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.

Help the Manatees!

From Sirenian International:

As promised, I've linked a new manatee video to our
America's Giving Challenge Campaign Badge at
http://www.sirenian .org.

For 5 more days, your donation of only $10 will help
us win $50,000.

If you haven't contributed, I hope this 8-minute video
short, "Swimming with the Mermaids", will inspire you
to make a tax-deductable donation to Sirenian
International before January 31st.

If you've already contributed, thanks again and enjoy
your "swim"!

Winning the America's Giving Challenge contest would
enable us to catalyze our grassroots organization and
make a more significant impact on manatee and dugong
conservation around the world. These are just a few
of the programs your generous gift will make possible:

Mermaids: Ambassadors from Sea to Sea, our 2008
Educational Outreach Program in the USA
The Sirenian Network, our professional database,
discussion list, bibliography, and library program
designed to increase the capacity of Participating
Members to achieve our shared conservation goals
The SI Small Grants Program, designed to catalyze
conservation oriented research, capacity building, and
educational outreach projects in developing nations
where alternative sources of funding are difficult to
secure.

If you have contributed, thanks again! Your continued
support help make it possible for us to expand and
enrich the services we provide. If you haven't done
so already, please pass the link to our Campaign Badge
on through your social network -- with your help we
can win one of the $50,000 prizes!

Cheers,

Caryn
caryn@sirenian. org
============ ========= ===
Have you accepted America's Giving Challenge, yet?
Donate just $10 online http://www.sirenian .org and
help Sirenian International win $50,000!

The mission of Sirenian International is to promote
the long-term conservation of manatee and dugong
populations and our shared aquatic habitats around the
world through research, education, and inter-cultural
collaboration.

Human Interaction and Marine Mammals (part 2)

People, who think they are helping marine animals, maybe harming them. Colin, a California sea lion was fed bread by people. Unfortunately, Colin had to be euthanized, after being rescued by the Marine Mammal Center from these people. Also, a habor seal was fed whipping cream and clams. Seals and other marine mammals do not have digestive systems for human food. A veterinarian is needed to provide them with appropriate food.

On the other hand, humans have sued a cruise ship line for killing a pregnant humpack whale in Clacier Bay National Park in Alaska, and won! Passengers aboard the ship reported that the ship struck something. The ship's naturalist report it their colleagues. The veterniarian who performed the autopsy on the whale testified in court. The cruise line had to pay $750,000 in charges because the captain did not divert the ship's course as mandated by the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Human Interaction and Marine Mammals (part 1)

This is from Release - The Newsletter of the Marine Mammal Center.

My comment: As a rule, you do not interfer when seeing a stranded marine mammal. We are not trained marine biologists and may do more harm than good.

From the newsletter - Marine mammals are wild animal and can transfer disease to humans and domestic pets. If you come accross marine mammals that seem injured or ill, you shold always call the local marine rescue group - their number is 415-289-7325 (24 hr. hotline in CA.)

The 1972 U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits people from harming or disturbing marine mammals. That includes 'rescue' by non-licensed people such as jet skiers or beachcombers.

Ocean Friends Reiki

I have founded a Reiki School with Shanti Johnson of Dolphin Trilogy Reiki. Please check us out. Feel free to contact me if you would like Reiki treatments, as well.



This is the promo from our website:

Ocean Friends Reiki is here to guide you to the waters of LOVE, POWER and PEACEFUL healing. This healing system pulls much from the animal totem/shamanic belief about
these three special beings from the sea. -- the manatee, seahorse, and sea turtle. All have such special healing qualities. Not only do they have such amazing healing, nurturing sides, but they are also quite spirited!

Ocean Friends Reiki is a awesome three level healing system that will guide you toward your playful, loving self! There is so much great fun that the manatees have every day, as well as the sea horses and sea turtles! We can join in the fun and frolic as well as be guided to relaxation, and serenity! We hope you enjoy this course as much as we do!

Virginia Carper
animalteachers  @  gmail.com

The Celtic Tree Calendar: Real or Imagined

Robert Graves, in his book “The White Goddess : A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth” suggests that the Celtics followed a calendar of thirteen trees. Graves noted that the letters of the Celtic alphabet (Ogham) formed season progressions of trees according to the various moon. Graves reasoned that since trees reminded the Celtics of the Sacred Triple Spiral (birth, death, and rebirth), they would be the most logical choice for time keeping.

