When she chose to follow a new path,
One that had not been seen before,
The unknown mystery was before her
With the moon as her guide.

Even though this pen and ink is called "THE LONE WOLF", an actual lone wolf is very rare.  Wolves are pack animals.  They are very much family and community oriented, tending to put their family, community, and territory above all else.  Another misconception is that wolf is a male dominated society.  In actuality, the dominant mated pair leads the pack and produces most of the pups, and the dominant female gives direction to the pack's movement.  That said, let's get into some of the symbolism of wolf.

In Euro-centric societies, wolf often has negative connotations.  They are seen as a harbinger of danger and destruction.  Sometimes, wolf is seen as evil.  The wolf is seen as deceptive and manipulative, preying on the week and vulnerable.  They are often depicted as destroying everything in their path.  At the very best, in this framework, the wolf is aggressive and muscular in his approach.

When I think of wolf, and work with wolf in my artwork, I am channeling the other side of the wolf energy.  It is not soft, but it is a more open energy that is rooted in the indigenous point of view.  In this framework, wolf represents family, community, and protection.  The loyalty that wolves show to their families and packs are seen as a example for tribal communities to follow.  Each member of the community uses his or her best talents to build strength and resiliency in the community.  Protecting and providing for the family and the community is the first priority for each member.

The wolf is seen as the teacher and pathfinder.  She is the seeker that is looking for new information and wisdom.  If you see a "Lone Wolf", that wolf is most often a scout or seeker.  That pathfinder is courageous and curious, bringing back information to the community, and finding safe routes for the rest of the pack.  The entire group also works together to raise the pups and teach them what they need to know to survive and be productive members of the pack.

The wolf is seen as a guide that encourages psychic ability, intuition, and instinct.  This is a feminine energy that understands that the unconscious holds great knowledge and wisdom.  She encourages us to tap into our wild side, where we find the mysteries of life.  She is an energy of self-empowerment, self-control, and self-confidence.  Wolf is an ally of the divine feminine, and the magic of the moon.

Wolves are a balancing force in the environment.  They help to keep the environment healthy and vibrant.  As a guide, the energy of the wolf is a balancing energy in the human spirit.  The wolf teaches us to balance family and independence, instinct and intellect, mystery and action, leadership and cooperation.

Yes, wolves can be fierce and quite frightening.  However, they have many lessons to teach humans as well.
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In the time before time
Grandmother Spider weaves a web
Seeing and creating
The world of flow and ebb

Spider is one of the oldest symbols used by people worldwide and one of the earliest creatures that still exists on earth.  And for good reason.  They are adaptable and resilient, and a valuable part of the environment.  Spiders have existed for at least 300 million years and exist on every continent except Antarctica.  They are very skillful in weaving their own homes, capturing food, and repairing damage to their space.  They are both patient and aggressive.  They are critical for maintaining balance in their environment.

Most cultures have stories and legends woven around the spider, from ancient to modern.  According to Native Americans, Grandmother Spider wove the web that holds all of creation.  She created the first picture of the alphabet, and taught Native Americans how to make the dream catcher.  The Greeks have the story of Arachne and the Fates.  Even in modern times, the spider plays an important role in stories from Spider Man and the Lord of The Rings, to Harry Potter and science fiction.  Many of these stories are told with more than a hint of caution, and with good reason.  So, what is the symbol of the spider?

Spider is the original weaver.  She is a symbol of creativity, weaving, cloth, and artistic skill.  She reminds us that creativity can be limitless.  Her message is to be flexible and creative as we weave the fabric of our lives.  Just as the simple act of weaving the web creates infinite variations, we need to be flexible as weave our lives.

Just as every part of the web is connected to every other part, spider reminds us that we are connected to every other part of the environment around us.  She uses that environment around her web to collect what she needs to thrive, and she creates balance in the environment by her presence.  She reminds us to stay connected like the spider.  And to understand that what we need to thrive is all around us if only we live in balance with the rest of the world.

