Avocado as Totem

Avocado (Persea americana)

English: A seedless avocado, or cuke, growing next to two regular avocados. Location: San Pablo Huitzo, Oaxaca, Mexico. Español: Aguacate sin semilla en Oaxaca, Mexico (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keywords:  Self-love and self-worth, transforming inner beauty into external beauty, balancing male and female energies, balance between dualities, lust, love, connected to the totem Resplendent Quetzal, interdependence, being slowly accepted by others, needing specific conditions to thrive, connection to Mexico and Aztec and Mayan cultures, sacred to the Orisha Ellegua/Papa Legba

Avocado is a flowering tree that produces large pear shaped fruits which contain a large single seed and rich, soft flesh surrounded by a thick, wrinkly skin.  Avocados are often sliced and enjoyed raw in sandwiches, toast, salads, and as a snack.  Many vegetarians supplement their diet with avocado because of its high fat content.  In Mexico and the United States avocados are mashed into a sauce or dip to make guacamole.  In recent years Western nations including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have begun to favor making types of sushi that include avocado.  In some countries of South America, Africa, and Asia avocados are used to make sweet juices or blended with milk to create shakes.

The avocado tree is a subtropical plant which requires a very specific climate in order to create fruits that are edible for humans to eat.  It needs a warm, humid, relatively windless environment for its flowers and fruit to reach maturity.  In the wild it has a mutually dependent relationship with the resplendent quetzal.  Wild avocados produce smaller fruits which are a favored food of the resplendent quetzal.  The birds swallow the fruits whole and then spit out the seeds which helps distribute them away from their parent plant.  Those working with the totem Avocado may wish to try to contact this bird’s totem as well due to the compatibility of these two totems.  When being taught by Avocado, students will likely find themselves needing very specific conditions to work and live in.  They may also discover a sense of dependance on a certain type of area, person, or situation.  Although this may make some feel vulnerable and locked in, Avocado teaches us that  having very specific needs and seeking them out can help us grow stronger and more focused in our lives.  Now is the time to find what works best for you and aim to make that a reality in your life.

There are two competing theories about the origin of domesticated avocados.  Some believe that the plant originated in South America but was cultivated in Mexico.  Others postulate that the wild plant is native to Mexico, was cultivated in South America, and returned to Mexico in its domesticated form.  Which ever is true, archeologists have discovered that the avocado was an important food source for the ancient Aztecs starting as early as 7000 B.C.

The word “avocado” is derived from a Nahuatl word, “ahuacatl” which means “testicle” and the plant did have a lusty, scandalous reputation among the Aztecs.  During avocado harvests virgin daughters were not allowed to venture outside as it was thought that the plants inflamed the the lust of the farmers who picked the fruit.  Indeed, it was thought that if one consumed avocado it would be difficult to not indulge one’s sexual desires.

Avocados were connected to lust and sex in other cultures as well.  In the South American country of Guiana there is a tale of an avocado farmer whose wife was seduced by a tapir.  Intent on running off with her new lover, the wife knocked the man down from an avocado tree causing one of his legs to be severed.  To add insult to injury, she stole his basket of avocados, but this ended up being a fatal mistake.  The man followed the trail of trees growing from avocados dropped from the basked and was able to chase his wife and the tapir down to the edge of the world.  He attacked the tapir, taking out one of its eyes and the beast leaped off the edge, the wife following him.  The man, wife, and tapir are now constellations in the sky enacting an eternal chase.

In Yoruba religion avocados are sacred to the orisha Ellegua (also known as Eshu and Papa Legba).  Ellegua is a trickster deity of sex and intoxication which further ties this plant to lusty themes.  The totem Avocado can have a fiesty trickster personality and, if this is the side of the totem you are working with, some care must be taken to not be lead into overindulgence.  Avocado also teaches balance, however, so it may be that this is a time to reflect on balancing love and lust, or indulgence with responsibility.

The totem Avocado has a more gentle and nurturing side to it as well, further emphasizing its nature as a totem that encourages balance between seemingly opposite traits.  Avocado has much to teach about the mysteries of beauty.  Avocados can appear ugly and unappetizing to those who don’t know that inside is contained lovely green, rich flesh.  The idea of not judging a book by its cover is very much embodied by this totem.  Avocados are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids and other nutrients which help skin and hair stay healthy.  Avocados are also used to create facial masks and conditioners for hair, helping them stay healthy and beautiful.  Using avocado these ways in a more mindful, ritual manner is an excellent way to contact this totem.

Avocado teaches us that true beauty comes from within and is then translated into beautiful actions without.  Students of Avocado may be asked to examine what they are taking into themselves, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually.  Are we filling ourselves with nurturing, joyful experiences?  Now is the time to seek out beautiful art and stories (through all forms of media).  It is a time to visit beautiful places and encourage ourselves and others to perform acts of beauty, whether that is creating something or participating in kindness, love, and charity.  Avocado teaches us that our true beauty is measured less by our physical appearance, but rather by the contents of our hearts, minds, and soul.

Avocado can seem like a paradoxical totem until one is able to grasp the balance between all aspects of its personality and lessons.  It may come to you as an extroverted fun-loving trickster, or it may show up as a more introspective nurturer.  It is possible that it will choose to teach you in a certain manner and then, when you are ready, it will show you its other aspects to help round out its lessons.  As mentioned above, one of the best ways to contact and commune with Avocado, along with enjoying it as a food, is to pamper oneself with beauty products which contain avocado, preferably in a ritual manner.  Avocado may seem like an unextraordinary totem at first glance but its students will quickly learn that this is far from the truth.  Students will find that Avocado’s lessons are rich with complexity and can help lead to a greater sense of balance and health.

