May Shamanism Column

Welcome to the Monthly Shamanism Column

MAY

INTRODUCTION:

Dreams, the nighttime variety, have been very powerful lately, and this is often a means for shamanic messages to come through. If you can remember your dreams, think of any signs from nature – were you by a lake or climbing a tree, did an animal visit you or mark you in some way? Sit for a moment before opening your eyes and bask in the dream world to see if there is a message that rings true for you. You don’t have to go to the computer to look up the dream’s “meaning.” Trust your instincts. If you see bear standing tall and beating his chest, maybe you need to stand up for something, or if birds are singing and it seems joyful to the dreaming you, maybe you need to experience more joy.

Dreaming is a very useful tool for a shaman, and it is important to remember that not all dreams happen while sleeping. Shamans who dream while awake perform an important service to all mankind by dreaming of the transformation that will lead the world in a more perfect path. The shamanic journey can be thought of as a dream that happens while the dreamer is awake but outside of normal time. Meditation is another form of wakeful dreaming. The practice of visioning is being used more and more to create positive future paths. And despite what your teachers may have told you in school, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good daydream!

POWER ANIMALS FOR MAY:

For May, students of astrology in the United States typically associate the power animal Bull, associated with the sign Taurus. The Bull is solid, strong, practical, stubborn, slow, and stable. Bulls need security, financial and otherwise; they need solid ground under their feet. The Bull is a perfect symbol for the United States in May 2008, as our financial security is seriously in question. Bulls are slow and plodding, but once set in motion will remain at a task with great persistence and reliability. The Bull will try to get its own way, but will not take any risks.
The Native American power animal for the month of May, or the growing time, is the Beaver. The Beaver teaches many, many lessons to those with this totem; they are as busy as shamanic teachers as they are in life! Lessons of the Beaver involve cultivating flexibility and adaptability. Beaver teaches compassion, accepting others for who they are. Beavers are the builders, the creators, and can help you solve problems through creativity and work. This can be symbolized as needing to work on your foundation, or needing to build a new foundation to access new challenges. Beavers symbolize fertility and knowing how to work in harmony with the environment through their work in building dams and creating new fertile spaces. Beavers also teach inner peace and breath work; those with this totem would do well to practice meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. Also, the beaver symbolizes accessing the hidden inner world or under world of dreams, making it possible to manifest them.
The Mayan calendar brings us the energy of Snake, one of the most powerful medicine animals, at this time of year. There are many legends and myths associated with snake, including fertility and immortality. Snake is the symbol of the South in shamanic work, and we ask snake to teach us to leave our past as snake sheds its skin, all at once, leaving behind that which no longer serves and carrying forward only that which is part of our essential nature. They symbolize swift changes, speed, agility. They have no eardrums, but sense vibrations that travel through the earth, and those with this totem may access their inner power through hearing or clairaudience. The snake’s eyes are always open, offering the gift of sight.

With so many gifts coming from our animal totems this month, each person can develop his or her own strengths. Be ready for change, a change in path, a change in foundation, a change in focus or growth.

JOURNEY FOR MAY:

I asked Beaver to guide me on my journey for May. I have never visited with Beaver, and I could barely keep up this time!

Beaver met me at the atoll pool where I usually begin my journeys. It is a peaceful place for me, away from crowds and surrounded by nature. He insisted that we get up immediately and leave, that we run quickly as the foundation was washing away. I ran after him asking where we were going. Beaver said, “I have prepared a place for you.” It was disconcerting to be leaving my familiar place and indeed watching it crumble away behind me, but I trusted Beaver and followed him through a wood to a new place that had enough shade and enough sun and a cleared space for a new foundation. Beaver instructed me in taking enough trees but leaving some for the shade and choosing where to cut.

When I asked for the gift to bring back for readers for the month of May, Beaver began slapping his tail on the ground, sending out a vibration, and he kept going faster, saying that the frequency is higher now, and we have to send out our new vibration from our new places. A strange gift, I know, and Beaver talked very fast, so I’ve done my best to keep the essence of his meaning. I hope that it resonates for you.

Thank you Beaver for your gifts.

PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR MAY:

May starts with May Day and ends with Memorial Day.

On May Day, it is traditional to leave a basket of flowers for a friend or neighbor without getting caught. If you get caught, you have to give a kiss. A nice, warm occasion to start the month. Honor mother Earth by giving a living flower in a pot so that the recipient can plant it and enjoy it for a long time to come. Also plant flowers of your own as it is said that the Earth laughs in flowers.