Like the spider, who stays vigilant and aware of her environment, we should also stay aware.  Creating abundance in a life that we love requires that we stay patiently aware of how our actions impact our future.  The spider teaches patience in letting our intentions and creativity play out.  With vigilance and resourcefulness, we can create the resilience and self-sufficiency that we desire from the resources that are all around us.

Spider is also the master of creating new from the resources of the old.  Many spiders consume their old web and use it to create a new web.  There is an important lesson in this to remember.  In order to create new potential, the resources of the old often need to be recycled into new growth.  She is the symbol of this infinite cycle and the infinite potential of the cycle of life.

So, The spider is creative destruction and creative construction, weaving, and balance.  She is curiosity, patience, and growth.  She is self-aware and self-sufficient.  The spider is connected and balanced in her environment.  She is the skilled artist, manifesting her vision.  She represents the cycle of life, ancient wisdom, and the sacred feminine.

The spider, in many ways, represents the infinite.  Her body is a figure 8.  She has eight legs.  She creates her own world.  She holds ancient wisdom in her very existence.  She holds the past and the future in the present.

So yes - Treat Spiders with caution.  But also treat them with respect and reverence.

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It's only when you can say a clear no, that you can say a clear yes.  Both are just as important in defining what your boundaries are.
                                               - Bear
                                   from Spirit Animal Totems

The bear is one of the symbols that crosses most cultural and time lines.  There are only three contents that don't have at least one species of this powerful animal, Africa, Australia, and Antarctica.  Even Africa and Australia seem to have a bear icon.  In Australia, it is found in the koala, which is not a true bear.  Some of the legends in Africa imply bear energy.

The symbol of the bear shifts a little bit from culture to culture based upon the characteristics of the bear species in the region.  However, the basics are strength, courage, leadership, introspection, and healing.  The spirit of the black bear is one of my guides through life, so it is the symbol that I am most familiar with and will be drawing from most heavily for this article.

In many Native American traditions, the bear is associated with the west direction.  This is the direction and the spirit that asks us to go within to continue our growth.  This is the energy of solitude, rest, and introspection.  Like the bear, most of our lives are spent collecting experience, knowledge, information, and things.  But it is only in taking some time to reflect on what has happened and what we have collected, that we are able to learn and adapt.  It is introspection that helps us turn our own history and a reflection on true history that we turn this into the wisdom that we need to act in the present.  Our solitude and introspection give us the time and tools to create the dreams for the future that focus our efforts.

The bear often emerges from its den or cave in the spring weakened from the long winter.  She embarks on a journey in the spring to seek out nutritious food and healing herbs and roots that will return her body to health and vibrancy.  The bear guides us on a spiritual journey of healing and connecting to the Earth.  As she seeks out that which is good, true, and nourishing, she guides us to seek out which is healthy and healing on all levels of our existence.  Seeking out what is spiritually healthy encourages peace and balance.  Emotional health calms and helps us bounce back from challenges.  Physical health empowers us with energy and stamina.

I don't think that there is any animal that is more fiercely protective of her young than a mamma bear.  She uses her strength and courage to make sure that her cubs and territory are safe.  She leads and teaches them what they need to know to thrive in the environment that they are in.  When you follow her guidance, leading by example and integrity becomes a way of life.  With this spirit as your teacher, you draw on strength and courage to protect your space, goals, community, and environment.

The bear spirit is guided by balance, instinct, knowledge, and exploration.  She adapts to her changing environment and prepares for challenging times that come and go.  She is seen as a mystic, a psychic, and a shape shifter.  Shamans often call on the bear spirit for wisdom, protection, and journeying.

The bear may be a spirit to call on when you need guidance for healing, strength, or courage.  You may want to follow bear spirit to find some solitude or meditation.  It may help to think of bear when you need to protect healthy boundaries or to stand up for what is right.  No matter what aspect of the bear symbol speaks to you, living in the truth of the Earth's cycles is always a part of it.

