Beauty Within

Scarlet and gold cover the land

warm spicy scents fill the air,

mountain laurel and rich earth,

as Bounty spills forth 
filling waiting hands.

Singing, 
her bassoon voice  
drifts like morning mist,

ripe with meaning…

full of choice…

“We cradle creation

within our souls!

In harmony,

we dance in silence…

unseen…

unheard

by the watchful hunters,

Graceful we pass through thickest wild.

We appear,

Caught by someone's roving eye,
nibbling twigs and leaves

Ungainly and awkward
water lilies dripping from our lips

A face only Mother could love

is just as beautiful to a loving heart,

and every woman is Mother to someone

if only herself.

A brave crown adorns Father’s brow

but Mother's intuition needs

nothing more than

“hear!” and “now!”

Born with open eyes,

we see with an open heart

we will teach you how to start

when to cling and when to part..

when to be gentle

when to be bold

when to be silent and

do as you’re told!

Find within

thy endless grace,

Be proud!

Be humble!

And with steady pace

thou shalt never stumble.

Strength unguessed you carry

run to yourself and do not tarry!"

Wisdom shining from every brow…

Who sings now?

For those new to the game, each singing poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today?

“Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt

“Gracefulness has been defined to be the outward expression of the inward harmony of the soul.” William Hazlitt

“Of all the wonders of nature, a tree in summer is perhaps the most remarkable; with the possible exception of a moose singing “Embraceable You” in spats." Woody Allen

Moose is one of the most ancient Totems, and the Wisdom she carries is equally as vital today for women and men. Moose is the largest member of the Deer family, so they share a lot of the same lessons. Rapid healing, Universal Love, Kindness, and Compassion for self and others are all Deer lessons shared by Moose, along with being careful how you move through life as our actions and reactions affect more than just ourselves. Moose, however, speaks most often about reaching a state of perfect understanding of self, a blossoming of confidence, so that we may move through life as the best example of a nurturing and compassionate individual. Every member of this family should be examined by those who feel called by Moose as they are inter-related. Confidence in all it’s facets is the Wisdom of Moose.

Adult Moose cows weigh 800 to 1,300 pounds and bulls weigh 1,200 to 1,600 pounds. Larger even than their cousins Ek, a small adult Moose can easily stand about 6 feet at the shoulder. When you add the impressive rack of antlers of the bulls that can stretch five feet across, it is instantly apparent what powerful creatures Moose are, and yet they can move with such uncanny grace and self-assurance that they can pass right by you in the forest and you might never know they were there! Antlers are a Totem’s reminder that we have unseen “antennas” that act as conduits between ourselves and Divine energy. Listen to your intuition and keep a dream journal to better understand your abilities.

Especially as calves, Moose have an out-of-proportion ungainly look that belies their surety of movement. They are known for being a curious and rather amusing blend of awkwardness and grace, beauty and homeliness, strength and gentleness. Through this, Moose teaches us that we all have moments where we feel hopelessly unattractive, clumsy and gauche. And yet, the truth is that we are also powerful beings that become graceful, inside and out, when we truly know our strengths and weakness, relax into a state of confidence, and can then finally allow ourselves to move through life without hesitation or doubt exactly as Creator intended us to be; joyous and compassionate worker’s for Divine will. Imagine for a moment how wonderful life would be if we all had the confidence to be who we are and allow others the same right freely!

Moose people either get this concept while still quite young, or struggle with finding their balance here from an early age. So, a Moose person could be one of those rare supremely confident, self-assured people who are at perfect peace with who they are, or they one of the many who wrestle with their own self-worth. Vanity or low self esteem can both be signs of an unbalanced Moose person. If you find yourself repetitively dealing with strange rashes, pimples, or other conditions that make you feel self-conscious or overly-worried about your appearance, Moose may be sending you a message. Look beyond the surface, stop getting caught up by your own shallow reflection and get busy living!

I’ve known several Moose people in the course of my life who are so concerned with appearances that they are convinced that they are “ugly” or “unlovable”. This is a highly destructive notion that will eventually destroy who you really are, and tear apart your entire life, most likely hurting others in the process! Appearances really don’t count for much in the long run. In fact, no matter how plain or marred our exterior, the Beauty of a serene, balanced and compassionate soul will shine through our shell and we will become inexplicably attractive to those around us.