“Avocado.”  Wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avocado

“Avocado.”  Tribe of the Sun.  http://www.tribeofthesun.com/avocado.htm

“Avocados.”  The World’s Healthiest Foods.  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=5

Landon, Amanda J.  “Domestication and Significance of Persea americana, the Avocado, in Mesoamerica.”  Digital Commons@University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  http://www.academia.edu/425850/Domestication_and_Significance_of_Persea_americana_the_Avocado_in_Mesoamerica

Leitten, Rebecca Rose.  “Plant Myths and Legends.”  http://bhort.bh.cornell.edu/conservatory/cpage3.html

Mobassaleh, Jessica.  “Avocado: The Ancient Food of the Future.”  Earthy Delights.  http://www.earthy.com/Avocado-Ancient-Food-of-the-Future-W714.aspx

Popenoe, Wilson.  “Names of Guatemalan Avocados.”  California Avocado Society 1928 Yearbook: 12: 41-43.  http://www.avocadosource.com/CAS_Yearbooks/CAS_13_1928/CAS_1928_PG_41-43.pdf

Seeto, Chef Lance.  “Secret History of Avocado.”  The Fiji Times Online.  May 20, 2012.  http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=201769

“The Magi’s Garden: Avocado.”  http://www.angelfire.com/de/poetry/Flowers/Avocado.html

Tomato as Totem

A scanned red tomato, along with leaves and flowers. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

(Note:  Lupa, a totemist, author, and creator of the blog Therioshamanism has also written about the totem Tomato which is well worth reading if this plant is calling you.  I purposely didn’t read it until after my research on and contact with Tomato, but it turns out that our impressions of this totem are very similar.  A link to her essay is found below.)

Tomato  (Solanum lycopersicum)

 

 

Keywords:  Celebrating diversity, community, patience, learning wisdom from the past, working with the Sun and solar energy, being misunderstood and unjustly maligned, a connection to witchcraft and werewolf myths, a possible connection to Wolf, romantic love, having a tolerant and forgiving attitude, generosity

Tomato as an ingredient can be served in many ways from sliced raw, roasted, and pureed into a soup.  It is perhaps most commonly associated with Mediterranean cuisines, where it can be found in many salads, soups, and pasta dishes.  Although China is the largest exporter of tomatoes today, it is estimated that the United States is the largest consumer of them, mainly in the form of the country’s two favorite condiments, ketchup and salsa.  While the popular image of the tomato is of a bright red fruit, tomatoes can come in a wide range of colors from orange, yellow, green, purple, and even white.  The fruit of the tomato plant is usually eaten after it has ripened, but some dishes, such as fried green tomatoes from the southern United States, call for unripened fruits.

Tomatoes are very dense in vitamins and nutrients, and have particularly high amounts of vitamins C, A, and K.  Some studies indicate that lycopene, a substance found in tomatoes may reduce the risk of diabetes and many forms of cancer.  The human body absorbs lycopene more easily from processed tomatoes rather than raw ones, which makes tomatoes one of the exceptions to conventional wisdom that says that fruits and vegetables are more beneficial eaten raw.

The earliest ancestors of the tomato were native to the western coastal highlands of South America and its domestication began in Mexico.  The Aztecs were said to have enjoyed a salsa-like dish made of tomatoes, chiles, and ground squash seeds.  The word “tomato” is derived from the Aztec word “xitomatl” which means “plump little thing with a navel”.  Tomatoes were first introduced  to Europe by Spanish and Italian explorers returning from Mexico and Central America.

Although tomatoes are a staple of European and American cooking, the plant was at first met with much suspicion.  The reason for this is largely in part due to tomato’s close biological relationship to poisonous plants such as datura, mandrake, and especially deadly nightshade.  (Incidentally, tomato also shares the same botanical family as potato, eggplant, tobacco, and petunia.)  The leaves and fruits of the tomato plant look very similar to those of deadly nightshade, and the tomato was given the same sinister reputation in some areas.  Although we now know that the fruit of the tomato plant is edible, it is true that its leaves and stems are toxic to humans.  In German folklore, witches used nightshade to summon werewolves to ride to their sabbats, and it may be in connection to this that the tomato was given the name “wolf peach” in Germany.  The species name for tomato, lycopersicum, means “edible wolf peach”.

Another connection between tomatoes and poison in the European mind was made when people of the upper class ate tomatoes off of pewter plates which contained lead.  Tomatoes are high in acid, and its juice would cause lead to leach out which did poison those eating off them.  While peasants, who ate on wooden plates, continued to eat the fruit, among high society tomatoes were strictly used for ornamental, not culinary, purposes for quite some time.  This prejudiced against the plant was brought with the European colonists to America.  Over the years tomato eventually became accepted on both continents.

The totem Tomato is familiar with being misunderstood, misidentified, and mislabeled (I didn’t have the space to go into the long history of why this *fruit* is legally considered a vegetable in the United States).  Tomato can help those who feel similarly treated by those around them.  Tomato may be able to help you pinpoint exactly what about you is being misunderstood and, if possible, how to help others see your real truth.  Tomato may also ask that you take a good look at the people you yourself feel frightened by or are uncomfortable with.  This totem can help you work out whether or not those feelings are justified and, if not, can help you acknowledge and work through those prejudices.  As an extra note, Tomato’s folkloric connection to wolves could be looked into by those who work with that animal totem.  Like Tomato, Wolf has knowledge about being unreasonably feared and connected to maliciousness, so it is possible that the two may have compatible teachings on this issue.

Fortunately, the tomato plant has shed its bad reputation and lately there has been a growing renaissance of appreciation for it from environmentalists, foodies, and beginning gardeners.  Tomato is a tropical plant and care must be taken to protect outdoor plants growing in colder areas, but otherwise it is a very tolerant and forgiving plant, making it a great teacher for those new to gardening.  It also takes very well to growing in greenhouses and even, while it is young, inside homes (this is not recommended if you have children or pets who may eat the toxic leaves, however).  It is a vine that can grow to great heights if given the chance, or it can sprawl over the ground developing new roots from its stems and creating new plants.  Healthy tomato plants are known for producing an abundance of fruit and often gardeners will find themselves practically pushing their bounty onto friends and neighbors so as not to let anything go to waste.