The downloadable print of The Spirit of The West and the story of YONA is available by clicking on the button below.
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13 moons are in the cycle
28 risings within each one
Above the healing waters
For life to thrive

The turtle is one of the symbols that seems to find its way into almost every culture worldwide.    And, there are similarities in the meaning that these different cultures give to this symbol.  In common terms, "turtle" is the name most people give to a class of animals.  Actual turtles are animals of the water.  They have webbed feet, or in the case of sea turtles, flippers, and spend most of their time in the water.  Terrapins are similar except they prefer brackish or swampy places and also have somewhat webbed feet.  Tortoises have non-webbed feet and live out of the water.

In general, turtles are a symbol of longevity and ancient wisdom.  Turtles have been on this earth for 220 million years and each individual turtle has a long life time of 40 years or more.  Some tortoises can live to be several hundred years old.  Those people who have "an old soul" may have a turtle spirit guide and are said to see the big picture or take the long view.

Turtles are also a symbol of consistency, steadiness, and focus.  A turtle may be slow, but like "The Tortoise and the Hare", the consistency often wins the day.  The turtle or tortoise is a reminder to stay focused and clear about your goals.  The turtle tells us not to worry about who is ahead of us or behind us.  But, be consistent and work to master our own path to excellence.

As creatures of the water, turtles represent healing, the subconscious, and being able to see other realities.  They represent the cycle of life and the wisdom of living within that cycle.  The turtle's shell represents both home and protection.

While my spiritual path is a blend of Earth centric beliefs and practices, Native American spirit animals resonate with me deeply.  According to some Native American legends, North America, or land in general, was built by the turtle, or on the turtles back.  The story varies from tradition to tradition.  North America is called Turtle Island by many.  So, the turtle is a symbol of Earth herself, of dry land, and the abundance of this land.  When many Native Americans see a turtle, they see the earth.  The turtle has 13 sections or scales to her shell, each of which shows rings of growth like a tree.  They represent the 13 lunar cycles of the calendar year and the evolutionary growth that we all go through.  Around the rim of the shell are 28 scales, representing the 28 days of the lunar cycle.  According to some, this makes the turtle the celestial symbol for Earth.

The turtle is a symbol that I use frequently in my artwork.  Sometimes it is a clear turtle, sometimes, like above, it is a little more abstract.  It is always there as a reminder of our connection to the Earth.  We are a part of her, a part of her cycles, and reliant upon her cycles.  Like pieces of the puzzle, all that is on this earth is connected to every other piece, just like the sections of the turtle's shell.

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Love and affection
Romance and devotion
Courage and determination
Kindness and compassion
The balanced heart
Is one of connection

It would be a rare person in the west that hasn't used or doodled a heart like the one above.  However, a little bit of research brings up a wealth of information that goes beyond passion and romance.  The pen and ink above started as something to do with a tiny raw hide canvas because I love working with natural materials and I love working with pen and ink.  It gives me both the tactile sense that I crave and the perspective and challenge that I enjoy.

So, I'm going to start with the obvious.  The stylized heart represents love in its numerous forms.  We give a heart when we want to show that we like something.  We send a heart when we love someone.  We have a heart when we show compassion.  We wear our heart on our sleeve when we want to be authentic.

When we go a little deeper into the symbol, the heart is connection.  It is the connection between  the physical or the external world and our internal world.  It is where our intuition, spirituality, and thoughts connect emotionally to our environment.

Our emotional perceptions of the world outside of us runs through and is felt in the heart.  When we fear, our heart and our world contracts.  When we live in love and wonder, our heart and our world expands.  When we live in courage and devotion to our purpose, we have taken heart and live from the heart.  When we follow our own heart, we are living our own lives, not the lives dictated to us by others.

No matter what spiritual beliefs you follow, the next time you doodle a heart, I invite you to take it to heart.  Live in the connection between the spiritual and the physical.  Open your heart and live your best life without controlling others.  Work your passion from a place of compassion.  Let your heart guide you gently with courage, wisdom, and love.

