Owl - Cailleach-oidhche
Detachment, Wisdom, Change

The owl teaches us the widom of turning a disadvantage to an advantage.
For most birds, the coming of darkness renders it impossible to feed,
but the owl's exceptional hearing enables it to pick out and scoop on
unsuspecting prey during the night. Twilight has been described as
owl-light and going for a quiet walk in the woods at this shimmering
time of twilight is an excellent way to develop a sensibility to the
Otherworld and the inner soul of nature.

The Bird of Wisdom: The owl is shown in this story as one of the five
totem animals central to British tradition. Arthur's party encounters
first the blackbird Druidh Dubh and then moves even closer to the source
of wisdom - the salmon. As a fish, the salmon swims in the River of
Life, the Ocean of Being - his wisdom comes from an intimate
participation of life. The owl imparts a different wisdom - one of
objectivity and detachment. Like the figure of the Hermit in the Tarot,
the owl watches and waits - in ruined castles, in church towers, in
barns, in ivy bushes. Adept at disappearing from view and favouring the
night, the owl is the animal that symbolizes esoteric wisdom and
secrecy.

Because the owl is sacred to the Goddess in her crone-aspect, one of its
many Gaelic names is Cailleach-oidche (Crone of the Night). The barn owl
is Cailleach-oidhche gheal, "white old woman of the night". The
Cailleach is the goddess of death, and the owl's call was often sensed
as an omen that someone would die.It was seen as a bird that calls for
the soul, or that catches or takes it away. Knowing of an impending
death or birth suggests that the owl is able to foretell the future, and
the owl is indeed the totem bird of clairvoyance and astral travel. The
veils which surround the normal boundaries of space and time can be
pierced, if you take the owl as your ally.

In later times, all that was sacred to the Goddess and the "Secret
Faith" was denigrated and labeled as evil by the Church in an attempt to
convert people from their traditional ways. We see this process of
denigration clearly in the folklore of the owl. Originally a sacred bird
embodying wisdom and discernment, it gradually came to be seen only as a
bird of ill-omen.

The owl is a bird set apart. She stands on the threshold of the
Otherworld, reminding us of the ever-present reality of death. But death
is the great initiator and as the owl hoots to us from the trees we may
come to realize in the depths of our being that death in reality marks a
beginning and not an end.......

--

Frog - Losgann
Sensitivity, Medicine, Hidden Beauty and Power.

A cold-blooded creature living half in the water and half on the land,
the frog possesses an extremely sensitive skin, considered magical by
shamans. A companion of the rain spirits, the frog can help you develop
your sensitivity to others, to healing and to sound through your skin
and your whole body and aura.

Water was considered sacred by the Druids, and every river, spring and
well had its guardian spirit or deity. Both frogs and their close
relatives toads are found at water sources. As animals that are seeded
in pools, and which frequent them when grown, they were sometimes
considered as representatives of the water-spirits. In Acton Barnett in
Shropshire, by an ancient healing spring, it was said that the spirits
of the well would appear as three frogs. The largest of the three was
always to be addressed as the Dark God. His darkness is related to the
fact that both frog and toad were seen as creatures in contact with the
Underworld. For this reason, in the popular imagination they became
associated with witchcraft and potion-brewing - the toad or frog was
often the witch's familiar who would croak warnings of danger to its
mistress. As a familiar of the witch, the frog is an ally who brings the
blessings of the water-spirits - the healing blessings of rain and
purification. The frog also brings its own medicine and was seen as a
healing messenger of the Mother Goddess. Their connection with the
Mother Goddess can also be traced to the tradition which states that it
is lucky to have a frog living in a dairy - it guards the milk churn -
and milk is naturally associated with the Goddess. A further connection
with milk is found in an image of Celtic goddess Luxuria depicted with a
fox between her legs and a toad hanging from each breast (Lux Soap!!)