Tomatoes have lately been at the forefront of debates about pesticides, GMOs, and the use of chemicals to artificially ripen and preserve mass produced plants for transport.  There has also been a growing resistance to the tendency of large agricultural companies to use only a few varieties of the same plant to sale worldwide thus greatly decreasing the diversity of the plants we rely on for food.  To answer this concern, there is increasing interest in heirloom tomatoes of many varieties that can grow in different climates as well as produce a far wider (and many say tastier) range of flavors.  This author will admit to fastidiously picking bits of tomato out of salads and sandwiches until she was once served a salad containing organic heirloom tomatoes.  She is now not as hesitant to eat tomatoes so long as they are organic.

Tomato as a totem asks us to examine where our values lie when it comes our behavior as consumers.  Do we see the foods and other products we buy as commodities that we need to have at all times even at the expense of quality, benefits, and even the health of ourselves and the environments?  Or are our foods and other products worth being patient for, accepting that, while we can’t have them on demand all the time, letting them come to us in their own time provides us with greater benefits and perhaps fosters an attitude that appreciates and treasures what we receive.  The totem Tomato suggests patience and understanding not just for plants, but for all things and people.  It asks us to have patience with the people around us and understand that we all have our own pace and should not be made to feel forced to do things before we are ready.  Everything happens in its own time and everyone does what they must when they must.

Tomato also urges a sense of connection in our lives.  This can come in many forms large and small.  You may be asked to form stronger bonds with romantic partners (tomatoes were symbols of love and sex).  You may be asked to foster a greater sense of community and shared purpose among a particular group of people.  You may be asked to strengthen your own partnership with the land and the beings you share it with.  Chances are you will be asked to do all this and more.  Working with Tomato indicates a time to deepen your sense of interdependence with all around you and to work with others to create bounties that can be shared.

Tomato normally doesn’t force contact on potential students, but it almost never turns away students who approach it with joyful respect (Tomato is rarely somber).  This totem enjoys the company of humans and can be quite gregarious and talkative when it knows it has an appreciative audience.  Tomato is patient, quick to forgive, and a lover of diversity and wishes its students to be the same.  It is possible to communicate with Tomato while preparing and eating a tomato dish but even better is sharing time with a tomato plant while enjoying a sunny day should you have the chance.

 

“Heirloom tomato.”  Wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heirloom_tomato

 

“The Secret History of the Tomato.”  Environmental Graffiti.  http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/plants/news-wolf-peaches-bring-out-animal-you

 

“Tip of the Week: Tempting Tomatoes.”  The New York Botanical Garden.  http://www.nybg.org/plant-talk/2009/08/tip-of-the-week/tempting-tomatoes/

 

“Tomato.”  Wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomato

 

“Tomato: The Apple of Peru.”  Botany Global Issues Map.  http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/botany/botany_map/articles/article_35.html

“Tomatoes: One of the World’s Healthiest Foods.”  Tomato Wellness.  http://www.tomatowellness.com/health/tomato-are-healthy

 

Related articles

• Domestic Tomato as Plant Totem (therioshamanism.com)

 

Common Onion as Totem

Common Onion (Allium cepa)

English: onion (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keywords: unity, macrocosm and microcosm, the ability to see the mulilayeredness of reality, balance between all elements, finding comfort in the earth, emotional release, the symbolism and magic of tears, needing to defend yourself in a memorable way, connection to and protection of soldiers, oaths, treasuring the “simple” joys of life

The common onion, often simply called “onion”, is one of the most universally used plants in world cuisine.  Onion is an extremely versatile ingredient that can be prepared in a wide variety of ways from eaten raw, sauteed, pickled, pureed, and powdered.  There are three main varieties grown for culinary use which are named for their color, white, yellow, and red.  Yellow onions are more commonly used in Europe, while white onions are favored in Latin American cuisine, but all three varieties can be found the world over.  Although mature bulbs are the most used part of the onion plant, immature plants can be picked whole and used as scallions.

Onions belong in the genus Allium along with leeks and garlic.  Onions and garlic share much of the same mythology and folklore and totemically share similar attitudes about protection and defense (see link below for my essay on Garlic).  Like garlic, onions are medicinally beneficial plants.  Onion is thought to have properties that help guard against heart disease and cancer.  Onions and garlic were considered to be foods that bestowed strength and endurance and were included in the diets of Egyptian slaves and Greek Olympians.  One of the earliest mentions of onions is found in the Bible’s Book of Exodus wherein the Hebrews, during their long wanderings in the desert, list onions and garlic as two of the foods they missed most from their old home.

Because of their close biological relationship, onions and garlic work very well together in dishes.  The same can be said regarding the partnership they can form on a totemic level.  Onion possesses a similarly strong personality as Garlic that people find they love or hate with very little middle ground.  Both plants are very protective, though their methods are slightly different.  Onion is more proactive, more willing to attack threats as opposed to Garlic’s calm, steady shielding.  This makes Onion seem more “powerful” by some standards but also means that Onion is more likely to leap into action when discretion might be the better choice.  These two plants make a great team, tending to balance and enhance the other.

Onion’s sometimes feisty attitude is connected, in part, to the plant’s notorious ability to make people cry when they cut into it.  This occurs when the plant’s cells are breached during cutting and the enzymes within break down which, in turn, creates a highly irritating gas.  This gas produces a painful stinging sensation when it hits the surface of an eye and tears are produced as a defense mechanism to flush out the toxin.  There have been many ideas on how to avoid this passed down through the ages, the best one seeming to be a suggestion to freeze the onions and cut them with a sharp knife while they are still cold.

Onion is intimately tied to the symbolism, mythology, and magic of tears.  Although the tears produced by onions are purely for physical defense against an irritant, the totem Onion does teach lessons on emotional release which often comes with tears.  Just as trying to hold back tears when cutting onions only makes the pain worse, sometimes holding back tears during sorrow and hurt can make emotional pain worse.  Much of Western society values stoicism and looks down on people who give into the need to cry.  But sometimes crying *is* a need.  Just like tears help flush out physical toxins away from the eyes, tears can help flush out toxins in our hearts, minds, and souls.  Onion can help you accept this need without shame or guilt.  Tears have been considered a magical fluid in mythology and fairy tales, often bestowing or restoring life.  If Onion is working with you on issues of emotional release via tears, it is suggested that you seek out these stories that show crying in a positive, even sacred, light.

