STAG BEETLE Quiet Service

Stag Beetle gets the attention of a Female Stag Beetle by parading around with his head raised and his antler-like jaws (chelicerae) wide open. In mating battles, He spars with his Rivals using his large jaws as a Stag Deer would use his antlers. Because of his deer-like mating behavior, this Insect is called “Stag Beetle”.

The difference in size between Stag Beetle and his Mate caused people to think that They were different species. Although Stag Beetle’s jaws are huge, He cannot use them as weapons. However, his smaller Mate can, and She will give any intruder a sharp nip.

Stag Beetle Larva feeds on decaying wood and roots of tree stumps. By eating old and decaying wood, He is a helpful Insect. Stag Beetle helps the trees by returning the minerals of dead wood to the soil. Stag Beetle is a flagship species for a whole range of animals dependent on access to dead wood.

The ancient Greeks had a myth about the origin of Stag Beetle. The first man to play the lyre was a famous musician named Cerambus. Unfortunately for him, Cerambus angered the nymphs who herded his Sheep and Goats. For their revenge, the nymphs turned him into a Stag Beetle, who now wanders around the forest feeding on decaying wood. Ancient Greek children would capture Stag Beetle to use his horned head for a pretend lyre.

In medieval times, people believed that Stag Beetle flew around with a hot coal in his jaws setting fire to buildings. Meanwhile Albrecht Durer (1471 – 1528) became one of the first artists to realistically draw a Stag Beetle. In his paintings and drawings, Durer associated Stag Beetle with Christ.

People do pay attention to Stag Beetle but little understand Him or his ways. People usually disliked Him because of his ugliness. However, Stag Beetle still quietly goes about helping the forest grow. Durer did recognize Stag Beetle’s attributes when he used this Beetle to symbolize Christ’s quiet service to humanity.

Stag Beetle teaches quiet service. While others are noticed for what they do, He calmly goes about his business eating dead wood. Unnoticed, Stag Beetle faces a host of predators and unthinking people to provide a vital service for keeping the forest alive.

BEETLE FAMILY: Discernment

rhinoceros beetle

Beetles have been on the earth for about 300 million years and are the most numerous of all Insects. Since Beetles are the largest order in the animal kingdom, to describe Them as a single group is impossible. Aristotle named Beetles “Coleoptera” (Sheath or Shield Wings) because their hardened front wings cover their hind wings like a shield. The name “Beetle” comes from the Old English word for “little biter”.

“Good” Beetles include Dung Beetles, who scavenge on animal excrement or dung. They roll the dung into a ball, which They bury for future use. Dung Beetles help to clean up the environment. Leaf Beetles are an example of “Bad” Beetles. No sooner than leaves appear on trees than do Leaf Beetles emerge and eat them away. If They are unchecked, these colorful Beetles can deforest an area.

Beetle teaches us not to take everything on face value. Some colorful Beetles are destructive while others such as Lady Bugs (Lady Beetles) are beneficial. Take each Beetle on Its own merits. Teaches Beetle: You must use discernment in all your affairs.

Ogham (Irish Alphabet): Divination (2 of 2)

 To see the Ogham letters : My previous post

B.N.: “Will ‘Magic, the Gathering ™’ have a story line that will take place in Kamigawa?”

The Ogham drawn in order:

1.      Muin (Vine, 3^rd aicme, 1^st few): prophecy and lack of inhibition.

2.      Tinne (Holly, 2^nd aicme, 3^rd few): justice and balance.

3.      Uilleann (Woodbine, Honeysuckle, 5^th aicme, 3^rd few): drawing things together and binding them. “Through the lack of inhibition, justice, and balance will draw things together and bind them.”

“Magic” is a role-playing card game that has a plot for the players to follow with particular cards that they are dealt. A favorite setting for story lines in the game is Kamigama. B.N. said that the company discontinued this place for a setting because it was not profitable. I told him that he and the other fans need to contact the company. If the fans informed the company of how much money they will spend on this feature, the company may consider bringing Kamigawa back.

C.M.: “Will my friend keep his ‘Pathfinder ™’ game going?”

The Ogham drawn in order:

1.      Gort (Ivy, 3^rd aicme, 2^nd few): search for yourself and inner wisdom.

2.      Ur (Heather, 4^th aicme, 3^rd few): healing and homelands.

3.      Ceirt (Apple, 2^nd aicme, 5^th few): the Otherworld and choice.

“Using your inner wisdom, you know the choice.”

“Pathfinder”, a role-playing game, requires a gamemaster to devise the plot and govern the flow of the game. The gamemaster of this group was getting tired of the game, and wanted to wind down the current plotline. C.M. and his friends wanted him to continue the game.

I believe that word play of the Ogham came out with “homelands” and the “Otherworld” to refer to the game. The gamemaster had decided to end the game, and get a rest from hosting the group. C.M. said that he already figured that out, but wanted further confirmation.

Ogham (Irish Alphabet): Divination (1 of 2)

With the Ogham disks that I made, I did four divinations – one for an older man and three for young men. My method was to draw three disks from a bag. These disks then form a sentence that answers the question.) The difference in the maturity of these four people was reflected in their questions. The older man asked about the on-going war in Syria, whilst the young men asked about girlfriends and various role-playing games. Since each question was a major concern for each questioner, the Ogham treated each with the same gravity. No question was regarded to be silly.

D.W.: “Will the U.S. go to war in Syria?”

The Ogham drawn in order:

1.      Ohn (Gorse, 4^th aicme, 2^nd few): collecting things to you.  The Morann MacMain kenning of “the wheels of the chariot are written” seems more appropriate.

2.      Ceirt (Apple, 2^nd aicme, 5^th few): the Otherworld and choice.

3.      Straif (Blackthorn, 3^rd aicme, 4^th few): trouble and negativity.

“After a gathering of information, a choice will be made which will be trouble.”

I told D.W. that after a period of gathering information, the U.S. will become involved in the civil war in Syria, much to his dismay.

W.C.: “Will my girlfriend continue to be my friend?”

The Ogham drawn in order:

1.      Beith (Birch, 1^st aicme, 1^st few): new beginnings.

2.      Muin (Vine, 3^rd aicme, 1^st few): prophecy and lack of inhibition.

3.      Coll (Hazel, 2^nd aicme, 4^th few): wisdom and intuition.

“After a new beginning, a lack of inhibition will occur. At that time, follow the wisdom of your intuition.”

W.C. was having problems with his girlfriend and wanted advice on how their relationship would turn out. I told him that he and she would start over. Once she felt more secure, she would be less guarded around him. Act on the wisdom of your intuition, and listen to her.