New Year, New Beginning

Each new year signals the opportunity for a new beginning, but 2008 does even more so. This new year begins with a 1/1/1 stargate, a fantastic opportunity for starting fresh.

During the last days of this old year, take the time to clean out anything that no longer serves a purpose. Call on snake to help you in this endeavor, ask that you may shed your past as snake sheds her skin, all at once, leaving behind that which no longer serves and going forward with only your essential self.

When you clean out the old, energetically you make room for new to come in. Say a mantra or prayer as you clean out anything old. For items that are going to Good Will or other donation service, ask that the items serve a new meaningful purpose and bring good for the new recipients. For anything that you are throwing away or shredding, ask that the old energy be released and reused by the Universe.

Be sure to ask for what you want to fill the void that is left by cleaning out so that you don't start filling up all of the space with more of the same if it is no longer desired.

For instance, when shredding old credit card receipts you may ask that wealth replace the debt incurred. For old letters or articles, if it represents an unfulfilled wish, ask yourself if the wish is still relevant. Perhaps a new desire is more important. Don't linger over the unfulfilled trip, recipe, book, but instead think of the new that is now a part of your life to be.

Leaving behind also means resisting old habits, eliminating old emotional baggage, and making room for healthy new habits and wonderful new people.

Be sure to leave as much behind as possible in time for the stargate. Then you will be ready to accept the new gifts that are offered by the Universe. 2008 offers several 1/1/1 stargates if this one catches you unprepared or not quite ready to let go.

Enjoy this gift from the universe.

December Shamanism Gifts

DECEMBER

INTRODUCTION:

Shamanism is a spiritual practice that honors the Earth and all of her inhabitants including plants, stones, winged creatures, those who swim, four leggeds and two leggeds, as well as all of nature including the great Star Nation and our sun, moon, and planets. Shamanism is practiced by indigenous peoples throughout North and South America and has roots in Mayan and Native American culture.

In practicing shamanism, the medicine worker seeks ways to connect with the natural world and import meaning from the experience. Various methods are available to the Shaman to find guidance for specific questions or issues, including power animals and journeying.

POWER ANIMALS FOR DECEMBER:

One method of divining personal messages of significance is through animal totems, or power animals. An individual’s animal totem may come to him through a dream, by visitation in the physical world, or by other representations such as an affinity for a particular piece of art depicting an animal. Power animals may come for a specific time or may remain with an individual for a lifetime.
For December, students of astrology in the United States typically associate the power animal Horse or Centaur, associated with the sign Sagittarius. The Native American power animal for the month of December is also the horse. The horse is one of the most important animals in both our spiritual and developmental history and is deserving of much honor and respect.
The horse symbolizes freedom, resistance to boundaries, but also the power that comes from proper use of your own freedom. Horse medicine workers know how to stand in their own power and are often sought out by those seeking to learn the ways of self empowerment. Those with the horse totem may be excellent teachers, as long as the student is respectful of the independent nature of the horse. Horse medicine workers are often deeply connected with spirit in their own right, without relying on a teacher or mentor.
Despite their need for freedom, the horse has always been a great friend to mankind. They have helped us in our physical work by carrying us over vast stretches of land and pulling wagons and carts. They have assisted us in our spiritual work by being patient teachers who help us gain personal strength and cross new frontiers.
If horse has come to you, you are being offered a gift of safe movement into new physical or spiritual space. Horse will help you in your quest. The shadow side of horse is to be independent to the point of becoming unable to live within society at large, or of driving others away. Always remember the dual nature of independence and assistance.
The Centaur totem of the month, while mostly manifesting through Horse for animal work, connects in both astrology and shamanism through the kind and wise Centaur Chiron. Though most centaurs were raucous, wild-living beings, Chiron was intelligent, kind, and a great teacher. He was a talented healer and respected oracle. Chiron is said to have sacrificed his life to allow humans to obtain the use of fire. Through fire, shamans are able to cleanse dense energies. Fire ceremony is an important part of shamanic practices; it is conducted to offer healing to a community, the land it is performed on, and offered up for the healing of Pachamama as our communal home. The intentions brought forward in the fire ceremony are those of deep healing for all those in attendance and for Mother Earth Herself.
While horse energy seems predominant in December, those interested in the Mayan calendar may notice an affinity for Turkey or for the Alligator/Lizard depending on the time of the month. Turkey offers us the gift of renewal, as their numbers were decimated in the wild but they have resurged in captivity. This also manifests in recurring themes throughout their lives. The most notable feature of the Lizard is the ability to escape certain dangerous situations by breaking off its tail. This teaches those with the lizard medicine totem that leaving behind a part of oneself that no longer serves is a valuable lesson. But the lizard can do this only once, as the new tail regrows from cartilage. Choose wisely when to exercise your power.

