40. ~ Grouse ~
Grouse have a very short bill which is slightly curved. They have three toes in front and one facing back of each foot. Their legs are feathered all the way down to their feet. Ruffed grouse have a fan shaped tail similar to a turkey's, but much smaller. The remainder of this bird resembles a chicken in many ways. Grouse are noted for their strange drumming sounds. During their drumming the male will fan out his tail feathers to impress the females he is trying to attract. The grouse also have a soft, murmur sound they make. The grouse has a shawl of feathers about the shoulders. The grouse lay an average of eleven eggs. Grouse are approximately seventeen inches in length. When the grouse's wing's compress with air, they create vacuums which in turn produces a noise that sounds like a lawn mower starting up. This noise can be detected over a quarter of a mile away. The grouse will often build their nests low to the ground, perhaps near the base of an old tree stump. Their wingspan is twenty to twenty-five inches (50 - 64 cm) and they weigh one to two pounds (680 grams). The best way to distinguish a male from a female is by looking ath their tail tips. When the tail feathers are fanned, the males have a solid black band, where as the female has a gap at the centre of the band. A female grouse will lay fourteen to eighteen buff coloured eggs. The grouse do not form conveys like the quail families do.
Medicine:
Grouse medicine teaches us to dance to the beat of our own drum. They teach us to not hide our gifts and talents, but rather to boldly display them. Grouse medicine reminds us how boring the world would be if we were all the same. Grouse teaches us that to stand around and not do anything is simply not enough. Grouse tells us it is time to get involved in the lives of others for their own protection. Grouse medicine reassures others, they don't have to go it alone!
Monday, November 17, 2008
39. ~ Groundhog ~
February 2nd is officially Groundhog Day on Turtle Island! When the groundhog pokes his head out of his hole, he supposedly can determine the ending of a winter season and the coming of spring. Legend states, if the groundhog sees his shadow, we can expect to see six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and no shadow is seen, then spring is soon on its way. The groundhog is also called a woodchuck, or a whistling pig. Their life span is about eight years. They can weigh more than fourteen pounds. but this will depend on the area in which it lives. The groundhog is about two feet in length. The groundhog is known for it's loud, clear, whistle which they used to communicate danger. It has short legs, a stubby tail, and it has strong claws. The groundhog has a curved spine. They are good at both climbing, and swimming. The Algonquian name for groundhog is "wuchak." Their name woodchuck has lead to many tongue twisters, like - "How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?" These animals have black feet and are brown to reddish-brown fur which is frosted with white tips. The groundhog is a very organized worker and they always clean up after themselves.
Medicine:
Groundhog medicine reminds us to whistle while we work! They teach us to become great organizers. The groundhog teaches us to respectfully set boundaries, and to know when we need to draw the line. Groundhog medicine tells us to not be afraid of shadows, our own, or those of others. Groundhog medicine says to poke our head up and take a good look around and to carefully explore where we want to go next on our journey. Groundhogs teach us to pay close attention to our winter dreams. Lastly, the groundhog teaches us to never play dirtry and to always maintain our dignity!
February 2nd is officially Groundhog Day on Turtle Island! When the groundhog pokes his head out of his hole, he supposedly can determine the ending of a winter season and the coming of spring. Legend states, if the groundhog sees his shadow, we can expect to see six more weeks of winter. If it is cloudy and no shadow is seen, then spring is soon on its way. The groundhog is also called a woodchuck, or a whistling pig. Their life span is about eight years. They can weigh more than fourteen pounds. but this will depend on the area in which it lives. The groundhog is about two feet in length. The groundhog is known for it's loud, clear, whistle which they used to communicate danger. It has short legs, a stubby tail, and it has strong claws. The groundhog has a curved spine. They are good at both climbing, and swimming. The Algonquian name for groundhog is "wuchak." Their name woodchuck has lead to many tongue twisters, like - "How much wood could a wood chuck chuck if a wood chuck could chuck wood?" These animals have black feet and are brown to reddish-brown fur which is frosted with white tips. The groundhog is a very organized worker and they always clean up after themselves.
