This moon spans from January 20th to February 18th. The Rest and Cleansing Moon brings us the medicine of knowing when it is time to rest and when it is time to cleanse our bodies, both inside and out. It is an excellent time for going on a fast and internal cleanse (not for the entire duration, of course!) and to visit the spa. Rejuvenation is the key to the Rest and Cleansing Moon.
The Power Animal for this moon is the Otter. This playful one is the epitome of fun! Otter people (those born in this moon) are gregarious individuals who love to have fun and who love to know lots of people. They are the social butterfly of the Butterfly Clan. Intelligent and spontaneous, the Otter is one who is always ready to throw caution to the wind in an attempt to have a good laugh and to slide down the river bank. Otter people are naturally trusting, until betrayed. Then it can take decades to ever earn their trust back. For an Otter person, one's character is the only true thing one owns. So if someone of low or little character should betray the Otter person, that one will never gain the trust back....ever. Otter medicine is also known as "woman medicine" because, whether it is within a woman or a man, it is the most nurturing of the individual spirits of those around the Otter person. Creative and loyal, the Otter makes an excellent friend who will be there through thick and thin.
The Plant Totem for the Rest and Cleansing Moon is the Quaking Aspen. Many Otter people suffer from foot issues of one form or another, and Quaking Aspen leaves and bark, when made into a tea, help to push the toxins that have set up house in the feet completely out of their abode, thus easing the pain and discomfort of the feet. Silver is the Mineral Totem for this moon. Silver is an excellent conduit of energy and helps to purify the body, mind, emotions and spirit.
Being a part of the Butterfly Clan, the Otter person is a natural Air elemental. This brings the medicine of an uncanny, almost telepathic ability to read other's thoughts and emotions. Because of this, the Otter person has to work twice as hard to stay grounded and centered, otherwise those vibes can bombard and create complete imbalance.
Air elementals in general need to honor whatever developmental stage they may be in with whatever situation they are dealing with. There is the egg stage, where potential is understood, but not known. There is the larva stage, where great transitions take place. There is the caterpillar stage, where one is ravenous for information and very passionate about it. There is the cocoon stage, where one just needs to be completely alone and allow the integration of everything to take place. Finally, there is the moth or butterfly stage, where one must honor that at first the wings will be very wet, so not to rush things, and then as they open there is a miraculous discovery of who one truly is. This is only to be followed by yet another stage of eggs. The cycle continues. Considering that Butterfly Clan folks are excellent multi-taskers, is it any wonder there can be stress, considering the many stages that each task may be at in any given moment?
Blessed Be
Trent
http://www.youtube.com/trentdeerhorn
www.deerhornshamanic.com
2 comments:
Great post, Trent! I did a quick 'google' of quaking aspen and we are surrounded by them in this area. When is the best time to gather its leaves and bark to make the tea you mentioned? Since it's the middle of winter, is there a store in town that sells it?
Also, can a person be in some or all the butterfly stages at the same time?
The best time to pick the leaves and bark is mid-summer. Make sure that the bark does not get peeled in a ring around the tree or it will kill the tree. I don't know any store in town that sells it. Butterfly Clan folks do multitasking the best out of all of the Clans. So yes, you can be in some or all stages at the same time with a variety of things.
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