Finned and Water Ones: Moving through fluid realms, with intuition

Fish were the first vertebrates to appear on earth, about five hundred million years ago. Since that time, They have evolved into one of the most diverse and successful of animal groups. The "lobe-finned" Fish such as the Lungfish, are the oldest, and can live for brief periods on land. Sharks and Rays have no bones, only cartilage. Bony Fish range from Sturgeon to Trout to Seahorses.

Other animals who live in water are the Crustaceans, Cephalopods, and Jellyfish. Crustaceans live in freshwater, deep oceans, and tidal pools. Their claws and hard shells serve to protect Them from predators. Cephalopods, with their tentacles, are known for their inky defenses. Jellyfish float from North Pole to South Pole, seeking food.

Not every animal that swims in water is a Fish, but every animal has something to teach. Since water is a fluid element, these Water Ones move and change. They demonstrate an innate grace. The Water Ones are unusual to land dwellers but They beckon all to come into the unknown depths to explore, to play, and to learn. Even the Ones who live between land and water teach lessons of flourishing and flexibility.

Many animal wisdom books list "Fish" or perhaps "Salmon" for Finned and Water ones. Since Fish range from the peculiar looking Seahorse to the fierce Great White Shark to the scrappy Largemouth Bass, to discuss Fish wisdom in general terms seems to be a bit absurd. One can generalize some characteristics for Finned Ones' or Water Ones' families such as Crabs walk sideways or that Salmon migrate home.

Finned and Water Ones' Teachings Include:

Sensitivity To Emotions

Sexuality

Flexiblity

Energy of Transformation

The Unknown

Grace

Adaptation

GROUND SLOTH FAMILY: Stories of the Imagination

One of the poster Mammals of prehistory was the massive Megatherium americanum (Giant Ground Sloth) of the extinct Ground Sloth Family.  This huge Mammal stood at twenty feet (six meters) and weighed about 4.4 tons (4 metric tons). As big as a modern Elephant, Megatherium was one of the largest Mammals ever to walk on land.  Moreover, this Ground Sloth ate over seventy different types of plants and as well as scavenged for meat.

            The diverse Family of Ground Sloths includes more than just Giant Ground Sloth.  This extinct Family as well as the Family of Modern Sloths belongs to the Order of Xenarthra (meaning “without teeth”).  Modern Two-toed Sloths (Choloepidae) evolved from the Flat-footed Ground Sloths (Megalonychidae).  Meanwhile, Three-toed Sloths (Bradypodidae) arose from the Browsing Ground Sloths (Megatheriidae).

            The Flat-footed Family of Ground Sloths walked on the bottoms of their feet instead of on their sides like other Sloths.  The Browsing Ground Sloths featured both the Giant Ground Sloths and the smaller Ground Sloths such as Shasta Ground Sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis) of North America.  Meanwhile, Grazing Ground Sloths (Mylodontidae) such as Harlan’s Ground Sloth (Paramylodon harlani) lived in small herds out in open country.

            Although many species of Ground Sloths became large, some still remained as small as cats.  These Ground Sloths lived on the islands in the Caribbean Sea until the mid-1500s.  They, like every other Ground Sloth, had sharp claws and interlocking small boney plates under their skin.  Serving as chain mail, these plates made Ground Sloths virtually indestructible.

            By sparking people’s imaginations, Ground Sloths prompted humans to want to learn more about the world around them.  First discovered in Argentina in 1787, the fossils of Megatherium shocked people.  Her huge size created a world-wide sensation since nobody thought that animals could become that big.  Megatherium challenged people of that time to make sense of the concept of extinct and giant Animals. 

Meanwhile, the bones of Jefferson’s Ground Sloth (Megalonyx jeffersonii) were found in a cave in West Virginia (U.S.).  After receiving the bones of this Ground Sloth, Thomas Jefferson put them on display at the White House and later in his home at Monticello.  His intense curiosity about the life of this particular species of Ground Sloth prompted others to begin to study paleontology in earnest. (Megalonyx jeffersonii was named for him.)

Originating in Patagonia, Ground Sloths went to North America during the Great American Faunal Interchange (about eight million years ago (mya) to three mya).  They rafted and island hopped from South America to the north, traveling as far as the Yukon Territory.  Meanwhile, the last of the Ground Sloths went extinct on the Caribbean islands during the 1500s.  However there are rumors that Ground Sloths, now known as Mapinguari by the local people, still roam the Amazon River Basin.

