Symbolic Meaning of the Horse Totem

Symbolic Meaning of the Horse
Horses have enchanted and intrigued people since their existence. Besides their beauty and fluidity in motion, what attracts us to them?

Running with the Moon ~ Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

The Horse represents movement and travel, the desire to do so, and the freedom that we possess. It is a symbol of our strength, power, and abundance of choices.

Many times when we are feeling stuck in this fast paced and stressful life...when we feel as if we are going through the motions of other people's expectations, the Horse can become important to us. It reminds of of our free will and passion for life.

The original painting above was sold,but is available in my Fine Art America shop as an Art Print here
Running with the Moon Art Print

Animal Totems and their Symbolism in our Lives

Animal Totems, or Spirit Helpers as they are sometimes called, are considered to be

guardians and teachers in many Native Cultures. It is their knowledge of skillful living, and their physical and social characteristics  in Nature that we study.

Night Vision - Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

 Within this process of learning  we strengthen our connection with the Earth and create an Inner Balance.

Animal Medicine affords an awareness of our own personal strengths and weaknesses, and a wisdom for life lessons.

Turtle: Motherhood, Longevity, Awakening to new opportunities, Nurturing of the Earth
Snake: Rebirth, Transformation, Wisdom
Wolf: Guardianship, Loyalty, Spirit, Community
Bear: Power, Healing, Decision-Making, Strength
Rabbit: Fertility, New Life, Defense, Spiritual Growth
Otter: Laughter, Happiness, Awareness of surroundings
Butterfly: Dance of Joy, Faerie Realm, Joy, Gentleness
Deer: Gentleness, Innocence, New Adventure, Grace
Raven: Magic, Creation, Vision, Messages and Intuition
Frog: Abundance, Creative Power, Cleansing
Jumping Antelope: Freedom
Elephant: Strength, Loyalty, Knowledge of Earth, Strong Family, Society Ideals
Spider: Creativity, Weaving of Fate
Buffalo: Abundance, Nurturing
Ant: Teamwork, Community
Dragonfly: Light, Transformation
Lizard: Dreamtime, Intuition, The Ability to Leave Behind things that are no longer needed
Owl: Vision, Wisdom, Omen, Magic
Grasshopper: Leap for opportunities, The Opening of Doors
Heron: Grace, Transformation, Loving of Self
Duck: Relationships, Calming
Giraffe: Grace
Dolphin: Intelligence, Communication
Bat: Magic, Perception
Mountain Lion: Leadership, Fairness, Balance, Power
Thunderbird: Servant of Great Spirit, Messengers
Beluga Whale: Creativity, Listening to Inner Voice
Phoenix: Power, Transform, Fire Element
Hawk: Vision, Power, Synchonstricity in Messages
Eagle: Victory, Responsibility of Power
Beaver: Builder of Dreams
Raccoon: Dexterity, Disguise
Seahorse: Emotions, Magical
Ladybug: Good luck
Snail: Patience, Serenity
Hummingbird: Joy, Happiness, Energy
Flamingo: Good luck
Moose: Majestic, Wise, Stands up for beliefs, Inner Wisdom
Salmon: Returning home, Spiritual Journey, Determination

We offer handpainted totem stones here on our website

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/AnimalTOTEMStones.html

Choices in our Directions as Artists

Like the ebb and flow of time, so goes our directions as artists. Life experiences and a continual fine tuning of our philosophies, creates more possibilities to explore within our creativity.

We have studied the growth of our Art over the years, reflecting back over the changes from the beginning until now. Trying to stay conscious that our Art is speaking not only to us, but to those who collect it, we have made choices on where to currently expend our creative energies.

For example, over the years we only sold Original paintings, and did not dabble in offering prints of those works. But we have found that certain pieces deserve the opportunity to be offered in that way, in order to reach more people who resonate with the work. So now, specific Paintings and Photography that is meaningful to us, are offered in a new forum for our collectors through Fine Art America. Here you can choose to collect some of those works, in different sizes, on archival papers, on stretched canvas, matted, framed...all a choice for you. Each week I will add more to the collection and hope that it widens the scope of possibilities.

http://jean-fry.fineartamerica.com

Our jewelry has also made a transition, not only from being solely created from gemstones, but now offering more mediums with clay, bone, and glass beads. But probably our biggest change is venturing in the use of one of our favorite Natural materials...the Gourd.