Medicine:
Groundhog medicine reminds us to whistle while we work! They teach us to become great organizers. The groundhog teaches us to respectfully set boundaries, and to know when we need to draw the line. Groundhog medicine tells us to not be afraid of shadows, our own, or those of others. Groundhog medicine says to poke our head up and take a good look around and to carefully explore where we want to go next on our journey. Groundhogs teach us to pay close attention to our winter dreams. Lastly, the groundhog teaches us to never play dirtry and to always maintain our dignity!
38. ~ Grackle ~
The grackle is a member of the blackbird family. The colouring of the grackle is a green/blue or a purple iridescent tinted black body. Their head is very shiny. Boat-tailed and great-tailed grackles have a v-shaped tail which creases in flight. They always appear alert. They some what resemble the phesant. They lay three to four eggs which are spotted and scribbled with purple. The common grackle is larger than the red-winged black bird, and the brown -headed cowbird. Female grackles are smaller than the males, but only slightly. The feathers of the female are not as iridescent and they generally have more brown on them. They are eleven to thirteen inches in length. These birds are truly opportunists. Their call is a "chack" sound. Grackles have a winspan of fourteen to eighteen inches (36 - 46 cm). Grackles are mobbing birds and this does include humans. They have even been spotted in the wild going after a bald eagle. Female grackles are not concerned with the male's tail length or their dominance. They are simply interested in their displays of courtship. Some grackles have been known to dunk their food into water to soften it before eating. Grackles have a very hard palate inside their mouth which is used to crack open foods such as acorns, etc. Grackles are certainly right at home as they wander the parking lots of large stores here in the New Mexico area.
Medicine:
Grackle medicine teaches us that no problem is too big to tackle if we have others by our side to help. Grackle medicine teaches us that sometimes we must say difficult things to others in order for them to grow and learn. Grackles remind us to find a rainbow during dark times. The medicine of the grackle says to add a crisp crease to our clothing and to iron out the wrinkles in our lives. In other words, remember to maintain our appearance at all times.
The grackle is a member of the blackbird family. The colouring of the grackle is a green/blue or a purple iridescent tinted black body. Their head is very shiny. Boat-tailed and great-tailed grackles have a v-shaped tail which creases in flight. They always appear alert. They some what resemble the phesant. They lay three to four eggs which are spotted and scribbled with purple. The common grackle is larger than the red-winged black bird, and the brown -headed cowbird. Female grackles are smaller than the males, but only slightly. The feathers of the female are not as iridescent and they generally have more brown on them. They are eleven to thirteen inches in length. These birds are truly opportunists. Their call is a "chack" sound. Grackles have a winspan of fourteen to eighteen inches (36 - 46 cm). Grackles are mobbing birds and this does include humans. They have even been spotted in the wild going after a bald eagle. Female grackles are not concerned with the male's tail length or their dominance. They are simply interested in their displays of courtship. Some grackles have been known to dunk their food into water to soften it before eating. Grackles have a very hard palate inside their mouth which is used to crack open foods such as acorns, etc. Grackles are certainly right at home as they wander the parking lots of large stores here in the New Mexico area.
Medicine:
Grackle medicine teaches us that no problem is too big to tackle if we have others by our side to help. Grackle medicine teaches us that sometimes we must say difficult things to others in order for them to grow and learn. Grackles remind us to find a rainbow during dark times. The medicine of the grackle says to add a crisp crease to our clothing and to iron out the wrinkles in our lives. In other words, remember to maintain our appearance at all times.
