Lapis Lazuli

When I work with the stone elders, I do not have favorites. They all have wisdom that they impart to me. However, if I was to choose one, it was would be the lapis lazuli, with her deep blue color and flecks of gold. Because of lapis’ deep gold aura, I can sense the difference between her and sodalite. When I hold this elder in my hand, I feel waves of soothing calmness come over me. Lapis soothes my feverish mind.

I am not surprised that ancient people also held lapis in high regard. The Egyptians viewed this stone elder as sacred to Maat, the Goddess of Truth and Balance. Meanwhile, the Romans carried lapis for courage and protection.

When I hold a lapis, I am anchored at the place where present meets the past and future. Moreover, this elder transports me to the nexus of time and space. With lapis’ assistance, the Universe opens her secrets to me, there.

In my conversations with lapis, she whispers to me the wisdom of the ancestors and the honor of the past. Then, this elder connects me to the future and the hope it contains. Finally, she unfolds the beauty of the present before me. Later, as I reflect on my experience, I begin to understand the truths that lapis tells me.

When I work with lapis, I can feel a deep healing within myself. In addition, my energies become better aligned. I feel my depression lifting as lapis flashes her gold at me. The glorious blue of lapis with the flecks of gold invites me to explore the world of beauty. While holding lapis, I feel that I can do anything, since I am now a part of the Universe.

Discovering that lapis is the stone of Jupiter (the Sky Father) and Tiamaat (the Mistress of the Cosmos) makes me appreciate her more. I feel that this elder combines the powers of the Cosmos and the Earth into one. My further experiences with lapis have been of connecting with both Jupiter and Tiamaat.

Dragon Jewels

Choosing the Dragon Jewels was easier than selecting the bag they reside in. I do stone casting, but wanted to use the class parameters. Therefore, I asked each of my crystals, who of them would want to be part of the Dragon Jewels casting set.

Although I prefer working with fluorite, laborite and malachite, they told me that they were not interested in divination. However, the other crystals did give me their permission to use them, except for the amethyst. He wanted me to find a one to be dedicated to Dragon Jewel casting.

My method of choosing Dragon Jewels is to listen for them. I am hard of hearing but I can hear their humming quite clearly. When I go into a rock shop, if one is calling to me, I will hear a low hum. As I approach, the crystal will start to sing. When I see the stone, they will sparkle. Holding the crystal in my hand, I feel a tingling. This is how I chose the new amethyst.

For me, each Dragon Jewel has a different character. The small but mighty ruby is intense. The pale, yellow amber whispers of ancient suns. Full of pep, the snowflake obsidian jumps into my hand. Pushy aquamarine insists on being first in everything. He told me that He was the Godfather of the Dragon Jewels. Aloof tiger iron quietly shimmers just inside my view. Childlike, clear quartz pipes up in a high voice, “Oo, OO, pick Me!” Serene moonstone gently glows while cool jades does his jazz riffs. His partner in swing, citrine, dances in delight. Shy lapis quietly waits her turn.

Choosing my bag was an adventure in itself. My Dragon Jewels wanted a special bag to live in. I found my bag in an out-of-the-way store in the Blue Ridge Mountains (Virginia). This soft velvet bag is decorated with soft sparkly beads. A purple lizard is hand sewn using stones on the front. The Stone Elders delighted in this bag.

Note: I do not “use” my Dragon Jewels. They are Stone Elders deserving of my respect.

Cranes

"In Eastern tradition, a pair of cranes symbolizes love in a harmonious, lifelong relaitonship. While one bird rests, the other stands on guard. Meditate on the cranes' perfect balance of mutual attentiveness, and let this inspire you and your partner to make a long and happy life together."
From One Spirit date book.

Happy Valentines Day Helping Manatees and Dugongs

Happy Valentines Day! Attached please find a Valentine Card from Conch, our Florida Mermaid Ambassador.

Conch sends his "heartfelt" thanks to everyone who donated during America's Giving Challenge. The videos "Swimming with Mermaids" and "Mermaid Kisses" generated 56 donations totaling $2,350. Although it was not enough to win one of the $50,000 prizes, the funds raised will enable Sirenian International to award at least two additional small grants to projects in developing countries this year...and we might still win one of the $1,000 prizes!

If you missed the America's Giving Challenge deadline, Conch has a special offer for you:
"Make a donation in any amount to Sirenian International by February 14th, you may adopt him, or any of our other 4 Mermaid Ambassadors, at no additional cost!"

Each of our Mermaid Ambassadors represents one of only four manatee & dugong species left in the world today. When you adopt Conch, Maya, Yara, Elandra, or Bahari, you support our educational outreach programs, capacity building programs, and research & community conservation projects around the world.

As a special Valentine thank you, any donation made online or postmarked by February 14th, 2008, automatically includes the adoption of a Mermaid Ambassador. You will receive an Adoption Certificate, a glossy 4"x6" photograph, and a FACT SHEET about the species your Ambassador represents. During the next year, your ambassador will bring you true stories about the manatee and dugong populations our Ambassadors represent via A Mermaid's Voice, our new members only newsletter.