Ground Sloths inspire us to imagine what could be from what we discover.  They invite us to expand the parameters of our world.  We may tell wild stories about Them such as prehistoric peoples once keeping Ground Sloths for food.  However like Jefferson who first thought that they were carnivores, we can change our minds when we uncover more information.  By surprising us around every bend in the road, Ground Sloths encouraged our stories of imagination.  Perhaps once we expand our imaginations further, we may see Ground Sloth in the Amazon as Mapinguari.

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Dragons: Meeting My Dragon Guide (2 of 2)

This particular Dragon was the shy one from the Arboretum. He had felt safe around me, and was willing to be my friend. Great Mother Dragon felt that we would make a good pair.

I would be his “mentor” for learning about humankind, and He would aid me in my recovery. This Dragon would help me to leave my home, and I would help Him to leave his forest. Meanwhile, Great Mother Dragon would watch over us both.

The shy forest Dragon was emerald green and dappled brown. Bouncing around with excitement, He told me that He liked shiny stones and bright colors. He especially liked my emerald-green Gaia stone (from Mt. St. Helens) and my bright purple charoite, Also, He liked that I had laid them out in my “dragon meeting space”, since it made Him feel especially welcomed. Then He took me on his back, and we explored his world of brooks, flowers, as well as met some of his friends amongst the small field dragons and forest fairies.

 When we returned from our quiet, gentle journey, the Forest Dragon told me that if I wanted to contact Him, I could use my forest stone – a large five pound green-brown polished stone with natural figures of various animals embedded in it. He said that this stone could act as a gateway to his forest. In my meditations, I could use this stone to travel to visit Him in his forest.

During my time with the two Dragons, I felt bittersweet joy. I was happy to meet the Forest Dragon, but sad that the Great Mother Dragon could not be my Guide anymore. The music that I was playing during this time was “The Unanswered Question” (1906) by Charles Ives (American, 1874-1954). This piece of music features a lonely trumpet asking the “perennial question of existence”. The responding woodwinds continually fail to give an appropriate answer. Meanwhile, the strings, who like the Druids, know the answer to the trumpet’s question. Ives had written that the strings were “a world of pure spirit, the silence of the Druids”. It is in this silence, that the question is answered. Ives’ piece made me realize that the dragons speak to me in silence now.

 I realized that I had not asked the Forest Dragon his name. He said that I already knew it. His name was “Peesey”, the name I that sometimes called my therapeutic ladybug toy. Since I carry this stuffed toy with me, I felt that “Peesey” would be close to me. In fact, I could sometimes feel his gentle energy inside the ladybug.  

Works Used:
Copeland, Aaron, “Fanfare for the Common Man” (1942), “From the New World” CD, In Classical Mood CDs and book, IMP, 1998.

Ives, Charles, “The Unanswered Question” (1906), “From the New World” CD, In Classical Mood CDs and book, IMP, 1998.

The State Arboretum of Virginia, Blandy Experimental Station, http://blandy.virginia.edu/arboretum/,  

Swafford, Jan, “A Question is Better Than an Answer”, Charlesives.org, 2011, http://www.charlesives.org/ives_essay/,

Dragons: Meeting My Dragon Guides (1 of 2)

A number of years ago, when I started to study dragons, a Great Mother Dragon presented Herself as my Guide. While I traveled back and forth to the Blue Ridge Mountains (Virginia), I would see this glorious gold-silver Empress sunning Herself. At other times, She would sit on the mountain tops and play with the clouds. Although her name is “Silver Heart”, I always called Her, “Great Mother Dragon”.

Sometimes in my travels, I would see a small dragon peering out of the trees at the State Arboretum of Virginia. I surmised that a very shy dragon, who lived there, seemed interested in people. At other times when I drove by, Great Mother Dragon would be extending one of her wings over Him in a protective gesture.

 After my traumatic brain injury, I felt that the dragons left me. Since that time, Great Mother Dragon had ceased to speak to me. Moreover, the glass Chinese dragon that I owned broke in two. I took this as a sign that my time with Dragonkind was at an end.

Later when I was asked to contact my Dragon Guide, I decided to follow my inner instincts. I chose special music to play for this meeting. Also, I gathered up several sparkly quartz crystals, a blue-green labradorite, and a red-orange zincite to decorate the meeting space. Then I prepared a space to welcome any dragon who may decide to come, and speak to me. Since I wanted the dragons to feel welcomed at my home, I also lit candles and made offerings of incense.

The music I chose to play for this time was “Fanfare for the Common Man” (1942) by Aaron Copeland (American, 1900-90). This musical piece prominently features trumpets, other bass instruments, and cymbals. It seemed to be the perfect piece to have for the entrance of the dragons in my prepared space. (I played this music several times on my CD player.)