The frog or toad carrying a secret within is the possessor of a power
object - a dark grey or light brown stone said to be found in the heads
of very old specimens. This mythological object has been known by many
names, including Crepandia, Borax, Stelon, and Bufonite. The frog or
toad, adder, otter and fox are all carriers of these secret, invisible
power objects. The otter and fox carry magical pearls, the adder leaves
a serpent's stone, and the toad or frog when old carries the stone of
magical properties in its head. These objects, at one level, represent a
crossing-over from the animal to the mineral realm-rendering the
transient life of the animal eternally cast within a stone. By carrying
such a stone, and using it magically, the Druid or Shaman would be able
to contact his ally, the animal spirit.

__

Raven - Bran
Healing, Initiation, Protection

By being able to travel from this world to the next, the raven
symbolizes also the power of healing - but the type of healing that
comes about through a radical confrontation with the unconscious, with
the hidden, with the Shadow, and with the darker, potentially
destructive aspects of the psyche. The raven's association with death
becomes an association with depth and thus with depth psychology and the
transformative powers of initation - for such a moment marks to a
greater or lesser extent the death of the old self, and the rebirth of a
new self.

The raven's connection with healing is reinforced when we consider it as
a bird of prophecy and divination, integral facets of the healer's arts.
The raven could travel to the darkest regions of the Underworld to bring
back visions and oracular instructions for the seeker and healer.

The raven has been seen as an oracle for thousands of years. The early
Irish Druids divined according to their flight and cries, and as late as
1694 it was reported that a Hertfordshire raven uttered a prophecy three
times.

--

 But i'm still curious about Crow.  He's quite diffrent from Raven,  who i
see more often in books and discussion.  

 He's more.. mundane.  Earthy.  Concerned with everyday life and events.  I
see Fire in him.   He's more serious, and his sense of humor is a little
deeper and more twisted. <g>  He's subtle.  Dosen't peck you on the head and
point.. just lands near it and waits for you to figure it out.  Crow seems to
be my journey man. If i leave the house during the day (and sometimes even at
night) he's always there, seeing me off or circling somewhere or welcoming me
home (like today.)  Collects things.  They might have nothing to do with one
another, but they're all beautiful.  Crow sees the beauty in everyday
objects.  He dosen't create much, but he *knows* what is worth keeping and
what is not.  

__

Otter - Dobhran

The otter is known for its strong sense of family - the cubs stay longer
with their parents than most other young animals, and when an ottern
dies, its mate will often mourn for a long time. For these reasons, the
otter has come to symbolize the strength of family ties.

The otter is sacred to the Irish god of the sea, Manannan mac Lir, and
there have been a number of sightings of Otter Kings or "Master Otters".
 In Scottish tradition, Otter Kings are brown, and are always
accompanied by seven black otters as servants. When captured they would
grant any wish, on the promise of release.

The otter and the fish are an ideal way to symbolize the chase, for
otters are excellent fishers. In the Irish tale The Voyage of Maelduin
the seafarers toward the end of their journey reach the Island of
Otters. There the kindly otters bring Maelduin's men salmon, just as
they had been bringing fish to the island's sole inhabitant. Here the
otter is portrayed as the friend of man, exemplifying the ideals of
service, charity, and helpfulness. Recognizing this quality of
friendliness, many Celtic names for the otter include the word for dog:
water hound, brown-dog, water-dog, or sea-dog.

At home with the two feminine elements of water and earth, the sleek and
graceful otter represents femininity, joyfulness and play. And like the
toad, fox, and snake, the otter is said to carry a secret power object -
a jewel or pearl within its head.

As well as offering healing and protection, the otter calls us to play,
to relax in the knowledge that nature will provide for our needs, and
that life can be fun and joyful. By taking ourselves less seriously, we
will find that we can share with the otter, the salmon of wisdom.

--

Stag - Damh

All deer are beautiful, graceful creatures, but stags are also majestic,
by virtue of their magnificent antlers, made up of a number of spikes or
tines. The antlers start to grow in the early summer and are fully
developed by rutting time - the nating season in late autumn.Around the
Druid festival time of Imbolc on February 1st they shed their antlers
shortly before the birth of their young.

According to Welsh tradition, the stag is one of the five oldest animals
in the world. The Lord of the Animals was pictured as a man with antlers
- the combination of human and animals characteristics signifying
Otherworldly powers. Such a figure is seen in the legend of Herne the
Hunter - an antlered man living in Windsor Forest, who is said  to
appear at times of national crisis - and in Cernunnos the Celtic god of
hunting. Cernunnos is associated both with fertility (and hence
sexuality), and with hunting and culling. He is seen as the Lord of the
Wild Hunt, which carries the spirits of the dead to the Otherworld.