The Gourd is designed and cut, painted with layers of hue to enhance it's richness, and then embellished with a complimenting bead work. Each pendant is hung on long soft leather cord that can be adjusted in length.

What we love most about the Gourd jewelry, is the ability to offer our Gourd design, Painting, and Bead work...all in one piece. It also allows us to utilize more of the gourd, instead of wasting small pieces.

So, this new evolutionary period will produce...more Paintings, Prints, and Photography...a larger line of jewelry including more natural materials....a new line of Art Doll sculptures that will be revealed soon...a larger line of Gourd Rattles, Drums, and Cedar Flutes that utilizes a blend of contemporary yet still natural persona...and some things will be discontinued.

We will be choosing more galleries to show in, that will allow us to more time to spend on our Storytelling Performances  and Workshops, and hope that you enjoy the transition along with us.

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

The Symbolism of ~ For Those That Walked Before Us

My latest work is a Mixed Media piece that was inspired by a black and white  postcard that I had picked up over a year ago. I've kept it close in my pile of things treasured for some reason, not really knowing why I was so attracted to it.

Looking at the postcard, I continually asked myself, "Who was she?" "How many came after her?" "Do they keep her traditions alive?" And so finally with an empty canvas staring at me, I began.

I wanted to create a piece that showed the old and the new, the elder and the young one. Bringing the space of time was important to me.

So, the piece began with attaching  a few small torn images of the "ancient ones". Layers of paint in bold colors began to be brought in, with a dripping technique added to represent "Time" passing.

The Crow is added, at first because I saw an outline of him between the layers and paint strokes, and felt he needed to appear...as the Messenger, bringing the lessons and traditions to their future generation. 

 

The painting of the "young one" was kept in a more sleek and clean area, with light colored tan and cream colors to represent the fresh and new. A few of the paint streaks some down from above her, showing some of old in the new, the carrying of tradition. Next to her are a set of steps that lead back to the old one and their ways, a bond not to be broken.

I suppose that what was so important to me about the piece, was the reminder to keep culture alive, even in this fast paced technical world that exists today.

The original painting is available in our Artfire Studio here For Those That Walked Before Us Painting

Economic Times that are showing us all what we are made of...

A Shift began occuring two and a half years ago, slowly unraveling things as we knew them. A result of choices that had been made by the few, but impacted everyone in it's path. Our material foundations left on shaky grounds, encompassed us in fear. Some needed only make a few small adjustments, while others were severely impacted. Either way, I don't know one person that hasn't been effected.

The Dominos began to fall.

In it's wake I have watched so many people, of varying statures, fall. Losing homes, cars, jobs, self esteem, ambition, and their sense of Self. People have become frustrated and angry, placing themselves inside a bubble. At a time when we all need one another to lift our communities back up, I find many  have become self absorbed...driving as if they are the only ones on the road....pushing their way through store aisles with no regard if they are stepping on you in the process...their loss of self esteem now equaling a loss of regard for others.

Some have debated "Survival of the Fittest". I suppose there could be an argument either way on that, but I know in my cellular make-up, I don't believe that turning the other cheek on humanity is what we were supposed to learn from this experience.

We are all in this together. Each and every one of us connected in some way. When one falls, more will. When one steps up, the path is illuminated for others to join.

Our relationships with one another have been weighing heavily on my mind, and while I can't change it myself, by no means...I CAN stay true to authentic self.

 Because I will not allow these economic times to compromise who I am deep in my soul.

Step into your Warrior Shoes and Embrace your Life

Do you have those days, or maybe even weeks, when you just feel as if one day runs into another? When you are spending your day just going through the motions, or feeling like you have no control over the things going on in your life? While some circumstances ARE beyond our control, I believe we do have the ability to steer our course. We can prevent ourselves from feeling like victims, and be proactive in our Journey.

