The Awakening Time

Animal Totem : Falcon

Astrological Sun sign : Aries

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The Awakening Time is the first of the three cycles of spring and begins the growth and illumination cycle of the East at the the spring Equinox on 21st March. In astrology this time corresponds to the Sun moving into the sign of Aries with birth totem for Aries being Falcon.

The Awakening Time begins at the Spring Equinox which marks the arrival of Spring, when the Earth Mother brings forth new life that has lain within her womb during the winter. It is the time of the promised rebirth which was implicit in death. It is the resurrection into new life of that which appeared to be dead and to have vanished forever into invisibility. Its message is evident everywhere around – in the blush of green leaves on the trees, in the springiness of the grass beneath the feet, in the budding plants, and in the blossoming of the spring flowers that open their hearts to shout their message of joy and wonder.

It is a message not just of awakening, but of re-awakening, for it is the time of re-becoming.

With it come the fresh spring winds that enrich the air with new oxygen and blow into our lives giving us the vigour to clear out the clutter of debris that has accumulated over the winter. It is the time for a new spring outfit of clothes to brighten us and to help us to sense our renewal.

This is the beginning of the spring season when the Solar energies are waxing and gaining strength and bringing new life into manifestation.

Influencing Wind is the East Wind. Since the East Winds tempt people out into the open after their long periods spent indoors during winter, a quality associated with the East Wind is open-mindedness. When an open mind is maintained in any situation one is confronted with one will be in harmony with the influencing energies, yet if one adopts a stubborn attitude and close minds the flow of energies will be blocked and create obstructions and difficulties. As the East winds come from the direction of the dawn and the rising sun, they are also associated with awakening, of coming into a new awareness as illumination begins to reveal that which was once hidden or obscured. We can feel the urge for illumination in all areas of life., the need to see things more clearly, why they are and how things work out.

Since the power of the East is primarily with the spirit, one’s attention can be drawn to experiences which are intended to bring the relevance of principles of spiritual considerations or moral or ethical issues. The East also holds the energy of the male side of our nature which has the ability to go forth into uncharted areas of life and seek new ideas. Independence is the keynote. It allows us to seek the ideas that ring further enightenment, It is in the East that we challenge and concquor our greatest lessons in forward movement.

The East Wind totem is Eagle representing Spirit. Characteristic of the eagle is its ability to see great distances and farsightedness was considered an important quality of the East. It is of the importance of not being hurried into a situation because of any apparent immediate advantages and the need to look ahead and consider the long term consequences of any proposed action. Eagle Medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine. It is the ability to live in the realm of spirit, and yet remain connected and balanced within the realm of Earth. Eagle represents a state of grace achieved through hard work, understanding and a completion of the tests of initiation which result in the taking of one’s personal power. It is only through the trial of experiencing the lows in life as well as the highs, and through the trial of trusting one’s connection to the Great Spirit, that the ~right~ to use the essence of Eagle medicine is earned.

Eagle reminds us to take heart and gather our courage for the universe is presenting us with an opportunity to soar above the mundane levels of life. The power of recognising these opportunities may come in the form of spiritual tests. If we can be astute, we may recognise the places within our soul, personality, emotions or psyche that need bolstering or refinement. By looking at the overall tapestry Eagle teaches us to broaden our sense of self beyond the horizon of what is presently visible.

Influencing Direction is the North-East with the influencing Element being Fire. Elemental Fire is associated with the spiritual plane of existence which is sensed not with the eyes or the ears, nor by touch, but with the heart. It is experienced through love – not the love of self indulgence but the love that is a giving of oneself.

The mineral totem of Falcon is Opal - a glossy translucent stone which is a non-crystalline form of quartz. The common opal is milky white, but there are forms that are black and a greenish yellow, and another called fire opal which has luminous reds and purples in it. Opal comes from hot places and where there is pressure - like the cavities of volcanic rock or near hot springs. So it is a stone that is used to coping wit heat and withstanding pressure and consequently can be of particular help to those who find themselves under emotional pressure or undergoing fiery trials. Opal has a strong reflective nature and contains cosmic rays that amplify the traits of the human being that holds it. So it will strengthen the trait of its wearer, whether positive or negative, and since it is so sensitive to changes of vibrations it is a stone to be held rather than worn. Opal is a stone of the idealist whose quest for truth springs from the heart rather than the intellect.

May the Great Spirit bless you with the wisdom to see your guiding vision, the strength to act from your heart, and the courage to follow the path of your dreams.

Happy Birthday Aries!