As well as traveling to the Otherworld with the Wild Hunt, the stag is
also seen as a messenger from that realm, and for this reason he has
often been associated with the festival of Samhuinn, October 31st to
November 2nd, when the veil between this world and the next is drawn
aside so that we can commune with the Ancestors. He brings with him
power and knowledge of this other realm, and her carries on his back not
only the King of Faery, but Merlin too.

DEER

Graceful gentleness, and sensitivity

Although there are many types of deer, they all have one thing in common
- gracefulness. Deer blend very well with their environment but are very
sensitive to every sound or movement. Often twins, even triplets, are
born in the spring. Does and bucks live in seperate groups until the
mating season. The white-tailed deer are moderately gregarious, and
family members forage food together along with other familly groups,
giving the appearance of a large herd.

People with "Deer Medicine" are often described as being swift and
alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to well developed, even extra
sensory perceptions. Some times their thoughts seem to race ahead, and
they appear not to be listening.

Deer Medicine brings beauty and grace to any surrounding. Just as the
deer bounds from one place to another, a person with Deer Medicine often
moves quickly from one situation to another, often never staying long
enough in one place to get a 'full meal'.

--

Cat
Guardianship, Detachment, Sensuality

Cat brings us the ability to observe situations quietly without
judgement, before making decisions. Apparently asleep, but really
listening, a cat can sit for hours until it acts with deceiveness.
Remember the saying "A cat may look like at a king". You have a right to
know and to judge important issues for yourself in your own time.

The cat unites an awareness of the spirit-world with a highly developed
sensuality. These two attributes are not polar opposites as dualistic
spiritual teachings would have us believe, but are facts of one
continuum of awareness and sensitivity. Working toward wholeness
involves enhancing our appreciation of both the physical and
non-physical worlds.

Although the cat was used by warrios, as was the boar, raven and bear,
to invoke the avenging power of the gods, it was still considered an
animal associated with the Goddess, and the feminine. For this reason we
find both positive and negative attributes of the cat in folklore and
tradition. As an animal clearly of the Goddess and in close contact with
the spirit-world makes the cat an ideal ally for any shaman or magician,
and it was due to the Church's fear of such powers that many thousands
of cats were tortured and put to death by burning in baskets in both
Britain and France.

The cat teaches us respect and caution. She is sensual and will accept
our affection but only on her terms. She is proud, independent and
capable of observing both this world and the next. Throughout Britain
there have always been sightings of mysterious "big cats". Some believe
that they have escaped from zoos, others believe that every so often the
Cath Sith, the cats of Faery, allow themselves to be glimpsed, to remind
us of the existence of the Otherworld.

--

DOG

Guidance, Protection, Loyalty

Dog brings guidance and protection, acting as a loyal companion and
friend on your journey in both this life and the next. In the Druid
tradition the dog is seen as the Guardian of the Mysteries. As such, he
can be fierce, but if our intentions are good, then Dog will lead us
over the threshold through the darkness and the waters of the
Uncouscious toward the shimmering realm of the Goddess.

The time may come when you need to act with the spirit of the Dog - to
defend your values or protect that which you hold sacred. Faithfulness,
trust, and loyalty are vital ingredients of close relationships, and the
time may have come for you to focus on these qualities - to develope
them gradually in yourself and to appreciate them in others.

--

HAWK

Nobility, Recollection, Cleansing

Hawk brings the ability to see your life in perspective, to free you of
unnecessary "baggage" and to connect you to your ancestral roots. The
Hawk can help you to recollect the missing pieces of the jigsaw you will
be trying to assemble and she will help, too, to spot the details which
are significant. When you have a sense of your roots and of the breadth
of your life, you will start to feel pride and a growing sense of
nobility and stature. Once you know where you have come from and where
you are going, your life will be filled with inspiration and enthusiasm,
you will sense a new day dawning, and you will be able to make decisions
with confidence.

