SlackTide

Ode to the Ghosts of Salmon

No matter how far a fish swims, it doesn't come to the end of the ocean. No matter how far a bird flies, it doesn't come to the end of the sky. Since the beginning, fish and birds have always been one with their elements. When there is a great need, a great use appears. When there is a small need, a small use appears. Thus the full use of things is always as it is. Wherever something is, it covers its own ground. If a bird cut itself off from the sky it would die. If a fish cut itself off from water it would die. Also, the life of the sky is the bird itself, the life of the water is the fish. The bird is life, the fish is life.

excerpt of Dogen's Genjokoan

"We're relieved that there are still fish in the river, that the federal government's abysmal salmon management hasn't let all of them disappear. But for us, it's really too little, too late," said Liz Hamilton, Executive Director of the Northwest Sportfishing Industry Association. "Our spring sportfishing season is already in shambles - again - and may turn out to be the worst we've ever experienced. Even if the final numbers end up meeting preseason forecasts, there is no good news here."

Owl Medicine Revisited

Last February I posted the original Owl Medicine. It continues to be the single post which attracts the most searches. That Owl energy is in force year round as a power animal, this isn't entirely surprising. However, there does seem to be a growing interest and questioning of what Owl is here to reveal for us. From some who left comments:

"So what do you do when the Owl seeks You?"
"I am having a difficult time understanding the message that is being brought to me."
"All day I have been plagued by this dream . . . . I know this is a message. Was I Iooking at myself?"

Owl works in mysterious ways, she rarely seems to answer directly, more often indirectly or through the negative. Owl's magic is shown through illuminating the dark, all that which is unseen, hidden from view, or lying in shadows. Owl medicine is particularly relevant in relation to Dreams.

Owl is generally associated with Feminine energies; creativity, sensitivity, awareness of things not yet in form, and magic. How Owl relates to individuals and the messages she brings can only be determined by each person, or with the help of a Spirit Guide. Most often the message will come in one of two forms.

One is regarding the hidden realms within the individual. Are you self-aware? Are you hiding something from yourself? Are there core aspects of your shadow nature you have not looked into, or maybe are afraid to look into? The second would be in terms of relations with others around you. Owl calls you to keep a keen eye for deception. This could be in immediate relations or a reference to people outside your direct sphere, maybe those in more public roles, like politics and business.

Above all, Owl calls us to be diligent and observant, of ourselves and of others. She asks us to look into our own potential for deception as well as our potential for creation. Owl is a messenger of Prophecy. For some, Owl shows up to inform us of the future, as the future lies in the Shadow of the Unknown from our current perspective. Here Owl directs us to look forward, to envision something not yet manifest, and to take appropriate action now to foster it's creation.

Presently, Owl is sitting in the West. This is where her Magic is particularly acute. In the west, Owl is a shapeshifter and a master of adaptation. This is yet another skill Owl brings us, the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Because of great observation abilities, Owl can move and adjust precisly according to new information. Here Owl shows us again that by being acutely aware of our surroundings we can shift ourselves smoothly (mentally, physically, emotionally) as we move through ever changing social terrains.

As the flight of Owl is silent, it's shapeshifting movement is perceived invisible, unnoticed by others. Humility is called for, Owl does not boast. She merely goes about her Magic, silent in the dark. ~sal

Owls in Mythology & Culture

The Cost of Winning; the Light of Prophecy

"Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money". -- Cree Indian Proverb

I can't say I follow professional sports much these days and it's debatable whether the Belmont Stakes qualifies as such. Nonetheless, this race was of interest to me because I've had Horse come up in several areas of my life over the past 10 days, so I have been paying more attention than I might. {Esoterically, Horse medicine represents power, freedom, friendship, and communication.} Today I walked down to the bar on Main St. to watch the race live.

After all the hype, the finish was somewhat disheartening. It was also quite ironic that the sponsoring ad by American Express made a cheap pun on "keeping up with the Jones'." I also found the language symbology interesting given a horse named Birdstone won. BirdStone ahead of Smarty Jones on a day all built up on favorite expectations in an age of rampant capitalism; and btw which won on odds of 36-1. That's a lot of cash for the right person.

Jockey Edgar Prado, aware the crowd desperately wanted Smarty Jones to win, was apologetic afterward. "I'm very sorry, of course," he said, "but I had to do my job, that's what I'm paid for. I'm very sorry that I had to win."

I imagine Michael Moore is feeling much the same way, now that his new film Fahrenheit 9/11 has a distributor and is set to open in the US on June 25. I can hear him now, "I'm very sorry, of course," he said, "but I had to do my job, that's what I'm paid for. I'm very sorry that I had to win." Just this, ~sal

In just 14 days the problems of the poorest countries in the world -- starvation, lack of education, scarcity of potable water, etc. -- could be solved if each nation donated its military spending budget for just that period of time -- 14 days. Inequality Matters

"Upon suffering beyond suffering; the Red Nation shall rise again and it shall be a blessing for a sick world. A world filled with broken promises, selfishness and separations. A world longing for light again. I see a time of seven generations when all the colors of mankind will gather under the sacred Tree of Life and the whole Earth will become one circle again. In that day there will be those among the Lakota who will carry knowledge and understanding of unity among all living things, and the young white ones will come to those of my people and ask for this wisdom. I salute the light within your eyes where the whole universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you and I am that place within me, we shall be as one." -- Prophecy of Crazy Horse

OWL Medicine

Keynote: The Mystery of Magic, Omens, Silent Wisdom, and Visons in the Night.
Cycle of Power: Nocturnal ~ Year-round

Owl is a creature of the night and has been symobolically associated with prophecy and wisdom because it can see what others cannot.  It is the only bird the flies in total silence.  The owl is the bird of magic and darkness, of feminine and the moon.

As  power animal, Owl encourages you to develop your intuitive abilities and inner senses, and to seek the knowledge that is hidden from most people.  Owl is a protector and will help you to discern more readily the motives and intentions of others, especially those who may attempt to deceive you or take advantage of you in some way.  Owl also help you to recognize that there is a dark side to your nature that should not be ignored or repressed.  You need to see that it is there so you can comes to terms with it.

Owl is symbolic of discernment and the need to look out for deception.
Key Indicator: Ability to understand

Please also see a follow up: Owl Medicine Revisited.

OWL MEDICINE
The Significance Of Bohemian Grove Owl Worship