Fox Cub

The Fox Totem teaches us about feminine magic, this does not imply that it is a totem for women only. Both men and women who have a Fox as their totem are being told to stay in touch with the feminine side of their character and personality. If you're attracted to the Fox, you would have a better understanding of your need to develop your feminine side.

Fox comes out of hiding at dusk-twilight the time that is magic when the doors to the fairy kingdom open. If you have a fondness for fairies, elves, and gnomes, the "little people" and sprits, fox is working on you. Its keen eyesight also has the ability to see movement and objects on the very edges of the field of vision. Those with active fox medicine can often see Spirit and the beings "between worlds". If this is an ability that you would like to develop, practice at twilight and call upon Fox for energy to help you.

The ears and tail of the Fox have messages for you. The ears help the animal to keep cool in the summer as they expel body heat through the ears. If you're too warm; pull your hair away from your ears; if you're too cold; let your hair cover your ears. The tail acts as a portable blanket to keep the nose and feet warm. The tail also says that you have the ability to protect yourself from unpleasant and uncomfortable situations and relationships.

The Fox also has a highly developed sense of smell, and you may be very aware of smells, odors and their subtle differences. You are also alert to unpleasant situations and /or danger because something just "doesn't smell right.

While the actual body of the Fox is very small, the mass of hair that protects it gives the impression of greater bulk. The hair varies in color tones and textures much like the human hair as their “crowning glory”.

Such a tiny animal to carry so many teachings. Study the Fox. It can help change your life in many ways.

This RiverRock Art piece reflects the innocence of the fox cub, laying down among leaves and rock. Curious, yet alert to his surroundings. This would make a lovely addition to your yard or home. A great gift for the animal lover in your life.

Fox Cub Rock Art
Size: 8 x 5 1/2
Weighs 6lbs. 7ozs.
The item sells for $50.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

Dove & Rose Basket Tile

The Dove is the embodiment of maternal instinct. She is connected to Mother Earth and her creative energies.

Her mournful call speaks to our deepest self and stirs our emotions.

The voice of the dove is a rain song and brings us hope of a new beginning.

The Dove is the totem of "Between Times" and shows us the time of the thinning of the veils between the physical and the spiritual world.

Listen for her call with your soul.


Graceful Creature

The skies will never see a more peaceful and graceful creature than the Dove. This animal has been respected and revered throughout the ages by ancient and modern Indian tribes and their Shaman. These tribes who are so connected to the elements and the Earth understand the true influence these creatures’ posses. They are diplomatic, legendary animals that own many admirable virtues.

The Dove represents the feminine power of giving, prophecy, and the hope a new beginning. The Dove reveals the veils between the spiritual and physical worlds. They were the totem of Aphrodite the Goddess of Love, and they bore the ambrosia from the Goddesses which kept Zeus immortal, they are the symbol of sexual passion in India

It was the Dove which returned to Noah’s Ark to tell all aboard that land was found, in the Dove’s beak was an olive branch, which was the symbol of peace.

Doves, like many species of birds, breed and nest in pairs, they mate for life and build their nests, protect their territory and raise their young with their partners. The males as well as the females produce a milk like substance, called “crop milk” to feed their newborns. Both parents take responsibility for the hatching and care of their offspring. The males will sit on the eggs during the day while the females take over the task at night. Both take responsibility for the guarding of their nest

The Magnificent Dove Totem possesses the following virtues:

Love, gentleness, new ideas, purity, sexual energy, intimate relationships, creativity, peace, family values, centered calmness, tranquility, support, assistance, new relationships, peaceful transition from difficulty, powers of the feminine, friendship, .

The Dove animal totem is a strong spirit indeed and its magical properties are one of the most influential of all animal totems.

The above art piece has been painted on tile and measures 11 ½ x 11 ½. It weighs 5 ¼ lbs. This would be stunning in your garden to accent roses, flowers, or an area that needs a bright cheerful color. If you enjoy this piece please email me your request.

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

Totems In Your Garden

The Animal Kingdom is a diverse and magical world. When we open our hearts to the Oneness of all life, we see that every species has the potential to be a brother, a sister, an ally or a significant teacher. For this reason, there is considerable power at play when animals appear in Dreamtime. The encounter itself has the capacity to manifest change, deep within our psyche. Animal totems can impart a potent vibratory impact on our energy field. So we need to be more attentive as we brave the journey across our spiritual path. In fact, the simple presence of an animal totem reminds us that we have the innate ability to navigate new territory, to absorb complex and challenging lessons, and to realize wisdom and inner peace when important cycles of change unfold in our personal lives. When we implement the ways of an animal totem, we absorb the insight of its inherent medicine. The goal is to watch ever so carefully as we observe the animals that reveal their presence in our dream and waking worlds. Once again, being in awareness is the key while the inter-play is all about creating deeper healing on a soul level.

Rabbit:

The rabbit totem is an instrument of magic and good luck. Her gifts are spontaneity, alacrity and agility. Likewise, her path guides us to go forward with positive anticipation, for rabbit brings success to all endeavors. Rabbit is also a symbol of reproduction and abundance. The lesson is to create joy and faithfulness within our friendships. Finally, rabbit teaches us to overcome our fears as we take a conscious leap into new territory.

Lizard:

They have keen sense of vibrations from the ground, excellent hearing and sharp eyesight enables them to detect the slightest movement. One fascinating ability lizards have, is being able to break off their tails to escape predators. As their tail is writhing, it distracts the predator so the lizard can make its escape. Unfortunately, a lizard can only do this once because the tail grows back cartilage instead of vertebrae.

In myths and lore, Lizard is associated with dreaming. Dreams awaken our unconscious mind and make us aware of issues we haven't been ready to face in our conscious lives. Lizard appears when we need to analyze our present reality and brings the message for immediate change in some area or areas of our life. This change can represent letting go of old ideas or negative behaviors which endanger our growth.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

The Meaning of the Word Totem

Symbol
Using an animal as a symbol to designate a family or individual was a custom native to both Europe and North America. To Europeans, the animal (or plant) painted on a special background was known as a coat of arms. To American Indians, it was a totem.


The Totem Word
The word totem, from the Ojibwa language, was noted in traveler's report of the early 1770s, along with its similarity to English coats of arms: "To these are added his badge, called, in the Algonquin tongue, a totem, and which is in the nature of an armorial bearing."


Differences
But there were significant differences too. The totem was more democratic than the coat of arms in that it applied to every member of the clan or tribal group, not just those belonging to the aristocracy. And it was not just a symbol but a way of life. A writer of the 1790s explains the difference: Each Indian has "his totem, or favorite spirit, which he believes watches over him. This totem they conceive assumes the shape of some beast or other, and therefore they never kill, hunt, or eat the animal whose form they think this totem bears."


Sacred Objects
Totem proved such a distinctive word that we now use it to characterize any object held sacred by a group because of the bond the group feels with it. At the end of the twentieth century, this could be used to refer to any object that provides or symbolizes group identity. Origin: 1772

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