Animal Totems Part 3: The Medicine in Practice

Practicing the Medicine

Eliot Cowan gives practical examples of animal totem medicine and how it works to bridge the effective healing practices of indigenous traditions with the modern world and its concerns.

Animal Totems Part 2: Forming Practical Relationships

Forming Practical Relationships with Totem Animals

In this second of a 3 part series, shaman Eliot Cowan begins to delineate between simply having a "pet" and having an animal totem you can call on for help. He expounds on the benefits of having these totems for guidance and assistance in one's life.

Sacred Partnership With the World: Living With Totem

Totem Animals - with Eliot Cowan

What are Totem Animals?

Eliot Cowan shares his knowledge about animal helpers as totem animals that have shared their healing with humans all through history.

The Elephants Knew ...

The Elephants Knew 
Some will say there is no God, try and tell that to the elephants.....

THE ELEPHANTS' JOURNEY TO PAY RESPECT, BUT HOW DID THEY KNOW? 

Lawrence Anthony, a legend in South Africa and author of 3 books including the bestseller, The Elephant Whisperer.

He bravely rescued wildlife and rehabilitated elephants all over the globe from human atrocities, including the courageous rescue of Baghdad Zoo animals during US invasion in 2003.

On March 7, 2012 Lawrence Anthony died. He is remembered and missed by his wife, 2 sons, 2 grandsons, and numerous elephants.

Two days after his passing, the wild elephants showed up at his home led by two large matriarchs. Separate wild herds arrived in droves to say goodbye to their beloved 'man-friend'. A total of 31 elephants had patiently walked over 12 miles to get to his South African House.

Witnessing this spectacle, humans were obviously in awe not only because of the supreme intelligence and precise timing that these elephants sensed about Lawrence's passing, but also because of the profound memory and emotion the beloved animals evoked in such an organized way:  Walking slowly, for days, making their way in a solemn one-by-one queue from their habitat to his house.

Lawrence's wife, Francoise, was especially touched, knowing that the elephants had not been to his house prior to that day for well over 3 years! But yet they knew where they were going.

The elephants obviously wanted to pay their deep respects, honoring their friend who'd saved their lives - so much respect that they stayed for 2 days 2 nights without eating anything.

Then one morning, they left, making their long journey back home.

SOMETHING IN THE UNIVERSE IS GREATER AND DEEPER THAN HUMAN INTELLIGENCE.

Sobonfu Some: The Natural Way - i-WE Project - Natural Way: Indigenous Voices

Sobonfu, shares how her tribe, the Dagara People of Burkina Faso, view the relationship between the youngest and oldest members of the village. 

She describes how that relationship between the very young and the very old forms a vital bond, a container of sorts, that creates the space to hold a healthy community. Within that container, each individual villager's spirit can be recognized; each person can be free to express his or herself fully.

With her actions, Sobonfu shows us how "community" is more than just a trendy word.  With wisdom from the other side of the world, she demonstrates how community is a necessity for all humans; it lies within us, in the realm of the heart. Around that fire, we all are held by the space between the youngest and the oldest; we became a community.

  

Sobonfu Somé, whose name means "keeper of the rituals," was destined from birth to teach her ancestors' wisdom, ritual, and practices to Westerners who seek a deeper connection with the sacred rhythms and essences of life. She travels the world on a healing mission as she shares the rich culture of her homeland.

Life in Sobonfu's village would likely appear impoverished and primitive to the "civilized" observer. Meals can be meager, there is no privacy, children wander about from hut to hut. But while Burkina Faso ranks among the world's poorest countries economically, it remains one of the richest in spiritual life and custom.

In Sobonfu's village, everyone lives in direct relationship with the Spirit that is alive in all things. Rituals that ensure harmony and balance are woven daily into the fabric of life. Frequent ceremonies, some very elaborate, are conducted to mark life passages, a celebration of Belonging and of Home.

For example, everyone in the village joyfully anticipates the unique gifts a new child will bring the community. They honor that uniqueness through life and into the time after death, when the unique gift will continue to contribute to the well-being of the people through a Dagara Ancestor.

