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Animals and Witchcraft(The Witches Familiar)Kangaroo
Totem Spirit & MedicineBy
Patricia J. Martin
Even as summer
lingers and we are still busily "making hay" while we can, there is an
unmistakable coolness in the air. Feeling the impending shift of seasons, our
thoughts begin to bound ahead as we prepare to leap forward on the Wheel. For
the Autumnal Equinox, where day and night are equally balanced, meet Kangaroo -
a most endearing animal who is all about balance, strength, agility and
movement, and who can help us make any transition with ease! According to
legend, when the explorer Captain Cook first laid eyes on a kangaroo in
Australia, he'd questioned the aborigines as to the name of this strange
creature. Their response was, "Kangaroo," which translated means,
"I do not understand you." <grin> A more likely story, though,
was recorded by Joseph Banks in 1770, who stated that the word
"kangaroo" derived from the Australian Aboriginal word "gangurru,"
depicting the Grey kangaroo. The 57 known species of Kangaroo - the
most common being the Red and the Grey - are unique to Australia and a few
surrounding islands. They are all herbivorous, nocturnal mammals. The male
kangaroo is often called a boomer, buck or jack; the female, a doe or jill; and
the baby, a joey. A group of kangaroos is called a mob. They are one of only a
few animals in the world for whom hopping is their only form of locomotion. As a
totem, this indicates that any movement we make in our lives will be
accomplished through unique and different approaches. Fresh perspectives will
most likely open up to us. The kangaroo is
a marsupial, meaning the female possesses a frontal pouch where her prematurely
birthed offspring complete their development outside the womb. The joey is blind
at birth, and must instinctively ascend their mother's belly and crawl into the
nurturing pouch. With Kangaroo Totem we also will find our natural instincts
enhanced, and we must let them guide us as our over-analyzing tendencies
diminish. When we learn this lesson, movement becomes freer and fortunate
synchronicity increases. Marsupials also carry the totemic message that what we
have given "birth" to in the 9 months from the new dawning light of
Yule to Mabon may still need nurturing and attention in order to bring it forth
to full manifestation. It is time to work on completing our "harvest"
and we will generally have about 5 weeks in which to do it. It is also time to
experience all that our efforts have produced. With Kangaroo medicine, we are
given the added spring in our step to finish gathering all we've
"planted" along the way. Kangaroos never move backward (they can't),
and always move forward. As a Totem, they insist we move forward too, and will
prompt us to only steer ahead toward a brighter future. The kangaroo's
very long, large tail is a symbol of power, strength and sexuality, and is used
for balance, propulsion, or leverage during self-defense. Although normally a
somewhat sedentary and peaceful animal, when threatened or vying for females,
the kangaroo may use its sharp claws in a "boxing" manner or lean back
on his tail for balance as he kicks his powerful legs and claws at an opponent.
In this, Kangaroo Spirit lends protection to our lives, bringing a peaceful calm
and confidence as we prepare to move through the dark half of the year or as we
attempt to move beyond our present circumstances or level of comfort in any
stressful situation. Though the unknown may seem scary or insurmountable at the
moment, we should fear not, for this Totem pushes us to hop and leap happily
into our future without looking back. Known for their
strength and agility, at full speed the adult Grey can reach 40 mph, and can
jump a distance of approximately 25 feet in one hop and about 9 feet high. The
tendons in their large back legs stretch and then snap back, providing lift-off.
When traveling great distances, as momentum builds, the kangaroo expends less
and less energy through use of these special tendons instead of using muscle.
Their breathing is also very efficient. In mimicking Kangaroo's forward momentum
skills and in remembering to take a breath during times of stress, we can learn
how to progress and achieve our goals quickly, and our stamina during will be
greatly enhanced as we leap over any obstacles in our way. Kangaroo prompts us
to simply use the knowledge from our past to keep us from repeating mistakes,
but will never allow us to live in the past. They teach that it is best to look
ahead and to keep moving forward toward our hopes and dreams. Kangaroos live
in semi-arid desert areas. They have the ability to go for long periods of time
without water. Anyone with Kangaroo Totem will be taught how to survive during
lean or harsh times and will gain the stamina and strength to ultimately reach
their goals. Kangaroo brings intuitive and decisive movement, adventure, strength, agility and balance to one's life. They will help us move toward all that we need. Their medicine can help us shed what is no longer beneficial, and will bring endurance and nourishment through any tough, dry "desert" times, as they leads us to our greatest desires and potential. May you bound effortlessly
into all you desire!
Sources:
Animal-Wise by
Ted Andrews http://www.australian-wildlife.com/Kangaroo-information.html
http://www.wildspeak.com/vilturj/totems/wredkangaroo.html
Kangaroo,
himself. © Patricia J. Martin, July 10, 2008
Pari lives on the East Coast of America and is a Shamanic Witch.
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