[Shantis]

War Paints

The people of the woods had a highly complex culture, especially those who lived on the nomad life. Their religion was dominated by rituals and belief in a spiritual connection with nature. In their religion they blended rituals by promoting and preserving their hunting and the survival of it's people with showing respect to the spirit. Their beliefs were handed down from one generation to another. Experienced warriors were held in the highest esteem. The achievements of warriors were often reflected in the symbolic images of their war paint. The clothes, tepees and all of his belongings was decorated with the symbolism of his achievements and acts of heroism or his various spirit guides. Every mark on the face and body of an the wood people had meaning.

Reasons for War Paint, Body Paint or Face Painting

People of the woods made use of Face Painting or Body Paint for various reasons:

    War paint - war paint to intimidate their enemies when going into battle or during warfare - this where the term "War Paint" was originally derived

    Marks of Distinction and Honor: War Paint, Face and Body paint for certain tribes would indicate achievements and success

    Camouflage - Paint was used as camouflage for both hunting and warfare enabling the wearer to blend into the environment and exercise the element of surprise

    Ceremonies, Dances and Rituals: Specific colors and patterns were applied

    Visual Messages: Victory, Mourning etc were indicated by the application of face and body paint

    Mental Preparation: Medicine Men often chose certain markings for warriors and that powerful magic was passed on during the application of the war paint helping the warrior to believe himself invincible. Paint was used as an element in Spiritual Healing

    Power and Magic: It was believed that the application of certain symbols and colors afforded the wearer with 'Magic' for power and protection by drawing on natural powers and combining these with the power of the warrior. Symbols included stripes, circles and triangles

    Protection: Paint was commonly used to protected the skin from insects, the sun, the wind and the cold. Red ochre was in plentiful supply so this was the most common application, hence the term 'Redskins'

    Decoration: War paint, Face paint and Body paint was applied as decoration, just as we use make-up today. Women of certain tribes also used face and body paints for decoration.

War Paint  - Making War Paints

The people of the woods made war paint from the natural resources that were available to them to make different colored dyes and pigments. Paint in its simplest form, consists of ground up pigment suspended in some sort of liquid, or binder such as urine, spit, egg yolks, animal fat and blood.


    Red - Red clays containing oxides of iron, roots, berries, barks and beets. The Lachnanthes plant commonly known as redroot native to eastern florest. Redroot and also used as red war paint. When the root is crushed it "bleeds" a reddish dye. Bloodroot plants are also used to produce red war paint. Red was predominately used for painting because of its availability.

    White - White kaolin clays, limestone, ground gypsum, eggshells or sea shells.

    Black - To create black paint coal or charcoal, mixed with spit or animal fat, was commonly used as well as wild grapes and the bark and ashes from various trees and shrubs including Devil’s Club.

    Yellow: A yellow pigment which was made from flowers, berries, barks, plants or moss. A yellow substance found in some internal organs of the buffalo or cows was also used to produce the yellow paint.

    Blue - Blue paint was obtained from oxides, powdered azurite and lapis, sun flower seeds, duck manure, clays, berries and flowers.

    Green - Green paint was made from flowers, berries, moss or algae.

    Pink - Pink war paint was made from the juice of the blueberries and Twisted Creeper, a swamp vine, native of the swamps.

    Orange/Yellow - The bixa, also known as annatto is a bushy shrub or small tree. People of the woods made a paste from annatto for a bright orangey-yellow war paint.

    Purple - Purple coneflowers, Blueberries and hibiscus all produced a purple pigment used as paint.

War Paint  - Application of War Paint, Body Paint or Face Painting

The people of the woods first smeared their bodies with buffalo or deer fat and then rubbed on the paint. To add additional power the paint might be applied by the Medicine Man (Shaman, witch, mother or priest of the nomad tribe). War paint was applied with the fingers, animal bones, sticks or grasses. Plains Indians used a spongy bone from the knee joint of the cow which held paint just as the modern fountain pen holds ink. Fathers, Mothers and elders often worn different colors to their inferiors.

animal War Paint  - Making Animal War Paints

The people of the woods made animal War Paint from the natural resources that were available to them to make different colored dyes and pigments including red clays, barks and berries, white clays and eggshells, black charcoal, yellow from flowers, plants and moss, blue from clays and duck manure and green from moss and algae. Paint in it's simplest form, consists of ground up pigment suspended in some sort of liquid, or binder such as urine, spit, egg yolks, animal fat and blood.

Meaning of animal War Paint Colors

There were so many nomads tribes of the people of the woods it is only possible to generalise the most common meanings of the colors and patterns of animal War Paint, Body Paint or Face Paint.

    Red Color Symbolised war, blood, strength, energy and power
    Black was used to symbolize victory and might be applied to the horse before returning home to the camp
    White Color Symbolised mourning but might also mean peace
    Blue Color Symbolised wisdom and confidence
    Yellow Color Symbolised the color of death. Yellow indicated that the wearer and animal were brave and were willing to fight to the death
    Green Color Symbolised endurance, and is seen as a great healing power and believed to improve vision - green circles might be painted around the eyes of a horse
    Purple color symbolised power, mystery and magic

[Shantis]

For today, let's talk about animal spirits, which protect each member of our tribe, and although there are many others, I'll start by explaining these to you... - Mother of the Butterflies

Stag/Deer

The stag  animal spirit has high ideals and aspirations. If you want to start a new project, get a Stag sign to help you. They will not be deterred from their vision. They are thorough, patient and their persistence insures their triumphs. When others have long given up, Stags buck their way past boundaries. They are proud, and rightfully so – they hold themselves in a regal way. They are naturally noble, like they came from royalty. This is not to say Stags feel entitled. Far from it. They believe in righteous hard work, and their integrity is their trademark.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

The stag is a symbol of strength in countless cultures, legends and myth throughout history and across the globe. In the wilderness these beasts are stunning to behold. Most notably, their antlers are symbolic of their dominance within the ranks of Nature.

The bigger the rack (antlers) – the more virile they are considered (by both doe and in human archetypal understanding). In their environment – antlers are tools and weapons. In a battle of territory and sexual conquest, size does matter and a massive antler-arrangement goes a long way to insure proper respect. Same holds true with a stag tattoo sporting an awesome fan of antlers. They’re symbolic of age (wisdom), elitism and superiority. Antlers are also considered a solar feature by many Native perspectives. It’s because antlers resemble expanding rays of the sun. If we add solar symbolism to stag antlers, we get a symbolic mix of: Vitality, Energy, Radiance and Right-Action.

Stag tattoo ideas can also include the recycling nature of all life. Here again, it’s their antlers that point to this aspect. Stags grow antlers in the Spring (symbolic of birth, renewal, the return of life), and fall off in the Fall (symbolic of death, introspection and hibernation). Are you keen about your own personal cycles of being? Do you profoundly feel the rise and fall of Nature and Time? The Stag might help you express these stirrings in a bold way.

Of course, if you’re a hunter, a Stag tattoo might be common sense. Let’s hope you’re in touch with the ancient history behind hunting, and the fact of interconnectivity of all life. Maybe a Stag tattoo can galvanize the concept of becoming one with Nature…as in, the hunter and the hunted sharing an infinite bond – a shamanistic sharing of souls.