For me...I tell myself  to Step into my Warrior Shoes, Take the Reigns,  and Embrace my Life.

Important Thoughts on Reclaiming your Warrior

 

So much of this relies on Self-Esteem, and it's an on-going process. I find myself occasionally falling backward, and then have to stop and ask myself..Am I helping, supporting, and inspiring Myself as much as I do others? This is a huge one for me, because I can slip back into those old patterns of taking care of everyone and everything else, virtually leaving myself no time for nurturing my own Spirit.

I keep an Attributes List ~ A List of my Strengths, as a strong reminder of Who I am:

I am Diplomatic

I am a Strong Woman

I am Full of Creative Inspiration

I am Intelligent

I am a Peacemaker

I am a Networker

I have the ability to Bring People Together

I am Caring

I am Compassionate

I am an Artist

I am Philosophical

I am a Caregiver to the Earth

I take Relationships Seriously

Define your Dream or Goal. How could you possibly achieve it, if you are not entirely sure what it is? This is probably the most important step in the process, because it is the Beginning.

Putting yourself #1 in decision making. In the past I would have thought this to be selfish...but I have come to learn... who better to take care of me, than me?

Be your own Life Coach. Cheer yourself on when you are accomplishing your goals, and inspire yourself when there are challenges.

Manage your relationships, and attract people into your life that are positive forces.

Ask yourself...Do my actions match my dreams? Am I actually taking steps to realize my goals?

Don't compare your journey or status to that of others. As soon as we do this, we set up ourselves up for feeling as if we are lacking. Each of our journeys are different and rich in their own ways.

A long time ago when I was meeting a friend, as soon as he saw me said..."Watch out, her hair is up. Things will be a changing". And so, again...time to put my hair up and put on my Warrior Shoes.

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

Perseverance ~ We're all in this Together

I have been reflecting this past week on the economic slump our country (and world community) has been in these past two to three years. A lot of focus and debate has been had by the experts on why it has happened and how to improve it, but not as much attention has been paid to the effects it has had on us mentally, emotionally, or spiritually.

I have watched people close to me over this period of time go through a series of changes to their spirit, that sometimes I don't even think we are always aware of consciously. I have seen some of the most amazing artists step away from their art, feeling a loss of inspiration and drive. I have watched friends with a strong and secure base have it yanked out from underneath them leaving them in shock. I have watched teachers put under extreme stress of keeping their jobs while at the same time trying to be an inspiration to their students. People losing their homes, that place where you go at the end of the day to rejuvenate and heal the soul. The loss of jobs, homes, careers, financial security, and faith has been widespread and harsh.

So, what now? I can't even pretend to know, except that we take it one day at a time, one moment to the next. That we reach down to the deepest core within us and know that this to will change, maybe not in the way we think, but it will.

This is the time to truly connect with our own intuitive sense, to connect with your passion, because I feel like it can guide us through this leg of the journey. Along the way, take the hand of your friend, and assist them. We need one another, now more than ever. We're all in this together.

Perseverance : Mare and Maiden ~ For Strength and Free Spirit

I look to Nature to help with a grounding balance when the world seems overwhelming. It can change your perception of things in a moment, quieting the mind so that you can re-focus. I look to the animal totems as reminders of attributes that can be helpful. And I Create in order to release, inspire, and share. Find those things that can help you find the balance you need, urging you to take the next step.

It is usually the simplest of things that can help us take that deep breath in and out and center.

Some of the easiest joys for me personally to experience that help me STAY me...

Walking Meditation

Visiting Gardens

Music

Painting

Potluck Dinners with Friends

Laughing

Writing

The Smell of Lavender

Movie Marathons

Connecting with Animal Totems

Helping those Around me

My hope when the economic tide turns for the better...that we find a renewed sense of ourselves and a closer human connection to one another.

Namaste

**My original painting of Perseverance is available in my Artfire Studio here Perseverance Original Painting

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/