Animal Totem - Opossum

Taken from Animal Speak by Ted Andrews:

    

Opossum teaches us how to use appearances.  Sometimes it's necessary to "play dead." Sometimes it's necessary to put up a particular front to succeed most easily and effectively.  This is what the medicine of the opossum can teach.  It also can show you when others are putting up false fronts and deceptions.  Opossum has an archetypal energy that helps us to use appearances to our greatest benefit and that helps us to recognize when others are creating false impressions.  Opossum can help us learn to divert attention or to get attention any way we need.
     Sometimes it is necessary to behave or act in a strategic manner.  We may need to appear fearful or fearless in spite of how we truly feel.  We may need to show submission or aggression.  We may need to be apathetic or extremely caring.  Opossum is the supreme actor, and those in the acting field or that need to learn something of it can do no better than to work with the opossum.
     The opossum is a nocturnal animal.  It's the only marsupial on the North American continent.  Marsupials are animals that raise their young in a pouch n the abdomen.  When the young are born, they are blind, but they are still able to climb up into the pouch immediately after birth.  There they stay for about one month.
     In the pouch the nipples are located.  Most opossums have 13 nipples.  In a littler, there can be many more than 13 young, but only 13 will be able to survive.  This number is very symbolic.  Although many associate it with bad luck, it's also a symbol for the one great sun around which the 12 signs of the zodiac revolve.  It's a symbol of the sun within.
     The pouch, especially in regards to the opossum's defense of "playing dead," links it to the ability to help us draw from our own bag of tricks that which will most benefit us.  It can show you which appearance to draw from the pouch to use for the greatest success.  The milk of the mother is rich in calcium, as young opossums need high concentrations of it.  Those with this totem should examine their own calcium levels.
     The playing dead that the opossum is famous for is a self-induced state of shock.  The pulse becomes minimal, the heartbeat slows.  A musk scent of death is released, and for all appearances it will seem dead.  The opossum can enter and leave this state abruptly -- pretty much at will.  This act serves to confuse many predators.  The surprise distracts them, and the opossum is able to make its escape.  It's this kind of flexibility and ease of appearance that the opossum can teach to those with this totem.
     When opossum shows up as a totem, ask yourself some important questions.  Are you acting or about to act in an inappropriate manner? Do you need to strengthen your own appearance? Are others putting up false appearances in front of you? Do you need to divert attention away from some activity? Are others trying to divert your attention? Is it time to go into your bag of tricks and pull out some new strategy? Learning to pretend and act in ways and with realism is the magic that opossum teaches.

El Morya

     El Morya is a new ascended master.  He was first recorded in the 1880s by Madame Blavatsky, and then reintroduced in the 1960s by Mark and Elizabeth Prophet of the "I AM Teachings." El Morya is based upon an actual man named Ranbir Singh.  When his father, Raja Gulab Singh, passed away in 1858, Ranbir took over and became Maharaj of Kashmir. 
     Historians love Ranbir for unifying the states of Nagar and Hunza, as well as for creating humane and civil criminal laws.  He passed away in 1885, which is around the same time Madame Blavatsky claimed to have spent time with him.  She may have been protecting a friendship with him by giving him a pseudonym. 
     Blavatsky defines the term Morya as "the name of a Rajpoot tribe, so-called because of its being almost all together composed of the descendants of the famous Moryan sovereign of Marya-Nagara.  The Moryan Dynasty began with certain Kshatriyas of the Sakya line closely related to Goutama Buddha, who founded the town of Morya-Nagara in the Himalayas." El Morya was later referred to as a prince. 

     El Morya, when called upon, is said to help with decision-making, faith, groundedness, and protection (especially energy and psychic). 

Connecting with Your Animal Guide - Mountain Goat

     Everyone has guides to help and support them.  They're considered angels, parents, grandparents, guardian angels, etc.  And everyone has guides that are in the form of animals.  I flipped through my book, Animal Speak by Ted Andrews and stopped at the Mountain Goat page.  I find its qualities and characteristics to be very fitting for what is going on in my life right now, and I thought I'd share them with you.