Sobonfu offers precious gifts of healing, communication and community. Read more about her work at www. sobonfu.com , including her leadership of Wisdom Spring, a not-for-profit that seeks to provide drinking water and resources for education to various villages in West Africa. 

Shamanism is ...

"Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire that knowledge, including the knowledge of the reality of the spirits, it is necessary to step through the shaman's doorway and acquire empirical evidence." 
  — Michael Harner

MICHAEL HARNER

"What Yogananda did for Hinduism and D.T. Suzuki did for Zen, Michael Harner has done for shamanism, namely bring the tradition and its richness to Western awareness," say Roger Walsh and Charles S. Grob, in their recent book, Higher Wisdom.

Michael Harner, Ph.D., founder of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, pioneered the return of shamanism, the shamanic journey, and shamanic healing to contemporary life. He has done fieldwork in the upper Amazon, western North America, Samiland (Lapland), and the Canadian Arctic. His books include The Way of the Shaman, Hallucinogens and Shamanism and The Jivaro: People of the Sacred Waterfalls.

Knowth River-Sun

Spring Equinox Sunset on the River Boyne viewed from the Great Mound at Knowth

View of the River Boyne and sunset from Knowth Neolithic Great Passage Tomb, Bru na Boinne, World Heritage Site, Ireland. The Sun mirroring in the River Boyne causing a River-Sun just after the Spring Equinox 2012. The effect is from slower, still water on the inside of the bend. This also mirrors the myth of The Dagda-Elcmar-Oengus (triple god of the Sun) who all have a relationship with Boann (the River Boyne).

 

The River Boyne and Knowth are in Ireland. I was at Knowth in October 2010.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxztnyYdZA4

Plant Spirit Medicine

We all yearn to be connected to our spirit, a community, and the natural world, yet how often do we give ourselves the time to nurture that pure, heartfelt desire? Our modern lives have become so busy and stressful. We know the pace takes a painful toll, which we try to remedy with healthy food, therapy, a yoga class here and there, or morning meditation. All of these approaches help, yet we still wonder, is there more?

Sometimes an illness, a bad break-up, or the death of a loved one will activate our core of inner wisdom, shaking us up enough to open our hearts and commit to deeper healing.

Could the potency and mystery of ancient-wisdom traditions provide a medicine for the spectrum of illnesses and the alienation of modern culture?

Communities once worked and played together around the fire. People felt connected to each other and to the natural world around them. Healers helped with individual maladies and also maintained the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the entire village. The medicine of the old cultures was deep and effective. It was more holistic than anything we dream of today. Despite all that modernity has undone, the Huichol people of central Mexico have kept alive their humor, their communities, and their profound medicine.

Eliot Cowan is the author of Plant Spirit Medicine, and a fully initiated Tsaurirrikame (shaman) in the Huichol Indian tradition. He began the study and practice of herbalism in the 1960’s and completed a Master of Acupuncture degree with J.R. Worsley in England in the 1970’s. Eliot subsequently apprenticed with Don Guadalupe Gonzalez Rios, an eminent Huichol Indian Shaman. On the occasion of Don Guadalupe’s retirement in 2000, he ritually recognized Eliot as a guide to shamanic apprentices in the Huichol tradition.

Eliot has shared his gift with many all over the world. In 1989, Eliot was my teacher. My year long apprenticeship program was based at Dry Creek Herb Farm north of Auburn CA. It was a wondrous year, opening me up to many life changing opportunities. The journey has continued to amaze and confirm my belief in this profound medicine.

It is only with the heart that you can see, what is essential is invisible to the eye. ~ Unknown

Woman Shaman

Women spiritual leaders, medicine women, priestesses and shamans from Africa, Asia, and the Americas. From the Women's Power dvd created by Max Dashu of the Suppressed Histories Archives www.suppressedhistories.net/womenspowerdvd.html

Eliot Cowan speaks about "Blessings"

We all yearn to be connected to our spirit, a community, and the natural world, yet how often do we give ourselves the time to nurture that pure, heartfelt desire? Our modern lives have become so busy and stressful. We know the pace takes a painful toll, which we try to remedy with healthy food, therapy, a yoga class here and there, or morning meditation. All of these approaches help, yet we still wonder, is there more?