In the Druid tradition an inspired bard was said to posses "bird's
knowledge". Druid shamans would dress in cloaks of bird feathers to
perform certain ceremonies, and divination would be practiced by
observing the flight of birds. In trance, the Druid would enlist the aid
of his brid spirit-ally to fly to other realms, or would transform
himself into a bird on the inner planes to accomplish a certain task.
Each type of bird represents different qualities, evokes different
experiences, and has different gifts for the Druid: the eagle brings
renewal, the wren humility, the swan grace, the raven initiation. The
hawk, whether kite, harrier, merlin, goshawk, or sparrowhawk, can give
nobility and stature, dignity and pride.

--

RAM - Sacrifice, Breakthrough, Achievement

Ram brings the ability to achieve a breakthrough. Particularly attached
to the place of its birth, the ram represents the power to penetrate,
overcome and achieve. Working with the ram as your ally will help you to
find the inner strength you need to succeed. At the same time you will
not fear "losing your head" on the dizzy heights of success, because the
ram will help to keep you grounded, and will remind you of the practical
necessities of life. By persevering, by being patient and attending to
the needs of your daily life as well as your future goals, you will find
the day comes when you achieve a breakthrough - accomplishing what you
have set out to achieve and discovering that you have also "come home".

--

AIR-DRAGON, Inspiration, Insight, Vitality

Coming into contact with the air dragoncan be as a bolt of lightening to
the psyche and intellect - and as such must be treated with care and
considerable respect. Sometimes manifesting as sudden flashes of
illumination, Air Dragon brings insight and clarity to your thoughts and
imagination. As conveyor of numinous power, the air dragon can be seen
as a symbol of visitation - for he is a messenger of the Sky God.

Within the Druid tradition, the flying dragon is a creature of the Sky
God - coming perhaps from the constellation Draco, which turns about the
Pole Star. He represents the descent of the spirit, a visitation from
another world, an invitation to soar to higher levels of consciousness.
Like lightening and thunder he can be terrible, bringing destruction in
his wake. But treated with respect and gained as an ally, he can help us
to travel in the spirit world - to journey even further in the quest for
enlightenment.

--

FIRE DRAGON - Transmutation, Mastery, Energy

Fire Dragon brings vitality, enthusiasm, and courage, and an increased
ability to overcome obstacles and to find the energy needed to cope with
life's problems. Having the powerful Fire Dragon as an ally will align
you with the qualities of leadership and mastery. With care, he will
fuel your inner fire which can be directed and channelled with
laser-like precision to help you accomplish tasks and achieve
objectives.

The Tradition of the Fire Dragon

King Arthur's father, Uther, at one time had a vision of a flaming
dragon. This vision was so striking that he immediately asked his Druids
to explain its meaning to him. They told him that seeing such a blazing
dragon meant that he would become king. So he took the name :Pendragon",
which means "Head of the Dragon". The dragon thereby became the heraldic
emblem and totemic beast of the greatest line of British kings - the
Pendragons.

This incident, which lies at the very beginning of the story of Arthur,
provides us with the clue that we need to understand the meaning of the
Fire Dragon. Each of the four dragons of water, earth, air, and fire
represents energy and power - but each mediates these in a different
way, and eventually we will be called to integrate and weave together
these four different types of "dragon energy" within our being. Fire
Dragon energy is concerned with kingship, leadership and mastery. And it
is because of this that the Druids were able to interpret Uther's vision
so accurately. It is said that his son, Arthur, wore a golden dragon on
his helmet to symbolize his rank, and the fire dragon has continued to
be a symbol of authority and power ever since.

--

BEE - Community, Celebration, Organization

Bee invites us to celebrate. The bee tells us that we can come together
in harmony, however impossible this may sometimes seem. By being at one
with the natural world, by paying homage to the sun, be centering our
lives around Spirit or the Goddess, we can work together in community.

The bee's honey was only one of her gifts: she also brought wax for
polishing and sealing. We cannot be sure that the Celts knew of the
health giving qualities of pollen and propolis, but we know of these
nos, even if science cannot enumerate the components of the antiseptic
propolis, which bees smear on their hives to prevent infection, and
which has been found to have remarkable healing properties.