     [Taken from pages 279-280 of Animal Speak]: Everything about the mountain goat enables it to survive in the higher altitudes of mountain regions.  Its thick wool insulates, its greater skeletal flexibility aids it in climbing, and even its feet are adaptive to their environment.  Anyone with a mountain goat as a totem would do well to study the significance of its living environment -- the high mountain regions.
     The mountain goat is noted for its dynamic climbing ability.  The toes act like pliers, aiding their grip as they move up steep ledges.  The soft pads on the bottom act as suction cups, giving them greater surefootedness.   They can stand on their hind legs and pull themselves up with the front.  Even the kids can stand almost immediately upon birth and begin climbing shortly after.
     Their highly flexible skeletal system is very significant.  Comprised of bones and cartilage, it is the support system for the framework of the body and assists in its movement.  If a mountain goat has shown up as a totem, ask yourself some important questions.  Are you getting the support you need as you move up into new areas? Are you giving the proper support to others as they move? Are you being too inflexible in exploring new possibilities? Are you feeling a lack of support or a need for support? Is something wrong with the basic structure of your life?
     The mountain goat can, of course, descend much quicker than it can climb.  The flexibility of its spine and its surefootedness enables it to maneuver precarious paths and ledges that would kill other animals.  It has been known to make leaps of thirty feet or more to small ledges, barely large enough to stand upon.  This reveals much about the flexibility of its skeletal system, but also the ability of its knee joints to absorb shocks.  The mountain goat holds the knowledge of how to stretch and reach for new heights and goals.  It can teach how to have trust in your own ability to land on your feet.
     The mountain goat has links astrologically to the sign of Capricorn.  You may want to look toward this time of year as being a significant one for culminating new moves or initiating them.  The goat may have shown up to get you prepared.  Anyone with a mountain goat as a totem should study the qualities and characteristics associated with the sign of Capricorn.
     Because of its connection to Capricorn types of energy, ask yourself important questions.  Are you being too serious? Not serious enough? Are you not preparing diligently enough for the new moves in your life? It can reflect a time of studiousness and industry, but it can also help when ambition and opportunistic behaviors get out of hand.
     The horns of the mountain goat give it the ability to perceive what lies ahead in the future, and, with its natural climbing ability, it can reveal how you personally can best achieve the future.  Mountain goats will fight with their horns.  When threatened, they circle and try to stab with their sharp points.  They have been known to even kill grizzly bears.
     The thick coat of the goat enables it to withstand severe winter conditions.  This reveals much about this animal's abilities as a totem.  It can help you to keep focused and move step by precarious step to new heights, all the while protecting you from any severe life conditions.  It is not unusual to have a mountain goat show up as a temporary totem when conditions become difficult and we fear slipping back.  Its energies help us to regain balance, perspective, and continue the climb.
     The goat may also link you to past lives associated with Greece.  It is a symbol that shows up prominently in Greek mythology.  It has ties to the nature god Pan, and to Amalthea and the Horn of Plenty.  A study of the lore around them will provide insight into the role the goat will play within your own life.
     If the mountain goat has climbed into your life, this is a time to begin new climbs and new endeavors.  You will not need to rush them.  With proper foresight, you will see what is ahead and will be able to move forward with greater surety.

Ida-Ten

     Ida-Ten is the Japanese god of truth, law, legal victory, purity, and justice.  He has miraculous speed, and is a protector of monasteries.  While mortal, he was a young general protecting Buddhist monks, and Buddhism itself.  He can guard against religious persecution or he can help you avert ridicule with respect to your spiritual beliefs.  When called upon, he whispers powerful, provocative advice regarding legal moves and endeavors. Ida-Ten is highly ethical and considers lawsuits a form of sport where the champion exhibits extraordinary wit and understanding, outsmarting the other.

     Call upon Ida-Ten if you need help with obtaining justice, winning lawsuits, protection against religious or spiritual persecution, protection of a spiritual center, and finding truth in a situation.