Sometimes an illness, a bad break-up, or the death of a loved one will activate our core of inner wisdom, shaking us up enough to open our hearts and commit to deeper healing.

Could the potency and mystery of ancient-wisdom traditions provide a medicine for the spectrum of illnesses and the alienation of modern culture?

Elder shaman in the Huichol tradition (Eliot Cowan) discusses his knowledge of Blessings. What are they? Are they always good? How does one ask for a blessing?

Eliot Cowan is the author of Plant Spirit Medicine, and a fully initiated Tsaurirrikame (shaman) in the Huichol Indian tradition. He began the study and practice of herbalism in the 1960’s and completed a Master of Acupuncture degree with J.R. Worsley in England in the 1970’s. Eliot subsequently apprenticed with Don Guadalupe Gonzalez Rios, an eminent Huichol Indian Shaman. On the occasion of Don Guadalupe’s retirement in 2000, he ritually recognized Eliot as a guide to shamanic apprentices in the Huichol tradition.

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I have a blessing story to tell.

I had been training (on weekends) as an herbalist for several years. When I asked to have Eliot Cowan teach Plant Spirit Medicine in No. CA and when he agreed we found out it was for 3 day weekends for the apprenticeship year.

I was very disappointed, as I knew I couldn't take the training. As a specialist teacher, my students weren't serviced when I wasn't there so I couldn't take off Fridays. Then at this same time my favorite assignments were cut/dropped due to tightening of the budget and I was devastated at the loss of what I loved doing.

I ended up moving to a more traditional assignment where I taught on a regularly/daily scheduled classroom basis which required a substitute when I wasn't there. I soon loved this assignment too and of course I trained with Eliot Cowan and have been a practicing Plant Spirit Medicine Practitioner for 13 years.

Yes, blessings come in many packages.

WOMAN SHAMAN: THE ANCIENTS

The wisdom of the ancients, the ancient wisdom, direct experience of the primordial source, the flow and flicker of spirit moving through us, through earth, water, air and fire. That luminous source that predates religious dogma and transcends all the rationals for domination . . . and scatters them.

The circle of life at which all beings are relatives. The medicine women, oracles, diviners and female prophets.

In a thousand ways they told us that woman like this didn't exist. That there were medicine men, prophets, priests, that ceremony was man's business. That women belonged in the background. This is a lie. We know better.

We remember and the cultural record remains in rock art and ceramic sculpture, bronzes and paintings.

They show us women moving in ecstasy, incantation, in trans-dance.
   

Woman Shaman  the movie pulls back the curtain bringing you the images and stories of woman who chant, dance and pray with their bodies, to deepen and unify their consciousness, to heal and to transform the world.

Woman Shaman: The Ancients.

This is the trailer for the forthcoming movie by Max Dashu on female spiritual leaders, dreamers, drummers, healers, ecstatic dancers, and psychonauts. It gives a global view of archaeology, rock art, and cultural treasures representing women shamans throughout history. See www.suppressedhistories.net for more information and links to contribute to the production fundraising, or visit the Suppressed Histories page on Facebook.

The Mayan New Dawn

This is a new video from Ian Lungold's website mayanmajix.com.

Carl Calleman interviews Don Alejandro, a Mayan shaman about the much anticipated end of the Mayan calendar.

Don Alejandro is traveling the world spreading his message of a new dawn - the new dawn of a time of peace and happiness for all mankind.

Shamanism and illness - Sandra Ingerman

Shaman and teacher of Shamanism Sandra Ingerman offers insight into illness from a shamanic view point. Clip from Shamanism Documentary http://thecenterforhealingarts.com/Shamanism-Sandra_Ingerman-Shamanism+Healing 

Listen With Your Heart: Sandra Ingerman on Shamanism, Healing & Nature. Directed by Victor Demko. 150 min feature documentary film on Shamanism, Healing & Nature.