However, is Graves’ reasoning correct or simply a pet theory of his? To answer that question, one must determine if keeping time by trees is feasible, why would Celts need to keep time, and would trees be helpful to them.

Telling Time by Plants:

In Maine (Northern New England (USA)), certain plants do appear at particular times. In addition people do plan their activities around some of these plants. Late winter is heralded by skunk cabbage, which stinks up the forest. In early spring, “Sugaring time” commences when maple tree sap rises. People tap the trees and take the sap to nearby sugaring shacks to maple syrup for sale. Middle spring is time for burdock, a bitter green plant. People used to have roadside stands selling this plant as the first greens of the year. Berry picking season starts in late spring and lasts through fall. Strawberries ripen in May-June, raspberries in July, Blueberries in August, and Blackberries in September. October is the famous fall season in New England, when hillsides are afire with scarlet maple trees. Then the snow come and the river freeze over.

However, these seasonal markers are not always reliable. January thaws causes skunk cabbage to bloom early. May frosts kills berries. Frosts in Maine have happened as late as July. Most people use a combination of other natural signs for seasonal changes. For example, the rivers crack as the ice melts on them. The loud booming noises are heard by towns around. After the rivers are free of ice, the lumbering season begins.


Celtic Needs for Keeping Time:

Like many ancient peoples, Celts kept time for only one reason: their survival. Among ancient peoples, survival was credited to various gods. Therefore, a part of people’s religious duties was to keep time for the ceremonies for the different gods. For example, in Hawai’i, when the Pleiades rise at sunset (October-November), the rainy season begins. At this time, people made offerings to Lono, God of Agriculture for bountiful crops.

The Celts were pastoral people who kept great herds of cattle. Raising cows meant knowing when it was safe to take them to pasture, and when to bring them inside for the winter. Also, people, who rely on cattle, need to know when the calving season happens and when to cull the herds for winter. Modern ranchers have a cycle of calving in the spring, and culling in the fall. In the American West, where spring snows and fall blizzards happen, having cattle die in unprotected pastures is a major concern.

According to Roman sources, the Celts divided their year into a light and dark half. The light half began after the calving season was over, and when it was safe to drive the cattle to upper pastures. The dark half started when the cattle had to be taken inside (mid-fall).

The current Pagan calendar of cross quarters (between the solstices and equinoxes) seems to fit the Celtic lifestyle – it followed calving, pasturing, culling, and over-wintering seasons for Europe. This modern calendar which is devised from Irish myths has important holidays at midwinter (Imbolc), mid-spring (Beltane), midsummer (Lughnassadh), and mid-fall (Samhain). The light half begins at mid-spring and ends at mid-fall. However, this cross quarter calendar is based on the sun, since solstices and equinoxes needed to be tracked.

The most reliable and most common time keeping method among ancient peoples was to use combination of sun, moon, stars, weather, and natural phenomena. Since the Celts regarded themselves a part of nature, they would notice many things besides trees. The annual salmon migration would have a place in the Celtic time keeping scheme.

A solar-lunar calendar seems to answer the Celts needs for survival. The sun and stars are accurate in telling when the seasons will happen. The moons and various events occurring in the months would give a broader sense of the seasons. The Coligny calendar which Graves dismisses out of hand, syncs up both lunar and solar calendars. The Celts did rely on more things than trees according to Coligny calendar.

Celts and Trees

One major problem with the tree calendar is that these trees grow in different climates at different times. Celts living in Gaul and those living in Ireland would have varying seasons for their trees. In addition, not all the tree species were present everywhere the Celts were. Graves seems to assume that Celts lived in only one place. However, Julius Caesar noted that the Celts lived in Gaul as well as on the islands.

My conclusion is that Graves have pet ideas about the ancient Celts. Like many people with favorite ideas, he cherry picked the data to fit his conclusions. Although, his Celtic Tree Calendar is appealing and romantic, it does a disservice to the Celts. It obscures the truth about their lives and replaces it with drivel. Graves leaves people with a false impression of the early Celts and their lives.