The bee, with its highly defined social structure and extraordinarily
productive and efficient community, all centered around the Queen Bee,
was seen as symbolic of the ideal society - centered on the Goddess,
paying homage in sacred dance to the sun, and producing an amber
substance from the flowers of the fields and woods that could both feed
and divinely intoxicate.

--

FOX - Diplomacy, cunning, wildness

The fox is a fine graceful creature who typifies the beauty and harmony
of the natural world. Working with the power of the fox, you will know
when it is time to come out into the open and be counted, but you will
also know when it is time to be silent, to keep your own counsel. With
others you will be diplomatic, and one of the attributes of the fox is
being "strong in council". One of the hardest things, if you are a
person working "fox-power", is to ensure that your skill and diplomacy
do not become dishonesty or slyness. Remaining silent, or becoming
invisible so as to watch the unfolding drama, is an asset that can bring
with it its own special culpability, if it is not tempered with wisdom.

In common with the otter, the fox is said to carry a magical pearl,
which brings good fortune to whoever finds it.

--

GOAT (mountain)

        KEYNOTE - Surefootedness and seeking new heights

        CYCLE OF POWER - Late Fall, Early Winter

        Everything about the mountain goat enables it to survive in the
higher altitudes of mountain regions.  Its thick wol insulates, its even
greater skeletal flexibility aids in its climbing, and even its feet are
adaptive to their environment.  Anyone with a mountain goat as a totem would
do well to examine the significance of its living environment - the high
mountainous regions.

        Their highly flexible skeletal system is very significant.
Comprised of bones and cartilage, it is the support system for the frameowrk
of the body and assists in its movement.  If mountain goat has shown up as a
totem, ask yourself some
important questions.  Are you getting the support you need as you move into
new areas?  Are you giving the proper to support to others as the move?  Are
you being too inflexible in exploring new possibilities?  Are you feeling a
lack of support or a need for support?  Is something wrong with the basic
structure of your lfe?

        The mountain goat holds the knowledge of how to stretch and reach
for new heights and goals.  It can teach how to have trust in your own
ability to land on your feet.

        The mountain goat has links astrologically to the sign of Capricorn.
You may want to look toward this time of year as being a significant one for
culminating new moves or initiating them.  The goat may have shown up to get
your prepared.  Anyone with a mountain goat totem should study the qualities
and characteristics associated with the sign of Capricorn.

        Because of its connection to Capricorn energy, ask yourself
important questions.  Are you being too serious?  Not serious enough?  Are
you not preparing dilligently enough for the new moves in your life?  It can
reflect a time of studiousness and undustry, but it can also hep when
ambition and opportunistic behaviors get out of hand.

        Mountain goat can help you keep focused and move step by precarious
step to new heights, all the while protecting you form any severe life
conditions.  It is not unusual to have a mountain goat totem show up as a
temporary totem when conditions become difficult and we fear slipping back.
Its energies help us to regain balance, perspective and continue the climb.

        The goat may also help you to connect with past lives associated in
Greece.  It is a symbol that shows up often in Greek mythology.  It has ties
to the nature god Pan, and to Amalthea and the Horn of Plenty.  A study of
the lore around them will provide insight into the role of the goat in your
life.

        If mountain goat has climbed into your life, this is a time to begin
new climbs, and new endeavors.  You will not need to rush into them.  With
proper foresight, you will see what is ahead and will be able to move
forward with greater surety.

--

BOAR - The Warrior, Spirit, Leadership, Direction

The Boar can open you to the warrior spirit, helping you to find your
direction in life. A wild and powerful animal, he calls you into the
forest to discover a secret about yourself and about the world. The
ritual boar-paths that exist in Wales, Cornwall, Ireland and Scotland
exist in the Inner World too, and if you follow them you will come fact
to face with an animal embodying the wild and untamed power that lives
within each of us. Stare closely at him and you will discover he is a
representative of the Goddess - his skin can heal you, he can inspire
you to write music and poetry, his primal power can make you leader or
chief. See if you can use your wildness and your energy for genuine acts
of heroism in a world that longs for insight and healing.