JOURNEY FOR DECEMBER:

Another shamanic practice for determining personal and worldly messages is the Journey. Typically, a shamanic journey will be induced by rhythmic drumming that alters the energetic vibration and allows a shift in consciousness for the shaman. The shaman enters this state when seeking guidance for a particular question.

In preparing for this column, I opened sacred space and journeyed and asked for a message for the month of December. In keeping with the power animals at work this month, I chose to call on the Horse spirit to be my guide. At first, I rode very fast on horse’s back across an empty plain, with a joy of feeling that we were riding towards something, not away from. We came to a heavily forested area, and I had to get down and lead horse gently through the trees. The message of this journey came as knowing the difference between a time for using your power for celebrating freedom and not trampling into danger. Also, appreciate the shift in balance of power between leading and being led.

PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR DECEMBER:

Shamanic practitioners also must take care to protect themselves during times of strife and vulnerability.

For readers who will celebrate Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanza this December, there may be gatherings of families which may bring great joy and time for celebration. However, with all of the activity comes opportunities for nervousness and discomfort. Whether you are ill at ease with crowds, travel, finances, or certain family members, shamanic practice allows you to seek comfort from the support nature offers us.

Find a quiet place to sit for a moment, and perhaps play some rhythmic music. Still your mind. Breathe in deeply and imagine the sun spinning clockwise in your belly, warming you, providing you with all the strength that you need. As you breathe out release all tension, all energy that is not as pure and light as the sun itself. Breathe in and imagine the sun getting hotter, breathe out and the sun grows bigger, until you are encompassed by the warmth and glow of the sun.

Now that you have renewed your connection with the sun, take comfort in knowing that wherever you travel, whatever challenges you face, the sun will rise for you tomorrow to light your path. Tap into that connection whenever you feel vulnerable to gain strength.

Dreaming for the world to come
Lisa

Alternative Thanksgiving

In our family, we are vegetarians (which has nothing to do with being a shaman), so for Thanksgiving, we celebrate a little differently than some of the folks around us. We do go to visit friends and share the big meal of the day, eschewing the Turkey. One year we tried a Tofurkey, but it wasn't for us.

But at some point over the holiday, we take a trip to the zoo. This may seem just another form of unkindness to our animal friends, but we are lucky enough to live in Miami, and we have a wonderful zoo here that is cageless and renowned for research and conservation programs. I do believe that the animals there are treated well. And the weather is always spectacular this time of year (sorry to my norther readers). Plus it is a huge zoo, so we easily walk off many of the calories from sweet potatoes, pecan pie, green bean casserole, cornbread, etc.

This year, I spent some time thinking of totem animals and what they have to offer us. The most obvious example is the pair of Andean Condors that our zoo has, because the form of shamanism that I practice comes from Peru, and the Condor is associated with one of the four directions. We thank Condor every time we open or close sacred space, and it was lovely to be able to thank this pair in person.

But the one that struck me most was a giant tortoise who walked, very slowly, across an expanse of grass right up to the fence to visit us. He stayed at the fence for a long time, looking at us as my daughters looked at him. I don't think I've ever noticed a tortoises's eyes before, and they were so kind and patient, as was he. My preschooler has had a peaked interest in the story of the tortoise and the hare this week, so it was a special treat for her.

When I read over the message for Tortoise, I realized the importance for my own life. Tortoise teaches patience and focus. I have recently been in a period of lacking focus (starting several new blogs, writing pieces here and there, working sporadically on my novel) and have been frustrated at the lack of progress. It is said that when tortoise comes into your life, he is ready to share his ancient wisdom. I thank tortoise for his gift at this appropriate time.

Look around in your own life at this time of hectic schedules. The holidays increase everyone's pace. Could you benefit from the lessons of patience and steady focus offered by Tortoise?

November Shamanism Gifts

NOVEMBER

INTRODUCTION:

Shamanism is a spiritual practice that honors the Earth and all of her inhabitants including plants, stones, winged creatures, those who swim, four leggeds and two leggeds, as well as all of nature including the great Star Nation and our sun, moon, and planets. Shamanism is practiced by indigenous peoples throughout North and South America and has roots in Mayan and Native American culture.