In both ancient myths and modern urban stories, the stag is featured as a symbol of magical power. You might even recall the famous stag patronus charm conjured by druids! Much of this deals with the majesty and awe-inspiring presence the stag commands. As a tattoo, the stag might be a perfect symbol of intense power and magic. In druid symbolism, the Stag is held in high regard. A symbol of masculine fortitude and an icon of virile power. In their myths, a white Stag was considered a message of divine importance of the nature. Tons of heroes of ancient legend were lead to (enlightenment?) victory by a white stag.

Cat

Quick minded, and even quicker wit, the cat of the year packs a pounce in the realm of intellect. This animal spirit sign has impeccable reasoning abilities, but moreover they have a knack for seeing the underside of things, a “sixth mental sense” if you will. They have unorthodox vision, and should be called upon when fresh new perspectives are needed in a project. They also have a kind, humanitarian quality that makes them lovable. Although sometimes they can appear aloof because they like to be on the fringe, always observing. Nevertheless, they have the best intentions at heart. Cats are also very creative, and need an artistic outlet to express themselves.


The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

Cats. Whether you love ’em, or hate ’em…there is no denying cats are cram-packed with symbolic meanings. Almost every culture has some kind of myth or story to tell that features the feline. The myths are just as rigid in good vs. evil as people’s opinions about cats. Some cultures villainize them, other cultures worship them. No matter personal opinion, or stance in myth – the cat is a worldwide icon in the nature, in the urban life, arcane symbolism or in other fields of knowledge. Cats have influenced humankind’s imaginations and made themselves an anchor in legend and lore told over campfires for centuries. As an ancient symbolic animal spirit, the cat represents the guardian of the Otherworld (or Underworld, depending which texts you read from various regions). Stoic, silent and mysterious, cats fit the bill of Otherworld guardians quite well. They keep the secrets of the Otherworld eternally to themselves, as they gaze with guile upon a world that does not see or understand the depth of their knowledge. However, black cats in ancient lore were profund feared, and were sacrificed.

In some traditions, black cats have been associated with witchcraft. This is due to black being associated with supposed perils of the night, and the cat is associated with transformation just as the veil of night shifts our perception of reality. Witches and cats go together like traffic and weather. Much of this connection may be due to the unpredictable and cagey nature of the cat (in general). In old the lore of some groups, the cat was an unsettling sight to some. And as with all symbolism, once an understanding of something is accepted, word spreads, and a whole people or tribe will adopt the meaning. Same with cats. A segment of the population established the cat as nefarious, a bunch of other people bought the bad rap, and superstition about cats went viral. Witches got a bad rap too. Their beliefs were not easily explained, just as cat behavior can be baffling. So the two made great bedfellows.

But there are plenty of segments in human population that adore and even worship the cat. Ancient stories a cat was sacred to Selune, the moon goddess. Here the cat was also considered a guardian of homes and a symbol of domestic goodness. In other cultures lore, the cat is honored for saving a king from an attack by a fierce snake. Here it is believed the “M” marking on the forehead of many tabby cats is the mark of the mastery, protecting the king.

In some nomads, the legend of the cat is depicted drawing the chariot of their fertility symbol, and therefore the cat is thought of as a blessing upon newborns and a good omen for those increasing their family ranks. In ancient nomads of the desert, cats were sacred and were even depicted on the head of their ancient lunar spirits, which was worshipped by the ancient druids. In the honor of these spirits , cats were even mummified along with mice for them to eat.

Lastly, the cat animal symbolism is about mystery. Unfortunately, its unpredictability has given the cat a bad name in some areas of folk lore, specifically witchcraft as mentioned. In actuality, this is an asset that can be harnessed by us humans. Sometimes displaying very strange behavior and antics, you can never really pin a cat down. Simply put, the cat animal symbolism is synonymous with magic and psychic power because of its sometimes unorthodox and surreptitious behavior. In essence, the cat teaches us a lesson about being the value of being unique. Often it’s the bold, unpredictable and a little crazy among us that reap the broadest benefits in life.  The good news is, this mystery is a message to us that we have the power over illusion.

Cat animal symbolism reminds us to not fall prey to false beliefs, to not be a fool out of ignorance and derive understanding from our own internal wisdom. The cat beckons us to realize that when we turn within to our own hearts, minds and souls, and trust in ourselves we will always be shown the truth of matters.

Some key traits of a cat, as animal spirit and symbolism :

- Astute
- Clever
- Selective
- Secretive
- Mysterious
- Intuitive
- Intelligent
- Independent
- Supernatural
- Watchfulness

Snake/Adder

The animal spirit of the snake has a cool exterior but are infinitely lively. They are curious and are always full of questions about how the world works, and how the people around them work (even if they aren’t openly asking, you can bet they’re figuring out the answers in their own mind). Snakes are natural communicators, and they can be hugely persuasive. If they are passionate about a cause they can round up the whole neighborhood with their zeal and enthusiasm for their purpose. Snakes can be spontaneous and unpredictable too. And although they’re pretty flexible, they like things to go their way (who doesn’t?), and will prove to be uncooperative if pushed in a corner.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

As tribal symbol, the snake can be a masculine symbol, associated with the phallus of lightning which is considered a medicine staff of tremendous assertive power. Other tribes lean in the direction of feminine attribution for the snake and pair it with mothering (creation), and lunar (moon) symbolism. Whether raising itself in masculine authority, or encircling the Earth in a motherly fashion the snake symbol of the tribal was highly regarded; utilized in ritual to invoke an element of pointed focus and weighty influence.

The ancient druids were extremely nature-wise too, and approached snake symbolism from the behavior and life cycle of this magnificent creature. From the druid perspective, the snake was a symbol of secret knowledge, cunning and transformation. Furthermore, the snake druidic symbol comes from observations of the viper (also known as the adder) which is the only (along with the common grass snake) species able to tolerate the colder climate of the ancient woods and plains. In the keen druidic mind, snake symbolic meaning of transformation came from the shedding of its skin. Physical evidence of leaving its form behind (casting off the old self), and emerging a sleeker, newer version made the snake a powerful symbol of rebirth and renewal.

As far as the occult (hidden) symbolic meaning in duidic and other cultures, this can be connected to the sleuth-like ways of the snake. The saying ‘slippery as a snake’ is a small nod to its symbolic secretive nature. It’s nothing to do with slippery, but rather how snakes can dart quickly into hiding places high and low. Their effective camouflage is also symbolic of hiding, shadow realms, secrets. In this light, the snake as an animal spirit offers the gift of manuevering under the radar. Snake is a friend among people who are good at laying in wait and then strike when the opportunity appears.