37. ~ Goose ~
Snow geese fly in v-formation to reduce wind drag and the risks that accompany collisions in flight. The goose's honk can be heard much sooner than it can be spotted in the skies. They are extremely aggressive during their breeding season. They have a wingspan of fifty to sixty-five inches. Their body length is twenty-five to thirty inches. A goose is a long-necked bird that walks about with webbed feet. The male is a gander. A baby goose is called a gosling. These creatures are travelers. They are community and group birds. For some Native Amecian nations, the snow goose is the totem for the winter solstice. Generations before us, people wrote with a goose feather. Goose feathers are used to make bedding and goose down jackets and coats. Some believe if the breast bones of a goose were brown it predicted a mild winter. Geese will mate for life. These are migratory birds.
Medicine:
Goose medicine is one of inspiration. Their medicine is the power of community cooperation. This medicine reminds us to try different solutions to solve a problem. They remind us to make good use of our voices and to speak up about injustices in our community. Learning of new places and finding out where we fit into the neighbourhood is part of goose medicine. If we become a leader, others will follow us. This medicine many also be a message to cut back on our meat intake for twenty-two to twenty-three days. It may represent someone behaving in a silly fashion. Goose medicine advises us to take a more serious gander at things. This is a time to follow a system of traditional hierarchy. Listen to those in positions of authority. Goose medicine teaches if we have things of importance to share, now would be a good time to write them down. The goose represents the direction of the north.
Snow geese fly in v-formation to reduce wind drag and the risks that accompany collisions in flight. The goose's honk can be heard much sooner than it can be spotted in the skies. They are extremely aggressive during their breeding season. They have a wingspan of fifty to sixty-five inches. Their body length is twenty-five to thirty inches. A goose is a long-necked bird that walks about with webbed feet. The male is a gander. A baby goose is called a gosling. These creatures are travelers. They are community and group birds. For some Native Amecian nations, the snow goose is the totem for the winter solstice. Generations before us, people wrote with a goose feather. Goose feathers are used to make bedding and goose down jackets and coats. Some believe if the breast bones of a goose were brown it predicted a mild winter. Geese will mate for life. These are migratory birds.
Medicine:
Goose medicine is one of inspiration. Their medicine is the power of community cooperation. This medicine reminds us to try different solutions to solve a problem. They remind us to make good use of our voices and to speak up about injustices in our community. Learning of new places and finding out where we fit into the neighbourhood is part of goose medicine. If we become a leader, others will follow us. This medicine many also be a message to cut back on our meat intake for twenty-two to twenty-three days. It may represent someone behaving in a silly fashion. Goose medicine advises us to take a more serious gander at things. This is a time to follow a system of traditional hierarchy. Listen to those in positions of authority. Goose medicine teaches if we have things of importance to share, now would be a good time to write them down. The goose represents the direction of the north.
36. ~ Goat ~
Firstly, goats have hair! Goats say maa! Goats are intelligent! Goats know when to stop eating. Goat milk has less fat than sheep milk, but both are used in making feta cheese. Long-haired goats can easily catch lice. Generally a goat's tail turns upward. Goats browse for food. They prefer shrubs, twigs, leaves, etc. Goats are extremely independent. Goats have beards, including some of the females. A goat's beard grows longer as the goat grows older. Goats don't care for the cold and rain. Goats leave their kids with the doe while they are feeding. Goats are climbers! They are constantly butting heads. A nannie goat is a female. Billy goats are males. Sires are the dads, and dams are the moms. Mohair comes from the angora goat. Most goats will live to be ten to thirty years' old. Goats will chew up everything. Few people know that some goats do have wool. For safety reasons, owners will often disbud their goats. You should always keep at least two goats. Goats should be penned away from pets and from wild animals. The goat is a very lively creature. The pupil of a goat's eye is rectangular in shape, and they have excellent eyesight in the dark. Goats have herds, and sheep have flocks.
