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This cycle of the year is known as the Cleansing Time and is
the original “spring cleaning” time. At this midpoint in winter, all the
potential manifestations of spring are stirring but still hidden within. The
Sun’s charge is growing again and life is secretly plotting its course. This is
the time of year to clean out your closets, your spirit, your life; to cut off
dead branches and clear the clutter. This month reminds us that we must make
room for the new things we desire by getting rid of the old. This presents us
with a good excuse to have a “great giveaway,” donating or recycling all that
we no longer need. This includes old thought forms, beliefs, and energies that
no longer serve us as well. Do you still harbor any unforgiveness, anger,
resentment or sense of injustice toward any people, situations or
organizations? If so, it is time to use all the means at your disposal to clear
these things from your being.
The totems for the Cleansing Time are Otter, Turquiose, and
Fern plants. The elemental clan is Butterfly. OTTER MEDICINE
The characteristics of Otter are well-defined. Otters are
playful, joyful, and naturally curious. At this time of the year it is good to feed
your own curiosity and focus on creativity and tolerance, and watching otters
at play can inspire us to do this.
Otter’s strong connection to water associates this animal
with the primal feminine energies. Their focused mothering and nurturing of
their young, as well as their habit of kicking the father temporarily out of
the den when offspring are born, further indicates their feminine nature.
Hence, otter is a good animal to call upon for strengthening our feminine side
or evoking our maternal instincts. Otters are also freely affectionate and
sharing and can help us learn largess of spirit.
The main message of otter is to remember and reawaken our
Inner Child. Do you work too hard and play too little? Call upon Otter to help
lighten you up? Do you spend too much time away from your children, or find
yourself too much of a disciplinarian? Let otter lead you back to affectionate,
warm times of sharing. But beware, otter may also come into your life with an
inverse message. If you lack focus and are playing around too much, let otter remind you of your responsibilities too.
All in all, the message here is to clear out the clutter and
welcome in new joy, creativity, and wonder. So be it!
TURQUOISE
This blue, veined mineral has a long history of use in
spiritual circles. From ancient Egypt
to modern America,
turquoise has been worn by healers, wizards and shamans as means of power and
protection.
Turquoise is a mystic’s stone, said to open us to loving
communication and telepathy. It centers, harmonizes and brings peace of mind.
If the wearer is attracting misfortune, it is said to absorb it, protecting the
wearer until it can hold no more, at which point it may shatter. If you’ve ever
seen this happen, that is the reason why. Because of this tendency, it is a good
idea to regularly clear and cleanse turquoise.
BUTTERFLY CLAN
The butterfly clan is ruled by the element of air, which is
associated with the power of thought and intellect. Air is clear and
uncluttered and represents unseen movement, the power of the unmanifest just
before it comes into being. Hence, air signifies the power to bring dreams or
thought forms into being in the outside world. Without air, there is no sound.
Thus, air supports communication of all forms of ideas and creativity coming
forth in the Cleansing Time.
Butterflies are about change and transformation. Therefore
people born in this cycle are enabled to effect change in themselves and
others, bringing fresh energy and perspectives. However, like otter medicine,
those who are born into or utilize butterfly medicine need to be aware to stay
focused, lest they run the risk of flittering from one thing to the next, never
bringing to fruition their good ideas.
SUMMARY
This month harkens to us to clear the way for new thoughts
and things and to welcome them into the clean space we have provided for them.
It asks us to tap into our curiosity and playfulness and with, with focused
intent, create new projects and manifest blessings. Using our feminine side, we
can further boost our creativity and relationships with the warm and nurturing
energies of the archetypal mother.
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