After the Challenge: This Blog's Transformation...

For the past 30 days, I have been posting daily in this blog as part of a month-long ultimate blog challenge. I decided to use that time to present Native American astrology.

Now that the challenge has ended, this blog will return to its regular posting schedule. Starting next week, I will post three times a week, about Native American spirituality, intuitive readings on Wednesdays, and how to create a home for your soul with spiritual healing tips on Fridays.

As always, I welcome your feedback!

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: More Beaver Totem Characteristics

As a reminder, if you were born between April 20th and May 20th, you were born under the sign of the beaver.

Beaver Totem Astrology Traits

They are often very warm, loving and gentle. They are easygoing people. It takes them a while to get angry but once they do, look out, because they can have fierce tempers and are not easy to be around when they are angry!
They also can be stubborn, resistant to change and extremely jealous and possessive. Because their personal conviction are so strong, it can be difficult for them to see the value in the ideas of others.

But they are loyal, generous, honest and dependable. They are good with money and they have integrity. They make decisions cautiously and carefully, thinking things through, weighing the pros and cons, before they decide. They avoid making rash decisions but often are proved right in their choices once they do decide.

They work very well with their hands and are often very physical people.

Professions

Because they are good at hanging on to their money, developing wealth and sustaining it, they would be good in most any business, but also would make good bankers or financial consultants.

Native American Astrology: Beaver Totem Characteristics

Beaver Character Traits

"People born under the sign of the beaver tend to be slow, methodical, practical, and reserved. They are also stolid, tenacious and determined, possessing tremendous willpower and self-discipline. These people are inclined to stick to tried and tested methods of thinking. Roots are very important to people born under this sign and they need a sense of permanence and security." –Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

People born under this sign derive their greatest satisfaction from results created or produced by their own efforts, rather than the work of others. They are hardworking and self-motivated and once they identify a goal and go after it, they are likely to achieve it.

More beaver characteristics tomorrow!

See you then!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: Intro to the Beaver Totem

Native American spirituality is based on the belief that we are all connected to each other and to everything that is. The earth, the animals, the moon, the sun – they are all our relations. Native American astrology is based on the medicine wheel and it uses a twelve-month calendar, connecting a power animal to each calendar month.

That animal helps to define your character traits but also is said to offer spiritual assistance in helping you learn the life lessons you came here to master and to grow and heal.

Beaver Totem

In this blog series, we have been exploring each power animal or animal sign in the Native American zodiac system. Now, we will explore the beaver totem.

If you were born between April 20th and May 20th, then you were born under the Native American zodiac sign of the beaver.

Connecting Spiritually

From the beaver, you can learn about building upon and acting on your dreams, about teamwork, and persistence, about creating a close-knit family and about being affectionate, hardworking and self-reliant.

Native American Astrology: Were You Born Under the Sign of the Red-Tailed Hawk?

You were if you were born between March 21st and April 19th. Here are red-tailed hawk character traits...

Red-Tailed Hawk Character Traits

People born under the sign of the red-tailed hawk are great leaders, but are not so good at following. They are optimistic, generally believing that any problem can be turned around, and often become champions for the causes they believe in, having compassion for people who are not as fortunate as they are. They root for the underdog.

They are generous and open-hearted, often giving their time, their money and their efforts to help when it is needed. They are quick to act when responding to a situation.

Though they are intellectual, they are not dreamers, preferring to jump right in and get involved.

They are very independent and can be pioneers with their creativity, confidence and courage. They are often respected for their no-nonsense leadership skill and their ability to make quick decisions in situations that call for them.

They have very dynamic personalities, and they do not beat around the bush. They will quickly form an opinion and tell you exactly what they think. Sometimes they can be impatient. And they are so sure of themselves that they sometimes will seem arrogant.

They also can get angry pretty quickly and do not hold back when they are.

Professions

By far, the best choice of career for the person born under the sign of the red-tailed hawk is to be a teacher. They have the ability to teach anyone but they work especially well with children.

Native American Astrology: The Red-Tailed Hawk

In this blog post, we will begin to look at the red-tailed hawk. If you were born between March 21st and April 19th, then you were born under the sign of the red-tailed hawk.

Spiritual Gift

"Studying the habits of the red-tailed hawk can teach you about grace, flying, survival, clear-sightedness, intensity, optimism and openness." –Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

The red-tailed hawk can be called upon to help you rise above a difficult situation and see it from a different perspective, it can help you soar and offer vision and help with identifying your life purpose. This hawk can help you develop intuitive ability and be a catalyst for hope and new ways of thinking.

Native American Astrology: More of the Cougar Sign

You are born under this sign if your birthday is between February 19th and March 20th. Here are more cougar characteristics...

Your sensitive, instinctual nature makes it unlikely that you are very practical or mechanical. You are absent-minded. And it may seem to others that you sometimes have difficulty navigating day-to-day demands.

You learn best by immersion. Logic is not as effective as being completely absorbed in what you are trying to learn.

