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This is an ongoing US and global project to help enthusiasts, scholars, practitioners, and curious parties learn more about shamanic living in a contemporary culture. The space here is devoted to sharing info, experiences and opinions about all forms of shamanic expression covering shamanism's multiple permutations. Among subjects explored are traditions, techniques, insights, definitions, events, artists, authors, and creativity. You are invited to draw from your own experiences and contribute.

What is a SHAMAN?

MAYAN: "a technichian of the Holy, a lover of the Sacred." CELTIC: "Empower the people...by changing the way we think." MEXICAN APACHE: "Someone who has simply learned to give freely of themselves..." AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL: "...a teacher or healer, a wisdom keeper of knowledge... (who) takes people to a door and encourages them to enter." W. AFRICAN DIAGRA: "views every event in life within a spiritual context." HAWAIIAN: "...human bridges to the spiritual world and its laws and the material world and its trials..." QUECHUA INDIAN: "embodies all experience." AMAZON: "...willing to engage the forces of the Universe...in a beneficial end for self, people, and for life in general."


-- from Travelers, Magicians and Shamans (Danny Paradise)

Monday, July 28, 2008

Yellow Phase Rattle Snake


This beautiful 3 y.o. female Rattlesnake came to visit us about two weeks ago.


It's interesting how one little creature can invoke so many varied human responses. Ranging from: the on-call Erlich man who stated that he would only come out to kill it, Wildlife Nuisance guy who came out at 9:30 at night and for $95 removed it safely, Fish Commission RS project manager who along with DCNR biologists returned her to her den. (which is shown on the picture). And, it all started with my son who calmly and accurately identified it--notified me, and together as a family we were able to plan a safe re-location with a good outcome for everyone.

Yesterday, during a 20 mile bike ride, two more showed up.
On the bike trail: the response was anything from skidding to a halt to get a glimpse of this elusive creature to riders bolting ahead in a panic on their bikes.


Yes, it was a grand Homeschool experience. The pictures add a great memory of her release back to the den. We're now more informed and better prepared to hold a calm space when one encounters such a beautiful creature both feared and revered.


For me, well, there's much to learn from Rattlesnake...

So, here's an invitation to share your very own response / experience.

2 comments:

hearsthetrees said...

The serpent doses indeed bring out huge and varied response in humanity. Thank you hart of the mother, for the wonder, love, and respect

Night Sings said...

Snake is one of my recurring guides. It's my fierce protector and it is the perfect navigator of tubes and tunnels--
the mouth of the journey
underground to safety
coiled around the trunk
along the surface winding
watching guard