Totems and Their Messages

A Solar Eclipse was just upon us during the New Moon.  There will not be another solar eclipse of this type for another ten years.  And, I wondered, while reading of these energies from the most educated astrologers and Witches that I admire and trust - how would these two events affect me?  Would I be in the negative or the positive of these powerful energies?  Since I’m still learning to trust my instincts - I just never know.

The Dark Moon has always brought out the dark energies that are a part of my shadow-self. I start to sense them a few days before the New Moon and am pretty proud of myself for now being able to recognize those dark emotions.  I now see myself "apart" from myself - if that makes any sense to you and I simply take note.  Pull back when I need to or stay in the moment of what is occurring.

The arrival of a message...

For the past few days Lion has been trying to get my attention.  On the second sighting I always tell myself "...if there is a third, pay attention."  The third time was in a dream.  Even this morning there have been a few times I’ve seen him.

It was time to study Lion as a totem.

I was surprised to learn that the Lion totem corresponded with Sun's feminine energies telling me to pay attention or trust the energies of creativity, intuition and imagination.  To me, the Sun’s energies have always corresponded to the male.  I’ve also learned that this totem may provide the possibility of an opportunity to awaken to a new sun (or new adventure).  The Lion's "cycle of power" is year-round.

Last night’s dream had me waking up nervous almost scared and my first thought was that something was coming - beware.  In Ted Andrew’s interpretation of the Lion totem, he wrote to not be afraid to roar if feeling threatened or intruded upon.  He also writes, “…If a lion has shown up as a totem, you can expect lessons and issues dealing with community and groups to surface.  (Lion’s live in prides)  There may be a need to examine your own role in the group.” (So must I look at my role in the family and how it's being played?) It avoids confrontations and will leave the scene of danger if possible. (Makes sense, I’m a Libra and truly hate confrontations.) It kills by strangulation.

During my research, my attention was drawn to an old familiar - Panther. 

It’s all connected. 

The Lion and Panther both hunt primarily by stealth.  Both kill by strangulation, though a Panther strikes from behind.

The cycle of power for the Panther is the Dark Moon, New Moon and winter. 

Symbols are ferocity and valor without the solar significance - meaning the attention is on it's female energies. 

They are fiercer than Lions. 

They are loners.

Panther also implies that an "old issue may finally begin to resolve or even that longstanding wounds begin to heal, and the healing will come reclaiming of power that was lost at the time of the wounding." During this time of year, I recall an old wound and am always questioning how to heal it.

Now, once again, I am reminded of the power of my totem, which is so familiar to me that I tend to take her for granted.  She is female, it was confirmed in an Akashic reading by Jacki Smith creatrix of Coventry Creations.

The path of the Craft is ever-learning, which sometimes means going back to books collecting dust on a shelf or leading us to new writings by trusted authors. 

So what about the Lion?  Was he just a reminder of the Panther totem?  I’m not sure.  I do “know” that this is a “work in progress” and now after a bit of research and understanding this totem's energies…meditating on the Lion is in order.

Blessed be, Witches!