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Animals and Witchcraft(The Witches Familiar)Lion
Totem
Spirit and Medicine:
by
Patricia Jean Martin
The Lion ~
regal, majestic, powerful and strong, yet nurturing, devoted, playful and calm.
The King of the jungle is respected by all, and when Lion Totem comes, it’s
nearly impossible to ignore his call! A native of the continent of Africa and
one who roams the lush savannas in that part of the world, the lion is master of
his domain. For those who find Lion as their totem, the various types of cats
should be looked at and studied for the benefit of seeking greater communion and
guidance from this king of the felines, (or mighty queen of the felines, if you
happen to be working with the female lioness). So revered
is this king of the cats, that, out of respect, many cultures still refrain from
calling them by name. The word “Lord” is often substituted by local tribes
who share their habitat with the lions. As your totem, you will find yourself
commanding this same respect from those around you, but not for no reason –
you will have earned it, as Lion teaches leadership amidst cooperation. Just as
lions live in groups called prides, so you may find yourself placed in uncommon
situations of leadership or at the very least as an integral part of a group
endeavor. The next
lesson with Lion that you can count on receiving is one of cooperation and how
best to work with others. Within the pride, it is the female who does most of
the hunting. But by hunting alone she would not do quite as well, and so she
relies on her mate to do his part. He sits and roars, scaring the prey toward
her. She then takes the lead and brings down dinner. Antelope is their main choice of fare and it is recommended that those with Lion Totem study the qualities of Antelope as well. In the above, Lion shows that cooperation and group endeavors can be very fruitful, but that each member must do his or her share if things are to run smoothly. Between the two, the lioness does most of the work. She is the huntress, the caretaker and nurturer of her cubs, the teacher of survival to her family, and the temptress to her mate whose main job is to protect his family.
Lion will
ask you to also examine your own participation and usefulness to the world
around you. He will also ask you to honor and respect the feminine, for the Sun
has not always been seen as masculine and attached to male deity. It helps bring
forth new life with its warm nurturing rays. This suggests that the balance of
yin and yang is ever-present. The Sun and the Moon are lovers, and we should not
forget to honor the role of the nurturing Goddess during this Sabbat. Lunar
energies are also very much present within the teachings of Lion. Lion is a
strong spirit, and one of the most influential of all animal totems. Even the
physical symbols associated with the lion suggest this is true, and they are;
the Sun, the precious metal Gold, the god Mithras, and a king’s throne to name
a very few. With the Sun, and especially the rising sun which implies hope,
promise, and the dawning of greater things to come, Lion Totem yields the
secrets to propelling oneself higher in community stature, increasing one’s
self-esteem, and energizing the physical body. Lion medicine teaches you how to
advance and maintain, and how to balance what may need to be balanced in one’s
life. It is no coincidence that the lion in his astrological aspect of Leo rules
over a prime summer position in the northern hemisphere from c. July 24 to
August 23, the hottest span of days in the solar year. I find it interesting,
the lion, so mighty is he, that he even holds a place in the starry night sky.
But then again, the stars are our glorious mini suns. Royal power, regal
strength, along with noble courage and fearlessness are just some of what Lion
medicine will bring to your table, day or night. Lions,
though fiercely independent, can be extremely jealous and protective of their
mates, and those with Lion Totem may find themselves exhibiting this same trait.
If a predator enters their territory, the lion will fearlessly protect the
pride. In all other situations, though, he cannot be bothered with confrontation
and will leave the scene with a slow regal gate and royal air, for Lion never
fights just for the sake of fighting that is beneath him, and as it should be.
Lion will lend you the power to know when to fight and when to walk away. And
though he practically demands you stick up for what is rightfully yours, he asks
you never to lash out without good cause. A lion will never hunt for the mere
pleasure of it, and in this is the teaching that they are not only noble
creatures, but do not waste energy and time on things that do not suit them. It
is wise for us to do the same. Lions are
well-known for their large manes and mighty roar, but Lion Spirit is not totally
all about pomp and power. There is a marked softer and gentler side to this
totem. Playfulness and the understanding that there should be a balance between
a time for work and a time for rest is another totem message from Lion. In fact,
lions revel in a very calm, almost lazy life, basking and preening and
frolicking for many hours in the shade of the vast lands they inhabit. As cubs
they pretty much lead a carefree life under the protective eyes of their patient
parents, and affection roams free. With Lion Totem you can expect to also
experience a certain measure of this carefree sense of freedom. As a parent, you
may find yourself spending more time nurturing and protecting your own children.
And overall, you will find yourself more playful and affectionate. Lion can
teach you how to distress and relax. Sensual,
graceful, charismatic and passionate are all adjectives that also aptly describe
Lion. With Lion as your teacher, these characteristics will be enhanced within
your own persona and you will learn how to use them well and often to your
advantage. Your own personal magnetism will increase, and romance and passion
are likely to enter your realm. Lions are
stealthy creatures, able to blend into their surroundings in order to take stock
of any threat or opportunity. Their greatest success lies in their knowledge of
knowing when to roar and when to stay silent. Your own greatest success will
come when you learn this valuable leonine lesson. Like a lion, you will need to
stay patient and watchful, learn how to take better control of your emotions,
and pay added attention to timing in order to learn how to recognize just when
is the proper moment to pounce on the opportunities that present themselves. And
there will be opportunities! Just as a lion will prey on animals large enough to
feed them for several days at a time, you will be taught how to go after the big
tasks...the things you desire most...with stealth and focus. Lion medicine
brings good fortune in that it teaches you how to create your own. Ancient
Egyptians saw the lion as a symbol of power and wealth, and they were right on
the money in their musings. To Buddhists, both lions and tigers are greatly
honored and respected, and according to Buddhist belief, these two magnanimous
creatures rule the direction South, the land of fire, action, passion, and
energy. When Lion
Spirit begins to make his presence known in your life (and you WILL know when he
arrives), a new and brighter you will leap to the surface. Will-power, new
strength, and a flurry of optimism will begin to flow. Intuition, creativity,
and devotion will grow. You will begin to feel safe and secure in your own
majestic powers, and opportunities will abound and be as self-evident as a
bright sunbeam lighting your path. With Lion as your Totem, all of these things
will help bring sunshine and bounty to your life! Lion Chant:
O
Sekhmet! Tefnut! Matit! Men’et! Urt-hekau!
Merui! Apedemak! and Pekhet! Companions
to the Sun Lord, let
me know your lion heart. O
King of the Wild and Lord of the Free, As
you guide the golden chariot of Cybele, so
guide me in all your ancient wisdom. Bring
to me your strength and courage, your
devotion, protection and good fortune, for
I have harkened to your mighty call. ©
Patricia J. Martin - June 13, 2008 References:
“Animal-Speak”
by Ted Andrews http://www.manizone.co.uk/elemental-magick-elemental-spirits-elemental-ritual-p-275.html http://heru-ra-ha.tripod.com/library/catdeities.html Lion, himself.
Pari lives on the East Coast, USA and is a Shamanic Witch. She has been a member of EW since 2003
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