The Great Mother Dragon came and kindly told me that because of my broken brain, her dragon energy would harmful to me. However, She had been waiting for me to formerly contact Her, since She reasoned that I would be well enough, at that time, to be told. She gently explained that since I could not hold her energy, She could no longer be my Guide. But Great Mother Dragon would not be leaving me; She would oversee my relationship with a young dragon.

AUSTRALIAN FRILLED LIZARD: Confidence and Pride

Cousin to the Stegosaurus, Frilled Lizard has his own special heating and cooling system. Like many an ancient dinosaur, He uses his frill to regulate his body temperature. In fact, the spitting dinosaurs of the movie, “Jurassic Park” (Spielberg, 1993) are based on Australian Frilled Lizard.

Frilled Lizard is a tree dweller of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea. He is often seen on branches basking in the sun. Lazily, this Lizard stretches to another branch using his slim forelegs and enlarged hind legs. Sometimes, if motivated, He will jump from branch to branch.

Known for his colorful frilled ruff, Frilled Lizard raises it during courtship or when threatened. Normally the ruff lies folded flat against his long neck, acting as a solar panel absorbing heat. With his ruff raised and his long tail whipping, Frilled Lizard can be a frightening foe.

Sometimes when threatened Frilled Lizard will dash to the nearest tree. More often He will unfurl his ruff and make Himself twice as large. If the frill doesn’t scare off attackers, Frilled Lizard will rear up on his hind legs and swipe the air with his claws. Being bipedal, He will hop up and down like a Kangaroo.

In all He does, Australian Frilled Lizard maintains his dignity and self-assuredness. He teaches pride and confidence in yourself. He also reminds you that you should have an alternative plan for escape when necessary.

Frilled Lizard’s Teachings Include:
"One thing Frilled Neck Lizard has not forgotten but, alas, man has, is how to let go. If man would only remember to trust his inner Dream and learn to let go, his enlightenment would be ensured." Copyright. "Wisdom of Australian Animals," Ann Williams-Fitzgerald.

Frilled Lizard’s Wisdom

Trust Your Inner Dream

Being Self-assured

Looking Dignified

Having Alternative Plans

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Note: The Agamidae Family, which Frilled Lizard belongs to, are Old World counterparts of the Iguana Family

LYSTROSAURUS: The Ultimate Survivor

During the Great Dying (at the end of the Permian Period (about 300 million years ago)), nearly 95 percent of life on earth died out.  One animal that did survive this terrible time, and latter populated the earth was Lystrosaurus.  This remarkable Therapsid (Mammal-Reptile) dominated the earth for about ten million years (approximately 230 million years ago) during the early Triassic Period.  Referred to the “Noah” of the Great Dying, Lystrosaurus was considered to be “disaster taxa”.  While the world was recovering from this near-total mass extinction, She took advantage of the hot and dry environment, and thrived.  However, this primitive animal eventually became unable to compete with the species who emerged during the later Triassic Period.

            Lystrosaurus was the size of a modern Pig, and possessed two tusks for teeth.  In addition, She had a horny beak like a Turtle.  Since her jaws are structured for shearing not chewing, Lystrosaurus ground her food instead.  Also, this heavy-set Therapsid walked like a Reptile, using a semi-sprawling gait.

            Since She lived on nearly every continent (except South America), fossils of Lystrosaurus have been found everywhere.  Because her bones were discovered in both southern Africa and Antarctica, Lystrosaurus proved that these continents were once joined together as a single landmass.  Moreover, these fossils demonstrated that the theory of continental drift was indeed a fact.

            A remarkable animal, Lystrosaurus survived the Great Dying to populate the earth.  At one time, She accounted for 95 percent of all of the land animals in the world.  This was the only time that a single species (except for modern Humans) utterly dominated the landscape.

            A lot can be learned from Lystrosaurus.  For starters, She is a survivor who lived through extremely tough times.  In fact, She thrived in terrible conditions.  By being Herself, Lystrosaurus proved a major scientific theory – Continental Drift.  Throughout it all, Lystrosaurus, a plant eater, dominated life at a time of needed recovery.  Let Lystrosaurus teach you survival skills for your difficult times.

CHALICOTHERIUM: Valuing Slow Time

As one of the strangest mammals in prehistory, Chalicotherium has baffled paleontologists for a long time.  When fossils were first found of this animal, naturalists thought that She had to be a predator.  What they had discovered were the long sharp claws of Chalicotherium.  Since She had no modern descendents to guide them, paleontologists decided to place Chalicotherium with carnivore-like Mammals.