The word “onion” is derived from the Latin word “unio” which means “unity” or “oneness”, and it is here that Onion’s most mystical teachings are found.  The layers of onions have been referenced often in literature as a metaphor for discovering multiple facets of something or for uncovering a truth.  Ancient Egyptians, who viewed the circles of the onion as a symbol for eternity, revered, perhaps even worshiped, onions.  Onions were placed over the eyes of the dead or wrapped in cloth like a mummy and placed in tombs.  Art has been found depicting priests carrying onions to be placed on an altar.  The onion was so sacred to the Egyptians that oaths were sworn by placing the right hand on an onion.  The connection between onions and eternity carried well past the days of the pyramids and is reflected in the onion domes of Russian Orthodox churches.

If the ancients discovered the Macrocosm in the onion, then, in a way, we in modern times are given our first glimpses of Microcosm in the same plant.  Viewing dyed onion cells under a microscope is one of the first examples young biology students are given of the complexity of life on a microscopic level.  In an almost poetic way Onion has helped many of us view yet another layer to life.

If you choose (or are chosen) to become a student of Onion expect to learn much more than the lessons you first sought out.  Onion is as multilayered spiritually as it is physically.  Onion isn’t overly aggressive, but some of its lessons can come off as strong and stinging.  Onion does sometimes have a tendency to cross boundaries a little too forcefully or a little too soon, but it is also a diplomatic totem who is likely to respect the concerns of its student.  It will be important, however, to make sure you are able to exhibit Onion’s strength in your life without becoming too pushy.  Onion is in equal measures earthy and mystical and students are likely to be asked to examine their lives in a very holistic manner that brings the two states into a harmonious union.

 

“Onion.”  Wikipedia.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion

“Onion Lore.”  The Sweet Onion Source.  http://www.sweetonionsource.com/lore.html

Stallsmith, Audrey.  “Omnipresent Onion.”  Thyme Will Tell:  Celebrating Mystery, Romance, and the Powerful Grace of Heirloom Plants.  http://www.thymewilltell.com/onion.html

Someshwar, Manreet Sodhi.  “My Empire for an Onion.”  The NY Times.  Jan 19, 2011.  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/20/opinion/20iht-Someshwar20.html?_r=0

“Vegetable Myth and Folklore.”  Squidoo.  http://www.squidoo.com/vegetable-myths#module143410491

Related articles

• Garlic as Totem (totemist.wordpress.com)

Pine as Totem (with emphasis on connecting via pine nuts)

English: Pinyon pine (Pinus monophylla), open cone on tree with light-colored, empty pine nuts left in place after jay and squirrel foraging of the good, dark-brown ones. At m ( ) in Swall Meadows, Mono County, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Pine (Pinus)

Keywords: Elder wisdom, knowing how to maintain a continuous store of energy, finding sustenance during lean times, connection to prehistoric humanity, knowing when to protect and when to release creativity for optimal success, peace and calm, clears the mind of distraction, working with the Third Eye/Brow Chakra, sacred to many deities (including Attis, Dionysus, Neptune, and Osiris), one of the seven chieftain trees of the Druids, contemplating the sacred mysteries of Winter

Pines are hardy, long-lived, conifers found in the genus Pinus. This family of trees (and a few shrubs) consists of between 90 to 125 species, all of which are native to the Northern Hemisphere. Pines have been imported to countries in the Southern Hemisphere for commercial and ornamental reasons and have become invasive species in some areas. Species of pine have evolved to thrive in a wide variety of soil conditions, climates, and elevations. Most pines are found in temperate to cold climes though some species are more suited for life in arid, hot environments.

The two most visually distinctive traits of pines are their clusters of long, thin leaves, called needles, and their cones. The structure of the needles helps reduce evaporation, helping the trees survive during dryer times. The needles also produce compounds which act as a sort of antifreeze, allowing them to survive frost and continue the process of photosynthesis throughout winter. These compounds are partly responsible for the rich, aromatic scent associated with these trees. Both scientists and practitioners of aromatherapy have found that the scent of pine needles encourages a sense of calm and restfulness. Perhaps this ability to induce a tranquil state of mind is one reason why some Catholics and neopagans employ pine branches dipped in water as an aspergillum to sprinkle water about an area before rituals.

Pine cones are the reproductive organs of the trees, and in most species the male and female cones are found on the same tree. Male cones a typically smaller and drop off the tree once pollination is complete. Seeds gestate in the larger female cones, a process that can take a year, and are protected by bark-like scales. Pine seeds are dispersed on the wind or carried away by birds such as nutcrackers and jays. Along with being an important food source for birds and squirrels, the larger seeds of some trees, called pine nuts, are consumed by humans.

Pine nuts were an important food source for the prehistoric peoples of Europe, Asia, and North America. Rich in protein and amino acids, pine nuts were harvested during autumn and stored to provide sustenance during the lean winter months. Archeologists have found stores of pine nuts in North America dating back to 6,000 years ago. Pine nuts were, and still are, an important part of the diets of the Native peoples of the Great Basin and the American Southwest. For the Hopi, Shoshone, and other peoples of this region, the time of the pine nut harvest was one of the most important communal events of the year and pine nuts were elevated to a position of reverence and religious significance. Harvesting the nuts of the pinyon pines still continues today in this region, although this tradition is being threatened by habitat loss and political strife.