Moose reminds us that it is unkind and unwise to judge, whether we are coming down on someone else or ourselves. Their hanging mobile lips enable them to skillfully remove food from a thorny source, but also serve to remind us to be especially mindful about how we speak as we shape our worlds through our words and actions. Moose’s attractiveness and charisma are powerful forces, and like cousin Elk, it is believed that once such a person sets their sites on you they are virtually irresistible! One can hear Moose’s song of love for approximately 6 miles, and you better get out of the way as the potential mates charge single-mindedly towards their siren call. Bulls have been known to charge cars that have gotten between them and a potential mate!

Moose are excellent swimmers, and can swim as fast as six miles an hour in the water. They can most often be found standing in water browsing on water lilies or other aquatic plants. “Moose” is an Algonquin term which translates as “twig-eater”, a sound observation of Moose’s eating habits as they eat the leaves, twigs and buds of hardwood and softwood trees and shrubs. In winter months they also like the twigs and bark of willow, balsam, birch, aspen and dogwood trees. Like Polar Bear, Moose hairs are hollow, giving them an exceptionally insulating and protective hide.

In fact, Moose are found in only Northern climates because of this and can’t really survive well anywhere that temperatures normally exceed about 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Through this, Moose reminds us to have a thick hide, and not be so concerned with the words and opinions of others. Neither praise nor blame should have a place in our lives. Moose also teaches us that our emotions and emotional situations should be approached like a leisurely swim across a river. We should be refreshed and cleansed through the outlet of emotions as much of what feeds our souls in life will grow there. Most importantly, keep cool! We are at our most dangerous when we loose our cool.

Childhood can often be difficult for Moose people, but with proper nurturing they can blossom into the most interesting and effective adults. They need to develop a strong sense of self, confidence, and self-reliance in order to prosper in life. Because of this early start to extra-sensory abilities, Moose people should not be surprised that they don’t “awaken” or “come into their own” as adults. In a sense the lights are already on, they just need to learn to recognize that fact rather than looking for some great revelation. Autumn is the time of Moose and regardless of age, Moose people will experience a similar bounty in their lives whenever they become confident, and ripen into this Totem aspect of themselves.

Through these examples, Moose teaches us that romantic Love, while a wonderfully life-enhancing emotion, should not be taken to any great extremes either. Moose people have a tendency to give their whole hearts, to love with abandon and expect the same deep devotion and tender emotion from their mates. Moose people definitely wear their hearts on their sleeves and are typically forthright individuals. It is important for Moose people to remember to take time to be alone in comfortable silence though and allow themselves to re-charge. It is especially important that those whose “still waters run deep” choose their mates wisely, to behave reasonably even when we feel swept away by the power of our love and emotions. In cases where we have not chosen well, it is best to remember not to give in to feelings of vengeance, spite, or anger no matter the provocation. Accept that you simply have not found your true mate yet and send out your irresistible call a little wiser for the wear. We should accept no less than our equal when it comes to a life mate.

Moose’s shoulder hump reminds us of Buffalo’s lesson to put our dreams into action through hard work. We have the reserves necessary for the effort. All of these things combined make Moose a powerful and versatile Totem whose lessons are especially important to those who feel called by this Teacher. Perhaps the most vital of all Moose’s lessons for us though is simply to love and respect ourselves. Only when these things well and fill our own being can we truly give this gift to others. How does noble Moose appear in your life?

“Always act like you’re wearing an invisible crown.”Unknown

Bullwinkle: I’d like to apply for a job as an usher?

Boris: What experience have you had?

Bullwinkle: I’ve been in the dark for most of my life!

Potential Balancing Energies: Trees of all kinds like Pine, Elderberry, Willow, Cottonwood, or Alder, Birds like sparrow, vulture, crow, snowy owl, pine martin, and goose. other antlered Teachers like Deer or Elk, Animals like Bear, Wolf, squirrel, snowshoe hare, cougar, raccoon, otter, weasel, snake, seal, mouse, or bobcat. various Plants like Cranberry, Blueberry, Currant, Sedge, Alaskan Wild Rose, Reeds, Grasses, Lichens, Moss, and various Fungi, elements like Water or Earth. Sun, Moon, Stars, and the Northern Lights.

