When I think about March, immediately the saying, “March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb…” comes to mind. By now, we are so tired of winter that we are virtually begging for spring’s appearance. This month’s weather can be a mixed bag. It can either come in stormy, or flow in gently and goes out like its opposite. Either way, we welcome the gentle whisper of the Lamb. Though, until the lion roars, winter will hang on.
Let’s take a closer look at these two animals in order to help us march forth toward fulfilling our dream. We can gain wisdom by examining their characteristics.
These creatures live in a community, as do we. Animals who live in a pack can teach us how to live together. By observing how animals live in their group, we can divulge the many roles each play. How has your tribal connection benefited your life? There may be the odd spat, but the tribe remains united. We must allow one another their voice and their individuality, while still living as one. Sometimes, one ventures forth to start its own dominion. When this happens, the others will allow the departure. Are you holding onto someone against their will? Or is there something you are holding on to? Something else to consider, are you sacrificing your freedom to be?
Lions hold a pride. The word pride brings to mind, pride in one’s self. Do you have pride in yourself? Did you know that to succeed one needs spiritual pride? If we are not proud of who we are or what we do, how can we expect others to be? Yes, we can be our worst critic. See if you can think of five things that you are proud of about yourself.
Permit yourself to recognize your gifts. Try filling in the blank. ” (your name), I am proud of you for (what).” IF finding five things is difficult, try asking your tribe what you have accomplished in their eyes. You may be surprised of how many things you haven’t conceived. Embrace the steps you have taken to get you where you are now, for everything has its reason.
Examining these archetypes and becoming mindful of how they affect your progress can be beneficial. Taking on the characteristics of an animal totem can help you conquer your dream and live the life you choose. Where in your life would the courage of a lion help you? We may decide fall out of the norm, which may set off anger or concern in others. When others object, do you give up? At times, you may need to roar like a lion to stand up for yourself. With the strength of a lion, we can get through tough times.
However, on the shadow side of this strong creature, it can be too dominating and controlling over others. A fiery roar can offend someone unnecessarily. We have all come across someone who roars too much. Is it due to fear? We may need to restrain the beast, at times, to succeed ahead.
Are you the lazy king who waits to be served? Being lazy and simply lying around can impede your progress. Another side of loafing can be procrastination, definitely something many people struggle with. There is a plus side of being served and that is receiving. We cannot only be caregivers, we must be able to receive as well. Are you allowing others to serve you? This can be a very hard lesson for women to learn.
The lesson from the lion is to be confident in our self and speak up when needed, however, remembering not to be a roaring beast. Gather the strength to be the king of your life. In turn, allow others to reign over their kingdom.
Are you the gentle lamb? Lambs have a herd. This brings to mind, herding, which to me is keeping everyone together in a line. Sheep often play follow the leader. Are you happy being a follower? Do you follow what others are doing? When in a group, where are you; leader, near the front or middle, or at the end? Are you simply following the status quo?
There are times in all of our lives when we feel safe in a crowd. If you are shy and afraid of being different, being a lamb may be what you want to be, so you would feel comfortable hidden in a crowd to feel secure.
Many people say sheep are dumb, but I think they are smart in their own way. They will form a crowd to be safe in numbers, while giving each other space. If someone is trying to pen the lamb, it will go in the other direction to resist being corralled. What do you do when someone tries to pin you down?
Sheep generally live peacefully together. The only time a sheep will butt heads is when it is being challenged. Do you butt heads when standing your ground? Or do you freeze? There are times when it is good to be stubborn, and other times when it is a disadvantage. Are you headstrong? Do you balk at change?
Many times, we decide to adopt the norm and do what is asked of us to fit in or be liked and appreciated. A lamb will sacrifice itself in this manner. If you do not agree with the beliefs of the community, this may be a hindrance. Have you sacrificed yourself, or your dream? This shadow side of the lamb is a disadvantage to be who we desire to be. Carrying along the lion’s strength and courage would be more beneficial.
Looking at the word march, it brings to mind the kind of walking forth in unison, side by side. This robot like movement of following the leader is like a herd of sheep in a way. Society, education and religion help to form sheep mentality. I am not stating that this is totally wrong, but what happened to individuality.
Another face of the lamb is the wanderer who will just wander off. Is this just going with the flow and not restricting oneself to the everyday routine? We can get caught up in routine and this can cause resistance to change. Breaking routine is advantageous if we are attempting to pursue our dream. Change is a good thing. Will you simply walk away? You may be feeling pinned or limited and long to branch out from the herd to new horizons. This might be the person who can’t settle down and create roots. Could this be due to a fear of commitment? Being able to pack up and leave on an adventure can be liberating, as sometimes we can get stuck in a rut. At least once in our life, we all have felt like getting out of the confinement of our environment. Perhaps this is where the lion would be an advantage to have the strength and bravery to be oneself, unique and to step out of the norm.
Are you the quiet lamb, someone who remains hushed, in order not to offend someone? Respectfully so. One may choose to clam up so as not to hear any negative feedback or experience conflict. There are also times when we stay silent instead of talking about our talents. Are you stifling yourself and your dream by not using your voice, or are you the person who stops talking when mad at someone? You know, the one who won’t talk to you for hours. I am sure this rings a bell for many. We have all been guilty of this in one way or another. Wisdom and confidence help us to know when to be quiet and when to speak up.
The moral of the lamb is to acquire the wisdom to know when to be quiet. Sometimes, it is best to allow others to speak. Discern when to be stubborn and when not to be. Know when to follow and when to leave. Learn to not sacrifice who you are in order to fit in. Be brave to wander into to a new territory and discover what is around you. Remember to be gentle with yourself along the way.
Do you recognize these archetypes within yourself? Is it the lion, the king of the jungle? Is it the lamb, the meek and modest one? Or, are you both of these animal totems in different ways? At times, taking on the characteristics of these animals can be an advantage or a disadvantage. Each has its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
This March may be the month to look at our life and determine how we can balance the lamb and the lion within ourselves to serve us and to survive in our community. Be who we are and not what others would like us to be. Take the time to recognize our strengths and forgo our weaknesses within. Both of these animal totems teach us how to live together peacefully in the world.
By looking at the many sides of these totem animals we may discover a shadow side to ourselves that we might not be aware of, or wish to hide. When we acknowledge our shadow, we are then capable of embracing self and claim self-acceptance. May you embrace the lion and the lamb in you, and march into spring with a refreshing outlook into being YOU.
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