As the poet Rumi wrote:
"your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

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Wisdom or folly
Bring on the trickster
Lessons of life
Come from the jester

Coyote is a relative of the wolf found primarily in North America.  While there have been a few reports  of coyote as far south as Central America, their primary range is the entire North American continent, from the sub tropical areas of Mexico to the sub arctic areas of Alaska and Canada.  These canines are a little smaller than wolves and tend to live in small family groups.  Coyotes have been known to hybridize with both wolves and domestic dogs.

A rich tradition of legends and spiritual teachings revolving around the coyote comes from the Native Americans and First Nations peoples of Canada.  Sometimes the coyote is the savior.  Sometimes coyote is the villain.  Sometimes he is wise.  Sometimes he is foolish.  Each culture has its own set of stories and ways to tell them.  Almost always, coyote is the clown or the trickster.  Most of the time, he is the victim of his own trickery.  This is why coyote sits in the south node of many of the medicine wheels.  It is the direction that represents growth, trust, and play.

In many ways, coyote represents duality.  In some stories, brings fire to humans.  In some stories, he sets things on fire.  Sometimes he brings abundance, sometimes he is a thief.  Is coyote the wise councilor, or is he the arrogant fool?  In all cases, he reminds us that ultimately we all are both.  He is full of himself and doesn't recognize his own folly before he falls into the trap of his own making.

Coyote is seen as the clown, the trickster, and the fool or the jester.  He is clever, but more often than not, his cleverness backfires and gets him into trouble.  Even when things do go right, it is often through a collection of amusing happenstances that are beyond his control. 

The Native American stories around the coyote are designed to teach those who listen to not take life too seriously.  In these stories, coyote represents the ability to laugh at our own mistakes.  He is a reminder that wisdom and folly are two sides of the same coin.  And a reminder that all of life's experiences, ultimately, are sacred lessons.  When we approach the lessons with a sense of humor and gratitude, all of life's follies become an adventure.

Coyote teaches us to let go of our facades, arrogance, and self-importance, and live in the trust of the adventure that is your life.  He shows us how to live life with a sense of playfulness.  The coyote spirit for many Native American cultures teaches the balance that comes from creativity, strategy, and cunning that is not taken too seriously.  Always keep in mind that all of our cleverness and mechanizations have the capacity for folly.  So, like the coyote, laugh at it all, as it is all a sacred lesson.

Here are some places to read more about coyote:
spiritanimals.org
animaltotem.com
uniguide.com
yourtango.com
books by Jamie Sams: SACRED PATH CARDS and MEDICINE CARDS

This was one of my funner articles to research.  To see more of my art work and buy or order an original click here:
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Click the button below to find Digital versions of my artwork and stories.

Bird of leader, warrior and shaman
Bring prophecy and intuition
Listen to messages from realms
Of spiritual and physical connection

Hawk is one of the most recognized symbols worldwide.  With 270 species, Antarctica is the only continent that doesn't have at least one hawk.  This adaptable bird has captured the imagination of virtually every culture of the world.  It is a favorite symbol of leaders and warriors,  It is frequently a spiritual guide of shamans and spiritual seekers.  Hawks are associated with gods and goddesses from many cultures from Greek, Egyptian, Hindu, African, and Celtic.

Hawks are seen as symbols of  intelligence, independence, and adaptability.  They remind us to see the broad view and observe carefully.  They are a reminder to be courageous and confident in facing challenges and obstacles.  They are the master of the successful hunt, flying high with the sun, observing with diligence, and patiently waiting for an opportunity.

On the spiritual level, hawk is the messenger.  For the Greeks, hawk was a messenger for Apollo and Hermes.  For the Hindus, hawk is the messenger associated with Agni.  The Celtic people believed hawk was a messenger from the spirit world.  In Egypt, the hawk was a messenger and symbol of Horus.

Hawks are also often associated with shamanic practice and guidance.  They are associated with clear sight, past life recall, courage, wisdom, and truth.  They are the shaman's go between to take messages between realms and time.  Hawks are seen to be magic and are associated with focus, discipline, and psychic ability.

