[Wildspeak] Crocodile as Totem
May. 26th, 2008 03:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
moonvoiceCrocodile - Prehistoric Wisdom
Keywords:
Power. Struggle. The ancient. Primal energy. Tenacity. Prehistoric wisdom. Contradiction. Survival. Patience. Balancing the Underworld and Upperworld. Rebirth. Cunning. Stealth. Plutonian energy. Timing. Tenderness.
General Description:
The crocodile is a large lizard-like reptile. They have partially webbed feet and a long, muscular tail used as a rudder underwater, and a weapon to stun and disable prey. They eat fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Their stomachs are the most acidic internal environment of any vertebrate. The female crocodile makes a nest in which to lay her eggs, and exhibits rudimentary care and tenderness for her young and a strong protectiveness of the nest itself.
Crocodiles are territorial, and mark territory with head-slaps upon water and snapping their jaws. Dominant crocodiles have better access to mates, nesting sites, basking sites and living space. Crocodiles will put aside territoriality during times of climatic drought, in order to increase the survival of all. Crocodiles rarely combat, but when they do, they will line up and brutally bang their heads together and bite. These fights are rarely fatal. They communicate through posture, motion, odour, touch and sound.
Lessons and Challenges:
Crocodile teaches us that it is possible to live a fulfilling, enriched life despite constantly attempting to balance inner and outer contradictions. Crocodile both lives in cold environments underwater, and prefers to eat underwater; yet replenishes its energy in sunlight. Crocodile uses its mouth for brutality, yet its jaws cradle also cradle its young with tenderness. This is a guide that can be very helpful for understanding dualism and the need to reconcile opposites without destroying them.
Crocodile teaches that all life is a struggle of survival. Be tenacious when times are hard, crocodile energy helps us survive and until times when we can thrive.
Crocodile can teach us many lessons, one is to value our strength, and consider building upon our resources of personal power. This is through learning self-defense, or learning protection methods; or even simply building muscle through increased exercise.
Crocodile is an animal of patience and timing. If a crocodile attempts to lunge for its prey early or late, it will lose its chance to nourish itself. Likewise crocodile can teach us that if we attempt to reap early, or procrastinate, we can lose opportunities to nourish our bodies and our spirits. Crocodile teaches us how to be aware of this timing. As an ectothermic reptile, crocodile needs good respect of the internal timing of its body. It knows to warm up in the mornings and afternoons, and to cool down in the heat of the day. Do you know how to respect your body's patterns? Do you honestly know when the best time is for you to sleep and to wake and to eat? Crocodile asks you to review these aspect of our lives.
Part of timing is stealth and cunning. We can use our stealth and cunning to appear passive while waiting for the opportunity to strike in our lives for reward; whether it be a promotion, a change in our own way of thinking or some other form of nourishment. This allows us to conserve energy, relax, and maintain awareness while looking after ourselves.
Crocodile teaches us how to balance the energies of the upperworld and the underworld. They are protected by the sun, but also nourished in the murky waters where they are hidden and commune in ways often unknown to scientists and enthusiasts. They thrive in the shadow and revive in the sun. Their ability to revive on a daily basis is also a symbol of rebirth, particularly the day to day rebirths we go through as we learn and grow.
The crocodile is connected to underworld gods, and can be considered a good way to connect with Plutonian energies; though if crocodile is already in your life, you are already very likely connecting with these energies. Darker energies, underworld gods and shadow aspects of the self may have surfaced due to an astrological cycle, or due to tumult in your life, or a signal to move into shadow spiritually in order to understand the darker aspects of your soul.
Crocodile shares with us the wisdom of tenderness when nurturing our projects and offspring, yet still maintaining our self-discipline, power and balance. Crocodile encourages tenderness in those who lack compassion and empathy towards others.
The Shadow Aspects:
If you fear crocodile, you may find it very difficult to accept your great personal power, and your ability to be cunning enough to know when to strike for opportunity, growth and advancement within your life. Crocodile is a creature that also threatens our sense of safety and mortality; it does kill people, and deaths are still reported from time to time. Fearing crocodile can bring into relief our own fear of death and demise. Through crocodile, we can come to understand our place within nature, our fragility, and our fears; without being controlled by them.
If you have a problem with crocodile energy, you probably fear your darker side, or more rarely, the side of yourself connected to the upperworld and the sun. You might not wish to reconcile your opposites and live in denial. You may find it distasteful to be compassionate, or on the flipside, you may find it too 'heartless' to use cunning or stealth for advancement. Crocodile confronts an inability to reconcile dualistic aspects of yourself, and helps you to learn how to find a greater sense of inner balance.