            However when more fossils were discovered, scientists realized that Chalicotherium had no teeth in her upper jaw.  Moreover, fossilized teeth from this Mammal of the Miocene epoch showed very little wear.  Scientists decided that She ate only the tender shoots from the trees.

            Chalicotherium walked on her knuckles like modern Gorilla and sat on her haunches like modern Panda.  When She walked, her back sloped downwards because of the difference between her long front legs and short strong hind legs.  When Chalicotherium ate, She would use her long legs as her arms to grasp the leaves on trees.  Then She used her razor sharp claws to slice off tender shoots from the trees.  After Chalicotherium placed the leaves in the back of her mouth, She would sit down and chew on them.

            Chalicotherium was unusual since She was an Odd-toed Mammal (Perissodactyl) who had claws instead of hooves.  A distant relative of modern Tapirs and Rhinos, She looked like a cross between a modern Horse and an extinct Giant Ground Sloth.  Unlike the other hoofed Mammals, Chalicotherium regressed back to the original toes of her ancestors.  This is the only known instance of a hoofed Mammal who reverted back to the original clawed toes.

            The extinct Mammal Family that Chalicotherium belongs to is the Chalicotheres.  Knuckle-walkers like Her are called the Chalicotheriinae (after Her).  Meanwhile, her relatives known as the Schizotheriinae (such as Ancylotherium) walked on flat feet.  The Schizotheriinae lived in Africa amongst the early Hominds.

During the Pliocene epoch, Chalicotherium went extinct as more versatile plant eaters emerged.  However, some people believe that She still lives in Africa.  There are stories of a strange Animal with long claws for limbs and a horse-like face living in the jungles.  Other people theorize that the elusive Nandi Bear of Kenya could be Chalicotherium.  However, the tales of Nandi Bear depict a fearsome predator, while Chalicotherium was a gentle-soul who ate tender leaves.

Since She was not in a hurry to go anywhere, Chalicotherium valued slow time.  Instead, this large Mammal preferred to sit still and eat tender tree shoots.  Moreover She turned back time by reverting to the claws of her ancestors instead of retaining the more modern hooves.  When people rushed to judgment about Chalicotherium, they thought that She was a deadly predator.  With the slowness of time, people realized that Chalicotherium was a quiet plant eater.  When the world becomes too fast, let Her show you how to slow down.  Appreciate as She does – the calmness and serenity of slow time.
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Cuttlefish: Cunning

Cuttlefish, like their cousin Octopus, will hide during the day and feed at night. However, Cuttlefish differ from Octopus by having a shell inside their mantle, like the Squid, their other cousin. This is the cuttlebone, which helps the Cuttlefish regulate their buoyancy.

The cunning Cuttlefish will hide in sand or seaweed with its tentacles forward, wiggling like fat worms. When an unsuspecting fish investigates the "worms", Cuttlefish will jet forward and grab the fish. Sometimes, Cuttlefish will sneak up behind Crab and nab Him with Her tentacles. Just be careful that you do not just rely only on your wiles. Cuttlefish have other means of protecting Herself such as the ability to change color and to squirt ink to hide.

Cuttlefish' Teachings Include: "Cuttlefish ultimately heralds a legacy; something you're planning on leaving your children, or something being kept in store for you." Copyright: "Australian Animal Dreaming", Scott Alexander King

Cuttlefish' Wisdom Includes:
Protection
Having Relations
Escape
 Intelligence

Tarot and Dragons: The Dragons Tarot by Toraldo and Baraldi (3 of 3)

Furthermore, I am sensitive to the violence that is depicted in some form on many of the cards.  For example, The Lovers (VI) of the Major Arcana depicts the Norse legend of Sigurd and the Dragon Fafnir of the Volsunga Saga.  Sigurd is bathing in the dead dragon’s blood.  Meanwhile, the Eight of Chalices shows two dragons in deadly combat, and Seven of Chalices depicts an attempted rape.  I found the illustrations of this deck to be too extreme to gain much meaning in any of my readings.

Comparing this deck to “The Celtic Dragon Tarot” (Conway and Hunt) is a lesson in opposites.  Conway regards dragons to be co-magicians and wise teachers, not agents of chaos.  Toraldo’s views of the dragons representing the elements also differ from Conway’s.  She sees dragons connected to the elemental powers of earth, air, fire, and waters.  Therefore working with the dragons will help a person to tap into this spiritual energy.  Meanwhile Toraldo writes, “It represents a vision of the four elemental realities in a single animal.”  In his view, dragons are only “representations” and not actual conduits.  However, both authors agree that dragons need to be approached with respect.