Medicine:
Goat medicine reminds us not to be overly pushy and to avoid chewing people out. The goat teaches us to be independent souls. The goat says we have the ability to climb to the top of our goals. The goat teaches us to be sure footed in our plans. Goat medicine reminds us that smart thinking can save us a lot of steps on our journey to success. Goat medicine tells us that people may be quick to underestimate our strength. Goat medicine says we should climb our way over and around obstacles and to not stop moving our personal mountains. The goat's message is this, in order to get ahead, sometimes we must give others a good nudge!
Firstly, goats have hair! Goats say maa! Goats are intelligent! Goats know when to stop eating. Goat milk has less fat than sheep milk, but both are used in making feta cheese. Long-haired goats can easily catch lice. Generally a goat's tail turns upward. Goats browse for food. They prefer shrubs, twigs, leaves, etc. Goats are extremely independent. Goats have beards, including some of the females. A goat's beard grows longer as the goat grows older. Goats don't care for the cold and rain. Goats leave their kids with the doe while they are feeding. Goats are climbers! They are constantly butting heads. A nannie goat is a female. Billy goats are males. Sires are the dads, and dams are the moms. Mohair comes from the angora goat. Most goats will live to be ten to thirty years' old. Goats will chew up everything. Few people know that some goats do have wool. For safety reasons, owners will often disbud their goats. You should always keep at least two goats. Goats should be penned away from pets and from wild animals. The goat is a very lively creature. The pupil of a goat's eye is rectangular in shape, and they have excellent eyesight in the dark. Goats have herds, and sheep have flocks.
Medicine:
Goat medicine reminds us not to be overly pushy and to avoid chewing people out. The goat teaches us to be independent souls. The goat says we have the ability to climb to the top of our goals. The goat teaches us to be sure footed in our plans. Goat medicine reminds us that smart thinking can save us a lot of steps on our journey to success. Goat medicine tells us that people may be quick to underestimate our strength. Goat medicine says we should climb our way over and around obstacles and to not stop moving our personal mountains. The goat's message is this, in order to get ahead, sometimes we must give others a good nudge!
35. ~ Frog ~
Frogs have four toes on the front feet and five on their hind feet. They have a flat head, a rounded muzzle with a large mouth. They have thin, smooth skin. The males have a delicate membrane on each side of their neck for hearing. In cold climates frogs usually will bury themselves in mud. In dry weather they hide under shrubs and plants. When it rains, they hop out to greet it. Frogs chiefly feed on insects. Frogs enjoy swimming in the water and basking in the sunshine. A frog has big eyes and webbed feet. Frogs enjoy leaping from lily pads to lily pads. Frogs live partly on land, and partly in the water. Their skin absorbs water. Therefore, they don't have to drink any. Their hind legs are very strong. Their front legs are used to help prop them up. They have sticky pads on their toes and fingers to help them climb. Most frogs have sticky tongues. Some frogs are poisonous, but others are not. The males make a croaking sound to attract the females. During mating he will sit on her back. The males will fight to the death for their mate. Groups of frogs are called a chorus. New species of frogs are constantly being discovered.
Medicine:
Frog medicine teaches that we are capable of specializing in dual areas of our life. Frogs tell us we can easily hop back and forth between two things, such as a mother, and having a career, or holding a full time job and pursuing a career, etc. Frog medicine says when troubles are raining down on us, to sing in the rain and not let it dampen our spirits. Frogs teach us to know when to simply sit and be a good listener and when to speak. Frog medicine may be encouraging us to sing in a choir, or other singing clubs. Frogs tell us to put a hop in our step, and a song in our heart. Frog medicine encourages us to go for it and make a big splash!