In practicing shamanism, the medicine worker seeks ways to connect with the natural world and import meaning from the experience. Various methods are available to the Shaman to find guidance for specific questions or issues, including power animals and journeying.

POWER ANIMALS FOR NOVEMBER:

One method of divining personal messages of significance is through animal totems, or power animals. An individual’s animal totem may come to him through a dream, by visitation in the physical world, or by other representations such as an affinity for a particular piece of art depicting an animal. Power animals may come for a specific time or may remain with an individual for a lifetime.

For November, students of astrology in the United States would typically associate the power animal Scorpion. Those who feel the connection to Scorpion may learn to use self-defense and preparedness to their advantage, as the scorpion teaches vigilance. Because scorpions molt several times over their lifespan, metamorphosis and openness to change may be lessons for scorpion medicine workers. Passion, fearlessness, and waiting for the right opportunity before striking are also associated with this totem.

Scorpios may also carry the gifts of the Eagle and the Phoenix. The Eagle is a pervasive and important symbol throughout shamanic cultures. Shamans call on the Eagle, which is associated with the East direction, for opening sacred space to begin any medicine work. The Eagle teaches us to fly high above our world to see the overall picture, and still have the ability to focus in on one particular aspect in great detail. The Phoenix offers us the gift of death and rebirth, allowing fire to burn away all that is not part of our essential nature. Use of fire is important in Shamanic ceremonies as a cleansing power that releases energetic impurities. Each death by fire of Phoenix brings him closer to pure energy.

For those who feel drawn to Native American astrology, the month of November is characterized by the Eel and the Snake. Eels are very mysterious creatures who are masters of disguise and camouflage. Snake is a powerful healing totem animal across every shamanic practice. Snakes are also a symbol of molting, shedding their skin all at once to emerge anew, leaving behind that which no longer serves a purpose.

Those interested in the Mayan calendar may notice an affinity for the Owl or Peacock. While each particular breed of Owl bears distinct gifts, the Owl in general bears the gifts of reincarnation and acute sight. During November, the young male Peacocks start to regrow their tail feathers. The long, colorful plumage associated with peacocks falls off after mating season is over, then starts to come back in during the winter to reach peak beauty for the Spring mating. This reminds us of the cycle of nature in its perfect order, and in November, it is a promise of the coming season of plenty.

Should you feel an affinity for one of the power animals, you may seek your own specific meaning from this association. However, in seeking an overall message for the month of November, there is a commonality among the animals in symbols of molting, burning away the past, shedding skin, and going forth anew. If this resonates with you, determine what no longer serves a purpose for you and know that you are in alignment with nature and receiving support.

JOURNEY FOR NOVEMBER:

Another shamanic practice for determining personal and worldly messages is the Journey. Typically, a shamanic journey will be induced by rhythmic drumming that alters the energetic vibration and allows a shift in consciousness for the shaman. The shaman enters this state when seeking guidance for a particular question.

In preparing for this column, I journeyed and asked for a message for the month of November. In keeping with the power animals at work this month, I chose to call on the Eagle spirit to be my guide. Often, there is great joy in experiencing the power in the Eagle’s flight, but I sensed a feeling of needing to relocate or move from a current situation or location, and the Eagle provides the necessary perspective to seek out a more appropriate physical, emotional, or spiritual location. I was reminded of the old saying that when we are in trouble, we see only what is directly ahead, but God sees around the corners, as a more familiar representation of this journey. I asked for a gift to bring back, and the answer I received was “courage.” If this feels appropriate for you, if you are leaving one location or situation for another that is more suitable, then enjoy the gift.

PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR NOVEMBER:

Shamanism also honors the connection between the lineage, those ancestors who have gone before and those who are yet to come, including you in your perfect place in time and in the lineage.

For readers who will celebrate Thanksgiving this November, it is an appropriate time to include thankfulness for your own lineage. Take a moment to honor those who have gone before and receive their gifts with gratitude. Then hold a dream for the future, for those yet to come in your own lineage and in the world. Look around at your family members gathered together and see how the lineage flows through each one. Make note of any particularly strong image or impression to find your own personal message.

Dreaming for the world to come
Lisa

Beginning in December, you will also be able to find my monthly reports on The Cosmic Path