Memorial Day in the United States is always more poignant when the country is at war. Honor those who have left this world to take their place among the spirit guides.

Pick one of the power animals this month and find a way to honor it, with a picture or symbol. Ask for the animal’s guidance and teachings, and try to practice the lessons you receive. In most parts of the United States, it is temperate to be out in nature, so enjoy the outdoors and notice anything that calls to you – a rock, a tree, a stream. Spend some time with this teacher to learn from it.

Dreaming for the world to come
Lisa

April Shamanism Column

Welcome to the Monthly Shamanism Column

APRIL

INTRODUCTION:

In addition to the usual power animals for the month, I have been impressed by the two catastrophic crane accidents – one in New York and one in Miami – in the past couple of weeks. I realized that I have also heard several mentions of the Yoga/Tai Chi crane position in these same couple of weeks. This brings up an important point when searching for your own power animal; your own power animal may communicate to you through a variety of means – in animate form, on television, in symbols. When an animal, or in this case something named for an animal, calls your attention repeatedly, it is important for you to notice and seek the meaning that this spirit is trying to impart to you. When I studied the crane’s meaning, it does ring true for me at this point in my life.

If you welcome the animal spirit’s message, it is important to seek an appropriate way to thank the spirit, for spirit has gone to great effort to impart a message to you. This may be lighting a special candle, offering a gift to nature, or finding some representation of the animal to carry with you for a few days. It is also proper to ask the spirit guide for a message. Now on to the universal messengers for April.

POWER ANIMALS FOR APRIL:

For April, students of astrology in the United States typically associate the power animal Ram, associated with the sign Aries. The Ram’s energetic message can be summed up as balance as you climb. Rams are agile, quick, intelligent and rely on their undisturbed sense of landing ok as they forge ahead into unchartered territories. Those new lands are often up, whether on the corporate ladder or Mount Everest. Ram’s great imagination and energy fuel the upward ascent, as well as Ram’s ability to take quick action when opportunity presents itself. The shadow side of Ram lies in his warrior personality. Be careful not to climb over loved ones and others on that ascent.
The Native American power animal for the month of April is the Falcon. Lessons of the Falcon echo the warnings for Ram’s shadow. Falcon is a high flyer, an individual. But Falcon medicine workers must learn that greater good comes from sharing, and that individuality does not have to be sacrificed to work in harmony with others.
The Mayan calendar brings us the energy of Fox at this time of year. Fox, like Ram, is creative and ingenious and swift in taking action. When Fox enters your life, look for new beginnings, new creative processes. Unlike Ram, Fox teaches us gentleness and imparts feminine energies for balance. Fox teaches stillness as well as swiftness. Fox asks us to work in harmony with our surroundings and to develop patience and persistence.

The heavens and the power animals are offering us the opportunity to seek balance and harmony, and to learn how to climb or fly to our highest goals quickly. As so many of the energy workers are stating, now is the time of instant manifestation. Our animal guides can help us learn to manifest in harmony with the common good, without causing harm or injury to others. .

JOURNEY FOR APRIL:

I asked Fox to guide me on my journey for April. Most journeys are usually that, we go somewhere. But Fox just came and sat by me. The first step in any journey is to sit quietly and decide where to go. Where do you want to go?

All things are possible. All can be manifested. But if you don’t sit in stillness and determine what it is you want, where you want to go, what you will try to achieve, you may not like what you get or where you end up.

Begin at the beginning. Begin in harmony. Fox teaches patience. Good things come to those who wait. In an age of instant manifestation, we will all be called upon to know ourselves and be sure of where we are going.

This is not to say that we cannot change our minds after we start out, but that whenever we change course, we must take a moment to sit again in stillness.

Thank you Fox for your gifts.

PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR APRIL:

The most appropriate feature of the April calendar for personal practice is Earth Day, April 22. Find a way to thank our Mother Earth on this day especially for her constant support of us and every other inhabitant on the planet.

When opening sacred space, we ask the Mother to help us be good guardians of all who live on the Earth, of the stone people, the plant people, the 4-legged and 2-legged, the finned and the furred. With so many ways to offer thanks to the Earth, we should each be able to do something every day to reinforce our connection with her. Recycling, reducing energy use, going green, eating organic are all ways everyone can participate.