Interview with Malidoma Somé

PeaceCaster Madeline Alvey interviews West African medicine man, teacher and author Malidoma Somé at the 2008 Festival of Faiths.
For more information on PeaceCasters or the Center for Interfaith Relations please visit http://www.interfaithrelations.org/

In honor of Lindy "Morning Star" (Little Wing) Morris

Our Australian friend, Lindy Morning Star Morris, who we also called 'Little Wing' has met with a tragic accident and passed into the spirit world on Thursday June 24, 2010, in New Jersey during a retreat teaching how to make hand drums.

We first met Lindy at the 19 +1 Earth Healing Medicine Wheel Ceremony in May 2004 in Lake Tahoe.

This was a beautiful and powerful weekend ceremony in 2004 on the shore of Lake Tahoe.

Below are photos of Morning Star that were shared by others to honor her joyous life of sharing and joining with others in spirit to share with the world ways our 'nature finds' can be re-created to be used for healing and ceremony.

Morning Star wrote, "Your light is needed NOW and the Earth mother is offering her gifts to assist us to remember we came to the Earth at this most important time to be co-creators from the Divine Within ."

This photo of Lindy was taken at a winter solstice ceremony in Alaska in 2006.

And here she is hand feeding the birds during the winter solstice in Alaska 06.

She is on the left in this New Mexico prayer performance ceremony during the 2007 Eagle and Jaguar Tour.

Morning Star welcomes the dawn with her flute ... the opening ceremony of Unificacion Maya 2009

Here Lindy is teaching one of her classes at the Lion Fires Shamanic Institute at 4 Corners, Colorado.

This is a link to her website: http://animalspiritmedicine.webs.com/ 


This is a RECENT VIDEO of Morningstar Playing Flute:
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1228459406292

With love and gratitude, you will be missed here on this earth. 

Grandfather spoke about the nature of gratitude. That when someone receives something and then gives gratitude in return, that the gratitude releases a burst of energy that causes many doors to open thus creating even more opportunities for energy exchange to happen.

Summer Solstice 2010

Today (June 21st)  is the Summer Solstice 2010, the first day of summer.

According to Wikipedia, Summer Solstice, or the "first day of summer," is "when the Earth's axial tilt is most inclined towards the sun at its maximum of 23° 26'." It's the longest day of the year, with the shortest night.

Of the many ways in which solstice can be defined, one of the most common (and perhaps most easily understood) is by the astronomical phenomenon for which it is named, which is readily observable by anyone on Earth: a "sun-standing." This modern scientific word descends from a Latin scientific word in use in the late Roman republic of the 1st century BC: solstitium. Pliny uses it a number of times in his Natural History with the same meaning that it has today. It contains two Latin-language segments, sol, "sun", and -stitium, "stoppage." The Romans used "standing" to refer to a component of the relative velocity of the Sun as it is observed in the sky. Relative velocity is the motion of an object from the point of view of an observer in a frame of reference. From a fixed position on the ground, the sun appears to orbit around the Earth.

This picture is of the 2005 summer solstice sunrise at Stonehenge. This picture is taken exactly with the perfect alignment to the rising sun. Here is a description of it from the photographer.



Description:

The Sun rising over Stonehenge on the morning of the summer solstice (21st June 2005). A crowd of between 14,000 and 19,000 people greeted the sun as it rose at 04:58 BST.
Photographer: Photograph Andrew Dunn, 04:59 BST 21 June 2005

Description of the solar alignment

If you look at this aerial view, north is approximately along the path to the right. On the morning of the solstice, the sun rises from behind the Heel Stone in the bottom right hand corner, and can be observed on an alignment running from the Heel stone, passing between the two Slaughter Stones (only one remains fallen on the outer bank), through the outer Sarsen ring, across the centre of the henge, then between the tallest trilith at the back of the Sarsen horseshoe. If you continue the line onward to the bank and ditch top left, that's the point from which this photo is taken.
On taking this photograph, I was surprised at how sensitive the alignment is. Although the bank was crowded with people, if I stepped one person to the left or right, the sun disappeared from between the arch of the Sarsen circle and was blocked by one stone or another.