Yes! You may have the adoption placed in the name of a loved one as a Valentine's Day gift. How? Simply visit our Mermaid Ambassadors online at http://www.sirenian.org/ambassadors.html and learn more about Maya, Yara, Elandra, Bahari, and Conch.

Next, click on the Network for Good Donate Now button and enter your Ambassador's name under "Designation" during the online process. Network for Good now accepts donations from within the US via credit card AND donations from outside the US via PayPal using your credit card. If you would like to have your adoption automatically renew each year, select "annually" in the reoccurring donation box under "Donation Preferences".

Alternatively, send your donation by check to the address below and write your choice of Ambassador on the Memo line. Be sure to include your postal address, email address and/or phone number. We will follow-up by email (or phone) to ensure the adoption is completed and mailed per your instructions no later than February 28th, 2008.

As always, thanks for your interest in our mission at Sirenian International and have a LOVELY Valentine's Day!

The Animal Archetype Test

The people who design these silly tests really do not how to take a sample. But they are fun in a strange sort of way. of course, I got the Squirrel. But not just any squirrel - The Eurasian Red Squirrel. They are shier than the American Grey Ones.

The Animal Archetype Test
Your Score: The Squirrel
You scored 62% domestic, 24% gregarious, 17% trickster, and 35% intellect!

Domestic, Solitary, Serious, Emotional: you are the Squirrel! Squirrel people tend to be organized, thrifty, prepared for anything, slightly obsessive. Squirrel medicine teaches the benefit of good planning, looking towards the future, and conservation. The squirrel is a symbol of delayed gratification, resourcefulness, agility, and foresight.

This test categorized you based on four different axes of personality, which were then associated with a different animal. The four axes, as well as all possible results are explained below.

Wild/Domestic: This first axis categorizes you based on how much you are drawn to the outdoors, versus how much you are drawn to civilized situations. Domesticity has many shapes and forms, and varies from the joy of dolphins leaping next to a ship to the steadfast loyalty of a family dog.

Gregarious/Solitary: This axis measures how solitary you are. If you scored high, it means that you enjoy the company of other people, while a low score indicates that you prefer a more solitary lifestyle.

Trickster/Serious: This axis measures how well you line up with conventional trickster archetypes. People who fall into this archetype have a sense of humor and an excitable, highly chaotic streak. Scoring low doesn't mean that you don't have a sense of humor; it just means that you probably don't think dynamite is very funny.

Intellectual/Emotional: This last axis determines whether you are more emotional -- acting based on feelings and instinct, or rational and intelectual -- acting more on thought than on your gut feelings.

Wild Gregarious Trickster Intellectual : The Hyena
Wild Gregarious Trickster Emotional : The Otter
Wild Gregarious Serious Intellectual : The Antelope
Wild Gregarious Serious Emotional : The Wolf

Wild Solitary Trickster Intellectual : The Weasel
Wild Solitary Trickster Emotional : The Coyote
Wild Solitary Serious Intellectual : The Raven
Wild Solitary Serious Emotional : The Frog

Domestic Gregarious Trickster Intellectual : The Fox
Domestic Gregarious Trickster Emotional : The Dolphin
Domestic Gregarious Serious Intellectual : The Horse
Domestic Gregarious Serious Emotional : The Dog

Domestic Solitary Trickster Intellectual : The Rat
Domestic Solitary Trickster Emotional : The Ferret
Domestic Solitary Serious Intellectual : The Cat
Domestic Solitary Serious Emotional : The Squirrel


My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 99% on domestic

You scored higher than 99% on gregarious

You scored higher than 99% on trickster

You scored higher than 99% on intellect

Take test at:
http://www.okcupid.com/tests/523475376769642040/Animal-Archetype

The Sacred Pipe

SACRED PIPE

Prayer

The Pipe is a gift from the Great Mystery. Because of its sacred nature, a Pipe is kept wrapped in separate pieces. The stem and bowl are connected only for the Pipe Ceremony. When the Pipe is smoked, the people’s breath became sacred. Only the truth could be spoken at that time.

In the Pipe Ceremony, tobacco is offered to the Four Directions, Mother Earth, and Father Sky. Starting at East, of the Good Red Road, offerings were then made to South of plants, West of the sunset, and North of health. In Thanksgiving for life and warmth, Mother Earth and Father Sky received their gifts.

Teaching

The Sacred Pipe balances our male and female sides. With the Pipe, we can connect with the Great Mystery (Creator), and come into alignment with All Our Relations. Honoring the blessings of the Great Mystery, we keep the Sacred Traditions, and mend the Sacred Hoop.

Application

The Sacred Pipe asks you to honor who you are and why you are here. Make peace with yourself, and your Path will become clear.