“Mother Nature’s watchful eye is always upon us ever guiding us through our life lessons with messages brought to us by the gentle souls of her creatures.” ~ Belle Salisbury Have you had an experience with nature signs that have you baffled? Do you continually see Dragon Flies, Butterflies, Rabbits, Deer or similar nature animals that cross your path? Are you unsure what they are trying to tell you? When these occurrences happen Mother Nature has a message for you! If you have had such an experience or something similar send it to our nature expert Janét Bowerman at braveheartbutterfly@gmail.com and she will help you with their meaning. Your request will be featured in our next issue of Bellesprit Magazine.

Questions:

I work outdoors so come in contact with lots of nature. However, last week as I leaned over to water some plants, I felt a gentle brush on my leg. I looked down and saw what I thought was a large bee resting on my shoelace. I lifted my foot to get a better look. It was a baby hummingbird, taking a rest. As I was watching this tiny creature, a large yellow butterfly fluttered down and to my amazement, she alighted on my other shoe. I saw to my dismay that one of her large upper wings was half missing and torn. Both creatures stayed on my shoes as I walked to a nearby picnic table to sit and marvel at my amazing shoes. After a few more minutes, both flew off. I’ve seen the baby summer several times since, and yesterday a large yellow butterfly landed on my right shoulder. I don’t believe it was the same one, because both wings were perfect. This has to mean something…..what could it be? Thanks, Laura Dear Laura: The butterfly is the symbol of change, joy and color. It is the symbol of the soul. They remind us that life is a dance and not to take things quite so seriously. They also remind us to get up and move. Dance brings the sweetness of life. Butterflies bring color and joy to your life. Look at them and remember what joy is in your life, if it’s a lot or a little, it is still joy. They teach us that growth and transformation does not have to be traumatic; it can occur gently, sweetly, and joyfully.  Many Blessings! Hi there!  I have had a few different Animal Spirit Guides, but the one I have been seeing a lot of lately is the Falcon.  Quite often I see it on my way to work in the morning, on a hydro pole by my place of business, but I have also seen it other places.  Actually, just the other day on my way to work, something really strange happened.  I saw 3 of my Animal Spirit Guides – rabbit, blue heron and Falcon. Then the other night, my boyfriend and I were driving along and the van in front of us hit a groundhog.  As we approached it, the groundhog was struggling to get up.  It was awful to see, I felt so incredibly bad for the poor dying animal.  So on the way back home again, we drove the same route and I was anxious about seeing the dead groundhog.  Just as we were getting to the spot where he should be, the falcon appeared on the hydro wire again…….AND the groundhog was nowhere to be seen. So I have really REALLY been wondering what my little Falcon friend is trying to tell me, so it’s really cool that the post about this column appeared on my Facebook page! ~ Amy  Dear Amy – The Falcon animal totem comes to us when we require higher vision, or higher knowledge in solving current dilemmas in our lives.  At its core, the Falcon animal totem represents visionary power, wisdom, and guardianship. This powerful bird awakens visionary power, and leads you to your life purpose. The Falcon carries with it a message of transition and change – perhaps in your vocation, work, career, etc.  Falcon animal totems encourage us to calculate and strategize. If we have a goal, Falcons beckon us to make plans and strategies to obtain these goals. Falcons are all about focus – strong, one-pointed focus. When they show themselves to us, we are being called to focus on our desires and our goals, and do what is necessary to bring our desires into our reality. The fact that the Falcon is a solar creature could mean there is something in your life that you are highly passionate about, and the Falcon is asking you to take action on this passion. But be smart about it – don’t jump into something without doing research and planning. Make your passion a reality by pursuing it methodically and as strategically as the Falcon would pursue his hunt.  Consider invoking the spirit of your Falcon animal totem in your meditations, during quiet/relaxing times, and just before sleeping. When you calm yourself and call upon the spirit of the Falcon, the Falcon is then able to come through your consciousness and provide you more details about what you must know. – Many Blessings!  