The ancient Greeks and Romans added pine nuts to many of their meals and in modern times it is found in the cuisines of the Mediterranean and Middle East. Breads, salads, sauces, and even desserts featuring pine nuts are enjoyed by the people of Greece, France, Spain, and Italy. In America’s southwestern states, a coffee made from pine nuts is considered a regional specialty. Around 20 species of pine are harvested commercially. Most of the pine nuts harvested in Europe come from the Stone Pine and in Asia the nuts are likely to belong to the Korean Pine or Chilgoza Pine. In North America nuts are supplied by pinyon pines, most notably Colorado Pinyon, Mexican Pinyon, and Single-leaf Pinyon.

Pine nuts may be employed by modern totemists to connect with Pine. Pine as a totem can represent the entire family of pine trees, or the totemist may seek the totem of a specific species. If it is known what species of pine the nuts being used came from, this may facilitate a direct connection to that particular tree. Otherwise, pine nuts can be used to gain general Pine wisdom and lessons. It is possible to work with Pine in general, but if Pine becomes an important teacher for you it may be desirable to see if a specific species can be determined.

Pine’s evergreen nature and its ancient role in prehistory as a winter food source makes in an ideal teacher for learning how to maintain continuous supplies of energy. Those working with Pine may notice their energy patterns slowing down a bit but that they also require less “down time” than usual. Pine teaches how to conserve energy, carefully time the completion of goals, and insure that reserves of resources are always maintained. This totem encourages a pace of life that is constant and calm rather than fluctuating wildly between times of productivity and times of rest. Pine would agree with the fabled tortoise’s philosophy of “slow and steady wins the race”.

Studying the symbolism of pine cones can also help unlock many clues to this tree’s lessons. Pine cone imagery is surprisingly abundant in the mythic art and ritual practices of many cultures. Many deities, including Osiris, Marduk, and Dionysus have been depicted as holding a pine cone or a staff topped with a pine cone. The staff of Dionysus, called a thyrsus, was a stalk of fennel with ivy wrapped around it and honey was said to sometimes drip from the pine cone tip. This phallic instrument was carried by worshipers during the sacred festivals of Dionysus/Bacchus and symbolized the regenerative power of seeds (of both plants and men). It should also be noted that in Catholicism, the pine cone is found on the staff carried by the Pope and the courtyard of the Vatican contains an enormous statue of a pine cone. Whether or not Catholic use of the pine cone’s image has direct connections to other mythologies is a matter of debate and controversy.

Some modern students of spiritual symbolism believe that the origin of the strong connection between pine cones and religious mysteries can be found, quite literally, in our brain. The pineal gland, a small structure in the center of the brain which is thought to be responsible for sleep patterns and some pleasure responses, was so named because it looks like a tiny pine cone. Early Western philosophers were fascinated by this organ and some theorized it connected the mind to the body and was the “house” of the soul. Some branches of Eastern mysticism view the pineal gland as the physical form of the brow chakra or the third eye . Other mystical theorists claim that the pineal gland may be responsible for the phenomenons of telepathy and clairvoyance.

Whatever traditions or beliefs you follow, Pine does indeed encourage the bridging of body and mind, matter and spirit, and earth and the heavens. Pine does not ignore or shun the more earthly/bodily aspects of reality, but it is prone to push its students to explore loftier philosophies, transcendent mysteries, and “higher” modes of being. Employing the scent of pine while meditating or sitting next to a pine tree and listening to the rustle of wind in it needles are both excellent ways to induce the calm, relaxed, and meditative state of mind Pine prefers for communicating its lessons.

Pine is not likely to provide quick and obvious lessons at first, but for those who are compatible with the idea of steady, constant, long-term growth, Pine can be an powerful, yet gentle, ally.

Hirst, K. Krist. “Pine Nuts and Archeology: Ancient Harvest.” About.com. http://archaeology.about.com/od/agriculture/a/pinon.htm

“History of Pine Nuts and the People of the Great Basin.” Goods from the Woods. http://www.pinenut.com/history.htm

Morgenstern, Kat. “Pine.” Sacred Earth: Ethnobotany and Ecotravel. Dec. 2004 http://www.sacredearth.com/ethnobotany/plantprofiles/pine.php

Odgren, Paul. “Why Can Pine Needles Carry On Photosynthesis During Winter?” MadSci Network. http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1998-12/913932825.Bt.r.html

“Pine.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine

“Pine Nut.” Gardenology.org. http://www.gardenology.org/wiki/Pine_nut

“Pine Nut.” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_nut

“Pine Nuts.” Nuts Just Nuts. http://nutsjustnuts.com/pine-nuts

Garlic as Totem

Garlic (Allium sativum)

English: A basket of garlic (allium sativum) offered for sale at the farmers’ market in Rochester, Minnesota (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Keywords: protective, guarding against negative influences, having a personality that is either loved or loathed with very little in between, balancing strength and kindness, a tendency towards asexuality, not needing a partner to fulfill one’s self-worth, taking care of one’s heart (both literally and metaphorically), strong connections to traditional medicine (most notably Chinese), connections to Italy in general and Rome in particular, warrior, playful connection to vampire lore, finding comfort in earthy energies

Garlic is a member of the onion family and related to chives and leeks. The species cultivated for human use is domesticated. Its ancestor probably arose in China although this isn’t a known certainty. Garlic is grown year round in temperate climates all across the globe.

Garlic’s uses as an ingredient are incredibly diverse. It is used raw, roasted, or sauteed to flavor a wide range of vegetables, meats, breads, and pastas. Cultures living on all inhabited continents have embraced it as a crucial element of their cuisines, though it is perhaps most famed for its use in Italian and Chinese cooking. While the stalks and flowers of the garlic plant are edible, the part of the plant most often consumed by humans are the cloves, individual sections found clustered within the bulb from which new garlic plants can be cultivated.