Graves’ Calendar:

1. Beth (Birch) December 24 to January 20
2. Luis (Rowan) January 21 to February 17
3. Nion (Ash) February 18 to March 17
4. Fearn (Alder) March 18 to April 14
5. Saille (Willow) April 15 to May 12
6. Uath (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9
7. Duir (Oak) June 10 to July 7
8. Tinne (Holly) July 8 to August 4
9. Coll (Hazel) August 5 to September 1
10. Muin (Vine) September 2 to September 29
11. Gort (Ivy) September 30 to October 27
12. Ngetal (Reed) October 28 to November 24
13. Ruis (Elder) November 25 to December 22

14. December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the traditional day of the proverbial "Year and a Day" in the earliest courts of law.

"Toad Rage" by Morris Gleitzman

I have been reading a children's book written about Cane Toads in Australia. This book is from the Toad's point of view. The story is of a young cane toad who goes on an epic journey to understand why humans hate his kind. He finds out that the answer is more complicated than he ever thought. But he also finds out how to save his family from getting squashed by cars.

It is a refreshing book from a unique point of view. Cane Toads are considered pests in Australia.



Toad Rage
By Morris Gleitzman
Release date: 11 January, 2005

"An Introduction to Roman Religion"

John Scheid, “An Introduction to Roman Religion”, (Translated by Janet Lloyd 2003, Indiana University Press, 1998, USA, ISBN 0-253-34377-1).

I recommend John Scheid’s excellent book for an introduction to the Roman religion. In his book, the author emphasizes the major role that the Roman religion had in Roman government, both in the Republic and later in the Empire. Also, he analyzes the Romans’ perceptions of space and time, rituals, sacrifices, and their deities.

More importantly, Mr. Scheid tackles how modern people should interpret the intent of ancient Romans. How can people see the Roman religion beyond the prism of Christianity? Studying the religion of the Romans is more than comparing it to other Pagan religions such as the Norse. The author stresses that scholars need to decolonize the religion of the Romans from their modern sensibilities.

He writes, “But none of us can escape our prejudices and the assumptions drawn from our own society and history. Even if we were to bury ourselves in antiquity and read only the ancient sources, we would still hardly be able to guard against those insidious influences. A better tact is to remain conscious of weight brought to bear by the recent past and the implicit cultural attitudes which threaten to distort our judgment, and then act accordingly, with those influences in mind.” p.17.

Rome, the city, had also a major function in the Roman religion. The City defined both time and space. Gods of death and destruction had their sanctuaries outside the Pomerium (City boundaries as defined by Romulus, the Founder.) As Rome grew and added more Deities, those who were hostile to Rome, had their shrines outside the Pomerium. Meanwhile, the founding of the City and other important historical events determined the religious calendar.

According to John Scheid, the Roman religion fostered liberty and dignity for both the Romans and their Kindreds. The Romans approached their Kindreds with reason, and not in fear. They saw their relationship with their Deities as one of a client-patron relationship. The clients (people) provided support, while the patrons (Gods) provided favors. Together, they brought about the common good for Rome.

Because there was a compact between the Gods, the Senate, and the People of Rome, everything depended on proper ritual and sacrifice. By the auspices, the Gods informed the magistrates of their Will. However, the interpretation of the auspices could be contested by anyone with standing in the government. Therefore, the magistrates had to be mindful of the will of the People in their interpretations.

The Roman Civil Wars disrupted their religion. Since Caesar and Pompeii had equal standing, they fought over who the Gods wanted for Rome. When Octavian became Emperor Augustus, he reformed the religion. He changed the taking of the auspices from granting public liberty to ensuring his personal power. In addition, Augustus began the Cult of the Emperors by deifying Julius Caesar, his uncle.

The author sums up the religion of the Romans, thusly, “As we have seen, the only religious ‘belief’ for Romans consisted in the knowledge that the gods were the benevolent partners of mortals in the management of the world, and that the prescribed rituals represented the rightly expected counterpart to the help offered by the immortals.” P. 173

Nature Spirits

At first glance, “Nature Spirits” seems to only imply the birds, trees, and perhaps stones. But the world is full of spirits. The wind spirits dance and play with leaves. Dragons, sit on the top of mountains, sunning themselves. Lares of the house guard the door against the Manes, spirits that would do the family harm.

Everything is alive with a mind and spirit of their own. Walking along a small stream near my building, I encounter different kinds of Nature Spirits. At one mossy dip between the maple trees, the fairies dance. Further along behind several houses, the stream meanders to a dark place. Among the roots of a dark tree on the stream bank lives a spirit that wishes no contact with people. (I generally avoid that place.)