My personal interpretation of hawk energy is as a messenger.  When hawk shows up in your life, she often comes as a messenger from the spirit realms or the energetic realms.  It is an indication that it is time to listen to the messages that are coming your way.  Sometimes, those messages are from spirit, sometimes from the environment, sometimes from the ancestors.  Sometimes, hawk is a beautiful and gentle reminder to listen to your own intuition, truth, and heart.  

No matter how hawk flies into my life, I always find time to listen to what is going on around me.

The all seeing eye
Of health and protection
Eye of moon, eye of sun
Enlightenment and intuition

The time of the writing of this article is during the fourth lunar cycle of 2023.  This is a time of vision, of things coming to light, of taking the long view.  One of the most widely recognized symbols of ancient Egypt is the eye.  I started with the intention of writing an article and its relationship to intuition.  Boy did I find a hornet's nest of information.  Part of this seemingly conflicting information comes from the ancient origins of the symbol itself.  Some of it comes from the myths and legends that revolve around the symbol.

I will start with the fact that for most people, the eye is a critical part of how they see the world.  This gives the eye a symbolic meaning since antiquity revolving around perception and seeing beyond the ordinary.  In Egypt, the eye symbol is used in conjunction with Horus, Ra, Bastet, Hathor, Mut, Wadget, and more.  Whether the eye is shown as a left eye as above or a right eye also shifts the meaning as does the coloration.  I am going to stick with the most common aspects in this article.  If you are interested, diving into the myths of Egypt will lend much more nuance to this.

The left eye is the Eye of Horus.
The right eye is the Eye of Ra.
The left eye is associated with the moon, healing, and intuition.
​The right eye is associated with the sun, power, fierceness, and seeing what is.
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According to legend, Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis.  In a battle of vengeance or justice, his eye was gouged out.  It was later magically healed.  From this legend, the left eye becomes a symbol of healing.  The eye was restored by the god of magic, so the eye becomes a symbol of restoration and magic.  The loss of the eye and its regrowth is used to explain the phases of the moon.  The Eye of Horus therefore becomes the symbol of healing, protection, resurrection, intuition, and clairvoyance.

According to a different legend, the Eye of Ra was sent out to spy on Ra's enemies.  Some times the Eye of Ra would wreak vengeance on those who did not pay proper homage.  The right eye, then becomes associated with the sun, power, and the ability to see all as it is.  The right eye is seen as both poles of power.  It is the ability for greatness and the ability to do great harm.  It is the power of the sun to warm and nourish or destroy.  The right eye symbolizes the intellect.

The last little bit of interesting information that I want to share does relate to intuition.  From the information that I found, the Egyptian eye maps almost perfectly onto the human brain with the center of the eye being the pineal gland.  The eye seems to draw a map of the parts of the brain that regulate emotion, memory, and movement.  These are the parts of the brain that many spiritual teachers believe hold the potential for enlightenment and the third eye.

It is one of the symbols that I use to remind myself to take the long view and to play the long game.

Here is where I got some of my information:
journeytoegypt.com
medium.com
​cleopatraegypttours.com

Legendary Spirit of Native American
For prayer, abundance, and ceremony
Elder's message of teaching
Healing prophecy of harmony

One of the legends that is closely associated with tobacco is the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman.  This legend has a number of variations, each tied to the specific Native American culture that is telling the story.  However, it is most closely associated with the Lakota of the Northern American plains.  I am not going to do a full telling of the story here, but what follows is the basic outline.

During a time of struggle and famine, a white buffalo came to the village and transformed into a beautiful woman.  This spirit woman brought with her a gift for the people and teachings on how to live a sacred life.  The gift that she brought was the sacred pipe.  The pipe represents the marrying of the masculine and the feminine,  the life of harmony and balance, and the sacred way of prayer.  She brought the teachings of cultivating proper thought, action, and service.  She taught of seven sacred ceremonies.  She gave a gift of a prophecy.  When she left, she transformed four times into buffalo of different colors.