Snake symbolic meaning, overwhelmingly and in various cultures, deals with primordial life force and usually turns our attention to gender supremacy (both male and female). Consequently, snakes span the symbolic bridgebetween lunar and solar associations as well as aspects between water and fire. Coiled within this polarity, we clearly see symbolism of duality and the search for balance. Other snake symbolic meaning includes:

- Cycles
- Rebirth
- Patience
- Fertility
- Eternity
- Balance
- Cunning
- Intuition
- Awareness
- Healing
- Intellect
- Protection
- Solemnity
- Rejuvenation
- Transformation
- Occult (hidden) Knowledge
- Male/Female, Duality

Fox

The fox animal spirit is amazingly cunning and knows how to work a room with sly, sexy humor. Full of guile, vigor and bright intelligence the fox is an untamable force. This animal spirit is the one to take with you on exotic vacations, they will wind your ways into amazing adventures. They have a knack for story telling, and every experience is fodder for their tales. They are tender-hearted, although they don’t show that soft side too often because they’re too busy playing and cracking jokes. However, they aren’t shy about showing their loyalty; if you are the friend of the fox, you have a friend for life. Highly energetic and courageous, the fox has an indomitable spirit.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

There is a good reason for the old adage: “clever as a fox”. In truth, these creatures are extremely clever, and remarkably resourceful. From hunting strategies to camouflage – the fox gets about the business of living life with sass and class. What’s more, the fox is a jaunty critter. Observe them in the wild, and you can’t help but think everything is a big joke for the fox, and their whole world a playground.

Many myths designate the fox as a jester or trickster, as you will read further in this article.  Whatever has brought you to this page of fox animal symbolism – I hope you come away from this explanation with new insight into this uncommon, lively beastie. In Kara-tur fox animal symbolism revolved around the afterlife. Lore has it that a fox sighting was thought to be a signal from the spirits of the deceased. Fox animal symbolism takes a turn of intelligence in the druidic realm, as the nomads believed the fox to be a guide, and was honored for its wisdom. The shamans, witchs and druids understood the fox knows the woods intimately, and they would rely upon the fox as their guide in the spirit world.

For followers of Jannath, the fox was considered one of the rain spirits, and a messenger of the rice and crops. Here the fox also symbolizes longevity and protection from evil. In the barbarian or nomad lore, fox animal symbolism deals with two interpretations. One perspective (for nomad tribes) observes the fox as a wise and noble messenger. The other (Plains tribes) views the fox as a trickster playing pranks, or worse – luring one to demise.

he fox may have a reputation as a trickster in many myths, but this critter doesn’t joke around when it comes to executing clever strategies for survival. The fox encourages us to think outside of the box and use our intelligence in different, creative ways. The fox also brings us a message to try to approach our circumstances differently that we normally would. Be aware of some of our habits, and try a different angle of action. The fox also a reminder that we must utilize all of our resources (seen and unseen) in order to accomplish our goals.

Overwhelmingly, cultural consensus on fox animal spirt symbolism deals with themes like…

- Wisdom
- Cunning
- Strategy
- Cleverness
- Adaptability
- Quick-thinking

Bull, Cow of Buffalo

Strong, loving, stable and sure are the watchwords for the bulls of the ancient lunar year. Cows/bulls are the ones you turn to when you need a shoulder to cry on, honest opinions and solid advice (particularly in relationships). These animal spirits have bullseye intuition and can spot a liar from a mile away. Because they’re highly intuitive, they can be misunderstood as moody or over emotional. They also come by stubborness honestly. They have excellent taste, and have a flair for classy elegance in fashion and home décor. These signs are as trustworthy as the day is long, and know how to keep a secret.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

The purpose of this page is to identify a few bull symbols for more soulful applications, or even for tattooing purposes. Because of its virility, power and regal presence, the bull has been an icon for worship in many ancient cultures. The bull was considered a sacred animal animal spirit. It is common to see the bull offered as a blood sacrifice in these cultures.

In druid or barbarian culture, many bull symbols can be found, as it was a very prominent animal in the clan. Bulls presented physical strength and power. To the nomads way of thought, the bull was also extremely virile, and so symbolized fertility and the power to procreate – to extend the life of the clans. Druids associated the bull with solar energy and the female cow with earth energy. The bull was also symbolic of great luxury, wealth and provision by later tribes. Indeed, cattle were a source of income and supply in many forms – a way of life for the barbarians and druids for centuries.

The druidic bull symbol stands for strong will, an uncompromising nature, and even belligerence. Due to its unbending, stubborn personality traits, we get the term “bull-headed.” from the bull. The bull is also a virile sign for men, and a sign of fertility for women. Donning the bull symbol in the tribal bed chamber (depicted on sheets, robes, pillows, etc) is said to enhance the mental state leading to sexual strength and endurance. A third representation of the bull sign is that of riches and wealth. Likely due to the fact that this creature was a great source of food the tribes, it can easily be associated with easier, fairer, and abundant times in the barbarian or nomads villages.

In a more civilited, urban sense of the people who live in towns or village, the bull symbol identifies an upward trend in the stock market. Here we see the bull as a symbol of confidence and strength. Although the source is unknown, common knowledge tells us that the bull became a symbol of strong investment trends because of its style of attack. A bull swings its horns upwards in a mighty push, hence the comparison to a intense upward movement in the stock market. Conversely, the bear is identified with a downard market trend, presumably because of its downward strike when attacking.

Some Things Bull Symbols Represent:

- Stability
- Virility
- Strength
- Stamina
- Provision
- Confidence
- Fertility
- Helpfulness
- Determination

Seahorse

The animal spirit of seahorse is vastly flexible and resourceful. The seahorse is the person you want managing your finances or handling your legal matters because these people are infinitely clever (if there’s a loophole, they’ve either found it or invented it). They also have amazing memory retention. They are sometimes hard to follow because they’re minds are so sharp. They can also be changeable, but they always come back around to a level of high charisma. These people are astoundingly versatile and adapt remarkably well in any environment. Seahorses are so loveable too. Even better, they love being adored, and easily reciprocate affection. 

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

The symbolic meaning of seahorse is quite intricate and diverse as this little creature itself is full of surprises. The seahorse is quite a unique creature, and thought to have mystical significance among the people who live close of the sea. The Ancient druids believed the seahorse was an attribute of the spirits of the sea and as such, the seahorse was considered a symbol of strength and power. Furthermore, the ancient tribes believed that the seahorse carried the souls of deceased sailors to the underworld – giving them safe passage and protection until they met their soul’s destination. In Kara-tur believed that the seahorse was a type of sea dragon, and as such they were revered for their power and thought to be symbols of good luck. Sailors have long viewed the seahorse as a good luck charm too.

A relatively calm, and mild-mannered creature, the seahorse is seemingly content to roam the seas. Their bodies are geared for ambling-type motion – not for speed. Thus, they are symbolic of patience and contentment – they are happy with being where they are, and are in no hurry for advancement. Further testimony to these attributes is the lack of evolution of the seahorse’s body style. They have remained with this body style without change since their inception. Content to be who they are, and not feeling the need to change – these are a few profound lessons the seahorse provides us. However, along with a resistence to change, and a carefree approach to progress, the seahorse can be a symbol of inflexibilty or stubborness. To wit, the seahorse wraps its tail around the nearest object in order to anchor itself in turbulent waters. This is a lesson to be persistent in our goals, but be mindful that we are not too inflexible or stubborn in our achieving them.

Symbolic meaning of Seahorses carry the following significances…

- Patience
- Protection
- Perspective
- Inflexibility
- Persistence
- Friendliness
- Contentment
- High-Perception
- Generosity/Sharing

Wren

The wren animal spirit is associated with freshness, and opening to new insights, and sunnier dispositions. They are natural care givers and will sign sweet melodies to cheer their friends and family. They remain calm in the midst of stormy weather. You want to have these people with you if you find yourself in a crisis; they are resourceful and stay cool under pressure. Wrens are self-motivated (they know how to get what they want) and work best in solo situations. They are also have a high sense of responsibility and moral integrity. They seek balance in their lives by being leaders at work on in the community, but secretly they would rather be traveling abroad living a life of a gypsy (this however, is often against their better judgment).