My own favorite new way of working for a cleaner Earth is to use Craigslist.org or freecycle.org whenever I’m planning a purchase. By reusing something that is already in the system, think of all the packaging, transportation and manufacturing waste that can be saved.

Dreaming for the world to come
Lisa

January Monthly Shamanism Column

JANUARY

INTRODUCTION:

A very powerful and important message is being handed down from the shamanic elders this season, asking each of us lightworkers to shift our focus away from problems and towards peace.

The upcoming year calls for a great deal of preparation as we align with the evolution of the human species. I have seen many interpretations of the ending of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, but the one that rings truest is that the human species will evolve from homo sapien to homo lumen. We are changing, we are evolving, and let peace guide your evolution.

In this work, it is often not enough to just think about peace or even to pray for peace; strive to be peace in all that you do. Be the calm in the center, be the one who diminishes chaos and strife by embodying peace and light.

As we enter into 2008, an election year in the United States, there will be much focus by the media and the candidates on problems. Let your focus be on the peace that transcends and diffuses the problems. Let peace flow from you like a wave of light enveloping all around.

This year, 2008, will be a year of gaining critical mass, where light will tip the balance towards peace. We begin 2008 with a 1-1-1 stargate, marking the change that is to come. If you have typically reacted in a manner that is inconsistent with peace, then it is the perfect time to change and work in the light.

POWER ANIMALS FOR JANUARY:

For January, students of astrology in the United States typically associate the power animal Goat, associated with the sign Capricorn. The goat is the perfect power animal for beginning our new focus on peace. In shamanic teaching, the goat aids in establishing foundations from which to climb to greater heights, foundations that include supporting others and offering the ability and freedom to explore new areas. From these strong foundations, goat climbs to new heights in spiritual, mental and emotional areas, always looking up and climbing towards the highest possible goal. Follow the goat when you feel lost, and trust his strength and surefootedness to lead in the right direction.

The Native American power animal for the month of January is the goose. Goose teaches to conserve for the purpose of becoming self reliant and self sufficient. This is not to be interpreted as needing to cut off from others, but rather to be able to learn to identify your own path, your own purpose without having to rely on others. This is a perfect totem for lightworkers to learn to rely on your own inner source of guidance and strength. Know your own place of strength and peace and navigate your path from your own relationship with Source.

The Mayan calendar brings us the energy of Monkey at this time of year. Monkey teaches us to balance the dark and the light and helps us to see our own darker sides. You must know the dark before you can walk in the light, and monkey is a good guide at this time of year. Monkey also helps us to move within to find the ancient sources of wisdom and inspiration in the deep recesses and teaches us to bring this wisdom forward into the light.

While we are still in the Chinese year of the pig, we will also encounter a new power animal in the rat on Chinese new year February 7, 2008. While traditional shamanic interpretation considers a rat as offering information about overconsumption and waste, I was more interested in the Chinese interpretation for those born in Rat years as having characteristics of leaders, and of having great charm and charisma. I’ll discuss more of this in February’s column.

Each of the systems has a different animal for the month of January, but notice that each offers us an aspect of support for our continuing development as lightworkers and light becomers. This is a time of integration, of joining of belief systems to gain from the united strength that is offered by focusing on peace. Embody the offerings of Goat, Goose, and Monkey and shift toward peace.

JOURNEY FOR JANUARY:

For this month’s journey, I decided to work with my mesa, which is a traditional item held by shamans that organizes the shaman’s practices and includes power stones. I have begun asking friends who travel to bring me a stone if one calls to them, and the stone that I chose for this journey is my newest stone. It came from Spain, and it is smooth and cool to the touch. I called to Goat to be my guide, and the journey began almost immediately. We climbed to the top of a craggy, cold, windy mountain. The climb was not easy, but it was possible. From the top of the mountain, we were able to look back down to see the path we had traveled, as well as another path that would have been easier but would have brought us to the same spot. During our ascent, the other path was not visible, only from the top. We could also look out and see a valley, other mountains in the distance, a river through the valley. We seemed to be at the very top of the world, on a mountain peak above the entire rest of the earth.

Goat turned to me and said that the journey did not end at what we now thought of as the top, but the way of ascending must change.

Thank you goat, for the beautiful message for the month of January.

PERSONAL PRACTICE FOR JANUARY:

The practice for this month is simple, yet difficult to enact. Be Peace. Focus on shifting to peace in every situation.

Dreaming for the world to come
Lisa