The high priest

Ganesha: Hindi

Meaning

teacher, greater awareness, education

Symbols

The elephant is a wise teacher. Luminous symbols fly out of the book while Ganesha's companion, the rat, looks on. The book represents higher culture and the attainment of knowledge. A snake serves as Ganesha's belt, representing the never-ending quest for knowledge. His potbelly is a symbol of success. The gut is where the drive for knowledge begins. The jade stone on his fore­head is his third eye; the S symbolizes the rhythms of life and death. His gold adornments are a connection to the warm ener­gies. The background echoes the mandala motif and the different stages of consciousness. Ganesha also holds a crystal ball for clarity and a wand for directing divine power. He holds one tusk that can serve as a writing instrument. His three-tiered crown represents different levels of awareness.

Description

Ganesha is the god of wisdom, knowledge, and the arts. He represents good fortune and was often invoked before the commencement of a big event or business venture. He was the son of Shiva and Parvati.

One day, Parvati directed the young Ganesha to guard the door while she took a bath. When Shiva attempted to enter the room, Ganesha refused his passage. Out of anger, Shiva cut off his head. To appease his distraught wife, Shiva replaced his son's head with an elephant's head, symbolic of a keen mind and wisdom. Ganesha uses his powers primarily to help solve problems. His four arms carry different attributes of his divine power, including a broken tusk that he utilizes as a writing tool. The four arms represent the four cardinal directions, the four seasons, and the four elements. They can also represent the shape of a square, which is the ego aspect of the mandala.

The elephant-headed god personifies the merging of the human soul with the divine spirit. The placement of his image at the threshold of houses and sanctuaries serves to thwart potential obsta­cles. By mentally merging with animals, perhaps we, too, can attain a higher level of consciousness and understanding.

With the guidance of this animal teacher, you will be better prepared for the journey that lies ahead.

THE LOVERS

Brahma & Saraswati: Hindi

Meaning

relationships, seeking harmony

Symbols

Hand in hand, the lovers wade through the water. A mist swirls around them while Brahma's crystal ball illuminates the way. The trees represent the heavens, the earth, and the under­world. The tree roots penetrate the rippling waters, which contain the unconscious material of dreams. The reflections mirror emo­tions and the changeability of love and relationships. Saraswati holds the lotus flower, source of light and procreative powers. This is her offering to her partner. The swans symbolize Brahma and Saraswati with their noble and divine presence.

Description

Brahma was the Hindu primeval creator god. He is one of the Hindu triad, including Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the Destroyer. From Brahma, the cosmic waters stirred and a seed was planted. From this seed evolved creation.

Brahma's consort was the goddess Saraswati. Saraswati was god­dess of language, creative arts, and learning. She invented Sanskrit and generated energy with her ever-flowing waters, the river. Her intellect extends to the sciences and all manner of learning. With the goddess by his side, it was said that Saraswati was the power behind Brahma's actions. She was his shakti or source of energy that enabled Brahma's energies to be put into motion. Together they ride white swans on the fertile waters of knowledge and spirituality.

It is important to forge good relationships with people and ani­mals. Positive exchanges will have a good karmic effect and will lead to an overall better journey. Like the energy generated between Brahma and Saraswati, it is important to be open to the symbiotic possibilities of working well with others. A relationship should include an equal exchange of ideas, inspiration, and sup­port. An intimate relationship will be more satisfying if the ener­gies between either partner can be nurtured and revered. One does not have to relinquish individuality or ego to grow with a partner, but one should not allow an ego to dominate the partner­ship either.

THE CHARIOT

Freya: Norse

Meaning

departure, experiencing the world, deliberate actions

Symbols

The goddess rides a golden boar, an emblem of her power. The cosmic sky is symbolic of the journey into new terri­tory of undiscovered pastures. The seven comets signify divine and cosmic energy. The emerging lynx guides us with its exceptional eyesight. The goddess's cloak is decorated with swirling vines, sym­bolic of the new life that the traveler is forging for him- or herself. The endless weavings gather more threads along the journey, helping to shape one's life tapestry. The goddess's braid represents a life force and is the source of courage and strength.

Description

Freya was the Norse goddess of the Vanir. She was a fertility goddess who presided over marriage, sexual love, and childbirth. The golden boar upon which she rode exemplifies her divine power and strength. She was a fearless warrior goddess who seized half the men who had mortally fallen in battle to join

her in her great hall. The other half followed Odin to Valhalla. Mortals and immortals alike admired her renowned beauty. She was summoned regarding issues of love and it was said that her cloak possessed magical attributes that enabled Freya to shapeshift into a falcon.