Although “The Dragon Tarot” (Donaldson and Procownik) does share a similar title to “Dragons Tarot” (Baradi and Toraldo), their points of view about dragons differ greatly.  The Lovers (VI) of Toraldo’s deck represents “the pact with the dragon (which) is the primordial marriage with the forces of nature.”  While Donaldson does regard dragons to be a force of nature, to him they are much more.  The Lovers (VI) of the Major Arcana of “The Dragon Tarot” shows two dragons loving each other.  Donaldson writes, “Two Dragons…gaze at each other in a moment of Union.  Above them shines the Yin-Yang symbol indicating that all love is in a state of constant evolutions.”

Donaldson sees dragons as separate, full-blooded entities who may or may not guide humans.  The only way to find out who will is for the person to go on a magickal journey to Dragonland.  Along the way, they will meet the dragons who are disposed to teaching humans.

Meanwhile the dragons of “Dragons Tarot” are the archetypes of chaos, with many warring with humans.  However, there are those who will meet humans, half-way, as a form of compromise, but these dragons are still a contrast to the people they are with.  For example, the dragons of the Court Cards protect the humans in their care, but seem more subservient to the human. 

I see this deck used as a springboard for learning dragon stories from around the world.  Each culture has its own vision of dragons that is hinted at in “Dragons Tarot”.  Use the cards as prompts to find out more about cultural differences on dragon-human relations.  The stories can lead to a more in depth exploration of dragons.

Works Used:

Bartlett, Sarah, “The Tarot Bible”, Sterling: New York, 2006.

Breeden, David, “The Adventures of Beowulf: an Adaptation from the Old English”, Culture Café, 5 March 1999, http://www.lone-star.net/literature/beowulf/,

Colum, Padriac, “Nordic Gods and Heroes”, Dover: New York, 1996.

Conway, D.J. and Lisa Hunt, “The Celtic Dragon Tarot”, Llewellyn: St. Paul (MN), 2005.

Donaldson, Terry and Peter Pracownik, “The Dragon Tarot”, U.S. Games: Stamford (CT), 1996.

Fontana, David, “The Essential Guide to the Tarot”, Watkins Publishing: London, 2011.

Toraldo, Manfredi and Severino Baraldi, “Dragons Tarot”, Lo Scarabeo: Torino (IT), 2006.

Tarot and Dragons: The Dragons Tarot by Toraldo and Baraldi (2 of 3)

For the Minor Arcana, I chose the Nine of Wands which depicts order and chaos as a unified whole.  This card shows an African chieftain solving a problem with the help of an African dragon.  This dragon has ignited a controlled fire for the chieftain to use in divining for an answer.  Toraldo writes, “The warrior discovers the truth in the fire supplied by the dragon”.  (One of the traditional Tarot meanings for the Nine of Wands is “developing strength through self-awareness.”) 

Toraldo describes his version of African dragons as “descending into black Africa, we have representations of large lizards that embody the great force of nature.”  The Nine of Wands demonstrates how that great force of nature can work in harmony with humankind.  The Nine of Wands presents order and chaos at rest with each other, which fits more with my view of dragons.

These two cards, Justice (XI) and Nine of Wands, present the many facets of dragons, both as destructive forces and as benevolent forces.  These cards demonstrate that dragons are not to be trifled with, and must be approached with caution.  As Toraldo indicates, they are a force of nature. 

As I have already indicated, much of the artwork of this deck was disturbing to me.  I do not know whether it was because of the conflict between my sensibilities and the authors’ European sensibilities.  I did not appreciate the depictions of many naked women but few naked men.  Perhaps, I am too politically correct in my thinking, but I also noticed the lack of clothing in the illustrations for Africans and Native Americans also.  I think that my feeling of distaste stems from Toraldo’s reference to “black Africa” instead of Sub-Saharan Africa, and Native Americans as “red-skinned populations.”  Since he regards dragons to represent the conflict between the male and female principles, I do understand that the naked females are representing the “yin” ideals.  However, it is jarring to me to see naked Queens of the Court Cards cavort with dragons, whilst the fully clothed and enthroned Kings sit sedately with their dragon allies.

Furthermore, I am sensitive to the violence that is depicted in some form on many of the cards.  For example, The Lovers (VI) of the Major Arcana depicts the Norse legend of Sigurd and the Dragon Fafnir of the Volsunga Saga.  Sigurd is bathing in the dead dragon’s blood.  Meanwhile, the Eight of Chalices shows two dragons in deadly combat, and Seven of Chalices depicts an attempted rape.  I found the illustrations of this deck to be too extreme to gain much meaning in any of my readings.