For the past several years, a lone snowy egret appears mid-morning on the beach in front of the condo in Mazatlan, Mexico. This year, while walking on a more remote section of the beach, I came around a rocky point and there she was fishing, let me come within a few feet, caught and swallow a sardine and kept on fishing as I walked by.

Totem: Heron-egret

Aggressive Self-Determination
Self-Reliance

A Heron and Egret totem teaches balance;
the ability to progress and evolve --
to walk into deeper waters without fear.

It is important for someone with a Heron and Egret
totem to learn to stand on their own two feet,
to become independent and self-reliant.


Heron and Egret has a strong connection to the element of Earth
and you must also be aware and cultivate this connection.
The Mother Earth is a source of strength
and will help you stand strong and firm.

Heron medicine allows you to perform many tasks at the same time,
keeping all in balance.
If one way doesn't work, then another way will.
Heron and Egret people seem to instinctively know this.

Families in Holiday Light

"The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other's life. Rarely do members of one family grow up under the same roof."
RICHARD BACH, Illusions

As the holidays traditionally bring families together, the provide us with a lovely opportunity to reflect of the meaning of family, love, joy and friendship. The photo is of my "extended family", my college roomate's niece and her children. The baby is Mary Francis who had a rough time coming in but is doing well now.

Fall's Fading Light

Cold, sunny afternoon
Raking large piles of leafs
The English walnut tree let them all go
Hard work with immediate results
Ready now for the snow

Lilies of the Field

Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don't work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.

Watching myself and others worrying about the outcome of a home owner association's election this week and concern about all the other potential problems that might befall the group reminded me of worry is futile and waste of time.

Ferris Wheels in Fall

Watching a football game on TV and the local news brief comes on. Its 80 degrees out. Won't see that again for a good long while. Out to walk in Liberty Park. Picked up shinny chestnuts. Use to love to make bracelets and necklaces from them. Decided to ride on the old Ferris wheel that has been there since I was a child. Up into the fall sky, yellow, orange trees among the pines, what a view! Drumming circle going on. Visited by a friendly squirrel. Perfect.

Autumn Light

Mid-morning walk in Memory Grove

Autumn leaves, pick a few to bring home

Butterflies

Children in strollers or walking with adults

Dogs running, playing in the pond

City Creek tumbling over rock waterfalls

The joy of it all.

Cougar Light

* Using leadership power wisely and without ego
* Balancing power, intention, strength
* Gaining self-confidence
* Freedom from guilt
* Cunning


For the Zunis of Turtle Island (Southwest United States), Cougar was the Master Hunter, known for its high intelligence, its knowledge of other animal and life forms, its physical prowess, its strength of will, and its intuitive ability. Cougar sees the maintenance of its territory as essential for its survival. Poshaiankia, the father of the Medicine Societies, designated Cougar the duty of carrying messages from humans to the higher spirits, because of this animal’s personal power, superior knowledge, strength of will, and steadfastness. Therefore, Cougar represents the link between ourselves and the most powerful spirits in Zuni Mythology: Mother Earth, Father Sky, and the Originator of All.