When I was little, my mother loved to go into the woods and look for birds. On our treks, she taught me the names of trees, flowers, and of course birds. From our forays into the forests, I became attuned to the Nature Spirits. From my mother, I learned the importance of learning the name of each one. Names give a deeper understanding of each spirit.

When I teach at a new school, I offer salt to the Lares of the parking lot. Then, I offer gemstones to the School Lares. This is to ensure a parking spot, and help in teaching the children. I have discovered that the Lares remember me when I return to a school.

In the Roman Hearth culture, the family has a guardian spirit called the Lar Familaris. They made daily offerings to Them to watch over the house. Several of the Dii Familaris are charged with specific responsibilities – the Penates guard the food stores, Forculus the door, Limentinus the threshold, and Cardea the hinges. Meanwhile every male-family member has their Genius, female their Juno watching over them.


Prayers:

Nature Spirits

Oh, Nature Spirits who inhabit the world
Look upon us with kind eyes.
Help us care for Your world.

Dii Familaris

Dii Familaris guard the home –
Forculus, the door
Limentinus, the threshold
Cardea, the hinges
God Janus, the comings and goings.

So many protecting the family
So many the family honors
We give, They give, we give…..
Round, round, round,
A circle of hospitality
How good knowing the door is protected.

Moderation

ADF’s definition of moderation is “cultivating one’s appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to ill health (mental or physical), through excess or deficiency.”

ADF couches moderation in terms of addiction. For me, it is more than that. I see moderation in terms of living a healthy life. Consider how disruptive a life is when ruled by excess emotions. People move from drama to drama, but never resolve
anything. The other extreme is having a life of suppressed emotions. How can anyone experience life, if they chose not to feel? Living a life with icy calmness is as destructive as being an erupting volcano.

Moderation encompasses many things – wisdom, prudence, and a desire not to live in the extremes. In the philosophical sense, moderation is the even handed approach to life. Moderation counsels, “choose the middle path, rather than fluctuate between the two extremes”. As the road map to a fulfilling life, moderation places boundaries on excesses.

In their practical way, Romans modified the extreme parts of the Greek philosophy of stoicism. Valuing moderation, the Romans wanted stoicism to apply to the actual challenges of daily life. For them, practical wisdom was the life lived with good sense. To me, that is the definition of moderation.

Giant Otters and the Virtue of Fertility

Diane McTurk and giant otter

ADF defines “fertility as the bounty of mind, body, and spirits, involving creativity, production of objects, food, works of art, an appreciation of the physical, sensual, and nurturing.”

“Fertility”, today seems to only apply to the reproduction of humans. Various pundits discuss the “birth dearth”. In other circles, fertility has become a “bad” word because of overpopulation. But fertility encompasses more than the reproduction of humans. Fertile imaginations give us great stories and art. Scientific breakthroughs are another form of fertility. People imagine what could be, and then invent it.

One example of this virtue is the Karanambu Trust, which works to keep giant otters in the wild. (Giant otters are the top keystone species of South American river systems.) When Diane McTurk was in her fifties, she started rescuing giant otters on her ranch (Karanambu) in Guyana. Her appreciation of the otters lead to her nurturing and teaching them important otter skills.

Then, Ms. McTurk employed her neighbors to play with the animals. (Play is important to giant otter development.) She also reached out to the local villages not to kill otters, but to bring them to her. Her efforts encouraged people to come to see the otters and visit the surrounding areas. The local villagers benefited from providing services for the visitors. By preserving an untouched part of the rainforest, Diane McTurk promoted ecotourism for a poor country.

Diane McTurk saw the sensual aspects of giant otters at play, mating, and rearing their young. She enjoyed watching them pet each other. By being a part of the natural world herself, she nurtured the giant otters to reclaim theirs. Through her work, Ms. McTurk has kept one of the most fertile parts of the earth alive.

----------------------------------
Commentary on her work by the Zoological Society of San Diego: http://guyanaoutpost.com/features/zssd.shtml

Karanambu Ranch and Trust: http://www.karanambu.com/index.php

Animals in Culture

Various cultures had animals symbolize aspects of religion and nature.

In the Zodiac of the skies: we see Cancer the crab, Aquila the eagle, Capricorn the goat, Draco the dragon, Taurus the bull. and Lepus the hare, among other constellations.