   

Archangel Jophiel

     Archangel Jophiel is known as the Patron of Artists.  Her name, Jophiel, means beauty of God.  As the archangel of beauty and art, she helps us metaphysically and physically.  First and foremost, she helps us to create and think beautiful thoughts.  She helps us to see and appreciate all of the beauty around us, and by extension, helps us to create, manifest, and attract more beauty into our lives.  Beautiful thoughts always lead to beautiful outcomes.
     In regards to starting artistic projects, she illuminates our creative spark, our talent.  Archangel Jophiel gives us ideas and energy to carry out any artistic venture.  She wills us to create beauty and harmony at home, at work, and in our relationships.  Stop and smell the roses once in a while, and it will help slow you down.
     Her friendly and positive nature has an uplifting energy on anyone that asks for her help.  A message that she has for any and everybody feeling down is this: "Worry never helped anything, so why turn to it during times of need? It won't nurture or heal you - quite the opposite, actually.  It's so much better to put effort into something creative as a way to quietly meditate through positive action.  Create, create, create! In this way, you mirror God's own creativity.  That's why you feel closest to God when you're fully engaged in writing, speaking, and other artistic projects."

     So, if you find yourself in a rather ugly situation, chances are good that some ugly thoughts helped to manifest it.  Call upon Archangel Jophiel to help turn things around.  She guides people (and artists) in creating and manifesting artistic projects, beautiful thoughts, slowing down from a hectic place, as well as interior decorating, to be more specific.

Mother Mary

     I've been feeling very out of balance lately.  I did a sort of chakra test on myself this morning, and every single one of them are out of whack/weak.  I feel as if I am in some sort of holding pattern, and I'm not sure where to go or what to do.  I feel like I've been doing nothing.  This may not be the case, it just feels like that.  Because of this I am looking for guidance and healing, so I flipped through the pages of my Archangels & Ascended Masters (by Doreen Virtue) book.  I stopped at Mary's page.  It lists about six things Mary is best known for when working with those in need: adopting children, issues relating to children, support for those who help children, fertility, healing of all kinds, and mercy.  Well, I did say I was looking for healing.  But I'm also drawn to the fertility option, not so much in regards to actually getting pregnant but in regards to creating and starting my own business, as well as starting a new phase of my life. 

     There is an excellent excerpt of a meditation Doreen had with Mary when she visited her shrine in Cologne:
     ""Compassion," she repeated swiftly in one of my ears in the sweetest voice - like the music of the wind blowing through springtime leaves.  "Compassion is what the world hungers for most, which means love coupled with an understanding of the other person's point of view and feelings.  So much strife stems from an aggressive desire for compassion - a desire to force the other parties involved to agree with you, because everyone is too afraid to admit that they can see and understand why the other acts in this way.  Throw down your arms and come to me for a reuniting with all others.  Throw your arms around me and feel my embrace! Allow me to soothe shattered nerves and hurt feelings.  Come to me, those of you who are afraid.  I shall help you rise above all strain and suffering so that you may see the unlimited viewpoint of all others.  You will see that those whom you fear or resent are merely children who are afraid, too.  Lay down your arms, humanity.  You are weary from constantly defending yourselves against imagined dangers that are of your own making.  Be unafraid of truth, which overcomes all fear.  And the hard and fast truth that never wavers is that your Father loves you eternally.  Allow me to pour this love in your direction and cover you with its healing power.  You may bathe in this well of Divine love at any time, simply by reconnecting your thoughts to those of God's.  How to do that? Through having compassion for yourself and others.  If you are unable to reach this state, allow me to assist you.  For, like your Father, I shall love you always eternally."" 
     Mary comes to anyone who calls upon her, regardless of their religion or past behavior.  She is all-loving and all-forgiving.  When she appears, you may smell flowers or see quick sparkles of cornflower-blue lights.  You'll also feel a sense of safety and peace.  I am calling on her for help in starting the next phase of my life, as well as for some healing.  I think part of my healing process is learning to have compassion for myself.  I am so busy being compassionate towards others that I forget I may need it sometimes.  C'est la vie.

In the stillness of silence

In the stillness of silence the snow falls.

Each flake rushing and dancing in the air.

It lands softly on a bed of white.

In the stillness of silence the wind blows.

An occasional car slowly drives by.

The echoes carried through the walls of my home.

In the stillness of silence we hibernate.

Every creature seeks shelter from winter's bite.

There is no place like home.

In the stillness of silence I write.

Words of creativity, imagination, contemplation.

Whispered through the mouth of nature.