Squirrel teaches you to plan ahead for the the Great Winter. When the trees are bare, and the nuts have long since disappeared, the gathering power of Squirrel spirit is a great gift. Squirrel asks you to honor your future by readying yourself for change. The message could be to lighten your load, for if you have gathered too much baggage, which does not serve you, you will only create excess stress that will slow you down in your winter preparation. While this is certainly a time to clean house of old gadgets and broken trinkets, this excess baggage also refers to mental clutter such as worries, pressures, stresses, negative beliefs, and condemming concepts that do not serve your greater good. Tend to your house cleaning and prepare for the new journey. Embrace your future, prepare the ground for new beginnings and wait for the deliverance of Spring.

The magical spirit of Parrot has flown into your life today. What are you reflecting upon the world? What is the world reflecting upon you? Parrots are rational mimics. They will imitate whatever they are exposed to over time. They will eventually begin to understand what it is they are reflecting, good or bad. Parrot Spirit urges you to "do unto others" at this time. What is being reflected upon you by others is what you are reflecting out into the world. Parrot Spirit is like a giant Universal Mirror. It does not lie. It only reflects what is there. If you ever want to know "what is going on with you," observe your children and other loved ones. What they are dishing out to you is what you are reflecting on some level - perhaps unconsciously. On a happier note, you may be receiving tremendous positive support and feedback from others. Remember, Parrot Spirit only mirrors back what it is exposed to. If you are not happy with the reflection you see, it is time to change the package you offer! Whatever you wish to receive from others, you must first give to others. Try showing more love and you will be greatly rewarded. Parrot Spirit will accept your gift. You have a captive audience who is listening to you very carefully. Now is the time to reflect positive messages so you can teach those around you a thing or two!

Ostrich Spirit is fearless and strong. With no natural enemies (except man and his pistol), Ostrich struts its stuff. Perhaps you have been strutting your stuff just a bit too much? Watch for defensiveness, arrogance or egotism in a given situation. The nature of Ostrich Spirit is to protect its loved ones at any price. If someone is hurting a loved one, exercise caution in your conduct. While you may feel "fearless and ready pounce" you must learn patience, caution and grace. While they are power-walkers, Ostriches cannot fly and can tend to cause them frustration. Let the Universe make the first move. Learn to harness negative aggressions. Learn to bend that stubborn behavior. If you are going to strut, strut with a happy attitude and stop trying to kill everyone around you!

Horse is physical, transcendent, and unearthly power. In shamanic practices throughout the world, Horse enables shamans to fly through the air and to reach heaven . In understanding the power of Horse, you may see how to strive for a balanced spirit shield. True power is wisdom found in remembering your total journey. Wisdom comes from remembering pathways you have walked in another person's moccasins. Compassion, caring, teaching, loving, and sharing your gifts, talents, and abilities are the gateways to power.

Lizard spirit is the shadow side of reality where dreams are reviewed before deciding to manifest them into physical reality. Lizard is the spirit of dreamers. It asks you to look and see what is following along behind you. Is it your fears? Is your future trying to catch up to you, in some way? Or, is it the part of you that wants to ignore your weaknesses and human frailties? Lizard asks you to pay attention to your dreams and to be sure to observe their symbolic meanings. Create a dream diary and record all that you remember. Be sure to pay attention to each individual symbol or recurring pattern. Dreams are very important. Do not ignore them.

Turtle is the oldest symbol for planet Earth. It is the personification of goddess energy - the eternal Earth Mother, from which our lives evolve. Turtle has a shell which is similar to that of the Earth's protection. Although deterioration is inevitable, the Earth's immense protection has come in the form of adaptable change, such as plant growth, the creation of new land masses by volcanoes, climate alterations, and other types of seismic activity. Like the Earth's shield, Turtle spirit protects you through adaptable change. If others are hurting you through envy, jealousy, conscious or unconscious negativity, harsh actions or words, it is time to go within yourself, examine and honor your feelings. Perhaps you have been attacked or provoked in some way by someone, it is time to give a warning snap. However, be mindful not to abuse in retaliation. Turtle reminds you that Mother Earth is your ally, and the Universe is protecting you from harm.

The power that the Butterfly brings to us is akin to the air. It is the art of transformation. It is the power of the mind, the ability to know the mind, and the power to change the mind. Butterfly can give clarity to your mental process, help you organize the project you are undertaking, and assist you in finding the next step for your personal life or career. The message obtained from drawing Butterfly is expect change and transformation. You are ready to undergo new life. Leaving the chrysalis behind, you are embarking upon new beginnings. New positive opportunities await you.

Coyote has many magical powers, but they do not always work in his favor. His own trickery fools him. He falls into his own trap, but somehow manages to survive. Coyote takes himself so seriously at times that he cannot see the obvious. See through the genius of your acts of self-sabotage. If you cannot laugh at yourself and your crazy antics, you have lost the game. Coyote always comes calling when things get too serious. The spirit is in laughter and joking so that new viewpoints may be assumed.

Turkey is representative of the pheasant of sacrifice, the Give-Away Eagle, and the South Eagle of many native peoples. Throughout the years, the philosophy of give-away has been practiced by many. Simply stated, it is the deep and abiding recognition of the sacrifices of both self and others. Turkey was the spirit of many saints and mystics. Celebrate if you have Turkey spirit. Your virtues are many. You have transcended the Self. You act and react on the behalf of others. You aspire to help those who need help, but not out of some sense of self-righteous moralism or religious guilt. Help and sustenance is given by Turkey out of the realization that all life is sacred. You may feel the spirit of giving growing within you. Or, you may receive a gift. This gift could be spiritual, material, or even intellectual. The gift may be great or small, but it is never insignificant. Be clear that any and all sacrifices you offer others create a feeling of inner harmony, not a feeling of obligation. Then, offer yourself completely, unattached to outcomes. Give for the sake of giving, and the rewards will come ten-fold.

Antelope spirit signifies knowledgeable action, gives you strength of mind and heart, and the ability to take quick and decisive action to get things accomplished. If you feel stymied, call on Antelope spirit. If you are feeling balled up and twisted in knots, Antelope powers will speak to you of proper action and soon set you free. Many ingenious solutions to problems are whispered by Antelope. Listen, and more importantly, act. Antelope in your cards indicates a message of higher purpose. Antelope spirit arms you with authority, and forces you to act on behalf of your family, clan, nation, yourself, and finally, Mother Earth. When Antelope has bounded into your cards, the time is now. The power is you.

Close window and return to layout