The Praying Mantis teaches how to still the outer mind and go within ourselves.
Through this, we can draw upon greater power —
physical, emotional, mental or spiritual.
That stillness can be simple contemplation or meditation or even dreaming.
Healers often have Praying Mantis totems — for they use
their inner stillness to focus their healing power.
The greatest lesson this totem teaches is patience.
Learning to wait for the right moment before striking.
When my friend told me his cat’s name is Cleo, I asked him if she is a black cat. He said yes, how did I know?
My first thought in reply to him was “Cleopatra. Black….”
But the truth really was that I saw her face in my head.
And when I met her, this is the exact face I saw.
Cleo.
I love this cat. I love Cleo.
We are the dreamers. We are the believers.
(click for best view)
Descanso Gardens
August 8, 2010
I have nine totem animals. The Buffalo is my South totem animal. The animal in the south protects the child within and reminds me when to be humble and when to trust, so that innocence will be balanced in my personality. I have waited to post these photos of the buffalo I have met. I see buffalo in my dreams. I see buffalo in my life.
Rancho Luna
Pala Indian Reservation
Pala, California
Buffalo…
You bring us,
The gifts of life,
Hear our prayers,
Smoke rising,
Like Phoenix.
We are reborn,
Within the sacred words.
Buffalo was the major source of sustenance for the Plains Indians. It gave meat for food, hides for clothing, warm and soft buffalo robes for long winters, and hooves for glue. The medicine of Buffalo is prayer, gratitude and praise for that which has been received. Buffalo medicine is also knowing that abundance is present when all relations are honored as sacred and when gratitude is expressed to every living part of creation.
– David Carson
