the light.
Namaste.

Let's meet on the second Friday of each month

Please mark your calendars, our next meeting will be on Friday, April 13th, from 7:30-9:30 p.m.  Potluck dinner for anyone who can make it will be from 6 p.m. onwards.  Jen's and Kim's preferences are gluten-free and vegetarian.

Upcoming meetings will be on Friday, May 11th, and Friday, June 15th.  Summer dates to be confirmed later.

Let's coordinate for ridesharing.  Jen can usually give a couple of people a lift from Westboro at 5 p.m. 

You are always welcome to spend the night and go home in the morning if you prefer not to drive home late at night.

Journey to the Upper World

My question to my guide - what do I need to learn?  My journey took me to cold and windy cliffs, to a cave with a circle of elders sitting around a fire.  My guide took the persona of White Feather this time, though he usually shows himself as a Masai Warrior, and there was one other person, Black Foot, who identified himself to me.  I felt very much the neophyte, the apprentice, who has not yet fully earned the right to be there.  We shared a ceremonial pipe, and then White Feather took me - we were both flying high overhead - to see the ants' nest like of human suffering and confusion.  When we returned to the cave, we were alone, and as I sat cross-legged my guide placed his hands on my shoulders for a healing.  This is the first time that I have been there, and clearly this is only the beginning.

A place to share our journeys...

This is our virtual home, a place for us to share our journeys...  You are invited to post your experiences, ask questions, help each other interpret experiences, share your stories, your laughter and tears, interesting books you have discovered, events we might like to attend, and grow together.  Let's journey on in light and love!