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

To understand druidic meanings of any kind, it’s important to know how the ancient folk approached daily life. We know from old studies that the druids, rangers and barbarians had a deep reverence for nature. This kind of awe and appreciation of nature comes from intense submersion and observation. In other words, the druids and the followers of the nature keenly observed their surroundings and its animal inhabitants to the point where every nuance of a tree, blade of grass, a bird or animal was notated and attributed to some aspect of life. Druids translated animal behaviors as highly significant and symbolic as animal spirit.

In so doing, in spiritual meanings of this little bird begin with observations in raising their young. Both male and female wrens take part in caring for their young. This is symbolic of sharing tasks within the home. It’s also a reminder to not getting stuck in gender roles, and approach the “traditional” from a fresh, innovative angle. The wren is an active little bird, and so its symbolic  meanings include activity, vibrancy, alertness and efficiency. The wren is rarely seen resting on her laurels. The druids honored that fastidiousness, and took the lesson of making progress each day to heart in their own lives.

- Friendliness
- Sharing
- Determined
- Quick-Witted
- Active
- Agile
- Creativity
- Light-Hearted
- Free-Spirited

Horse

Exuberant, expansive and powerful, the animal spirit of the horse will give you a run for your money. Naturally competitive, and rightfully so. The horse has loads of talent, and enough confidence to go ‘round, particularly in business matters. They have a sixth sense when it comes to strategy and navigation (these signs have an uncanny internal compass). They are gregarious, and openly charming (even flirty). They make grand appearances, and know how to carry themselves with style and authority. They do well in leadership positions, but they are just as happy to be the helpers of the clan (as long as they are given adequate recognition for their talents and contributions). Potentially headstrong, they are also valiant in times of adversity.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

Horse symbol meanings date back to prehistory, and the first civilized, written acknowledgement of the horse as reference this noble, wild beast. Due to its natural companionship with man in both work and art, the horse easily wins a special seat in history, ranking high marks of honor, reverence and symbolism. Serving man in war, mobility, productivity, agriculture, development of all kinds, the horse is by far one of the largest contributor to the enhancement of civilization. With such recognition and accomplishments, a vast and diverse trail of symbol meanings is sure to follow the horse’s rich history with humankind.

As a tribal symbol,the horse was associated with war. With war, comes attributes of victory, conquer, longevity as well as procurement of territory and other spoils that come with triumph in battle. All of these heady aspects of valor were associated with the horse in druidic animal symbolism. In fact, so much so, the druids hailed the horse as the beast belonging to the spirits of earth, wind and the light of the sun. As inner meaning as tribal symbol, the horse symbol meanings combine the grounded power of the earth with the whispers of wisdom found in the spirit winds. The horse has long been honored has helper, messenger, and harbinger of spirit knowledge to the nomad or barbarian tribes. Considered wild and an emblem of freedom, the nomads sees many potentialities in the symbolic nature of this noble creature.

Different colors of the horses reveal different meanings too.   

- Black horse: Mystery, death, night, secret, messenger of esoteric knowledge

- White horse: Light, sun, day, vitality, illumination, resurrection, messenger of birth

- Brown, grey, other earth colored horses: Grounding, stability, house and home, family, friendship, patience

- Spotted, dappled, many-colored horses: Imagination, creativity, travel, diversity, independence, opportunity

Another aspect of spiritual symbol meanings of the horse comes with the understanding that the wild freedom of the horse can be harnessed and used to the benefit of the tribe. This understanding comes only when man and beast enter a silent contract – acknowledging mutual respect and awareness of responsibility to each other.

- Power
- Grace
- Beauty
- Freedom
- Nobility
- Strength

Salmon or Fish

Salmon animal spirit dive deep in their inner waters for inspiration, bright visions and dreamy perspective. They are naturally intuitive but they don’t make a big deal out of it. These people have a unique view of the world which makes them some of the community’s best artists, poets and visionaries. Some times they dive way too deep for the rest of us, and some just can’t follow where they swim. But that’s okay, the fish sign needs that kind of depth, isolation and introspection because when they come back up for air, the world is awed by their brilliance and insight.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

To fully appreciate the symbolic meanings of fish, we must first consider their watery domain. Water holds ancient symbolic meanings dealing with the subconscious and depth of knowledge. Water contains all the mysteriousness of the unknown. Consider the murky depths of the ocean – we never know quite what to expect there, or rivers. Even seasoned oceanic explorers are still awed by their findings from the deep. Water holds endless mystery for us – it represents that which is certainly there, but cannot always be seen…especially the activity that goes on beneath the surface. Water has also been known to be a womb symbol and as such, an emblem of birth, fertility and woman-ness. This association comes from many ancient flood myths, and the “from water springs life” concept. Given the wonder that its domain holds, the fish too has similar symbolic meaning.

Ancient traditions recognized the fish as a feminine symbol of fertility and an attribute of the Jannath godness. Water is a natural emblem of the flow of the Divine Mother principal, and as such, all creatures of the water (including fish) are aspects of the fertility and power of the female spirits of the nature. As an ancient druidic symbol, the symbolic meaning of fish (salmon, specifically) dealt with knowledge, wisdom, inspiration and prophecy. Ancient tribes believed the salmon derived its wisdom from consuming the sacred hazel nuts from the well of knowledge. Further, they believed to eat the salmon would mean gaining the wisdom of the well too.

There are numerous species of fish, but the creature in general holds some prime symbolic meanings:

- Fertility
- Eternity
- Creativity
- Femininity
- Good luck
- Happiness
- Knowledge
- Transformation

Swan

Spiritually evolved, and eloquent in expressing themselves, the swan swims in a class of their own. They have high standards, infinitely discriminating tastes and they have a keen eye for beauty (even when others cannot see it). Very refined and noble, sometimes the swan is mistaken as detached. This however, is not the case. The swan is a lover, and can prove to be quite passionate in relationships. That “coolness” comes from the swan’s understanding of composure. They’re natural aristocrats. They can be exacting in details, and have specific ideas about how things should be done. If you want someone who is perceptive, organized and extremely tasteful, get a swan’s perspective.


The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

Did you know the swan is a symbolism of motherhood? Yep. They are also symbolic of love, devotion and partnership. This is likely because swans mate for many years, sometimes for life. Our first symbolic clues from the swan can be taken from observing them in nature. They are waterfowl, closely connected with water, even nesting near the water.  Water is symbolic of: Fluidity, Intuition, Dreaming, Emotions, Creativity.

In this respect, we can intuit the swan’s appearance in our lives as an arrow pointing to our dreamier depths and feelings. Furthermore, we get the sense of balance from swan meaning as it lives harmoniously amongst three of the four nature elements, showing a great balance. Grounding herself on earth, lofting to great heights in the air, and winding through waters with magnificent elegance. In the tribal mind, swans and geese were observed in the context of movement. Specifically, the keenly observant druids noted their transitory nature and the swan pattern of migration. Consequently, the sign of the swan urged druidic intuition to consider changes of mood (water) and heart (love).