I am a new columnist for Bellesprit and saw your request for questions regarding nature signs. I love your email addy since I have long sensed that the butterfly is my totem. When my mom was in hospice care and we discussed what she thought would happen when she died, and she said she didn’t know but that she would come back as a butterfly and tell me. They have shown up in so many ways since then, many of which I have written about in my book called “The Bliss Mistress Guide To Transforming the Ordinary Into the Extraordinary”. So, a question….how can I use the guidance of the butterfly to move forward into the next phase of my life?  Dear Edie – Many Blessings to you!   The butterfly is a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis.  Many religions and cultural beliefs look at the butterfly as a symbol of the soul.  Its connection with the soul is rather fitting. We are all on a long journey of the soul. On this journey we encounter endless turns, shifts, and conditions that cause us to morph into ever-finer beings. At our soul-journey’s end we are inevitably changed – not at all the same as when we started on the path. To take this analogy a step further, we can look again to the grace and eloquence of the butterfly and realize that our journey is our only guarantee. Our responsibility to make our way in faith, accept the change that comes, and emerge from our transitions as brilliantly as the butterfly.  Perhaps, the butterfly is not only a symbol of your journey and transformation but also a reminder that your Mother is around you, encouraging you to stay strong in your path as you too will emerge as a beautiful butterfly.  Also note, that butterflies remind us that life is a dance and try not to take things too serious.  Growth and transformation doesn’t always have to be traumatic, it can occur, gently, sweetly and joyfully. I have a question about skunks. Do you think they are attracted to certain kinds of people? Everywhere I go I often find skunks; they do not spray when I am around and have hand fed a few. I use to play with a de-scented skunk when I was little and have never known fear of any animal. I thought maybe they are a personal totem to me. However, I’m not sure.  I adore them and they seem to like me. My mother often calls me the skunk lady and I tell her me and my army of skunks are going to take over the world. But I would ask do you feel it’s a personal totem and power or do they seek out people of a certain nature? This is one of my totems but I don’t know that it is personal. ~Kristina Dear Kristina – The skunk is a very powerful totem with mystical and magical associations. It teaches how to give respect, expect respect and demand respect. This totem helps you recognize your own qualities and assert them. Skunks are fearless but very peaceful. These are two wonderful qualities that you can learn from your skunk totem. Your sexual response will be heightened and you will have a greater ability to attract people. Individuals with a skunk totem must learn to balance the ability to draw and repel people. Skunks remind us that there is a time to be with people and a time for solitude. Skunks are silent animals and through their silence, they teach us not to brag –it will push people away rather than attract. People will notice you without any help.  The skunk’s stripe is the outward sign of Kundalini or life force.  When you receive a skunk totem, your life force activates and amplifies.  Opportunities will open to bring self-esteem and respect.  I’m feeling this is a personal and individual totem for you.  Many Blessings!! Dear Janét , my totem is a Dragonfly.  Would it be possible to tell me the meaning? ~ Pat Dear Pat – As a creature of the wind, the dragonfly totem represents change. Its iridescent wings are incredibly sensitive to the slightest breeze, and so we are reminded to heed where the proverbial wind blows – lest we run into stormy weather. Dragonflies are also creatures of the water, and any creature whose habitat is in, or around water carries symbolism relative the subconscious, or “dreaming” mind and thoughts. This is because in the animal world, water is symbolic of the subconscious mind (“deeper mind,” “dreaming mind”) and relates to the thoughts we have in relaxed/meditative/sleeping/subconscious states.  Dragonflies carry messages that deal with deeper thought – and they ask that we pay attention to our deeper thoughts and desires.  The dragonfly is a reminder that when our deeper thoughts rise to the surface we must pay attention – there are lessons to be learned, and we are also reminded that what we think is directly proportionate to what we “see on the surface.” In short, our thoughts (even the deeper ones that we might not be as in-touch with as we are with our conscious thoughts) are responsible for what we see in our lives – in our physical surroundings.  Since the dragonfly lives a short life, this totem also reminds us to live our life to the fullest!  Many Blessings! Miss Jane’t, I saw your request for nature questions and I have a 2 parter for you if you don’t mind. 1. Is it possible to have two animal totems? 2. Since I became “aware” I have felt I have two animal totems. Could you explain how I can have two such seemingly opposite totems? Thanks, Becca Dear Becca – Yes it is possible to have two animal totems.  