I encourage you to check out some of the full tellings of the story.  The wisdom to be gained from a masterful rendition is worth the time.  Here are some excellent sites to check out.
inspirationforthespirit.com
thepeoplespaths.net
animaldreaming.com
Each website has a slightly different telling of the legend.  Each of these is much better than any version that I am able to tell here.

What I would like to discuss is the teachings and the symbology of this sacred spirit of the Native Americans.

The first teaching that I pick up from the White Buffalo Calf Woman is the power and place of prayer in life.  This type of prayer is that of gratitude, honoring and respect.  It is a recognition that we are a part of the cycle of life around us and of the abundance that flows from the earth.  In this recognition and respect, we understand that the other beings on this planet are just as important for the cycle of life and we strive to live in balance with the earth and all of her systems.

The second lesson relates to cultivating your own garden.  It is important in life to keep your thoughts and actions positive and respectful.  That which you put into life is that which you get out of life.  It is important for yourself, your community, and your world to live a life that strives to respect people, the environment, and spirit.  An abundant life takes cultivating an optimistic attitude, living in balance with the environment, and being in service to building healthy communities.

Her third lesson is of the importance of ceremony and ritual.  Her teachings included seven sacred ceremonies.  Exactly what those ceremonies were varies a  little by the tradition of the telling.  In each version, the ceremonies revolve around building community, marking life's transitions and initiations, finding one's spiritual path and path of service, and gratitude.  Ceremonies and rituals are an important part of the glue that holds communities together.  They also create important structures and frameworks for living a harmonious life and the framework for viewing our world.

The last lesson that I want to discuss is the message of hope and healing the White Buffalo Calf Woman brought to the people.  In her time with the village, she brought abundance and an end to famine.  She brought lessons for continued abundance.  And she brought a prophecy.  She spoke of a prophecy of difficult times to come.  But at the end  of those difficult times would be peace, abundance, harmony, and balance.  According to this legend and prophecy, this new age would be signaled by the birth of the White Buffalo Calf.

In a nut shell, the White Buffalo Calf Woman has great spiritual significance to Native Americans.  She signifies living a sacred life.  She reminds us of the importance of prayer, ceremony, and ritual.  She teaches us to live a life of gratitude, honor, and respect. She is a spiritual messenger of hope, healing, and abundance.  She is a teacher of truth and wisdom.

It might just be time to live in the balance, harmony, and respect of the teachings of White Buffalo Calf Woman.

Cycle of life
Balance of opposites
Learn from the past
For new possibilities

​Pisces, the fish, is the last sign of the Greek zodiac.  This sign runs from around February 19 to March 20.  This water sign is usually depicted by two fish swimming in opposite directions.  This reminds me of the Yin-Yang, and has some similar connotations.  Pisces symbolizes the union and balance of opposites and the lessons learned throughout the year.

Moving forward in our lives often means learning the lessons of balance.  Balance between fantasy and reality helps us create new vision for our future.  Balance between hopes and fears helps us face life with courage.  Balance between joy and pain means that we live our lives.

Pisces is a sign of empathy, compassion, and being in touch with our emotions.  When in balance, Pisces holds space for others and their challenges and growth.  These are the traits that encourage building communities and helping others.  These are often the characteristics of the artist, healer, and teacher.

Pisces is highly spiritual.  It is a sign of psychic and spiritual growth.  It encourages spiritual exploration, rich imaginal life, and exploration of the unconscious.  Pisces often find a deep understanding of themselves.  They delve into the magic and mysteries of life beyond what most can touch, taste, and see.

These fish represent emotions, healing, and deep awareness.  They are symbols of intuition, subconscious, and the cycle of life.  Fish are connected to psychic ability and the sacred feminine.

Taken to extremes, this can lead to a cycle of despair and self pity.  Pisces can be pessimistic or self-sacrificing.

However, when brought into balance and grounded in reality, Pisces is the perfect cap of a cycle.  This is a time of reflecting and learning from what has passed, then letting it go.  This is a time to connect with the rhythms and cycles of life.  Then, be open to the possibilities to come.