Garlic has also been used medicinally since ancient times. Ancient Egyptians and Greeks both connected it to increased stamina and strength, the former included it in the diets of their slaves and the latter encouraged athletes and warriors to regularly eat it. In traditional Chinese medicine, garlic is said to promote longevity while Indians believed it aroused passion. Garlic was seen as such a potent aphrodisiac that chaste monks and grieving widows were warned away from it lest lust take over their better natures! Garlic has also been used to ward off demons and diseases (some cultures making no distinction between the two) and was employed for this purpose during Europe’s Black Plaque. And, of course, garlic is famed as repellant of vampires, a belief that may have arisen due to the fact that garlic can indeed help ward off less supernatural bloodsuckers such as mosquitoes and fleas. Modern medical science has found that compounds found in garlic are effectively antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-fungal as well as potentially boosting the immune system and cardiovascular health. Scientists have yet to comment on garlic’s effectiveness against the Nosferatu.

Garlic, whose name is derived from the old Germanic words for “spear” and “leek” is also known as “the stinking rose”. The characteristic pungent odor of garlic has led to a somewhat reviled reputation among some people. Garlic contains sulfuric compounds that can sometimes be detected in the breath and sweat of those who’ve eaten it recently. Because of this, both Hindus and Muslims have historically considered it improper to eat garlic before entering holy buildings. This smelly quality is so offensive that one Islamic tale has garlic being created in the footprints of Satan when he left Eden.

As a totem, Garlic is protective. It prefers guarding and warding more than offensively seeking threats. A good way to symbolize Garlic’s attitude towards protection is to imagine a guard who prefers pushing back threats with a shield and only uses weapons as a last defense. Garlic is a good team player with other culinary totems and often strengthens and protects their energies. For example, while working with Cabbage to increase abundance, Garlic can help one learn to avoid situations that could drain finances. Likewise, while consulting with Tomato for lessons of love and passion, Garlic can be seen as a guide to recognizing inner and outer threats to the harmony of one’s romantic relationships.

Garlic can also teach lessons of self-acceptance and self-sufficiency. Garlic is used to people either strongly loving it or strongly hating it. For people who have “strong” personalities like Garlic, this totem can teach how to accept adoration without becoming arrogant and how to shrug off other people’s displeasure without belligerence. Garlic can also help those struggling with issues of asexuality or those who feel like they must have romantic partners to feel fulfilled. While familiar with the realms of passion and lust, Garlic most often reproduces asexually, needing no partner plant to complete its life cycle. Thus, Garlic can bestow lessons on how to flourish alone (whether that stems from natural inclinations or not).

Because its most prominent feature, its bulbs, grow under the ground, and because of its pungent smell, Garlic has connections to chthonic realms and entities. It is sacred to Hecate and considered a plant of the Underworld. Garlic isn’t a “dark” totem, per se, but it is very earthy. Also, as an entity frequently called on to ward against darker entities and demons, it is aware of the natures and manners of these beings and can be a guide for those seeking to understand them while simultaneously offering protection against them. Students of energy cleansing, exorcisms, or protection against psychic attacks would do well to seek out Garlic as an ally.

People who use garlic for medical purposes may also want to seek out this totem for added insight.

“Garlic” Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garlic

“Garlic-History” Plant Cultures: Exploring Plants and People. http://www.kew.org/plant-cultures/plants/garlic_history.html

Green, Aliza. Field Guide to Produce. San Francisco: Quirk Productions, Inc., 2004

Lasinski, Kirsten. “The History of Garlic: Nature’s Ancient Superfood” GooGoBits.com. 28 June 2005 http://www.googobits.com/articles/1167-the-history-of-garlic-natures-ancient-superfood.html

A Case for Specialized Totem Dictionaries

The idea and motivation for this essay originated in a discussion I had with my friend and totemic author Lupa on one of her Facebook posts where she linked to one of her own essays* which expresses her frustration with totem dictionaries. In this and past essays Lupa has expressed the opinion that totemism needs to move beyond the totem dictionary genre and into areas that focus more on giving totemists tools and practices for contacting and learning from totems on their own terms. Her essays often paint the totem dictionary genre as overdone, redundant, and too often used as a crutch in lieu of doing personal work to understand a totem’s lesson.

I do greatly agree with most of her position. The majority of totem dictionaries on the market are repetitions of the same subject where descriptions of totems seem like so much copy-and-paste which add nothing new. I also believe that totem dictionaries should not lead a person to feel that they do not need to hone their own skills at determining for themselves why they’ve made a connection to a totem.

However, I do believe that totem dictionaries still have their place and I welcome new ones provided they are innovative and unique. I think these dictionaries can still be very useful to newcomers to totemism as well as potentially giving more seasoned totemists new food for thought.

A *good* totem entry is the spiritual equivalent of a naturalist’s notes. Let’s say you wish to see bald eagles. You might read from a naturalist that s/he has had the most luck viewing them at dawn among big trees along lake shores. This doesn’t mean that’s the *only* way to find bald eagles, of course, but it gives a good starting point. Likewise, someone wanting to contact Bald Eagle may read that someone finds that Bald Eagle is best contacted while meditating on high ground where you can feel the wind. Just like the naturalist’s notes it doesn’t mean this is the only way, but it can point you in the right direction. The basic guided “go down a tunnel” meditation doesn’t work well for me and I know others who face the same issue. I’ve often had to find areas, behaviors, sounds, offerings, or other specific details that makes a totem feel at home and helps draw them forth and provide a much stronger link.

Many of the popular totems already have a good body of information out there to find ideas and advice. Patterns and trends can be gleaned from books, websites, and areas on the internet where totemists talk shop. Many bird totems enjoy being honored with adornments of feathers and dances which imitate their flights. Grizzly Bear is fond of offerings of salmon. Sometimes Wolf just wants a good howl. But what if you wish to communicate with a totem that has never been talked about? Sure, all some totems are gregarious and just need to be asked respectfully to engage in conversation. But some totems are shy and need coaxing. Some test the devotion and respect of their students. And some are just plain picky about the conditions they need to feel comfortable and willing to open up. This leads me to the heart of my argument which is that totem dictionaries are still needed. In particular what is most needed now are specialized dictionaries which branch out and introduce people to totems that aren’t as common.