Druidic myths also indicates when inhabitants of the Otherworld required passage to the physical land of life you and I experience every day, they would take the shape of the swan. Furthermore lore states they would travel out of the Otherworld in pairs, thus reinforcing the theme of union, bonds and partnership.

In tribal art, gold and silver chains are often depicted around the swan’s neck. I’ve read where this is symbolic of supernatural appearance of divine energy or the descent of gods to earth. I like to think the chains are symbolic of a harmony between cosmic forces; gold representing the sun, and silver symbolic of the moon. Perhaps the druids and the tribs recognized the essence of spirits of nature within the guise of the swan, and honored that power in the bird.

White swans in dreams and in general, are symbolic of cleansing and purifying ourselves and our lives. They are a sign of hope and promise. White swans are also a symbol of new beginnings – getting a fresh start. The white swan is a sign of pure potential – it represents that clean slate upon which anything can be created.

Black swans indicate deep mysteries within us that are longing to be set free to express themselves creatively.  Black swans indicate the action of diving into dark spaces of our emotions and our psyche.  Remember, swans stand for intuition and dreams. Combined with the color black, this swan might be a sign it’s time to shine some light on our shadow selves. Or, they may indicate a message to embrace our dark side.

Swan meaning is also linked to nature spirits with solar associations. As solar animals, the swan represents the rising glory of a new day as well as the farewell of an old day with the setting sun.

- Love
- Grace
- Union
- Purity
- Beauty
- Dreams
- Balance
- Elegance
- Partnership
- Transformation

Butterfly

This animal spirit sign lives up to the adage “social butterfly.” Flitting from friend to friend in parties, and always in contact with loved ones. They can’t help it. Butterflies are gentle souls who can’t be tied down for very long. They love to dream, express new ideas and talk about high- falutin plans with all their friends. These are the people who brighten up any dark day with their cheer and magnetically bright personalities. They are naturally empathetic, and would never intentionally harm anyone. Rather, they make easy friends, and like to see others uplifted. Butterflies bring a sense of wonder and youth to our world. Keep these people around you to remind you of how truly good life can be.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

Interpreting animal symbolism is a powerful way to connect with nature, and learn lessons from her creatures – lessons that we can apply to our own lives. Observing the butterfly and learning her symbolic meanings offers us an opportunity to apply her movements to our own lives. For example, we can relate the butterfly’s stages of life to our own life-phases…growing pains, times of ravenous hunger, times of vulnerability, moments of miraculous expansion. The more we seek symbolism in nature, the more we realize we have a lot in common with animals, insects and life in the wild realms. Indeed, we are intimately connected with the animal queen/kingdom – inseparable from nature and her movements.

Overwhelmingly, cultural myth and lore honor the butterfly as a symbol of transformation because of its impressive process of metamorphosis. From egg, to larvae (caterpillar), to pupa (the chrysalis or cocoon) and from the cocoon the butterfly emerges in her unfurling glory. What a massive amount of transition this tiny creature undergoes. Consider for a moment the kind of energy this expends. I daresay if a human were to go through this kind of change we’d freak out! Imagine the whole of your life changing to such an extreme you are unrecognizable at the end of the transformation. Mind you, this change takes place in a short span of about a month too (that’s how long the butterfly life cycle is).

Herein lies the deepest symbolic lesson of the butterfly. She asks us to accept the changes in our lives as casually as she does. The butterfly unquestioningly embraces the chances of her environment and her body. This unwavering acceptance of her metamorphosis is also symbolic of faith. Here the butterfly beckons us to keep our faith as we undergo transitions in our lives. She understands that our toiling, fretting and anger are useless against the turning tides of nature – she asks us to recognize the same.

Animal symbolism is a big deal in cultural identity. And the butterfly makes important appearances on the stage of human beliefs and understanding. Interestingly, in many cultures the butterfly is associated with the soul – further linking our meaning of faith with the butterfly.

As mentioned, tapping into animal symbolism is akin to tapping into our own souls, because we are inseparable from nature and her creatures.

- Time
- Soul
- Grace
- Growth
- Elegance
- Expansion
- Lightness
- Surrender
- Transition
- Expression
- Celebration
- Resurrection
- Vulnerability

Wolf

Wolves have a strong sense of purpose, and will go to great lengths to see their point is made, and fully understood. This animal spirit is fearless, brave and they rarely compromise. These are the hero’s you want by your side in the heat of battle. They will not back down, and they will take no quarter. Others marvel at their inner fortitude. Where do they find the energy and wherewithal to keep going? They thrive on challenge, that’s what gives them their stamina. They have impeccable character, and “honor” is their middle name. They are strong willed, and sometimes live up to the “lone wolf” label. Nevertheless, you always know where you stand with them, and they will unite with you as long as you share their cause.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

To understand totem wolf symbols, one must first understand the heart of the wolf. This takes time because the wolf has had to endure many false stereotypes, misconceptions and misunderstandings. Not at all the picture of ferocity or terror, the wolf is a creature with a high sense of loyalty and strength. Another misconception is that of the “lone wolf.” To the contrary, the wolf is actually a social creature, friendly, and gregarious with its counterparts.

The wolf is an incredible communicator. By using touch, body movements, eye contact as well as many complex vocal expressions – the wolf makes his point understood. Those with totem wolf symbols are of the same inclination – they are expressive both vocally and physically. Those who have the wolf as their totem animal are naturally eloquent in speech, and also have knack for creative writing.

As a natural symbol, the Wolf was a source of lunar power. This means it has knowledge that is not clearly seen by most other creatures. Druidic lore states that the wolf loved having this advantage of uncommon knowing and uncanny intuition. So much so, it is said the wolf would hunt down the sun and gobble it up so that the moon’s power would come forth. This, in legend, made the wolf consummate hunters. With these remarkable senses, the wolf was seen as a guardian and ally to the druids. Indeed, the rangers and barbarians became friendly with them, and relied on them for both protection of threat (the wolf being able to sense danger) and aid in hunting.

In Kara-tur, the wolf guards the doors that allow entrance to heavenly, celestial realms. The wolf is also said to be among the ancestry of the emperor. This legend grew to the point where all ancient wariors believed they were descended from wolves. In other lands the wolf is considered very lucky. Offerings of rice are placed in small shrines of Jannath, devoted to protect all wildlifes. These offerings were intended to appease the wolf, and incourage them to hunt down pests that distrubed crops.

- Loyalty
- Cunning
- Intuition
- Intelligence
- Independence
- Compassionate
- Communication

Hawk or Falcon

Seldom do we see more focus in the animal spirit than that of the hawk. When these signs see something they want, they go after it with a force that is remarkable. If, however, they aren’t interested in a project, they will fly off to other more interesting prospects. They care deeply for wisdom, and often focus on sharing that knowledge with others. They can be very philanthropic and generous. Hawks have a keen sense of balance, and they navigate through life with an internal “true north” that creates an uncanny integrity within them. They are open minded and philosophical. Although they entertain all manner of hypotheses, they are strongly opinionated (that inner “true north” thing). That is not to say they cannot be persuaded. You might also want to read my page on Falcon Meaning here.

