11
Moose
Self Esteem
Help me to honour the gifts,
And recognize my worthiness long as I live.
Moose is found in the North of the medicine wheel.
North represents the place of wisdom.
Self-esteem is the medicine of Moose because it represents the power of recognizing that wisdom has been used in a situation and that recognition or a pat on the back is deserved.
Moose is the largest member of the deer family, and has great strength.
The call of the male Moose is an awesome thing to hear.
His pride in his maleness and his desire to share his seed with a Moose cow are displays of his sense of self-esteem.
The bellow of a male Moose can be viewed as a positive force, since it represents his willingness to
"tell the world" about his feelings.
This "tell the world" trait contains a joyfulness which only comes with a sense of accomplishment.
There is no greater joy than a job well done.
This trait is therefore not a seeking of approval, but rather an enjoyment of sharing because of the spontaneous explosion of joy that comes from the deepest part of one's being.
The wisdom woven throughout this scenario is that creation constantly brings forth new ideas and further creation.
Moose is telling us that joy should be shouted with
pride.
The wisdom in doing this shouting is that the joy is "catching."
In a sense, the bellowing is a way for all of us to lighten up and give ourselves or each other a "well done!"
The wisdom in doing this shouting is that the joy is "catching."
In a sense, the bellowing is a way for all of us to lighten up and give ourselves or each other a "well done!"
Moose medicine people have the ability to know when to use the gentleness of Deer and when to activate the stampede of buffalo.
They understand the balance between giving order to get things done and having a willingness to do things themselves.
The wisdom of Moose medicine is akin to the Grandfather Warrior who has long since put
away his war paint and is now advising the young bucks to cool their blood.
Moose medicine is often found in elders who have walked the Good Red Road and have seen many things in their Earth Walk.
Their joy lies in being the teachers of the children, and in being the first ones to give encouragement.
This is not to say that Moose medicine people do not use their wisdom to warn as well as to give praise, because they do.
Moose medicine people know what to say, when to say it, and to whom.
The elders are honoured in tribal law for their gifts of wisdom, for their teaching abilities, and for the calmness they impart in Council.
If you are wise beyond your years and have the gift of Moose medicine, use this gift to encourage others to learn and grow.
There are many facets to the wisdom of Moose medicine.
If you have chosen the Moose card, you have reason to feel good about something you have accomplished on your journey.
This may be a habit you have broken, a completion of some sort, an insight on a goal, or a new sense of self that you have fought hard to earn.
It is a time of feeling harmonious pride, and of recognizing those who aided you in the process.
One good exercise in Moose medicine is to write down things that you can love about yourself and your progress in life.
Then apply these same things to friends, family, coworkers, and life.
Don't forget to share the findings with others.
They need the encouragement as much as you do.
Contrary:
If Moose is upside-down when you draw it, you are being reminded that ego can ruin your sense of accomplishment.
Remember that others have the same potential you
have, and do not become careless in your appreciation of their gifts.
Reversed Moose implies that in tooting your own horn you have failed to be interested in others, and have there forgotten that everyone teaches everyone else in some way.
Reversed Moose implies that in tooting your own horn you have failed to be interested in others, and have there forgotten that everyone teaches everyone else in some way.
Contrary Moose medicine may be asked you to grow quietly for awhile, to calm your spirit and allow the strength and wisdom of silence to enter your heart.
This is the core of Moose medicine:
knowing the wisdom of silence, so that when it is proper to speak you can take pride in your words.
Overview:
See your potential.
Take pride in yourself.
Honor your right to be.
Take pride in yourself.
Honor your right to be.
8
Otter
Woman Medicine
Otter . . .
So playful!!!
Coquette playing by the stream
The medicine of Woman
The Realized Dream.
This applies to both men and women, as all of us have female sides.
Envy, or the fear of being replaced has no space in Otter's balanced understanding of sharing goodness.
The medicine held by Otter is a set of lessons in female energy.
This applies to both men and women, as all of us have female sides.
The Otter's hide is very often used to make medicine bags for powerful women because it represents balanced female energy.
Otter is very caring of its young and will play for hours, performing all types of acrobatics.
It lives on land, but always has its home near water.
The elements of Earth and Water are the female elements.
At home in both of these elements, Otter is the personification of femininity: long, sleek, and graceful.
Otter is the true coquette of the animal world.
Otter is always on the move and is very curious.
Unlike other animals, Otter will not start a fight unless it is attacked first.
This joyful little creature is adventuresome and assumes that all other creatures are friendly - until proven otherwise.
These character traits are the beauty of a balanced female side, the side of ourselves that creates space for others to enter our lives without preconceptions or suspicions.
Otter teaches us that balanced female energy is not jealous or catty.
It is sisterhood, content to enjoy and share the good fortune of others.
Anchored in the understanding that all accomplishments are worthwhile for the whole tribe, Otter people express joy for others.
Long ago, in tribal law, if a woman were widowed, her sister would offer her own husband to the widow as a lover to keep her from drying up and not using her creative urges.
This is Otter Medicine, too.
Envy, or the fear of being replaced has no space in Otter's balanced understanding of sharing goodness.
Woman energy without games or control is a beautiful experience.
It is the freedom of love without jealousy.
It is the joy of loving other people's children and their accomplishments as much as you love your own.
It may be time to examine your feelings about sharing the bounty of your life with others.
Otter may be saying that the finer qualities of woman need to be striven for in both men and women so that a unity of spirit can be achieved.
This would involve the destruction of jealousy and all the acts of anger which stem from that fear.
It would mean keeping a Hawk-eye on your ego and maintaining total trust.
It would mean a world full of people coming together to honour the right of each person to be.
If you have drawn this symbol, Otter may be telling you to become the playful child and to simply allow things to unfold in your life.
It may be time to stop your addiction to worrying.
Otter also teaches the importance of not hanging onto material things that would bind you or become a burden.
In looking at how you can learn from Otter's habits, you might look at the joyousness of the receptive side of your nature.
Have you given yourself a gift recently?
Have you received any messages in your meditations?
Become Otter and move gently into the river of life.
Flow with the waters of the Universe... this is the way of balanced female- receptive energy.
Honour it!
In doing so, you will discover the power of woman.
Overview:
Otter is a playful, joyful animal that is very protective of its young and is at home on land or in water.
As a power animal, Otter stresses the need for compassionate understanding, balanced judgment and generous sharing.
Otter helps you not only to be willing to share the good things of your life with others, but also to find pleasure in other people's achievements and good fortune.
If you are happy for others you will find more joy in your own life.
Otter is an antidote to worry and anxiety.
It emphasizes how important it is not to concern yourself too intensely with acquiring more material "goodies" or advancing your position career-wise.
Otter encourages you to find satisfaction in what you have and to enjoy life rather than to merely tolerate it.
Enjoy.
Laugh at your antics.
Balance work and play.
Reclaim vulnerability.
Contrary:
If the Otter card appears reversed, you may be running from one idea to another without focus.
This could also imply that you have forgotten how to receive, and are blocking a gift from the Universe with your male side.
If this is the case, you may be embarrassed to receive compliments, to have someone hug you, or to allow your genuine personality to come out.
Fear of being rejected is the contrary message of Otter.
Drop the seriousness on all levels and play at life so that the fear rolls off your back.
Realize that the only flow is the flow of love from the Great Spirit to you, from you to others, and from others back to you.
Source:
Sams, Jamie and Carson, David.Medicine Cards
Santa Fe: Bear and Company, 1988
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