Talking to Animals

I have a sexy, saucy girlfriend I’ll call Lucy. Lucy has several years age on me, in the physical and metaphysical world. I won’t betray all her confidence, but I will say she found herself on the streets far too young, in a world of drugs and sex that would be a death sentence to many. But threaded down the skin of her spine, to the small of her back, is a thin line of spider’s silk. The base of her tattoo is a black widow spider. A female of her species who is strong, deadly, and in control.

Lucy is terrified of spiders, as am I, always have been. But she has adopted this animal as her symbol and a metaphor for her life. She has absolutely earned that right. She is out of that world, on her own, working hard, and is an absolute success.

Many people relate to a totem animal. As a simple example, some relate to Aries the Ram or Taurus the Bull. The Cherokee women of my “ScandinIndian” lineage (thanks for the eyes, ladies) believed that a person has nine or more totems: a totem in each direction (north south east and west,) an animal above, below, to the left, to the right, and within. Each animal serves a different role. Further, totems can come in and out of our lives, omens if you will; bringers of messages. And lastly, a person can have a Shadow Totem. That animal that we fear most of all can teach us the most of all.

Animal totems are not unique to just the Cherokee. I’ll bet not only do all indigenous American cultures have an animal spirit concept, but perhaps all ancient cultures around the world.

I’ve been having a difficult time with my new job. Not a hard time with the new job, not at all, I love it and it’s where I feel I’m meant to be! But I’m having a hard time with the temporary aspect. The not knowing if I will stay or go, if all I have will just be taken from me.

Since the weather has been turning to spring, sunnier and warmer, I really hoped it would be a time of creation in my career and in my life. Sitting by a crystal turquoise pool one beautiful afternoon a couple days ago, with some Hawaiian Huna oracle cards in my car, I decided to do a meditation and card draw. I re-conjured the image of Hawaii when I had visited (and where the cards are from), said the prayer, and cut the deck.

I had drawn Spider. There she was, staring at me. And of course she was. In Huna, Spider is the creatrix. Consider the miracle of her silk, strong enough to handle gale force winds. And talk about birthing, a spider will lay thousands of eggs.

I shared this with a friend, an author I have been in touch with who is the world’s only Doctor of Huna. Lanalana is their Spider’s name (has quite a ring to it). “Lanalana is definitely about creating something yourself, and having the courage to do that!”

While I am thrilled the oracle turned out so well, I also know there is something to using your own power, too.