The symbolism behind paintings and tattoos

The falcon as animal spirt comes to us when we require higher vision, or higher knowledge in solving current dilemmas in our lives. The falcon is a solar emblem for success, victory and rising above a situation. Further evidence of its solar influence, the falcon was symbolic of the rising sun in the nomads of the desert. It is also the king of all birds where many nature spirits were shown with the head or body of the Falcon. In barbarian or nomad tradition, the falcon represents the huntsman and is associated with the nature sky-spirits. In most tribes the Falcon is considered a warlike symbol. At its core, the falcon or hawk animal spirit represents visionary power, wisdom, and guardianship. This powerful bird awakens visionary power, and leads you to your life purpose. The falcon carries with it a message of transition and change – perhaps in your vocation, work, career, etc.

The Peregrine is most often used in falconry due to its keen intellect and incredible ability to calculate or judge its prey. Falcon animal spirit encourage us to calculate and strategize. If we have a goal, falcons beckon us to make plans and strategies to obtain these goals. Falcons are all about focus – strong, one-pointed focus. When they show themselves to us, we are being called to focus on our desires and our goals, and do what is necessary to bring our desires into our reality. The fact that the falcon is a solar creature could mean there is something in your life that you are highly passionate about, and the Falcon is asking you to take action on this passion. But be smart about it – don’t jump into something without doing research and planning. Make your passion a reality by persuing it methodically and as stratigically as the Falcon would persue his hunt

- Spirit
- Light
- Power
- Focus
- Prophecy
- Freedom
- Aspiration
- Intensity
- Superiority
- Determination

[Shantis]

Children, this time let's talk about rituals. I will not go into specific details of them, but explain in a generalized way, to understand better.

Purpose of the ritual

Very obvious, but it's something that is undeniably very important. What is the purpose of the ritual? Are you appeasing a spirit of nature? Are you making an offering in trade for occult knowledge? Are you performing a ritual of healing to prevent your lover from dying?

Think about who you're doing the ritual for. Depending on your goals and values, there can be a lot of different entities, or even other people, that you can involve in the ritual and it's worth it to exploring these possibilities beforehand. Also think of what the goal of the ritual is. The goal is often tied with who you're doing the ritual for, especially in rituals to keep the balance of nature or asking help to gods, because the religious entities will have properties and distinct blessings.

These two factors will have a big impact on the symbolism and items you can use for the ritual and having these factors concrete when starting will prevent confusion once you're actually doing the ritual. It may seem stupid, but I've done rituals myself without really knowing associated.


People involved in the ritual

This is very important, since the performace is based on the interaction with other people.

Think about how private the ritual is and how many people you need to perform it. Consider that the more people you invite, the more chance there is that people will be unable to be there and that this can cause a serious kink in your plans, especially when you're working with symbolical numbers. If there are people who are the focus of the ritual prepare them for what is to come. Suspense is a powerful tool in focus our powers, but being prepared for what's to come can also offer the chance to think about what words you can write up as a ritual leader.


Symbolism

Symbolism. The possibilities are endless, but I'm going to try and give some extra ideas so you may expand the symbolism and spiritual content of your ritual. Symbols are very culturally determined and differ, but I will try to give some general ideas to get started.


- Numbers

Numbers, though not very commonly thought of as having a ritualistic aspect, -do- have spiritual meanings. Here's a short list of 0 to 9, along with meanings.

1, the number of unity and independance.
2, the number of dualism, associated with the unity of sky and earth and thus with fertility of the land.
3, associated with fertility, creation and balance.
4, associated with the physical world and stability.
5, the number of essence and the unity of the four elements, also associated with pentagrams.
6, the number of love, perfection, integration, but also associated with contradiction.
7, the number of perfection and eternal life.
8, number of cause and consequence, associated with prosperity, authority and justice.
9, the number of inauguration

- Runes

Runes are very important as concrete symbols of magic with meaning. I imagine runes would be an important part of many different types of rituals. They could be applied to a vessel, into the air, on your body, on the floor. The power of the runes, and where they are placed are an important point, or even essential, to do the rituals properly


- Reagents

Reagents are perhaps the most important aspect once the ritual has actually started. Reagents are incredibly diverse, but I will give some examples to show some of the possibilities. Reagents can be used as offerings, like when you offer the bounty of a harvest or personal items to godness Jannath, but also as items you channel magic through or as items you store magical energy in, to empower your magic.

- Crystals, stones, ores
- Fruits, vegetables
- Flesh
- Herbs
- Fabrics
- Pearls
- Tears, blood, saliva
- Bones, claws, fangs
- Spiritual essence of a creature, or soul
- Pelts
- Tomes
- Candles

The list is simply endless.


- Colours

Colours are very obvious and easily thought it when it comes to symbolism. Colours can set mood and have powerful associations and meanings in all cultures. Take the culture of your race or region into account here too. Green may be a symbol of nature and prosperity.

White, the colour of divinity, lifeforce and energy. Often associated with the sun.

Black, not only the colour of death, but also the colour of rebirth and acceptance of future.

Red, a colour associated with blood and thus the essence of life. It is also generally tied with physical power, determination, courage and battle.

Orange, fertility, happiness and health.

Yellow, the colour that has both a positive and a negative association. Positively it is often associated with communication, negatively with lies and betrayal.

Green, associated with the heart, love, emotions and nature.

Blue, the colour of healing, wisdom and justice.

Purple, often associated with nobility, magic and spiritual power.

Brown, associated with the earth and instinctive wisdom.

Pink, the colour of friendliness, harmony and family.

Gray, both a colour associated with flexibility, but also mystery and protection.

Gold, associated with wealth and ambition.

Silver, a colour commonly associated with the moon and dreams.


- Elements

A very logical aspect in shamanistic, druidic and tribal, and to a certain extend also in more cultured rituals. Elements have various, complex associations and are very culturally defined, so like with the colours I'll just give a general list with common associations.

Earth
The element of the stoic. Solid and unmoved. On one hand it's associated with rugged, physical strength and defensive power, on the other hand it is associated with nurture, healing and life. Earth within a ritual can be symbolised with soil, crystals and ores.

Water
While often associated with healing and life, water also has the properties of erosion and treachery. You often can't see how deep water is untill you get in and if you're unlucky it will suck you in and drown you. Characteristic attributes are calmth and patience. Water within a ritual can be symbolised with a vessel of water, fishscales or pearls.

Air
The element of air is fickle and everchanging. Air can be seen as a soothing breeze, but it also endangers the inhabitants of the world in the form of tornados. Air within a ritual can be symbolised with incense or feathers.

Fire
Fire is an interesting element. It gives warmth and safety, but when you get too close it burns you. When fire will destroy something it will give room for new beings to grow from the ashes. Fire is the element of rebirth and anger. Fire within a ritual can be symbolised with an actual fire, ashes, candles or reagents that come from dragons.

The elements combined
The elements combined can have different manifestations, depending on culture. Some will call it Aether, some will call it life, and others may say that the elements combined produce Storm (as having all the attributes of the four elements).

Keep in mind, when dealing with the elements is that they are always twosided. They all have constructive attributes and destructive attributes and they all allow for continuety of life.


- Location

The location is probably the second thing you think of and is very important, or very unimportant, depending on the purpose of the ritual. The location has to be accesable for the people you invite. There is an aspect of symbolism in location too. Your character may want to hold its ritual in a place that he or she values or associates with certain ideals or attributes.