You may do very well once you have found the right path and are likely to become completely absorbed in the work that you do. Unfortunately, that may mean that other important things in your life get the short end of the stick.

Best Work Environment

Your best environment is one where you have the opportunity for artistic excellence. You are gifted with creativity, imagination and intuition and need a way to make use of them in your work. This might mean music, drama, writing or art.

You will not work well in an environment that is too structured or feels controlling. An environment like that is likely to lead you to rebel.

Native American Astrology: The Cougar Sign

If you were born between February 19th and March 20th, your animal sign is cougar, also called panther and mountain lion.

Cougar Traits

"When working on a spiritual vibration, cougars can teach you about speed, grace, territoriality, sensitivity, mystery, and communication." –Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

If you were born under the sign of the cougar, you are gentle and patient, and malleable. You are likely to adapt quickly to your surroundings and can easily become completely absorbed in your environment.

You are friendly and good-natured, kind and compassionate. You are very sensitive to other people’s feelings and often can sense what they need and give it to them. But you also are sensitive to the energy of the environment around you, to everything around you.

However, because you take things so personally and are so sensitive and emotional, others may feel that you require a lot of energy. Still, you are likable, and are likely to be quite popular. You are very loyal and you love your family and your home.

More cougar traits tomorrow...

See you then!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: Are You an Otter?

You are if you were born between January 20th and February 15th. This is the third otter post and we are describing otter personality and character traits...

More Otter Characteristics

You need time alone to recharge and you enjoy your own company. But when you are with others, you are warm and kind and can be friendly and outgoing.

People born under this sign are intelligent, innovative and intuitive, and sometimes adopt an unconventional lifestyle, being drawn to what is unusual or unique.

Once you set a goal, you are undeterred by disappointment, and willing to go against the tide.

You do not appreciate interference from others, and will resist it, even when you know they mean well. You are not likely to be a follower, instead, you are the one who sets the trends.

Though you are capable of warmth and friendliness, at times you can be quite aloof and you do not usually seek out relationships with others. You may have a tendency to withdraw, preferring to be alone.

Professionally, you are likely to be well-suited for leadership roles and work involving research, science, or writing.

Astrology Profile

For a free complete Native American astrology profile, stay here and go to the Native American astrology page.

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: More Otter Characteristics

As a reminder, the otter is your sign if you were born between January 20th and February 15th.

More Otter Character Traits

You have very strong convictions and at times, can seem opinionated. If you believe in something, you are willing to fight for it and you are likely to argue vehemently about it.

Nonetheless, you can be tolerant of people whose opinions differ from yours. Even if you strongly disagree, you are likely to admit when they have a valid argument and accept your difference of opinion.
Despite your strong convictions, you are blessed with the ability to be objective. Though you are often frank and outspoken, you are also a personable and likable companion.

You can be idealistic and romantic but also can be practical. And once you make a commitment, you are committed for life.

Tomorrow, we look at more otter traits...

See you then!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: The Otter Totem

If you were born between January 20th and February 15th, your primary animal is the otter.

The Otter

"The charming and friendly otter is the most playful of animals in the wild. Both river and sea otters are happy when entertaining others." –Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

Otter Totem Characteristics

There are times when you are sensitive and shy. And you also are often gentle and patient with others. But then there are times when you are not only enthusiastic, outgoing and lively, you can be quite the exhibitionist! Either way, you are likely to be quite strong-willed and you can be forceful when you want your way.

Does that sound like you?

More otter characteristics coming your way tomorrow...

See you then!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: More Snow Goose Totem Character Traits

More Snow Goose Character Traits...

People born under this sign tend to be very practical people who want to have everything in order. They take things seriously but also have a rather dry sense of humor.

If this is your sign, you are likely to be quite independent. And good in a crisis. You are the one that people turn to when there is a crisis. They know they can count on you to be there for them and to remain steady while they fall apart.

You are sometimes quite cautious, yet you have a quiet confidence and can be very strong-willed. You work hard at anything you do and you set standards for yourself and others that are hard to meet. It bothers you to think you have let anyone down, but people let you down quite frequently when they fail to live up to your expectations.

You are often self-critical when you let yourself down and you expect others to be as demanding of themselves in a work environment. You expect them to work as hard and be as disciplined and when they don’t or aren’t, it disappoints you.

You are likely to be highly organized and very good at juggling multiple tasks at once. You are firm but fair in the way you deal with others.

For a free astrology reading, click on the Native American astrology page.

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: The Snow Goose Sign

In Native American Astrology, there are twelve moons and twelve signs that create the astrological system and that form the basis of their twelve-month calendar. Those twelve signs are based on the Native American medicine wheel. In this article, we will look at the first sign.

If you were born between December 22nd and January 20th, then your primary power animal is the snow goose.

Snow Goose

"Snow Geese like everything to be perfect; they are literal nitpickers. They will spend hours happily picking mosquitoes from other their feathers. People born under the sign of the snow goose are perfectionists." –Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

More Snow Goose characteristics coming your way tomorrow...

