Mychele Spirit Mother's blog: "Totem Animals"

The Wasp The wasp has strong jaws and two pairs of transparent wings. Many females have a stinger at the tip of their abdomen. There are over 2000 different species of wasps alive today some of which have complex social structures. Like all insects, wasps have a hard exterior skeleton, six jointed legs and two jointed antennae. Their complex nests with many six sided cells are made with a type of paper that they make by chewing wood and plant fibers. Because of the wasp's intricate framework as well as their connection to numbers and angles they are said to hold the secrets of sacred geometry. Those with this medicine would benefit by studying this ancient art. Most wasp species are solitary. Unlike bees, which are hive oriented, the wasp is independent and prefers to work on their own rather than in a group. Solitary wasps have little patience and will attack whatever task they are performing with a vengeance. Those with this medicine are independent thinkers and have difficulty relating to authority figures. They always do things in their own way. Individuals that hold solitary wasp medicine often receive recognition as the frontrunners of new trends or ideas later in life. Some wasps however, live in colonies and work together. These are called social wasps. They are divided into three classes: Queens, workers and males. Because wasps can be either independent or social, those with this totem often display two different yet distinct personalities, aggressive or communal. Personality shifts can create chaos for those in relationships with wasp medicine people. All wasps undergo a complete metamorphosis that contributes to the challenges of communication. Just when you think you know the person, they change and become someone else. All wasps are beneficial in some way or another. Some are pollinators while some are parasites of other nuisance insects such as caterpillars and aphids. Their diversity depends on the particular species. The wasp teaches those with this medicine how to use diversity to their advantage. Balancing all aspects of the various species is an art in itself and can take a lifetime to accomplish. By observing the wasp we can learn how to shape shift our outer image and become more connected to our inner knowing.

The Horse The horse symbolizes freedom and the power that comes with being free. They pulled the wagon trains across the prairies opening up new frontiers to be explored. Horses helped turn the Lakota and other Native tribes into the powerful mounted warriors and nomads that they became, although taming the horse wasn't easy, as their spirit for freedom was a fire that burned within them. Those with this medicine can be fiercely independent and have little tolerance for anything or anyone that limits their free expression. This characteristic can create challenges in relationships of all kinds, especially co-dependent ones. Those with this totem are teachers to their partners, friends and family showing them how to stand solid within themselves. Individuals who choose to be involved with a horse person do so because the need for self empowerment is strong. They seek the horse and the power it holds rather than the horse seeking them. Because horse medicine people hold the energy of power their leadership and teaching skills are usually in demand. Intuitive and wise they make excellent therapists. They enjoy helping others but often feel as if there is no one to lead or teach them. If people become too dependent they will respond like a bucking bronco. Personal relationships often lack emotional or mental nourishment especially in the earlier years of life. To compensate for this they are forced to go within and strengthen their bond with spirit. This bond provides them with the nourishment needed to evolve their soul while staying grounded in the earth experience. Horses give their riders the safety of speed and the promise of adventure. Natives tribes used the horse to run, fight, send messages, hunt and move their villages quickly. The horse carried people and their belongings into new uncharted territory and the challenges that it held. If horse has come to you, you are being offered a gift of safe movement. Is there somewhere that you want or need to go? Horse can help you get there, whether the place is physical or spiritual. Is their a new venture you want to undertake? Call on horse to help you create it. Are there challenges in front of you that you dot want to deal with? If so, the horse asks you to awaken your inner power and move forward with courage. Before this continent became so populated, it was well suited to the Mustang. They had adapted themselves to live in harsh environments on diets that wouldn't sustain most horses. However, their need for freedom made them unsuited to a country whose people seem compelled to control and dominate everything. Because of this the mustang is just about gone. When the horse, either wild or domestic, appears in your life the following questions should be asked. Are you pushing boundaries that are going to cause severe repercussions? Are you trying in your need to be free, to not play by the rules? If so, this may not be a bad thing, but learn the lesson of mustang, there can be a high price to pay for freedom. Thanks for reading Mychele