Try to find a location with a clear focal point. This can be the center of a room, a small hill, an altar, etcetera. Focal points will often be picked naturally by people, even when there's not a clear, concrete focal point, but if you plan the focal point ahead of the event you will have power and control over it.


- Time

Planning the time of the ritual can be important to assure that there will be a lot of people. Since the performace is often done in the evening you can plan your ritual event accordingly. Keep in mind that time also has symbolical values. Morning, noon, evening, night, they all have properties and associations that can affect the setting of the ritual in a very positive way.  Seasons also have these symbolical values you may want to incorporate into your ritual as the phases of life.


- Sacrifice

An undeniably powerful tool in tribal rituals would be sacrifice. Giving your own blood or the blood of an offering to a higher entity is the epitome of trust. Giving blood, life or a part of your soul (in the case of shamans) will establish a spiritual debt and will be a proof of commitment to the one you gift it to. There's also the possibility to sacrifice a part of your being in the form of an oath. By designing a pact with an entity it would be possible to create a situation where both sides lose something, but also gain something. Or maybe just both gain something.

Lastly an individual may choose to offer a favour to the entity or power he or she is sacrificing to. For example, a gnoll  who would design a ritual to appease his master could choose to vow to symbolically kill three panthers to show his worthyness to receive the entity blessings or help.

Here you should also remember that sacrifice doesn't always have to stand for a sacrifice of flesh and blood. Other things of value could be sacrificed, and they could be just as welcome. It's common enough to sacrifice food, wine and personally crafted items if they have an excelent quality. The people of the Woods sacrifice bows to call a better hunting. In terms, sacrificing precious gems and gold might also please some deities (such as spirits of the earth). Sacrificing favors, taking upon an spell-binding oath to fulfill some quest or to serve a certain spirit could also be viable, as would a sacrifice of soul (think demonic acts). Be creative with this. When people hear the word "sacrifice", they instantly start to think about a circle of hooded men and a ritual dagger. Get over that image, and you see that this part of ritual has plenty of options to offer.


Incantations and prayers

Uttering words can be very important in a ritual, especially when you're instructing people or need to communicate with an entity. Your personality is the most important when it comes to these, because it will have a lot of effect on how the words will be uttered. Dominant people might speak louder and more confidently, while a less dominant character may speak softer and more respectful. The personality will set the mood for the speech and influence it from there.

[Shantis]

In rituals, there are several different tools for performing a ritual. Each of them has a meaning, a specific use. Therefore, the right tool, combined with words and the right procedure, causes a more intense and concentrated effect, than using only words.

Altar

The altar is often the focus of religious ceremony, and is usually found at the center of a druidic ritual. It’s essentially a table used for holding all of the ritual tools, and can also be used as a workspace in spell casting. You can have permanent altars that stay up year round, or seasonal ones that you change as the Wheel of the Year turns.

It’s not uncommon to meet someone who has more than one altar in their home. A popular theme is the ancestor altar, which includes sculptures, ashes or heirlooms from deceased family members. Some people enjoy having a nature altar, on which they place interesting items they find while out and about – an unusual rock, a pretty seashell, a chunk of wood that looks appealing. Your altar is as personal as your spiritual path, so use it to hold the things you value.

Athame

The athame is used in many druids rituals as a tool for directing energy. It is often used in the process of casting a circle, and can be used in place of a wand. Typically, the athame is a double-edged dagger, and can be purchased or hand-made. The athame is not typically used for actual, physical cutting. If you'd like to make your own, there are a number of different ways to do it. Depending on how skilled you are with metalworking, this can be either a simple project or a complex one.

Bell

Hundreds of years ago, rural folks knew that loud noise drove away evil spirits, and the bell is a prime example of a good noisemaker. The ringing of a bell causes vibrations which are the source of great power. Variations on the bell include the shaking of a sistrum, a ritual rattle, or the use of a “singing bowl”. All of these can help bring harmony to a magical circle. In some forms of druids, the bell is rung to begin or end a rite, or to evoke the godness Jannath. A common ritual is to ring the bell 40 times, to honor the dead and calm their spirits.

Besom

The besom, or broom, is used for sweeping a ceremonial area out before ritual. A light sweeping not only cleans the physical space, it also clears out negative energies that may have accumulated in the area since the last cleaning. The broom is a purifier, so it is connected to the element of Water. It is not uncommon to meet druids who have broom collections, and it is fairly easy to make your own besom if you don't wish to buy one. The traditional magical formula includes a bundle of birch twigs, a staff of ash or oak, and a binding made from willow wands. In many belief systems, household items have their own set of magical properties. Quite possibly, few things are as magical as the basic broom. Long known as one of the most popular tools in a druidess magical arsenal, the broom has a lengthy and complex history of folklore, legend, and mystery behind it. 

Book of the Shadows (BOS)

A book of shadows, or BOS, is a druid notebook of information. It usually contains spells, rituals, correspondence charts, information about the rules of magic, invocations, myths and legends of various spirits, etc. Sometimes information in a BOS is passed along from one druid to another, but you can create your own with a little bit of effort. A BOS is a very personal thing, and should contain the information you find most important.

Unlike an arcane grimorie, a BOS contains no power, and its secrets are written in ancient language, which only another druid can read. By being a personal object, it is common for words, symbols and runes to be personalized in such depth that their secrets are passed from a mentor to their apprentice. And when you have more than one apprentice, the druid passes his Bos to the elder, and this, teaches the younger ones to create their own BOS.

Candles

The candle is a commonly used tool in druid rituals. In addition to being used as symbols of the god and goddess of any faith, and the element of fire, candles are often used in spell workings. The theory is that candles can absorb your personal energy and then release that energy as they burn. In some traditions of Hoodoo and rootwork, candles are burned for a specific amount of days as part of the working. Some people believe that a candle you make yourself is far more powerful than one that is purchased. Others believe that it is the intent you put into the working that makes a difference, and not the source of the candle. Regardless, most traditions or specific rituals recognize certain colors as important to candle magic.

Cauldron

The cauldron, like the chalice, is found in many goddess-oriented traditions of druids. It is feminine and womblike, the vessel in which life begins. Typically, it represents the element of Water on the altar. In ancient mythology, the cauldron is associated with powers of prophecy. The keeper of the cauldron of knowledge and inspiration in the Underworld.

There a number of magical ways you can use your cauldron:

- Burn incense, candles, or offerings in it
- Use it to represent the goddess of your tradition
- Blend herbs in it for magical workings
- Fill it with water and use it for moonlight scrying

Keep in mind that many magical uses will make your cauldron unsuitable for food preparation, so if you're going to use one, keep a separate cauldron designated as your magical one. Also, be sure to season your cauldron properly if it's made from cast iron.

Chalice

The chalice, or cup, is found in many goddess-oriented traditions of druids. Like the cauldron, the chalice is feminine and womblike, the vessel in which life begins. Typically, it represents the element of Water on the altar. In some covens, the chalice is used in tandem with the athame to represent the female aspect of the Divine during a symbolic re-enactment of the Great Rite.