Freya's powerful spirit can serve as inspiration. We can follow her determination as we triumphantly begin to acquire a sense of purposefulness in our actions. By exiting territory that is familiar to us, we have the ability to make dramatic changes to our lives that will facilitate continued creative growth and individuality. The magical nature of animals can feed inspiration and help guide us beyond the mundane. Through the threshold of expectation is a world filled with endless possibilities.

STRENGTH

Tara: Tibetan

Meaning

tapping into inner resources, embracing one's animal nature, courage

Symbols

The lion is a powerful, majestic animal. Its golden mane is symbolic of radiating solar energy. The peony flowers flow in an S-like manner, reinforcing the courageous beast's dignity and honor. Flowers represent youth and vitality. The petals mimic the sun's rays. Тага wears a crown of infinite knowledge. She knows how to tame the lion and merge with its essence. She is the light tapping into the hidden energies of our inner natures. Her adorn­ments are symbolic of snakes, a primordial animal that epitomizes the circle of life and reinforces the idea that inspiration and cre­ativity can be rejuvenated.

Description

Тага is one of the most popular deities in the Bud­dhist tradition. Her name can translate to "star" or "She Who Brings Us to the Other Shore." Тага is the goddess who navigates

through the waters between darkness and light. She helps mortals obtain enlightenment and her strong, compassionate presence is often called upon during times of distress and endangerment. She is a savior goddess who assumes many forms and incarnations that shift and overlap and are assimilated into different cultures.

Тага is one of the oldest deities of Asia and her influence is evi­dent in myriad stories that have surfaced throughout the world. Her most-recognized forms are "White Тага" or Sitatora and "Green Тага" or Symmatara. In Tibet, she is the bodhisattva and wife of Avalokitesvara. As the wife of a Buddha, some say she was born from a compassionate tear shed by Avalokitesvara just before he reached Nirvana. She then transformed into a powerful, com­passionate energy that won the hearts and boundless devotion of her followers.

By tapping into our internal resources of energy, we have the potential to unleash boundless creativity. Our animal natures can provide us with the spark and libido necessary for continued achievement. It is important to embrace this aspect of our being. If neglected, this internal energy can manifest itself into something potentially negative. If one learns how to utilize internal resources in a productive, creative manner, inspiration and desire will con­tinue to abound.

THE HERMIT

Cernunnos: Celtic

Meaning

time to reflect, contemplation, solitude

Symbols

The ram-headed snake is a fertile, virile companion to the forest god. The stag is masculine and is representative of nature and fertility, as are the antlers. The stag has solar attributes. The energy of the sun emits from its being. The trees and evergreens are nourishing, protective, and symbolic of immortality. The twin­ing roots are nourished by the underworld and the branches breathe life in the heavenly plane. The fox, raccoon, squirrel, rab­bit, and mouse are quiet observers. They are symbolic of height­ened awareness and keen senses necessary for survival in the forest. Birds are transcendent. They are messengers of the spirit and sym­bols of higher consciousness. The rocks are stable, rigid, reliable elements of the earth. They represent longevity and endurance. The various vines are symbols of fertility and passion. The pouch with coins spilling forth indicates abundance and good fortune. The forest offers the quietude necessary for internal retreat.

Description

Cernunnos epitomized the widespread zoomorphic image of deity with animals. His tradition is steeped in Celtic lore, but evidence of his worship exists throughout Europe at various Roman-Celtic worship sites. His name came to be synonymous with "the horned god" because of the conspicuous antlers on his head.

He reigned supreme among his companions and was considered one of the first universal father figures. He was shown accompanied by all kinds of forest animals. Each animal represented a different symbolic meaning, including a ram-headed snake emblematic of Celtic power; the stag, whose antlers mirror those of Cernunnos and are symbols of virility; a menagerie of birds, symbols of tran­scendence; and woodland creatures who keep eyes and ears open to their surroundings. Sometimes he was portrayed holding a pouch spilling over with coins—symbols of wealth, prosperity, and fertility. As a nature deity, Cernunnos presided over life forces. Some­times he was shown holding a wheel above his head, thus reinforc­ing the complete life cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Like all inhabitants of the forest, Cernunnos assures the continuation of life through the inevitability of death and stands guard at the gateway of the underworld. The animals are teachers and guides and can be of assistance during times of self-exploration.

