Animal Messengers

My blog post at "Witches and Pagans" discusses how animals deliver messages.

"Sometime ago, I dreamt that I was a giant squid playing with the other squids in the blue ocean. Wiggling my tentacles, I had fun jetting from here to there. When I woke up, I pondered what Giant Squid had wanted to tell me."

 "While pondering my dream, I understood that Giant Squid wanted me to play more. Moreover, She came to remind me to be more flexible. With my brain injury, I have become a fixed thinker. Since it takes me a long time to do my chores, I tend to focus solely on getting them done. Giant Squid decided to enter my dreams to have me become more fluid in my waking life. She told me to zoom away from housework and go play."

Read the rest at Animal Wisdom: Messengers

 

CERATOSAURUS: Accept Yourself

Debivort at English Wikipedia [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons

Called “horned lizard,” because of her two “horns” on her head, Ceratosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic. This puzzled many paleontologists since She was a primitive meat-eating Dinosaur. (These Dinosaurs were thought to only have lived in the late Triassic.) Ceratosaurus live amongst the more advanced Dinosaurs such as fearsome Allosaurus and ferocious Torvosaurus.

One of the oldest known Ceratosaurs (a Family of Primitive Meat-eaters), Ceratosaurus was one of the first of her Family to be discovered. Found in the 1880s, She was named in 1884 by the paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh. The family of Ceratosaurus is a highly diverse group, including Noasaurus, with his strange teeth and Abelisaurus, with her ridiculously short arms, all dissimilar Dinosaurs. Ceratosaurs are often lumped with Coelophysis’ Family. However, Coelophysis and his relatives are an earlier branch of the Theropods (Meat-eaters).

Modestly-sized Ceratosaurus shared the Western U.S. landscape with giant Allosaurus, a formidable predator. However, She was a hunter to be reckoned with, with her short powerful neck and large teeth. This effective predator, also, had a massive tail and bulky body. Small enough to be agile,Ceratosaurus chased fast prey on her two strong legs. Using her superior hunting skills, She ate quite well.

What made Ceratosaurus stand out amongst the other Meat-eaters was her ornamentation. Her nasal “horn” was an extension of the bones at her snout. Her other “horn” was the fusion of separate bones. Besides her nose “horn,” Ceratosaurus had two short brow ridges and bony knobs above her eyes. Unlike other Theropods, She had osteoderms (plates) running down her back. This ridge made Her resemble an ancient dragon.

Standing out in the landscape, Ceratosaurus, so different from the other Theropods, demonstrates how to “let your freak flag fly.” Her odd and strange appearance shows a sense of adventurous and unconventional thinking. Ceratosaurus accepts Herself. Being comfortable with who She is, Ceratosaurus is a consummate hunter, succeeding in living well. Let Her teach you how to accept yourself, “warts and all.”

COELOPHYSIS: Fierceness

Jeff Martz, U.S. NPS

One of the earliest Dinosaurs known to be a Theropod, Coelophysis was a fierce, little Meat-eater who lived during the late Triassic (about 21 million years ago). Slightly built with hollow bones, Coelophysis ran swiftly on his two long legs. In fact, the most prevalent proof of his existence were his footprints found on fossilized trackways.

The Dinosaur Family that Coelophysis belongs to is extremely diverse. The Coelophysoida (Coelophysis and Friends) includes Birds and probably Tyrannosaurus Rex. Many paleontologists regard the taxonomy of His Family to be fluid, and under constant review. About the only thing that Members of this Family have in common is that They are more closely related to Birds than to Carnosaurs, who are the other Meat-eaters.

Discovered in 1881 by David Baldwin, Coelophysis was named by Edward Cope 1889. Then in 1947, a huge number of fossils were found at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico (U.S.). Apparently, these Coelophysis were caught in a massive flood. This huge cache of fossils gave paleontologists much to study about Coelophysis.

Built to hunt, Coelophysis had pointed, serrated, and bladed-like teeth to bite down on his victims. He could also tear out the flesh. With his long fingers and claws, Coelophysis could either grasp or clutch his prey. In other words, He hunted any way He could.

Whilst studying the fossils at Ghost Ranch, scientists found that Coelophysis came in two types. The gracile (the more slender ones) seemed to be females whilst the robust ones seemed to be males. Another find, which was quite troubling, was uncovering young Coelophysis inside the adults. After much investigation, scientists concluded that the adults did not eat the young, since the flood threw everyone together. Their bones had mixed together.

Small and light Coelophysis was a feared predator. Using his long legs, He could run at fast speeds to chase down his victims. Since He had quick reflexes, Coelophysis darted and dodged about to confuse his prey.

Although Coelophysis was small, He was big in terror. Moreover, He passed on that fierceness to his descendants like Velociraptor. Like Him, They inspired terror in their victims. Fierceness comes in all sizes, for it lies in the attitude of the person. Let Coelophysis show you how. But do not be so terrifying, that you frighten everyone.

White Lions: "A Gift from God"

By Stano Novak (Own work) [CC BY 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

 

A Note on White Lions:
Legends of White Lions exist in various oral traditions, in the Timbavati Region of Africa, from the time of Queen Numbi, who ruled about four hundred years ago. Tradition holds that once every century a White Lion appears. A gift from God, White Lions represent the good in all creatures. In the 1970s, White Lions were found in the Timbavati Region in South Africa. (They are now in South African zoos for protection from poachers.)

White Lion's Teachings Also Include:

“Championing righteousness and promise, White Lion Dreaming teaches us to look for, identify, and celebrate the golden glow of potential in others.” Copyright: “Animal Messengers” by Scott Alexander King

Lion Christian Symbols:

Lion: Christ

With Cross-Shaped Nimbus: Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Carrying a Book: Christ as the Teacher

Sleeping: Christ, the Divine Watcher

Winged: St. Mark, the Evangelist