See you then!

Jeanine

Native American Astrology: The Twelve-Month Calendar

When were you born?

Comparison to Western Astrology

You probably know your sign based on Western astrology. In that system, each of the twelve astrological signs is connected to one of the elements: air, water, fire and earth, and those four elements rotate withing the system. In the Native American system, each person belongs to one of four clans --butterfly, turtle, frog and thunderbird-- and those rotate, as well.

Twelve-Month Calendar

Though there are some Native Americans still using the Aztec agricultural calendar, most now use a 12-month lunar calendar and have aligned it and the medicine wheel with dates used in Western astrology.

"The twelve Moons [they use] correspond to the weather or activities that one would expect to occur during each season. Each astrological sign also corresponds to a tree, a stone and a color."-- Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

Astrology Chart

Date                                      Sign (Animal)                                   Clan (Animal)
December 22-January 19            Snow                                              Goose Turtle
January 20-February 18              Otter                                                Butterfly
February 19-March 20             Cougar                                                 Frog
March 21-April 19                  Red Hawk                                           Thunderbird
April 20-May 20                       Beaver                                                 Turtle
May 21-June 20                         Deer                                                 Butterfly
June 21-July 22                         Flicker                                              Thunderbird
August 23-September 22       Grizzly Bear                                            Turtle
September 23-October 23        Raven                                                Butterfly
October 24-November 21        Snake                                                  Frog
November 22-December 21      Elk                                                   Thunderbird


In the next posts, we take a look at the calendar in more detail, identifying the power animal for each of the twelve months.

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine

What is Native American Astrology?

"Every culture on earth has a link to the invention of some form of astrology and various forms of calendar. … Native Americans have always been people of the land rather than city dwellers, so it is not surprising that the animals related to the seasons and areas in which they lived have become part of their astrology."—Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

Seasons

"Native American astrology uses the images of creatures to depict the seasons. These creatures exist in addition to the twelve 'zodiac' signs of the medicine wheel. They mark the turning point of each season and also the turning points during each day (dawn, noon, dusk, mid-night). The four 'seasonal' creatures are the white buffalo, the golden eagle, the coyote, and the grizzly bear." -- Deborah Durbin, Simply Native American Astrology

They also connect different animals, seasons and elements to the four directions on the medicine wheel: North, South, East and West. Using medicine wheel astrology, you can discover your major power animal and your minor ones.

In the next post, we will talk about the twelve-month calendar and the major power animals for each one.

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine

The Concept of Animal Medicine

For Native Americans, "medicine" is anything that connects us more deeply to the divine or "Great Mystery", and to life, in general. Healing of our bodymind and our spirit is part of that and so is personal power.

"This medicine is also anything that brings personal power, strength, and understanding. It is the constant living of life in a way that brings healing to the Earth Mother and to all of our associates, family, friends and fellow creatures. Native American medicine is an all-encompassing 'way of life,' for it involves walking on the Earth Mother in perfect harmony with the Universe."-Jamie Sams and David Carson, Medicine Cards

Animal medicine suggests that we have access to this empowerment all the time because of our connection to certain animals that have come to be with us for a lifetime. But it also encourages us to ask for what we need if we do not have it. To borrow from the traits of animals who have what we need.

"When you call upon the power of an animal, you are asking to be drawn into complete harmony with the strength of that creature's essence. Gaining understanding from these brothers and sisters of the animal kingdom is a healing process, and must be approached with humility and intuitiveness." --Jamie Sams and David Carson, Medicine Cards

Intro to Native American Spirituality

"We need to find and self-activate universal wisdom, by remembering and acknowledging that we are magical and universal human beings."—Samantha Britt Williams

Native Americans interact spiritually with the earth, and with all the living things that live on earth. They honor the connection between us all whether we walk on two legs or four and offer ways to connect more deeply to the world around you in both an energetic and a spiritual sense.

The Concept of Animal Medicine

This spiritual approach of finding power animals and spirit animals and animal allies all begins with the belief that they are our relatives, our "relations" and that they have "medicine" to share with us. But this medicine is not the traditional kind that most of us think of when we hear the word.

More on that in the next post! See you tomorrow...

Jeanine

The Ultimate Blog Challenge Begins

As another blog challenge begins, I am excited to be writing in this blog, as well! Though I may not tweet these posts, I believe they will show up on my Facebook fan page every day along with my posts from my other blog about holistic healing.

My plan for my posting here includes introducing Native American spirituality, introducing Native American astrology, describing each "sign" and the power animal connected to it, and explaining how you can use a medicine wheel for healing. I believe that will fill, if not overload the 31-day extravaganza.

What does Native American spirituality have to offer us in the way of connecting more with ourselves and with nature?

How can we understand ourselves better by taking a look at Native American astrology? Could we learn more about what we came here to do?

What on earth is a medicine wheel and how does it heal? :)

These are some of the questions I will be answering this month right here in this blog. Hope to see you here each day and I welcome your feedback.

See you tomorrow!

Jeanine