Frogs have four toes on the front feet and five on their hind feet. They have a flat head, a rounded muzzle with a large mouth. They have thin, smooth skin. The males have a delicate membrane on each side of their neck for hearing. In cold climates frogs usually will bury themselves in mud. In dry weather they hide under shrubs and plants. When it rains, they hop out to greet it. Frogs chiefly feed on insects. Frogs enjoy swimming in the water and basking in the sunshine. A frog has big eyes and webbed feet. Frogs enjoy leaping from lily pads to lily pads. Frogs live partly on land, and partly in the water. Their skin absorbs water. Therefore, they don't have to drink any. Their hind legs are very strong. Their front legs are used to help prop them up. They have sticky pads on their toes and fingers to help them climb. Most frogs have sticky tongues. Some frogs are poisonous, but others are not. The males make a croaking sound to attract the females. During mating he will sit on her back. The males will fight to the death for their mate. Groups of frogs are called a chorus. New species of frogs are constantly being discovered.
Medicine:
Frog medicine teaches that we are capable of specializing in dual areas of our life. Frogs tell us we can easily hop back and forth between two things, such as a mother, and having a career, or holding a full time job and pursuing a career, etc. Frog medicine says when troubles are raining down on us, to sing in the rain and not let it dampen our spirits. Frogs teach us to know when to simply sit and be a good listener and when to speak. Frog medicine may be encouraging us to sing in a choir, or other singing clubs. Frogs tell us to put a hop in our step, and a song in our heart. Frog medicine encourages us to go for it and make a big splash!
34. ~ Fox ~
The fox is much smaller than their brother the wolf. The red fox refers to the species and not just to the red coloured fox. They may also be black or white. They live in the wild just about anywhere and eat practically anything, from bugs to garbage. There are foxes that prefer the family life style, others live in pairs, ad others yet again live the solitary life. The average fox has a body weight of eight to fifteen pounds. Their body length is about twenty-four inches. Their litters are between one to ten. Foxes only live in a den when they are breeding. They have a terrific sense of smell, sight, and sound. People often find a fox sleeping with their long fluffy tail wraped around its body. The new baby is called a pup, as it grows older it is referred to as a kit. Foxes look larger than they really are due to their thick fur coat. A fox is a great hunter! They can hear a mouse dinner one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet aways, but a rabbit dinner is its most preferred meal. A fox can run at a speed of forty to fifty miles per hour. They let out a loud bark when they become alarmed. A fox will stalk its prey in the same manner a cat does.
Medicine:
Fox medicine means that like the foxes tail, we will best benefit in certain situations if we learn to keep our thoughts and plans to ourselves. Fox medicine teaches us to take a look at a problem from many sides. The fox tells us to hunt around for the best opportunities, and to not accept the first offer that comes our way. Fox medicine teaches us to eat more frequently, but to do it in smaller amounts. The fox tells us not to automatically put our foot down, but to find a cunning way to work through things.
The fox is much smaller than their brother the wolf. The red fox refers to the species and not just to the red coloured fox. They may also be black or white. They live in the wild just about anywhere and eat practically anything, from bugs to garbage. There are foxes that prefer the family life style, others live in pairs, ad others yet again live the solitary life. The average fox has a body weight of eight to fifteen pounds. Their body length is about twenty-four inches. Their litters are between one to ten. Foxes only live in a den when they are breeding. They have a terrific sense of smell, sight, and sound. People often find a fox sleeping with their long fluffy tail wraped around its body. The new baby is called a pup, as it grows older it is referred to as a kit. Foxes look larger than they really are due to their thick fur coat. A fox is a great hunter! They can hear a mouse dinner one hundred to one hundred and fifty feet aways, but a rabbit dinner is its most preferred meal. A fox can run at a speed of forty to fifty miles per hour. They let out a loud bark when they become alarmed. A fox will stalk its prey in the same manner a cat does.
Medicine:
Fox medicine means that like the foxes tail, we will best benefit in certain situations if we learn to keep our thoughts and plans to ourselves. Fox medicine teaches us to take a look at a problem from many sides. The fox tells us to hunt around for the best opportunities, and to not accept the first offer that comes our way. Fox medicine teaches us to eat more frequently, but to do it in smaller amounts. The fox tells us not to automatically put our foot down, but to find a cunning way to work through things.
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