Chalices may be of any material. Many use silver or pewter (be careful with untreated metals when serving wine), but ceramic ones are now quite popular and readily obtainable. Some druids have many different kinds for different types of rituals. Many a practitioner will avoid real "lead" crystal because of the energy influence. The chalice is sometimes passed around the circle so each participant may take a sip from the cup. This is a bonding experience and often the words "May you never thirst!" are passed throughout the circle with the chalice.

Crystals

There are literally hundreds of stones out there to choose from, but which ones you opt to use will depend on your intent. Select crystals and gemstones for use based upon their correspondences, or attributes, and you won’t go wrong. You can also use birthstones in magical workings. Each month of the year has its own birthstone - and each stone has its own magical properties.  Keep in mind that when you get a new crystal or gemstone, it's not a bad idea to cleanse it before your first use.

Divination Tools

There are many different methods of divination that you may choose to use in your magical practice. Some people opt to try many different types, but you may find that you’re more gifted in one method than others. Take a look at some of the different types of divination methods, and see which one - or more! - works best for you and your abilities. And remember, just like with any other skill set, practice makes perfect! You don't need all of these different divination tools cluttering up your workspace - figure out which one or two you're more interested in, and work from there.

You may find you're fairly adept at reading Tarot cards, but can't figure out the Ogham staves. Perhaps you're really good with the pendulum, but the druidic runes make more sense to you. Brush up a little bit each day, and you'll find yourself getting more and more comfortable.

Pentacle

Nearly every tradition of druids uses the pentacle. Not to be confused with the pentagram (a five-pointed star), the pentacle is a flat piece of wood, metal, clay, or wax inscribed with magical symbols. The most commonly seen symbol, however, is the pentagram itself, which is why the two terms are often confused.

In ceremonial magic, the pentacle is used as a protective talisman. However, in most druids traditions it is seen as representative of the element of Earth, and can be used on the altar as a place to hold items that are going to be ritually consecrated. You can make your own.

Robes

Many druids prefer to perform ceremonies and rituals in special robes. If you're part of a circle or group, your robe might have to be a certain color or style. In some traditions, the color of the robe indicates the level of training a practitioner has. For many people, donning the ritual robe is a way of separating themselves from the mundane business of everyday life -- it's a way of stepping into the ritual mindset, of walking from the mundane world into the magical world. Most people prefer to wear nothing at all under their ritual robe, but do what is comfortable for you.

Staff

Many druids use a magical staff in rituals and ceremonies. While it's not a required magical tool, it can come in handy. The staff is typically associated with power and authority, and in some traditions only the High Priestess of Jannath or a mother of a nomad tribe carries one. In other traditions, anyone may have one. Much like the wand, the staff is considered symbolic of male energy, and usually is used to represent the element of Air (although in some traditions, it symbolizes Fire). Like other magical tools, the staff is something you can make yourself.

Wand

Clichéd as it may sound, the wand is one of the most popular magical tools in druidism, as well as in some ceremonial magic traditions. It has a number of magical purposes. A wand is used for the directing of energy during a ritual. Because it’s a phallic symbol it is used to represent male energy, power, and virility. Representative of the element of Air (although in a few traditions it symbolizes Fire), the wand can be used to consecrate a sacred space, or invoke deity.

There are wands of glass, copper, silver and other metals, but the "classic" material is still wood. Various woods have different magickal associations and uses. It is very common for a "Wand of the lightning" to have many wands of various types in his/her magickal closet. Druids who do not use athames often use a wand instead."




 

[Shantis]

Many things have changed recently. Since I began to follow my ways as a "witch," I became the "mother" of a new nomad tribe. It all started with me alone and Silver, my loyal friend ... Then came Lushen to support me, helping against diversities and dealing with his past and sadness with the civilited townfolk... Later came Briland and her faith in Jannath and love of the nature, renewing our inspirations... And Callum, a hunter who He walks the world, always present with us, even physically only sometimes. Later, Arrow and Eclipse come to our tribe and family, together with our new home, safe and sacred to us.

A short time later we had new faces. Leritous, someone who sought knowledge and continuity of the steps that his former mentor can not give him after leaving this world, ending his cycle.  Aurora and Jath. are two others lost, who have left their lives behind, after tragedies and problems, seeking a safe place to continue life, in peace with nature and away from the chaos of civilization.

We are now 7 people, the number of perfection and eternal life. I could not be more pleased in this new cycle in our tribe.

[Shantis]

chant of the wind and sky

Waiting for
Waiting for the sunrise
I'll never stare at walls alone
Shooting star
From the sky straight to our heart
Dancing like our are in the air

Chasing shadows, I'm just a stargazer
All I know, all we need is the sunrise

Close our eyes and fly away
We can own the sky with the wind

Waiting for
Waiting for the sunrise
We never stare at walls alone
Waiting for
Waiting for the rain to stop
Step outside before the dawn

Waiting for
Waiting for the sunrise
We never stare at walls alone

Waking up
Waving our arms in the air
And we are calling out the breeze

Light a fire so deep inside of our soul
So we can live the best we can so far

Walking on our broken dreams
Feel it all around us

Waiting for
Waiting for the sunrise
We never stare at walls alone
Waiting for
Waiting for the rain to stop
Step outside before the dawn

Looking for
Looking for light in the dark
Feeling like a fool for us

All right now
No one left to scream and shout
We wanna see our stars again

[Shantis]

Healing chant of the balance

Lay your hands on us
While we bleeding dry
Break on through blue skies
We take our spirits higher

All wrapped in circles
All dreams end in bright lights
Well, we here always
Brighter than sunshine

Lay your hands on me
Stay close by oue side
Guide us to balance
Moonlight and sunshine

Fading into the setting sun
We see you again and we carry on
Feeling our kind of frozen lands
We the fleeting sky,
We can sing that song

Let it go really far
Let it stop where we are
Spirit sounds in our land

Lay your hands on us
Stay close to our eyes
Guide us to the balance
Wake up in your world

[Shantis]

Our tribe has done a long exploration and training on sacred places for rituals, to aid in the balance and harmony of nature. And also about important places, with spirits of nature, besides others related.

[Shantis]

Briland and I spent several moments caring for wounded animals in the name of the balance of nature, seeking to be in harmony ... And also receiving the graces of the goddess Jannath to protect the wildlife, suffering from the corruption caused by the cilivized man.

[Shantis]

Our tribe and family, ever closer to nature and its balance, meditating and feeling in every way possible, the harmony.

[Shantis]

For a beautiful long morning, my husband and I, Lushen, talked about nature and the peace of its elements as we fished, planning to take the whole family and tribe to enjoy the beauty of the rivers of the region....

[Shantis]

After many problems, our family and tribe have grown a lot, having a safe place to rest, as well as having new seats, where we can all meet and talk together, as a united group that respects and loves each other.

[Shantis]

As a druidess, witch, mother who leads the tribe and who protects the family, my altar, with my tools to bless and protect the balance, not only of nature, but also of our souls, emotions and internal conflicts... To be able to have serenity and harmony to deal with challenges of the external world, and to seek the balance and peace of all that we meet by the way...

Spoiler

//thanks for everything!

[Shantis]

To be in harmony with nature, trying to understand it, in all its forms, be it people, plants or animals. Tiger, one of the most powerful hunters of nature, in his majestic presence, honoring with his wisdom in just one look.

[Shantis]

Visiting the tribe of Rengarth, paying our respects to the protective spirit of their tribe, bear.