I believe that more specific dictionaries would likely start covering animals that have never been featured in totem dictionaries. For instance, if I were to write about totems of the swamps, I would, of course, include creatures that have been written about before such as Dragonfly, Heron, and Otter. I’d also include those never written about like Alligator Gar, Rat Snake, and Nutria. This, to me, can provide important benefits to the reader. One reason is that which I’ve already discussed. A dictionary covering new animals could help give people that first little push needed to help them contact a totem who might not show up automatically when first requested for an audience.

Another benefit is that many totems rely on sparks of recognition. Since most of us can’t spend much time in a variety of habitats totems often turn to art, writing, and even television to gain people’s attention. It’s one reason I love Ravenari’s totem dictionary site (www.wildspeak.com) so much. I truly believe she has probably helped lesser known totems reach out and connect with people. I very much believe that, now that totemism is a common practice among many people, we are entering a time when the lesser-knowns are willing and wanting to find students. The popular animals will always have students, but I think we will find it more and more common for totemists to connect to other animals. Specialized totem dictionaries can help be mediators for this process.

As a hypothetic example, let’s say you come across a book devoted to the totem animal of India and are intrigued enough by it to bring it home with you. Or perhaps you run across a website created by a totemist who has a particular love for rodents and has created an extensive list of entries of totems of this group of animals. This leads you to come across an entry for Indian Giant Squirrel. Perhaps you feel a little tug that urges you to return to this entry multiple times until it finally clicks. Or maybe you receive a metaphysical smack on the back of your head. Either way, without access to this entry odds are you and Indian Giant Squirrel would never have had the opportunity to make a connection.

It is possible that you may have previously been receiving feelings that a totem was trying to make contact, and maybe there was even a strong enough impression to make you suspect you should be looking into Order Rodentia. However, that represents an enormous amount of animals too numerous to explore individually in great detail. Even if you had turned to a regular totem dictionary, you might have skimmed right by the entry for Squirrel as it is generally assumed that “Squirrel” means Grey Squirrel or possibly Red Squirrel thus making it a very weak connection to Indian Giant Squirrel. The very best opportunity this totem would have for contacting you would have been if someone has chosen to create a dictionary of totems from India or rodent totems and included it as an entry.

Another benefit of specialized totem dictionaries, specifically those focused on a locale, is that these dictionaries would also become great looks at the general spirit of the area. Not to single Ravenari out, but I’ve gained a much greater understanding of the spiritual landscape of Western Australia due to her introducing me to so many totems of that area, many I was unaware of before. Locale based dictionaries could help people who live there better understand the land around them as well as act as a spiritual atlas for people not from that area who, for whatever reason, need to spiritually journey there.

There are many different forms that form that specialized totem dictionaries could take such as:

Totems of specific areas such as states, provinces, countries, as well as continents which have received less attention than North America from dictionaries currently in the market.

Totems of specific bioregions. This could include specific areas such as the Rocky Mountains or the Nile Delta as well as general biomes such as swamps, deserts, and tundra.

Detailed looks at totems from a specific group of animals. This could be as general as Reptiles or Fish, or it could profile a distinct group of animals such as Frogs, Ungulates, or Butterflies.
Plants!!! Plants (as well as Fungi) are rarely talked about as totems but, based on personal experience, there is an increasing desire among them to reach out to potential student and, in return, we are starting to see the first inklings of a trend towards people wishing to reach out to them.

Unfortunately issues of marketability will probably keep books titled “The Totems of Cuba” or “Turtles: A Totemic Dictionary” from being published (though, I for one, would snatch these books up in a heartbeat). Totem dictionaries that reach such levels of specialization will probably have to find their homes on the Internet. I do think that there is still a market for some specialized totem dictionaries. I think continents other than North America are due for closer looks and would find an audience among people who live there and, hopefully, many others who live elsewhere. Some biome specific dictionaries would probably draw attention. There are probably other topics that might have a chance such as reptiles or perhaps extinct animals. And plants!!! To date, there is only one plant totem book out there and they are worth giving more attention to. Personally, I think if a totemist (or group of totemists) has a love for a specific group of totems they shouldn’t let book companies’ views deter them. A website can be just as useful, if not moreso, than a book for reaching out to people. (And if you choose to create such a website let me know! I’d be more than happy to help get the word out.)

Years ago, I took note of the trend of more and more totemists claiming connection to totems beyond those who are often the “stars” of most totem dictionaries. At first it was mostly seen in a wider variety of mammals and birds such as Maned Wolf, Wombat, and Harpy Eagle. Then insects such as Yellowjacket and Tick began appearing. Lately I’ve been seeing a trickle of very specific creatures of all types, some I’ve never heard of before, being connected to as totems. I feel that this is to be expected as we live in a global culture. Totemists from different countries meet online to trade notes and we all have access to information about creatures from all over the world.
This wide-ranging inclusiveness of totem species as already become a hallmark of our culture’s version of totemism. We are already seeing an increased interest in contact with lesser-known totems and, in return, lesser-known totems are starting to have more interest in us. I believe that as this trend grows in strength totemists are going to want, even need, to have specialized totem dictionaries to help aid them. Our path is growing, expanding, and starting to mature. I predict that specialized totem dictionaries will be one of the signs of the next stage of evolution of our unique form of totemism.
• Totem Animal Dictionaries and Their Shortcomings  http://thegreenwolf.tumblr.com/post/22335587221/totem-animal-dictionaries-and-their-shortcomings

My Words are my Fangs: Thoughts on Spotted Hyena

Spotted hyena in Kenya (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Spotted Hyena and I have a relationship.  I wouldn’t say we are very close.  More like an “oh hey, I was in the area and thought I’d drop by for some chit-chat” type of relationship.  Spotted Hyena’s greatest lesson for me was nudging me in the right direction for finding my therioside.  Something about her felt familiar and her energy matched mine in some ways that Grey Wolf, my lifelong mentor, did not.  She was quick to dodge any latching on I might do, batting away any rushed jumps to conclusions that I’d made a mistake on identifying my inner-beastie and had been a hyena all along.

“Oh, we do have a bit of a kinship,” she said with a smile that was friendly and crafty at the same time, “But you are not mine.  We’ll talk when you’ve figured it out.”