Communion:
Like all animal helpers, this animal will only appear when right and appropriate, and cannot be forced to visit you, commune with you, or share messages with you. Crocodile energy is contacted through many methods, not least being meditation and visualisation techniques in order to locate totems and guides. Crocodile will respond to drumming and other percussive techniques; however I've found through my own experience, and heard from others, that for some reason this seems to bring up a more aggressive crocodile energy than more passive forms of visualisation and journeying.
This creature responds to posture, and if you lay yourself down, belly towards the ground and visualise yourself as a crocodile you may have success using this method. Crocodile can talk in riddles, or not in any language at all. He is often observed in the periphery of dreams and meditations, and doesn't often teach directly. This totem is less common than others, despite the immense energy and presence of the creature.
9 to go...
Keywords:
Power. Struggle. The ancient. Primal energy. Tenacity. Prehistoric wisdom. Contradiction. Survival. Patience. Balancing the Underworld and Upperworld. Rebirth. Cunning. Stealth. Plutonian energy. Timing. Tenderness.
General Description:
The crocodile is a large lizard-like reptile. They have partially webbed feet and a long, muscular tail used as a rudder underwater, and a weapon to stun and disable prey. They eat fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. Their stomachs are the most acidic internal environment of any vertebrate. The female crocodile makes a nest in which to lay her eggs, and exhibits rudimentary care and tenderness for her young and a strong protectiveness of the nest itself.
Crocodiles are territorial, and mark territory with head-slaps upon water and snapping their jaws. Dominant crocodiles have better access to mates, nesting sites, basking sites and living space. Crocodiles will put aside territoriality during times of climatic drought, in order to increase the survival of all. Crocodiles rarely combat, but when they do, they will line up and brutally bang their heads together and bite. These fights are rarely fatal. They communicate through posture, motion, odour, touch and sound.
Lessons and Challenges:
Crocodile teaches us that it is possible to live a fulfilling, enriched life despite constantly attempting to balance inner and outer contradictions. Crocodile both lives in cold environments underwater, and prefers to eat underwater; yet replenishes its energy in sunlight. Crocodile uses its mouth for brutality, yet its jaws cradle also cradle its young with tenderness. This is a guide that can be very helpful for understanding dualism and the need to reconcile opposites without destroying them.
Crocodile teaches that all life is a struggle of survival. Be tenacious when times are hard, crocodile energy helps us survive and until times when we can thrive.
Crocodile can teach us many lessons, one is to value our strength, and consider building upon our resources of personal power. This is through learning self-defense, or learning protection methods; or even simply building muscle through increased exercise.
Crocodile is an animal of patience and timing. If a crocodile attempts to lunge for its prey early or late, it will lose its chance to nourish itself. Likewise crocodile can teach us that if we attempt to reap early, or procrastinate, we can lose opportunities to nourish our bodies and our spirits. Crocodile teaches us how to be aware of this timing. As an ectothermic reptile, crocodile needs good respect of the internal timing of its body. It knows to warm up in the mornings and afternoons, and to cool down in the heat of the day. Do you know how to respect your body's patterns? Do you honestly know when the best time is for you to sleep and to wake and to eat? Crocodile asks you to review these aspect of our lives.
Part of timing is stealth and cunning. We can use our stealth and cunning to appear passive while waiting for the opportunity to strike in our lives for reward; whether it be a promotion, a change in our own way of thinking or some other form of nourishment. This allows us to conserve energy, relax, and maintain awareness while looking after ourselves.
Crocodile teaches us how to balance the energies of the upperworld and the underworld. They are protected by the sun, but also nourished in the murky waters where they are hidden and commune in ways often unknown to scientists and enthusiasts. They thrive in the shadow and revive in the sun. Their ability to revive on a daily basis is also a symbol of rebirth, particularly the day to day rebirths we go through as we learn and grow.
The crocodile is connected to underworld gods, and can be considered a good way to connect with Plutonian energies; though if crocodile is already in your life, you are already very likely connecting with these energies. Darker energies, underworld gods and shadow aspects of the self may have surfaced due to an astrological cycle, or due to tumult in your life, or a signal to move into shadow spiritually in order to understand the darker aspects of your soul.
Crocodile shares with us the wisdom of tenderness when nurturing our projects and offspring, yet still maintaining our self-discipline, power and balance. Crocodile encourages tenderness in those who lack compassion and empathy towards others.
The Shadow Aspects:
If you fear crocodile, you may find it very difficult to accept your great personal power, and your ability to be cunning enough to know when to strike for opportunity, growth and advancement within your life. Crocodile is a creature that also threatens our sense of safety and mortality; it does kill people, and deaths are still reported from time to time. Fearing crocodile can bring into relief our own fear of death and demise. Through crocodile, we can come to understand our place within nature, our fragility, and our fears; without being controlled by them.