Key Concepts: Primal Feminine energy, nurturing self, Self Esteem (especially not looking beyond self for approval), Fruition/Harvest, the Power of Presence, Balanced Power (knowing when to be gentle, when to be forceful), Shape-shifting, Courage, Creation/Destruction, Receptivity

Associations, Gods/Goddesses, Mythic or Popular figures: Bullwinkle the Moose, Rutt and Took from Disney’s Brother Bear, Thidwich the Big-hearted Moose (Dr. Seuss), Autumn, Crown chakra, North and Grandmother energy

Dreaming of Moonlight on Water

“Wash away your woes

in my healing embrace.

I will teach you how to bend,

through any storm with grace.

Dream bone-deep and true,

as my moonsweet tears

command pain to subside,

drown your fevers,

balance your tides,

 bringing to fruition the best within you.

My blood inspires new roots,

teaching how to quickly ground.

Emblem of the Goddess merciful,

I ward away evil, and guide the dead

with compassion renowned.

I weep for those 

who cannot shed a tear

Sorrowing at water's edge

slender fingers trailing,

long toes deep in mud,

my song a soulful lament.

I gifted Orpheus with bardic grace,

gave voice to ancient harps,

and make clear every mystic portent."

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant, etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today? 

"Flexibility and adaptability do not happen just by reacting fast to new information. They arise from mental and emotional balance, the lack of attachment to specific outcomes, and putting care for self and others as a prime operating principle. Flexible attitudes build flexible physiology. Flexible physiology means more resilience in times of challenge or strain. Staying open—emotionally—insures internal flexibility."

Doc Childre and Bruce Cryer, From Chaos to Coherence




Let's not forget that the little emotions are the great captains of our lives and we obey them without realizing it.  ~Vincent Van Gogh, 1889

"Leaders establish the vision for the future and set the strategy for getting there; they cause change. They motivate and inspire others to go in the right direction and they, along with everyone else, sacrifice to get there." John Kotter

Willows, sallows and osiers form the Genus Salix; around 400 different species of deciduous trees and shrubs found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. About 170 0f these are Willow trees which are often associated with deep emotion, flexibility, dreams, fertility, the Moon, intuition, and healing due to their strong connection with Water. Other associations include: sorrow, tragic romance, cycles, witches, beauty, fidelity, initiation, wishes, beginnings, femininity, and adding vital energy to the elderly and the sick.



Willow bark contains Salicin which is used in the treatment of rheumatic fever, various damp diseases like rheumatism, and a decoction can be used for gum and tonsil inflammations. Willow is often referred to as “witches aspirin” as it was used for all the same purposes as modern synthetic aspirin for over 2,000 years. White willow or sallow bark tea is recommended for indigestion, whooping cough and catarrh. It can also be used as an antiseptic and disinfectant.



This tree is notorious for pushing roots over amazing distances in order to find enough water, often bursting water pipes in the process. Just the normal growth of a willow can be six to eight feet or more a year! They are also known for their ability to spread or clone themselves through their stoloniferous roots, or even fallen and broken branches! Willow is loaded with auxin, a hormone that encourages the growth of roots, and this allows any woody part of this Teacher to put down roots and become it’s own tree in the right conditions.

Willow Tree

In fact even today, gardeners around the world still make Willow Water to encourage root growth in other plant cuttings! This potent aspect of this Teacher implies great strength as a healer as well as lessons on how to properly sustain oneself, how to remain strongly grounded through life’s adversities, how to adapt to meet adversity, how and when to recreate one’s self, how to establish healthy new roots and rapidly ground one’s self in emergency situations, and how to quickly reconnect one’s self with All Our Relations.



In the ogham alphabet, the willow is known as “Saille” which became Anglicized to “sally” which means a sudden outburst of emotions, action or expression (to “sally forth”). The Old French “saille” also means to rush out suddenly and the Latin “salire” means to leap. To me, there always seems to be some sense of great emotion just trembling in anticipation of being unlocked, of tremendous and eternal potential, encased within the Willow’s silently dreaming bark.




Willow was a favored wood for the making of dreamcatchers and lapharps, and is an excellent friend for anyone needing to relieve grief, heighten intuitions and dreams, strip away illusions, and those seeking healing! Willow forms the Sacred Hoop of Life. Willow was also a favored wood for creating the voice box of Celtic lap harps. Although simply sitting within a Willow’s energy field is beneficial to us, I have found that Willows often require more time spent in our company before taking notice of us, and deciding whether or not to engage with us on more than a superficial level. Vibrant with rich emotion, branches blooming with portentous dreams, the Willow teaches us to be as flexible, healing and deep as Water. How does she appear in your life?



