The Flowering Time

Animal Totem : Deer

Astrological Sun sign : Gemini

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The Flowering Time is the last of the three cycles of spring and continues the growth and illumination cycle of the East.

The Flowering Time is the last cycle of the spring season and is the time when the seeds that were planted in the soil have germinated and are now taking the eventual shape of the full grown plants.
It compares with the time of youth when the individual is growing into a ~fully grown~ human being. It is the time of a great influx of knowledge, but when true understanding is often blocked by the headstrong exuberance of youth. It is a time of expanding awareness when the world around is seen from a wider perspective.

The Flowering Time is the period of transition from spring to summer when the trees are in full leaf and the whole of Nature is at the height of her creative brilliance.

The Influencing Wind is the East Wind. Influencing Direction : South East. The miraculous energising power that burst forth into new life with the arrival of spring reaches its peak with this third Time of the season, when the influence moves from awakening and activating to that of transformation. The influence of the East Winds during the Flowering Time can be likened to the period of youth which is a period of undergoing experiences for the first time. The East Winds bring the quality of fearlessness, which is a quality of youth, who rarely contemplate the dangers inherent in a situation before taking action.

The totem of the East is the 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.

The influencing elements are Air with Fire

The power of elemental Fire, which is associated with the East, provides those born within the Flowering Time with an inner urge to want to change what comes within their reach. What they often fail to recognise is that the Fire comes from within oneself and the most important change of all to make is to oneself.

The elemental Clan is Butterfly {Air} The butterfly is a good representation of air as it is always on the move, constantly shifting its position from one place to another, often unexpectedly. Just as butterflies help the plants to pollinate so Flowering Time can help us with new ideas and fresh energy.

The Birth and Animal Totem for Flowering Time is the swift moving Deer. Although there are many different species of deer, ranging widely in size and weight, they have one thing in common – their gracefulness. Deer blend well with the environment, and are sensitive to every sound and movement. Deer feed on vegetation – mostly grass, heather, the shoots of plants and the bark of trees. Deer Medicine teaches us to use the power of gentleness to touch the hearts and minds of wounded beings who are trying to keep us from achieving our own growth on our journey to the Sacred Mountain and Great Spirit. Like the dappling of the deers coat both the light and the dark may be loved to create gentleness and safety for those who are seeking peace.

The polarity totem is Owl. Deer loves to amass information but does not co-ordinate it well enough to put it to the most effective use. Owl is a visionary, the wise old bird who can help Deer to control the intellect and to reach out into te regions of intutive knowledge and thereby see beyond what is immeidate.

The mineral totem is Agate a waxy form of quartz which often lines cavities in rocks and has a banded appearance. It’s colours vary from white to grey, from blue to green, and brown ad black. Agate’s emphasis is on material need. A variety of agate is onyx which has stripes of black and white or brown and white or green. Onyx was sometimes called the ~listening~ stone because it was said to aid meditation and help its user to ~listen~ to the inner voice of the conscience or Higher self. It has a stabilising effect on the subtle energies of the aura if worn next to the skins. It also helps the chakras in the solar plexus, heart and throat areas to work in harmony.

Listen to the whispers of your heart. Cherish your most precious dream. Feel the magic in the air. Dance on a bright moonbeam.

Happy birthday Gemini!