The Frost Time

Animal Totem : Snake

Astrological Sun sign : Scorpio

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In the Season of the Frost Time Nature helps us to understand the principle of transformation and regeneration which has such a strong influence on those born at this time, for although autumn is the season of defoliation when the trees become barren, the fallen leaves which have been discarded will decompose to provide nutrients for the Earth beneath and nourishment for the future development of the trees from which they came. Frost is a reminder of the death which winter represents. It changes to water when warmed but is renewed overnight.

A pivotal point of the entire yearly cycle is located in this period. In Ancient times it was recognised at the time when the year ended and a new yearly cycle began. This ~twilight~ period had significance in another way among ancient peoples for it was seen too as the space between two realms – between the visible world of physical manifestation and the unseen realm of the spirit.

It was celebrated as a festival among pagan peoples on the eve of 1st November. The ancient Celts called it Samhain, which meant ~Summer’s End~, but the celebrations continued merrily throughout the first week of November. Blazing ritual bonfireds symbolised the burning of all the worries and problems accrued during the past year and these were the true significance of Bonfire Night in Britain on 5th November and had far greater significance that the memorial of Guy Fawkes’ plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

It was a time for getting rid of weaknesses and the things which had served their purpose but were no longer relevant – of shedding what had gone before so that renewal became possible and effective. The fires were also used to cook the meat of animals which could not be kept over Winter. The result of the year’s work was seen.

Just as twilight is an ~in-between~ period separating daytime from night and autumn comes in between summer and winter, so Samhain was looked upon as a time when the visible and invisible realms ~overlapped~. So it was a time to remember those who had died and had departed the earth life, and when the movement of the Earth tides had brought the physical and the spiritual closer together, and when this closeness to departed loved ones could be more keenly felt.

The Christian Church attempted to kill off the old festival by making 1 November All Saints Day, Samhain Eve on 31 October becoming All Souls Day, All Hallows Eve, or Hallowe’en. The original festival was denigrated by associating it with demons and witches, and ghosts and goblins. In modern times, Hallowe’en has become popularised, particularly in the United States, as a time for some rather weird fun, for dressing up in costumes and masks, and of pumpkin and turnip lanterns, and an occasion for ~trick or treat~ suggesting the trickiness of little ~demons~ and the need to placate them, all of which is a distortion of the true significance of this ancient festival.

The West winds bring their influence of adaptability to the Frost time and also power and strength. Since the West is the direction of introspection and selflessness, it is a power that stems from within rather than without, and has a probing intensity that uncovers what has been hidden. Its strength is that which it gives to emotional endurance. The totem of the West is the grizzly bear, which combines strength with gentleness – two apparently opposite yet complementary qualities which become increasingly evident in the more developed peoples of this time.

The influencing elements are Water with Earth. Elemental Earth provides the nourishing power for things to appear, and the dispersing energy for things to disappear again. Although Earth is the substance that provides stability and solidity, it is also the influence of transformation. It is this aspect of transformation that is of relevance to the Frost Time. Endurance, resourcefulness and perseverance are qualities associated with elemental Earth. The influence of elemental water is associated with fluidity, flexibility and adaptability.

The animal totem and birth totem for Frost time is the Snake. The Snake represents the power of transformation and renewal through its ability to shed its skin frequently. The power of snake medicine is the power of creation, for it embodies sexuality, psychic energy, alchemy, reproduction, and ascension (or immortality). It is the energy of wholeness, cosmic consciousness, and the ability to experience anything willingness and without resistance. It is the knowledge that all things are equal in creation, and that those things which might be experienced as poison can be eaten, ingested, integrated and transmuted if one has the proper state of mind.

Snake medicine teaches that on a personal level you are a human being. Through accepting all aspects of your life you can bring about transmutation. This energy, when functioning on the material plane, creates passion, desire, procreation and physical vitality. On the emotional plane, it becomes ambition, creation, resolution and dreams. On the mental plane it becomes intellect, power, charisma, and leadership. When this Snake energy reaches the spiritual plane, it becomes wisdom, understanding, wholeness, and connection to the Great Spirit/Creator.

The mineral totem is Amethyst. The amethyst has an energy pattern that makes it a suitable aid to meditation and opens up the inner sight (the insight) and imparts spiritual power, and it is from this ancient knowledge that the amethyst was given religious significance and is used on the rings of bishops. This energy pattern has a calming effect on the emotions and helps to balance the energies of the physical plane with those on more subtle levels, so a person who is emotionally vulnerable may find that the stone has a harmonising effect and they are not so easily carried away with their emotions. The amethyst is an aid to those ~upward striving~ aspirations which develop spiritual unfoldment and creative thinking.

May you soar both far and wide, make leaps of faith and giant strides, May you always take the road most high and chase your dreams across the sky.

Happy Birthday Scorpio!