Tallest stoneToday the tallest trilith at the back of the Sarsen horseshoe is largely collapsed. Only one of its three stones remains standing, which is the tallest stone just left of the sun in this photograph.

The lintel stones on the triliths and the outer Sarsen circle are held in place with mortise and tenon joints. I believe the triangular spike on top of the tallest stone, is the tenon exposed after its neighbouring stones had fallen.

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Stonehenge, is one of the few surviving monuments that still keeps its true meaning and purpose hidden from modern science. Stonehenge is a large structure of rock circles and platforms with each rock ranging in size from a few feet to one hundred feet. Despite the large number of both plausible and far fetched theories as to why it was built, the mystery of Stonehenge still remains. What grand purpose were the builders trying to achieve by arranging the stones in such meticulous and mathematically accurate order? In the age before significant labor tools were used, who felt the need to take on such a monumental task? And perhaps the most intriguing question of all; ultimately, what gave these people the drive to see the project to completion over a period of over 1500 years, without any deviation from the original plans? Though much remains unsolved, the information we do know may allow us to formulate our own educated theories.

Stonehenge has been described as "A circular arrangement of prehistoric megaliths on Salisbury Plain England, probably set up in the Neolithic period."  It literally means "hanging stone." The combination of the towering granite blocks, the huge ditches surrounding it, and the shear size and magnitude of the site are awe inspiring. The stones vary in size, shape, and age due to the different types of rock involved, and the irregular weathering patterns. Most of the stones have a roughhewn and weathered look. They vary in size and weight ranging from over 100 feet and 50 tons, to the size of a human. The surrounding area of Stonehenge is very open and seemingly void of woods, possibly suggesting that the architecture called for a place with a completely unobstructed view of the heavens. The outermost portion of the structure, the ditch is 330 feet long. Today, the conglomeration of weathered  rocks still look very similar to the way they looked thousands of years ago. Located eight miles north of Salisbury, England, we still do not know the specific reasons for this particular location.

Once all the plans were drawn out, the construction of Stonehenge began right around the time that the bronze age was overtaking the stone age. According to excavation results, the megalith was built over a series of periods between 3100 BC - 1550 BC, and the fact that the original intent was successfully passed on to each of four different groups is yet another astounding aspect of the megalith. The earliest known phase of building took place from groundbreaking in 3100 BC and lasted until 2300 BC.  At this stage, the slaughter stone and the heel stone were put in place. The slaughter stone is a 21 foot long piece of granite originally placed upright. However, due to over 5000 years of weathering the stone is now all but completely underground with only the top portion exposed.  The heal stone, named by John Aubrey for the supposed heal shape indent on it, is located outside the main circle. This 35 ton stone is the only concrete example we have that astronomy was actually used during this era.  On midsummer day (June 24 then, now June 21), a person in the center of the circle can view the sunrise directly above the heel stone. Legend has it that the heal shaped indentation was caused when the devil picked up the stone and threw it at a friar. Despite the charming tale, no such indentation has ever been found on the stone.

The second phase took place between 2100 BC - 2000 BC. During this period the Beaker culture, named after their renowned pottery, arrived to oversee production. They were responsible for the importation of blue stone, and also the construction of an approach road, now called the avenue.  The Beakers sought the blue stone of the Preseli mountains to continue the construction, some 219 miles away in southwestern Wales.  With these stones, they set up the double concentric circle of Menhirs within the existing ring built earlier. The avenue built serves as an entrance to the bank and the ditch mentioned in the first segment. The avenue and the double circle of blocks make up what is called the "solstice sunrise".  The structure was built entirely around the summer solstice and is yet another example of the incredible astronomical knowledge these people had. Unfortunately, the double circle was never fully completed and was dismantled during the following period.

The third phase took from 2000 BC - 1550 BC to complete.  In this phase a circle of sarsen stones, weighing up to 50 tons each and towering over 100 feet, were displayed in the center of the site. These stones were brought to Stonehenge from Marlborough Downs, some 20 miles away, once again exhibiting incredible (and some may argue supernatural) will power and tenacity. After some rearrangement and restructuring of the stones, Stonehenge became unique in that no other megalithic structure in Europe displayed such architectural refinement and precision.

