DRAGONS
My first attraction to elementals began with dragons. My mother said my first word was Daddy, and the second was Dragon! Dragons know the answers to many riddles. I consider dragons to be of all four elements, some being from each. Dragons teach infinity, longevity, movement through time and space, power, the power of the four elements, and wisdom.

FAERIE FOLK
I have seen FAERIE FOLK since I was a small child, and since no one ever told me they were not real, I never stopped seeing them! My enchanted garden is a faerie haven or faerie glen teaming with all sorts of the wee fae folk. I consider FAERIE FOLK to be of all four elements, some being from each. They can be quite mischievous if not directed to specific tasks and left to their own devices. FAERIE FOLK teach garden magick.

GARGOYLES
I became fascinated with gargoyles around the time I discovered the goth scene. Rich in history, gargoyles are wonderful for magick involving house and garden protection. Gargoyles teach observation and protection.

SPRITES
I work with many beings I refer to as "sprites" (elementals that neither have shape nor form, just abundant energies!) Sprites can teach just about anything, depending on what element they are drawn from!


M Y  F A M I L I A R

Boo was a most devoted feline familiar. She was interested in my spiritual workings right from the beginning, we grew up spirituality together. She always came to join in the goings on in the temple, and often shared her dreamspace with me. Neither chanting, incense nor candles detoured her from participating. She was my coven, my best friend, and my baby witchling! Since her passing on August 6, 2003 after 18.5 years with me, Ronin has deeply surprised me by taking up where she left off, and has even adopted the same place Boo used to sit when I was working in there. I think Boo told him to do that ;-)


M Y  A N I M A L  T O T E M S

CAT (my first power animal)
My first connection with the animal kingdom that changed my life. I have been fascinated by cats since I was a very small toddler. Having had and known many, I have been convinced ever since that first experience ANIMALS, IN FACT, DO HAVE SOULS.

It is said that cats are the only animal that can cross in and out of a magickal circle without disrupting energies. They have an uncanny ability to perceive that which we as people cannot. A witch's cat is known as a Grimalkin. Fiercely independent, you never own a cat. It allows you to spoil and love it but only on its terms. Cats come and go as they please. If a cat adopts you, it may stay forever. It's not uncommon for the spirit of a cat to still be attached to its owner even after the animal passes to The Summerland. They are notorious for astral travel and will often share dreams with their human companions. Expressive faces tell you at a glance what is going on behind those knowing little eyes.

Cats teach ability to fight when cornered, agility, appreciation for the creative energy of night, cleverness, confidence, courage, curiosity, expression, free thinking, healing, independence, love, magick, many lives, meditation, mystery, protection, seeing the unseen, unpredictability, witchcraft


WOLF (my second power animal)
My second connection with the animal kingdom that changed my life. From the time I was a small child, I have been obsessed and dreamed of wolves. I have been working on saving wolves most of my life, which began after one of my father's pals killed one for sport. In 1996 I was asked to visit a wildlife sanctuary where I would be able to play with real wolves! A dream come true, I jumped at the chance and Larry and I ended up volunteering there for four years until the sanctuary moved out of state. Larry and I have since visited many wolf and wildlife sanctuaries, and animals have become our children. We donate time and funds whenever we can. From wolves I learned the value of bonds, and the power of nature.

In spite of the plethora of horror stories involving tracking and killing humans, no such event has ever been confirmed! Wolves are staunch family creatures, and protect the pack at any expense. Loving and tender family units, the entire pack revels in joy surrounding the care of cubs. Wolves are the pathfinders for the human spirit, and the heart of the wilderness of the world. Ancestors of every species of modern dog, humans have much to learn from these gentle and loving creatures.

Red Wolf Critically Endangered, 2 Other Endangered Species

Wolves teach the ability to pass unseen, adventure, courage, death and rebirth, devout loyalty, dignity, guidance in dreams and meditations, ideals, importance of family, instinct linked with intelligence, integrity, outwitting enemies, perseverance in adversity, principles, protection, self discipline, skill in protection of self and family, social and familial values, spirit, steadfastness, strategy, success, taking advantage of change


FOX
My grandmother called me "little red fox" in her Native American tongue when I was but a wee thing. Because of my never ending curiosity, my ability to sneak up on things undetected, and my abundance of blazing red hair. From foxes I have learned to never stop being interested in and learning about new things, and to see the humor in all situations.

This wee little creature has had such an impact on every culture in the world. It is such a part of our speach we often don't realize it. The sayings "sly as a fox" and you "clever fox" have universal meaning. The fox comes out at dusk — the twilight time. Its keen eyesight gives the ability to see movement and objects edging the field of vision, and it is said to be able to see between worlds.