In fact, a person can have 9 animal totems – one each representing the East, South, West, North, Above, Below, Within, Right side and Left side.  The Right Side animal and the Left Side animal totems are always with you. All of us carry a male and a female essence within us, and the two related animal spirits are with you at all times.  Look in October’s issue for my article on “The significance of nine animal totems” and “How the special animal totems are revealed.”  I had 2 green grasshoppers at my front door in the last 2 weeks. I live in an apartment on the 3rd floor. The problem is since I have borax powder at the front door, to prevent spiders and other bugs from coming in, the 1st grasshopper died after clinging on the front door for 2 days, day 3 I found it dead on the floor. The 2nd grasshopper, the next week, was dead on my door mat when I walked outside. [Both times I took them and put on the grass to give back to Mother Earth.] So what does this mean? Thx ! Hugs! Christine Dear Cristine –  As an animal totem, the grasshopper appeals to artists, musicians and dancers. The grasshopper moves to its own rhythm and tune, indicating this creature is an advocate of intuition and listening to our inner voices. The grasshopper encourages us to listen to our own stirrings – those beautiful chirping lullaby’s that sing in our hearts are indications of our inner beauty and creativity. The grasshopper totem reminds us these inner musings must never be silenced – rather, they should be nurtured, and always remain as the background music to the performance of our lives. The grasshopper chooses those of us who are innovators, forward-thinkers, and those who progress in life by unorthodox methods. This is because grasshopper symbolism recognizes tremendous leaps of faith, impressive jumps in progress and consistent forward momentum. Those with this totem are likely to aim high, and achieve amazing feats – they take great leaps where others fear to tread (or jump, in this case). Another special feature of the grasshopper totem is that it calls to those who have natural clairvoyant abilities. Just as the grasshopper uses thousands of tiny eyes to formulate the “big picture” so too do those whom the grasshopper is called. In other words, those with this totem are visionaries. Take the time to connect with the grasshopper. Here are some suggestions in doing so: Hi Sweety! I read all your replies on the animal totems! AMAZING! I have a real stumper for you! I live in townhomes. Mine is right on the end. My front and back door/porch area have tons of spiders. Some wolf spiders, some small black spiders. I don`t mind them out there one bit. I even name them. (Chuck in front and Larry lives in the back lol!) No one else in the complex has any issues with any spiders on their porches. I see a spider in my house and it is a different story. I freeze up, grab the spider killer and a shoe… as a rule, they terrify me. I had about 10 Daddy Long Legs on me one day when I was about 10. I liked spiders back then, but I freaked when I saw so many on me. So, why am I cool with my Chuck and Larry (Their names stay the same year after year) but freeze up when they are in my house? ~Connie Dear Connie – The Spider is an ancient symbol of mystery, power and growth.  It represents creativity, development and speaking ones truth.  Just as the Spider weaves a web, so too must we weave our own lives. Weaving our dreams into our destiny.  The Spider symbol meaning here serves as a reminder that our choices construct our lives. When the Spider appears to us, it is a message to be mindful of the choices we are making – and ask ourselves:  How are my choices affecting my life?  How can my choices improve my life?  How are my choices affecting others in my life? When we see our decisions, choices and actions as far-reaching, effective tools in life – we can see how we weave a web that can either serve us or enslave us. The Spider symbol meaning beckons us to be mindful of our behaviors – be smart about the life we weave for ourselves.  Spider medicine encourages you to be creative and steadfast to your own inner truth. In regards to your fear of spiders in the house versus no fear of them outside, perhaps there is a connection with the outside self and inside self.  Spider medicine encourages us to be creative and speak our truth. There may be some things you are keeping “inside”, thereby creating a brave front that certain things don’t bother you but in reality they do. Often times, it is difficult to speak up and say what is on our minds for fear of confrontation or ridicule.  I encourage you to journal or use creative writing as an outlet for expressing your inner truth. – Many Blessings! If you have had an experience with one of Mother Nature’s creatures crossing your path send it to our nature expert Janét Bowerman at braveheartbutterfly@gmail.com and she will help you with their meaning. Your request will be featured in our next issue of Bellesprit Magazine.]]>