“Trees serve as homes for visiting devas who do not manifest in earthly bodies, but live in the fibers of the trunks and larger branches of the trees, feed from the leaves and communicate through the tree itself. Some are permanently stationed as guardians of sacred places.” ~Deva Shastra




Feelings are much like waves, we can't stop them from coming but we can choose which one to surf.  ~Jonatan Mårtensson

"Dreaming is an act of pure imagination, attesting in all men a creative power, which if it were available in waking, would make every man a Dante or Shakespeare."  ~H.F. Hedge

Spider, ant, earthworm, oriole, owl, squirrel, sparrow, swallow, goldfinch, river otter, muskrat, beaver, moose, swan and other waterfowl, cattails and other reeds, deer, elk, caribou, the Moon, aphid, webworm, gypsy moth, luna moth and other lepidoptera, dog/wolf/coyote/fox, bear, bison/buffalo, cattle, and willow shoot sawfly are just a few potential balancing energies.



Key concepts: Water, Emotion, Dreams, Grief, Flexibility, Moon/Lunar energy, Feminine energy/power/intuition/bond, Prophetic Dreams, Music, Intuition, Rebirth, Magic, Divination, Inspiration




Associated Gods, Goddesses or Mythic figures: Venus, Hecate, Brigid, Demeter, Rusalkas and Faeries, Osiris, Crone aspects of triple goddesses as well as muses, seers, and oracles of all sorts, especially feminine ones. The Willow forms the Hoop of Life in some Native Traditions, and is often used to make Dreamcatchers as well as beautiful baskets. Orpheus, Kwan Yin, Circe, Belenus, Artemis, Mercury, .

Coralline Chorus Line

Sussurating waves sighing 

like trees in the wind

our Singers hidden in the shallows

beneath rippling sunlight

Certain of their place

within Universe's wheel

as together they build gardens

upon their carefully prepared site

Divided 

Separate

Yet One

One heart

One body

One mind

A Community 

of many parts

Bone palaces

Skeleton spires

Providing shelter

and support

for our neighbors 

Generously

with symbiotically beneficial hearts

Spineless yet persistent

Stinging grasping fingers

feed our hungry mouths

when the Sun 

provides no bread

We struggle to thrive now

T'wixt rising heat, pollution,

and humanity's depredation

Our dwindling numbers

may soon become

little more than 

bleached bones

scattered across the seabed

Build your world patiently

Create in harmony

Honor diversity

Conserve compassionately

Embrace the simple gift

of coming round 

to where you ought to be

If our sacrifices 

embed this Wisdom 

in your souls

Neither our song 

nor our silence

will be in vain. 

For those new to the game, each piece is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing today?

Strength Begins with Truth

Earth Rainbows

Banded beauties

We will protect you

attract Strength

We will cleanse

harmonize your aura

by transforming negative energy

into good vibrations.

We will shield even your dreams

Wick away energy drains

Sooth stress

Pillowed by your head each night

We will sing you

rare and varied dreams

We can teach you

the Wisdom of Fidelity & Acceptance

We will show you

that you have the fortitude

to carry on.

We reveal your courage

Balance yin yang

Ground you

Strengthen your connection

to our Mother's heartbeats

We will feed your creativity

sharpen your intellect

steady your self-confidence

Help turn you inward or outward

to examine the needs of a situation

Plumed or placed upon

the solar plexus

We will unknot your anxieties

Releasing resentments

Draining the bitter

 to make way for the sweet.

Blue Lace

for those who feel the need to scream

just to be heard

Elegant soothing blue ripples

like a bit of sky in your pocket

to calm, encourage & uplift

Crazy Lace

for joyful laughter and optimism

Mossy stones of healing Earth

for those that Garden

or work the soil.

Named for the Grecian river

where we were first discovered

sometime around the third century

though family members today

may be found scattered round the World.

Our eyes stand watch

over the sensitive and lonely.

We help keep the energy flowing

Help you sing your Truth

in hopes of creating a Hollow Bone...

For those new to the game, each poem is inspired by a Teacher found in Nature; a star, stone, animal, plant etc that holds lessons of Wisdom for us. Can you guess who is singing?