At this stage of the journey, it is important to take the time to engage in quiet reflection. In order to learn more about yourself, it is necessary to withdraw from activities that may pose distractions. It is time to become more in tune with nature. By finding a place of quietude it may be possible to become more acquainted with a deeper aspect of your inner being.

THE WHEEL

All Animals: Universal

Meaning

cycle of change, the opportunity for growth due to change in fortune

Symbols

The wheel is turning, symbolic of change: the cyclic nature of life, the passage of time, and transformation. Nothing remains stagnant but is based on impermanence and continuation. The animals are rotating together in a confluence of elements. The fire element is represented by the warm colors. Its active nature sets all life into motion. Out of air rise the birds and butterflies, symbols of transcendence. Water represents the unconscious and is the con­tainer of our emotional qualities. From the water flow all manner of aquatic creatures. The earth element is grounded in warm brown and green hues, indicative of the earth s fertile nature. Life returns to earth only to be born again into the "great eternal round." The illuminated orbs remind us that, like the phases of the moon, life is cyclical. Changes are inevitable and an integral part of our collec­tive existence.

Description

The animals can be our guides and teachers. By tak­ing the time to observe the ingenious ways nature balances itself, we can become more active participants in the rhythm of life. It is important to be aware of our external environments as well as our internal beings. The animals can send us messages in a variety of ways; they can appear in our dream states as spirit guides. They may have something to tell us. They have the potential to stir the imagination and evoke imagery that may not be perceptible on a conscious level. They personify the elements and enable us to see more clearly, from the profane to the sacred. They have the ability to communicate messages that defy time. If one observes animals, one will notice how much they live in the moment.

The Wheel showcases all manner of creatures. The snake's ability to shed its skin and to be reborn is analogous to the cycle of life. The birds serve as mediators between the different planes of con­sciousness. The butterflies symbolize transformation; the lynx is clever and possesses excellent eyesight; and monkeys are playful and mischievous, but also sacred. Owls epitomize wisdom. Their repu­tation as wise has been assimilated into popular culture. The bat represents immortality. Bats have the ability to discern things in the dark with their keen senses. The rhino's roundness represents fecun­dity; fish are born from the depths of the water, as represented by the psyche. The dolphins are psychopomps, assisting souls and spir­its to the otherworld. Whales are among the biggest animals on earth. Their majestic, deliberate movements are subtle and powerful. A small creature, the mouse can evoke wonder with its quick and efficient movements. The elephant is wise, the turtle has endurance and the ability to carry its heavy burden, and the wolf represents internal energies and the dark forces of the psyche.

We can live richer lives if we pay attention to whatever animals have to teach us. The resilient nature of the animal spirit can help us to accept life's constant changes and to learn how to adapt and go with the flow.

JUSTICE

Maat: Egyptian

Meaning

judgement, balance, legalities, making decisions

Symbols

The consecutive circles filled with stars are a reminder that the cosmic order is in constant flux. The ostrich represents truth and justice, exemplified by the emblematic feather of Maat. The goddess holds the ankh in one hand. This is a symbol of life; the circular motif is echoed throughout the image. The goddess's clothing transforms into spirals, indicative of the continuation of life and changing circumstance. The hieroglyphics in the back­ground represent Maat and reinforce her divine presence with matters of truth and the judgement of the dead.

Description

Maat was the Egyptian goddess of truth and justice. She was the daughter of the sun god Ra and the essence of cosmic balance. She assumed a position as judge of the dead in the Hall of Justice and weighed the souls of recently deceased mortals. To determine the virtuousness of a person, she weighed her feather against the dead individual's heart. If the heart was heavy with the burden of past sins, the individual was sent to Ammut, a monster that devoured the guilty. But if a person's conscience was free of wrongdoing, the individual would transform into a spirit.

The concept of Maat embodied the idea of cosmic order and harmony. She was "the breath of life" and the motivating force behind one's consciousness. It was the Egyptian people's goal to live ethically by Maat's rule.

Maat is a reminder that we must take responsibility for our own actions. As we proceed on the journey to wholeness, it is impor­tant to build a healthy ego, one that is willing to accept responsi­bility and follow the intuitive beat of the heart. It is important to observe a situation from both sides and to try and see the other's point of view. If we act in good conscience when we make deci­sions, we will live in a more harmonious manner and be part of the universal order symbolized by the star-laden web.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16