If you have a problem with crocodile energy, you probably fear your darker side, or more rarely, the side of yourself connected to the upperworld and the sun. You might not wish to reconcile your opposites and live in denial. You may find it distasteful to be compassionate, or on the flipside, you may find it too 'heartless' to use cunning or stealth for advancement. Crocodile confronts an inability to reconcile dualistic aspects of yourself, and helps you to learn how to find a greater sense of inner balance.
Communion:
Like all animal helpers, this animal will only appear when right and appropriate, and cannot be forced to visit you, commune with you, or share messages with you. Crocodile energy is contacted through many methods, not least being meditation and visualisation techniques in order to locate totems and guides. Crocodile will respond to drumming and other percussive techniques; however I've found through my own experience, and heard from others, that for some reason this seems to bring up a more aggressive crocodile energy than more passive forms of visualisation and journeying.
This creature responds to posture, and if you lay yourself down, belly towards the ground and visualise yourself as a crocodile you may have success using this method. Crocodile can talk in riddles, or not in any language at all. He is often observed in the periphery of dreams and meditations, and doesn't often teach directly. This totem is less common than others, despite the immense energy and presence of the creature.
9 to go...
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no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:01 am (UTC)P, this is wonderful, crocodile and it's essay truley touches me and resonnates very loudly with me.
I think you've inspired me to go hunting in the hope of connecting with crocodile, I'm eager to fully learn it's lessons - ones that are being taught to me through other ways but I feel would be wonderful to learn through animal energies.
Thanks you so much for your talent and for sharing it so unselfishly.
*bowing out again*
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:53 am (UTC)I'm glad you like the crocodile essay, it doesn't surprise me in some ways that you connect to it, given your solid relationship with Hades already. :)
*hugs again*
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:05 am (UTC)However, I like that Crocodile isn't just VICIOUSPREDATOROMG!!!! Proof that appearances aren't everything (though I still wouldn't walk up and hug one or want one as a pet!)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:59 am (UTC)I like crocodiles, they are such gentle mothers at times, and so fierce at others. I don't think I'd want one as a pet either. Heh.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 05:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 12:02 am (UTC)A case in point is that in America, you can keep sugar gliders (native to Australia) as pets.
In Australia, it is illegal to keep them as pets period; you may only have a sugar glider if you're rehabilitating it, or if it cannot be rehabilitated, and you MUST be licensed in wildlife care I'm pretty sure.
It's one of my biggest 'hates' about America and the way they structure wildlife pet keeping and such. In some states over there you don't even need a licence to keep a sugar glider. It drives me insane. I feel sorry for all those poor animals that get stuck in a cage being fed 'ham' by some complete ignorami, because the government hasn't come up with sensitive enough laws.
So crocodiles / even readily accessible and fairly tameable animals like kangaroos generally aren't ever kept as pets. Thank gods.
I know there are quite a few problems though with people trying to export out natives (in socks / suitcases and things) to countries who are stupid enough to allow them as pets. *makes grumbly face*
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 03:18 am (UTC)It is amazing what people can have as pets in this country. It's the worst in Texas.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 05:09 am (UTC)It was an unpleasant shock the first time I realised that not only could citizens in the US keep them (sugar gliders) as pets, but that so many were just treating them / feeding them poorly. Ugh.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:06 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:00 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:03 am (UTC)The best ones are when I like both. Lol.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:03 am (UTC)*glomps*
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 08:34 am (UTC)Ironically, a lot of crocodile/Sobek sightings have crept up recently. We were just discussing this on NA - so it's rather ironic to see this on my flist the same evening.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:04 am (UTC)Gotta love synchronicities!
no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 11:37 pm (UTC)(And the artwork is *stunning*. I love the grin. :) )
I didn't know that crocodiles held their young in their mouths.
I love the idea of communicating with posture. Really, some of that has come up lately because I'm a very kinesthetic person.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:16 am (UTC)Hugs
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 09:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 12:24 pm (UTC)Your notes are all too apposite for me right now.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 01:45 pm (UTC)wicked!
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 03:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 04:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 05:22 pm (UTC)it's so awesome!
:3
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 05:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 07:10 pm (UTC)Thank you!
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 07:21 pm (UTC)Thank you so much for all this wonderful art. It makes my day every time you post something. :)
no subject
Date: 2008-05-26 11:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 12:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 01:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 03:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 07:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-05-27 07:34 pm (UTC)I love the way the background patterns and colours suggest the natural habitats of crocs, the highlights on his/her scales suggesting that she/he's backing in the sunlight, the 'reaching up towards' posture. Yesss....so very nice.
To say nothing of the fact that purple and green is one of my favorite colour combinations....
^_______^
no subject
Date: 2008-05-28 12:53 am (UTC)I don't think I've really done purple and olive green like this (I have done a purple and grass green with Wallaby) and I REALLY like the combination and I'll definitely be using it again for my own pieces.
no subject
Date: 2008-05-30 07:09 pm (UTC)