The fourth and final period took place four hundred years later in 1100 BC when the avenue was extended to the River Avon, a staggering 1.25 mile stretch.

A popular question surrounding the topic is: "Who was responsible for overseeing the design and building process, and was it constructed with some supernatural intention?" Everything from the likely groups of citizens of that era, to the far fetched proposal of alien intervention, has been suggested over the years as an answer to this. Many of these theories have come from scientists, researchers and common people. Though there is no certain answer, there are a few theories that suggest some various groups of people. It is believed to be built by druids (a caste of Celtic Priests), Greeks, and the Phoenicians. Only these peoples would have had such an interest in astronomy and science as well as the mathematical knowledge and education required for the construction.  As for the aliens, though no credible source would support such a notion, one must admit that due to the mystical nature of Stonehenge and all the means involved in it's construction, it's easy to understand why the idea has surfaced.

There are also a large variety of beliefs as to the purpose of Stonehenge. We do know a few specifics that help us in deciding the ultimate goals of the monolith, whether spiritual or otherwise. We know that it predicted the seasons and other astronomical events with seemingly impeccable accuracy. It may have served as a reliable predictor of when an eclipse of the sun or moon was coming by observation of the stones in relation to the sun/moon. It has been proven that it was a site of extensive religious ceremonies and rituals. It is also believed that it may have been used as a clock or astronomical observatory. One of the most questionable theories, due to lack of enough credible evidence, is that it was built as a temple for sky worship. The belief that it was used as a druid temple has recently been refuted and no longer holds any weight with science. This is due to the fact that druids did not appear in Britain until a few hundred years before the Christian era.

Stonehenge obviously has a value as a calendar, a seasonal predictor, an astronomical observatory, or as a religious site, this is obvious. However, there are far too many questions that still remain unanswered: If all they wanted was to predict seasons, why not develop a calendar? If a religious ceremony was their goal, why not make a temple, or a church? And if astronomy was their sole motive, why pick such a low lying, inopportune place such as Salisbury Plain?  It just doesn't make logical sense for these people of obvious superior intelligence to devote 1500 years of planning and effort, countless resources, incredible organization, and unfathomable excruciating labor, just to build a calendar. It does, however, give us a great window into the minds of the people who built it, and the society from which they originated. Greater understanding of the culture may also help us to understand why they built it. These were people who were obviously advanced in mathematics and astronomy, as well as managing and motivating a large work force. They knew all about commitment and hard work, and even 1500 years and countless tons of rock couldn't subside their efforts. They were driven towards a common goal, and overcame all odds in order to build one of the greatest wonders the world would ever know.
http://www.thenagain.info/WebChron/World/Stonehenge.html

Huichol - Shamanic Deer Dance

Kayumari is known in the Huichol Indian tradition as a blue deer that brings messages to the people from Spirit. It is said that where the blue deer walks, healthy communities grow.
(This is a concept of holistic functioning)

Interview with Eliot Cowan

Eliot Cowan, Tsaurirrikame, Senior shaman in the Huichol tradition of Mexico and Elder of the Sacred Fire Community speaks in an interview held at the 2009 Interspiritual Conference sponsored by the Sacred Fire Community. For more information, visit www.interspiritualconference.com

What is Shamanism from Shaman Sandra Ingerman

http://thecenterforhealingarts.com

Sandra Ingerman, Shamanic teacher trainer.
Get up close and personal. Learn deep healing insights from this film about shamanism.

Sandra is a leader in the U.S. shamanic community. I have had the honor of participating in a couple of her workshops during retreats in the past. Hope you enjoy this short little video.

Michael Harner honored as a pioneer of integrated medicine

Michael Harner started the The Foundation for Shamanic Studies

I am honored to say I have taken Foundation classes with Michael and his wife Sandra and other teachers. If you ever get a chance to take "The Way of the Shaman" basic workshop, may I suggest that you do. It could change your life. In the following video, Michael gives a brief talk about himself and shamanism, and the importance of saving the shaman's practices and information before it is lost to us all.