Those that have followed Psychic Television over the last five years will know that if I use cards for a reading I usually use the Native American Medicine Animal cards. I do this for a reason as to do full readings you have to be psychic to do them justice. This came up for today's blog because someone asked me on the weekend how I am able to do full readings from the Medicine cards. For that very reason, I am psychic and the cards are a 'tool' through which 'upstairs' will talk to me through.
Many so called psychics are what I call 'card turners.' They turn cards and read the symbolism of that specific card. Tarot cards have their major and minor arcana and specific messages for the placement and pictorial representation of that card. I personally haven't had a reading in the last six years but before that I would sometimes go to a psychic and the usual suspects would come up (the magician, the emperor. the hanged man) and I would watch them just tuning in to the standard representation of that card. I would then ask them if there was a deeper meaning to it, or if it could possibly mean this - basically helping them read their own cards on a deeper more psychic level relevant to the individual...and I was the one paying. I also say this form a place of balanced ego, as it wasn't a case of me avoiding listening to something, it was a case of them being so off the mark, i felt embarrassed for them and would 'guide' them to 'guidance.' As I said, that was a long time ago, now I just ask 'upstairs' myself.
So back to the Native American Medicine Animals.The Native Americans, as an indigenous people recognised the interconnectedness of us all and our connection to 'Great Spirit.' As a result they would study the animals, their behaviour, their relationships, their work ethic, sexuality and relationships, then would adopt certain lessons or traits they may need to apply to their own lives, lessons and healing. For example most tribes had a female elder who assisted with childbirth, feminine issues, female sexuality and such like and they would often adopt 'OTTER' medicine which is concerned with exactly that. Their healing pouches were made out of an Otter's bladder and the Otters skin was used for other healing purposes.
Another example would be a young male Indian trying to win the affections of a female member of the tribe, and impatiently wanting to fast-track their learning / vision-quest, to earn respect. they may be out hunting and see an ELK which would offer the lesson of STAMINA, and slowing down the need for acceptance, and also nurturing his male friendships that would have suffered for his relentless pursuit of female companionship.
So back to the 'Medicine.' It is interesting how certain celebrities use the power of a certain animal medicine either in their name or their profession. It is no surprise Tiger woods, by his very name, associates with Tiger Medicine of : Isolation, solitary nature ambition, will and power. He is the individual star of our generation and yet a mediocre team player in the Ryder Cup. He would have needed some RACCOON energy to win the Ryder cup, but I suppose Raccoon woods wasn't going to cut it ;-). Talking of Golf Greg Norman, was known as 'The Shark, and for all the negative perceptions of Shark, as 'medicine it teaches us the lesson of needing time on our own. Norman won his tournaments when he was in control and not pressured. Sharks get irritable and anxious if they don't get time alone and can dictate their own agenda...which was why Nick Faldo won in the famous collapse of Norman in one of the majors - Faldo dictated the pace and encroached on the sharks energy.
Below is a poem I wrote about my personal lesson so far with the Medicine Animals and also I called this blog Blue heron and Badgers. Badger is described below, but over the last few years whenever I have been needing to assimilate the lesson of self-dignity and self reflection, I have spotted the same Blue Heron standing on the river path where I run, just to remind me my 'medicine' for the day
MEDICINE ANIMALS
I've transcended Raccoon, sharing, but learning firstly to protect my dreams
I'm still assimilating Badger and the use of aggression for constructive means
To be the wolf I've realised the many levels to my teaching
Similarly with Hawk and the depth of symbolism in his messaging
I'm more akin with Elk, resisting re-evaluating its tantric balance
I've embraced Black Panther often, yet may be currently delaying his talents
I've absorbed Bear cyclically, soul searching my goals and introspection
I've shape-shifted with Eagle, never ceasing to wonder at illumination
I've mastered Skunk and self-respect, yet may be missing a subtle inflection
I love the energy of Fox, yet sometimes stray from acute observation
I work side by side with Weasel when I journey back to dark destinations
I work daily with Grouse, honouring the sacred spiral and my ascension
I think Salmon is part of my essence of wisdom and intuition
I know horse rides with me as I stand in the power of my conviction
In terms of Raven I've not fully allowed its flow of magic
I know I overly use frog to cleanse the stagnant and tragic
Within the Medicine Animal interconnectedness, the key is my willingness to step out of the comfort zone
To swim the raging river, transcending all fear of being alone.
Jules Williams 15/01/08
PS. FOR THOSE READING THIS WHO ARE HAPPY TO TAKE A FEW MINUTES OUT OF THIER DAY AND TUNE INTO AN ANIMAL RELEVANT TO THEIR JOURNEY AT PRESENT, OR ONE THEY KEEP DREAMING ABOUT YOU HAVE UNTIL THE END OF OCTOBER 2008 TO E-MAIL ME THAT ANIMAL AND I WILL LET YOU KNOW IT'S RELEVANT MESSAGE (A SHORT PARAGRAPH BY RETURN E-MAIL)
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