In 19th Century symbology of Western Culture, the lion represented Africa, buffalo North America, bull Europe, and the elephant for Asia.

The Muslims have 10 animals: Abraham's ram, Balaam's ass, Balkis' lapwing, Johah's whale, Mohammed's Alborak (horse), Moses' ox, Noah's dove, Seleh's camel. Solomon's ant, and the dog of the Seven Sleepers.

Three of the Four Evangelists have animal representations - St. Mark the lion, St, Luke the ox, and St. John the eagle.

Shameless Self-Promotion: BOOK SIGNING

Meet and Greet Your Intrepid Blogger at

The Whispering Bear
310-C Mill Street
Occoquan, Virginia
USA

January 13, 2008
1PM-5PM

I will be signing my seven published books.

For those who cannot make the signing, you can order my books and request for a signed copied.

My Book Catalog is at:
http://funkman.org/animal/services/catalog.html

Books include:

---------------------------------

DISCOVERING ANIMAL WISDOM

“Finding Your Animal Teachers” by Virginia Carper

“Learning From Your Animal Teachers” by Virginia Carper

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

WISDOM FROM THE ANIMALS

“Mammals (Volume One)” by Virginia Carper

“Birds (Volume Two)” by Virginia Carper

“Insects, Reptiles, and Fish (Volume Three)” by Virginia Carper

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MYTHICAL ANIMALS

“Dragons!” by Virginia Carper

“Mythic Animals!” by Virginia Carper

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tawny Owl: The Crone of the Night (Cailleach-oidhche)

(Picture Copyright : The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds(www.http://www.rspb.org.uk/))

The earliest records show that tawny owl has inhabited Eurasia since the end of the Ice Age. Nesting in tree holes and squirrel dreys, tawny owl is the most numerous owl of the forests. Largely nocturnal, she is extremely adaptable, and has made her home in city parks.

Tawny owl’s distinctive “twit twoo” is well known to people. Some of their many names for her reflects this: Brown Hoolert, Ferry Hoolet, and Hill Hooter. However, the hooting is a mated pair of tawny owls communicating with each other. The male owl says, “twit”, and female owl answers, “twoo”. Together it sounds as if one owl is calling.

The Celtics were of two minds concerning tawny owl. They regarded her to be both wise and a bringer of death. They called tawny owl “Night Hag” and “Corpse Bird”. Her Gaelic name “cailleach-oidhche” is a direct reference to the Celtic Goddess of Death (The Cailleach Bheur), the blue-faced crone of winter and death.

However, tawny owl is one of the five totem animals of the Celts. The earliest story of King Arthur tells of his search for the Divine Youth Mabon. He went to the Blackbird of the forge, who sent him to the Stag, who lead him to Owl of Cawluryd. This Owl guided him to Golden Eagle who took him to Salmon, the Source of All Wisdom. In this myth, each animal imparts a certain wisdom to those who seek them. Owl’s wisdom is that of objectivity and detachment. Adept at disappearing from view, tawny owl came to symbolize esoteric wisdom and secrecy. Druids wore cloaks of owl feathers for this reason.

Horny Toads

Horny Toads of Texas, which are actually lizards, are becoming scarce. This writing from Duckworks Pottery is perceptive about the scarcity of some reptiles these days. I would like to think that people could resolve problems of traffic and animals. One place to go is the Critter Crossings Website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/wildlifecrossings/main.htm

This is from Duckworks Pottery (http://www.duckworkspottery.com/duckworkspottery/index.htm)

"I make ceramic sculptures in the Texas Hill Country, home to horned toads and lots and lots of cactus.

We don't see many horny toads these days. No one knows where they have gone--there are different ideas. Being cold blooded, they like to lie on warm pavement and some speculate that many have been squished flat by car wheels. Their favorite food is large red ants, and the red ants have largely disappeared as well. Fire ants are the favorite reason for that. I like to think that horny toads are way smarter than anyone could imagine (unlike the white tailed deer who just cannot seem to realize that cars will win every time), and that they have formed a secret underground society, perhaps with the red ants--a sort of symbiotic relationship where the toads consume just enough ants to stay alive and meanwhile exhude some sort of substance that repels fire ants and at the same time attracts whatever the red ants like to eat."