The Tradition of the Boar

In the Celtic tradition, the boar symbolizes raw power, which is often
destructive but which can be used and channeled by the hero - the
warrior. Many terrifying and magical boars are depicted in the old
tales. In the Irish Book of Invasions there is the Orc Triath, a huge
and destructive boar. In the Fionn Cycle of stories there is Formael-
massive and vicious, he kills fifty soldiers and fifty hounds in a
single day. In the Welsh tale of Culhwch and Olwen, two boars play a
central role. Ysgithyrwyn, Chief Boar, and Twrch Trwyth must both be
defeated by the hero Culhwch. From the Chief Boar the tusk will be used
as a razor to shave a giant, and from Twrch Trwyth the comb and scissors
between his ears will be used to cut the giant's hair. The comb is a
symbol that has been associated with the boar for thousands of years.
The ancient rock-carvings in Scotland depict both comb and mirrors
beside boars, and these symbols provide the clue that the boar is in
fact sacred to the Goddess - despite the fact that it can also symbolize
aspects of male aggression and sexuality.

The boar's wildness and destructiveness were used by the Celts to arouse
their fierceness and to terrify their enemies. The boar was used as an
emblem on helmets, and as a mouthpiece on battlehorns. The snarling open
mouth of the boar's-head trumpet found in Grampian held an articulated
wooden tongue which would vibrate when blown. The boar was also depicted
on swords and bronze shields, and here these images are used to invoke
the power of the boar to protect the warrior and to install its
supernatural vigor and fierceness.

--

BLACKBIRD - Enchantment, The Gateway, The Inner Call

The Blackbird call to us from the gateway between two worlds, urging us
to follow a spiritual path or to become more self-aware. He calls to us
in the twilight, showing us to Otherwordly secrets, pointing out the
ways in which we can discover more about our hidden motivations and
potential. There are times in life when it is important to concentrate
on the outer world and your responsibilities in that world, but there
are also times when you must attend to the haunting song of your soul
which calls you to a study of spiritual truths, and to an exploration of
the inner world through dreams and myths. In heeding the Blackbird's
song, you will discover healing and new depths in your soul.

--

ADDER - Transformation, Healing, Life Energy

The Adder offers healing and transformation. Its ability to glide into
the darkness through crevices and rocks connects it to the Underworld or
Otherworld, and the realm of Death. It is the totem animal of the Earth
Goddess, and also the Sky Father Sun God, and represents our ability to
die and be reborn. The energy that enables us to be born on earth is
sexual energy, but this also necessitates our death. Befriending adder
or snake power will enable you to journey through life gracefully and
magically, shedding your old life easily when the time comes - whether
that old life be of the physical body or of a stage in this present
incarnation.

Adder as a symbol of fertility

The snake was a symbol of fertility - its shape and the fact that it has
a double penis made it an obvious associate of fertility gods such as
Cernunnos, who is often depicted holding snakes, or even with his legs
formed by snakes. But the female snake represents fertility too, giving
birth to a prodigious number of young, her sinuous movements schoed in
the path of meandering rivers. The Cuckmere in Sussex, for example, was
known as snake river, and the river-goddess Verbeia of the Wharfe in
Yorkshire was depicted holding a snake in each hand.

--

CRANE - Secret Knowledge, Patience, Longevity

The Crane brings the qualitites of patience and perserverance. The Crane
will stand for hours peering into the water until the time is right for
it to dart at its prey. Combined with the ability to be patient, the
crane conveys the capacity to be focused and to be able to concentrate
without distraction. It brings an ability to guide others into the
Underworld, to help them with their transition at the time of dying, or
with their journeying in the inner realms. As well as an ability to work
in the "Underworld". the crane symbolizes arcane science, or Secret
Knowledge, which in the Druid tradition is represented by the Ogham
script - the tree-language of Druidry. In its widest sense, learning
this language involves learning to read the "Book of Nature".

The "shadow" side of the Crane is manifested as harshness, meanness and
a nagging, complaining disposition. If you find these qualities showing
sometimes in your behaviour, see if you can experience the deeper
aspects of the crane, in which it becomes an animal of the
Goddess-as-crone or wise-woman. Ask yourself to what extent you are
denying the wise-woman who has a knowledge of death and the Underworld
in yourself, and to what extend your negative behaviour may be a
reflection of this denial.

--