Then came a website with the statement: “Dire wolves most likely filled a niche similar to today’s spotted hyenas.”  Aha!  True to her word, Hyena dropped by to talk about this revelation and how her way of living often seems “right” to me.   She’s actually older than Dire Wolf and the fact that she is both more ancient then he and yet still extant makes her perspective fascinating to me.  She chuckles and reminds, “Honey, my tribe mastered this Game long before doggies entered the picture.  We were so good at it that lions had to give up solitary life just to compete!”  She is sure of herself, tough, and doesn’t give two damns if you love her or not.

When Ravenari posted her wondrously long lists of totemic keywords on Wildspeak.com, I of course immediately clicked on Spotted Hyena.  I’ve quoted it below and bolded the lessons that I have also encountered most strongly with her.

” The healing power of laughter, seeking to find many ways to communicate with others, sharing your knowledge freely, endings, the end of a difficult or positive period, trusting your instincts, trickster energy, an ability to hurt with words, watch what you say, attracting people like you, being very adept at groupwork and collaborative projects.”

Laughter

Hyena does teach about laughter, but it isn’t the warmest teaching in the world.  Those maniacal cackles and whoops are rarely about joy.  They are warnings, rallying calls, and a way to relieve stress.  They are also a form of psychological warfare.  Hyena laughter reminds you that sometimes you have to go a little crazy to keep your sanity.  Sometimes you have to laugh so you don’t cry.  Laughing through pain and fear may sound ugly to others, but sometimes it is a way to build strength and a way to relieve pressure that would otherwise make you collapse.  If anyone can teach you how to put on a “shit eating grin”, it is Spotted Hyena.

Instincts and Trickery

Kali.  Hecate.  Lilith.  The Mother Who Destroys.  Crone.  Sorceress.  Witch.

Spotted Hyena shares the shadowy current of archetypal energy with these entities and symbols of darker female power.  She knows when to nurture, but she isn’t afraid to be cruel.  There can be sweet tenderness among the hyena clan, but there can also be viciousness and murder.  It is not uncommon for one of the first actions of a young hyena’s life to be siblicide.  Spotted hyenas also defy what many people consider sexual and gender norms.  Females rule the clan, are larger and more aggressive than males, and even have a large psuedo-phallus.  Ritualized sexual behavior starts at an early age, with mounting and genital licking being daily events.

Because of their unusual physiology and the difficulty of telling males from females, hyenas often became symbolic of homosexuality and transgenderedism and were hated and vilified by those who also demonized these populations of humanity.  The matriarchal nature of hyena clans also brought them infamy among some societies that felt that strong women were devilish or dangerous.  Spotted Hyena is not a totem that one should seek if you are not comfortable with or do not accept diversity in gender roles and sexual orientation.  She can be a dangerous being if you try to tame her or change her, and she does not stand for those who try to force others to change their essential natures.

Spotted Hyena is deeply instinctual.  To work with her you have to be willing to accept all of her.  You have to be willing to be made uncomfortable at times as she has a tendency to dive into the shadowy realms of your soul and drag back things you tried to hide or forget.  She is unflinching, unashamed, and if she doesn’t respect you, sometimes she is untrustworthy.  But for those who can stand up to her tests, those who can look at the fetid, rotten truths she sometimes drags in front of you and laugh instead of run, she can be one of the most loyal and supportive of guides you will ever meet.

She isn’t evil…no totem is evil in the human understanding of the word.  But she is brutal in her honesty, challenging, and easily misunderstood.  And she has somewhat earned her reputation as being a creature of sorcery and curses.

Biting Words

This is probably the lesson Spotted Hyena works with me the most often, and the one that most overlaps with some of Dire Wolf’s teachings.  Spotted Hyena knows the impact of sounds and vocalizations.  She knows how to intimidate and comfort with sound.  She knows how to bluff, and she knows when to back up her bluffs.  Spotted Hyena has often whispered in my ear as I’ve considered what I should say in a given situation but am at a loss for words.  If I want to comfort a friend without smothering them, Spotted Hyena sometimes tells me how to craft my words just so.  If I am trying to get an adversarial person to back off, again Hyena can guide me towards just the right words that will put that person in check and make them think twice about trying to spar with me.  And on the very rare occasions that I want to destroy a person with words, well Hyena and I bare our fangs and attack the nearest weak spot we find.  Biting words indeed.

I do realize that what I have just written could make some think that Spotted Hyena is a horrid and mean totem.  I don’t see her that way at all.  On the contrary, I have seen her gentle, playful, loyal, and caring side.  She isn’t all “blood and guts in the dark night”.  But I won’t lie about her or try to soften her image.  Hyena wouldn’t want that.

Hyena-work isn’t for everyone as it can be harsh and requires just a touch of madness.

But some people will hear the laughter in the hot African night…and can’t help giving a little chuckle in return.

Paleo: Finding a song-name

Originally Posted on Livejournal 2004.08.15 at 22:05

Names hold power. This fact was foremost in my mind when I decided to create a more personal live journal for myself. The various names we use for ourselves are like masks. They can hide parts of us, accentuate other parts, and bestow upon us characteristics we wish to experience. I feel I have entered a new cycle in my life which has brought with it a new level of spiritual understanding (which in turn has led me to understand how little I understand). I feel the need for a new name, a song-name if you well. Something that will reach into my soul and out into the Universe. One came. Paleo, from the word Paleolithic.

Pa•le•o•lith•ic
adj.
Of or relating to the cultural period of the Stone Age beginning with the earliest chipped stone tools, about 750,000 years ago, until the beginning of the Mesolithic Age, about 15,000 years ago.

The spiritual path that I have chosen and that has chosen me is a very primal, primitive one. My very spirit is that of a beast which shared the earth with the people to first walk on this continent and disappeared before they became the First Nations.

The name suits me.
I am Paleo.
I am modern. I am ancient.
I am living. I am extinct.
I am flesh. I am spirit.
I am.