15 Endangered Species

Foxes teach aromatherapy, beauty without vanity, camouflage, cleverness, cunning, faerie magick, feminine energies, gentleness, intuition, laughter, observation, persistence, quickening of reflexes (physical and mental), seeing between worlds, shapeshifting, stealth, swiftness, trickery


TIGER
I have always felt a certain kinship with tigers. About the time I felt that bond with cats, the tiger bond also kicked in. Having volunteered for several years and watched a baby tiger cub become a mature awesome force to be reckoned with that still had the loving playfulness of that cub was the experience of a lifetime. From tigers I have learned how precious and fragile life is, and how the most fierce of creatures can also be the most tender and compassionate.

Tigers are one of the few big cats that enjoy water, and are known to soak in pools and creeks. They will also not hesitate to chase prey into a body of water, and are good swimmers.

All Species Endangered, some already EXTINCT!

Tigers teach action without analysis, appreciation for the creative energy of night, deliberance, energy and power (especially will-power), fierce independence, grace, protection, seeing through illusion, stealth, strength, timing, valour


OWL
I dream of owls, quite often, especially white ones. It began around the time I began to lean in a pagan direction many years ago. I was very surprised to discover two of my closest pagan pals also dream of white owls. From owls I have learned to seek that which cannot be seen and the symbols in life's design that are all around.

Owls are messengers of secrets and omens; and the link between the dark, unseen world and the world of light. Owls come in broad range of sizes from a miniature that lives inside a desert cactus, to the great horned owl (the only bird that can out fly the golden eagle) with talons that mirror the paws of a baby cougar cub with claws extended.

11 Endangered Species, 45 Threatened Species

Owls teach clairvoyance, comfort with shadow self, freedom, intuition, keen sight, moon magick, secrecy, seeing behind masks, silence and mystery, shapeshifting, silent and swift movement, stealth, vision


CROW/RAVEN
Since the day we moved in our house there is a raven that comes and says good morning to me every day, and a murder of crows comes every evening to our back yard. From them I have learned to alter my perception and develop new sides of myself.

Crows and Ravens are said to be guardians of the place before existence, keepers of "Universal Law," can fly into the "Void" (where all things are born from) and retreive messages, and are the Carrier of Souls from darkness into light.
Telling the difference (most people mistake common Ravens for Crows):
Crows: Length 17 in., bill is small, straight, and sharp, squared off tail
Ravens: Length 21 in. larger than a Crow, bill is large and curved, wedge-shaped tail

They teach the ability to move in space and time, changes in consciousness, cleverness, creativity, ethics, guidance while working in shadow, honoring ancestors, intelligence, introspection, justice, law, levels of awareness and of perception, shapeshifting, wit, working without fear in darkness



RACCOON
My baby sitter had a raccoon when I was about six. Some time after volunteering at the wildlife sanctuary Cuddles came into my life. This sweet and determined little cutie stole my heart. From raccoons I have learned to see behind many of the masks that all people wear.

The raccoon is a distant cousin of the bear. The word "raccoon" comes from the Algonquin word "arckunem", meaning "hand scratcher," a reference to their strong and dexterous fingers and paws with can open just about anything! There are some 6 species of raccoon in North America.

Racoons teach balancing curiosity, dexterity, disguise, problem solving, seeking guidance and confidence, understanding the nature of masks, questioning without fear


SKUNK
A skunk, Silent Bob, came into my life at the same time as Cuddles the raccoon. Although he is quite petite, he makes up for his small stature by being fearless but peaceful. A sweet, but petite soul. From skunks I have learned self confidence and how to demand respect, and that attitude is far more important than appearance.

Skunks do not get out of the way of any animal. They move happily along at their own pace. Peaceful by nature, they always give warnings before spraying. First, it will stamp its feet and turn its back to you. Second it will raise its tail up, and third it will look over its shoulder at you to aim, and then its too late. There are two main types of skunk: spotted and striped. Striped is the most common and most recognized. It is actually a double stripe running from head to tail. This stripe is an indicator of the active flow of the kundalini or life force.

Skunks teach courage, psychically, reputation, self-confidence, self-respect, sensuality, sexually, spiritually, understanding energy flows, will-power


HUMMINGBIRD
In the past few years, particularly since we have been working on the garden, hummingbirds have been a huge part of my life. They came at a time when I needed joy and happiness, as a shadow of sadness had crept over my very heart, the result of betrayal of a friend I considered family. Not only did the garden ground those feelings, but a nesting hummingbird brought sheer joy back into my heart. From hummingbirds I have learned to adapt my way of thinking, to heal myself physically as well as emotionally, and finding joy from within.

The hummingbird is the tiniest of all birds species, the "Jewel of the Gods." A marvel of mechanics, it is the only creature that can stop dead while traveling at full speed, hover; go forward, backward, up or down. There are over 300 species that pollinate the world's flowers.
6 Endangered Species, 4 Threatened Species

Hummingbirds teach adaptability, aromatherapy, endurance, happiness, healing, joy, love, pleasure, timelessness