Turtle Totem Whispers Wisdom, The Story and Painting

She took long walks in the woods every afternoon. Her movements were a slow pensive wandering, while her mind was racing like a marathon runner. She was not lost, but she was searching...asking...open to guidance. There was a space in heart where discouragement lived, and that space seemed to be  becoming a permanent resident.She had been working so hard to bring her dreams to fruition, so hard in fact that she had fallen out of balance. It was as if she had blinders on and only saw one path, one road, one way. Opportunities had become limited, for while she was looking this "one way", she didn't see all that was around her. After time she started to believe that there were no opportunities, and she slipped into a mode of scarcity.

While all of these thoughts swirled through her mind during her walk, she sat down on an old log that was laying on the forest floor. Surrounded by the lush botanical garden in the woods, with delicate ferns tickling her cheek, and flower buds whisking against her ankle, she closed her eyes.

She took a deep breath in smelling the sweetness all around her, and took a deep breath out, relaxed her shoulders and let the worries escape. Everything became still in the forest, not a bird chirp or a squirrel rustling, just stillness. And she heard a whisper.

Turtle Totem Whispers Wisdom, a Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

A turtle slowly stepped into view from the fern growth. Familiar it seemed. She thought back to childhood and how often turtles were in her life. The turtle whispered, and although it's mouth did not move, she could hear the words. "You are protected. You are nurtured. You are taken care of and watched over." "Everything you want and need is available to you in this abundant universe." "Remember the circle child, the flow of life, the giving and receiving, the balance." "Open your eyes and your heart". Then the turtle slowly turned and walked away.

Her Turtle Totem had returned. That old sense of connectedness returned. And that space in her heart that  discouragement had rented, was now vacated leaving room for hope and confidence.

She stood up from the log and bent down to straighten up where she had been. She stroked the ferns, pulling dead leaves from them and picked up small twigs and rubbish, leaving it better than how she had found it.

She took a deep breath in, and out, and felt her eyes widen to see more than she had seen in a long time. She saw Hope.

Thank you my Turtle Totem.

This story I wrote one evening, was the inspiration of my painting, "Turtle Totem Whispers Wisdom".
SOLD

Bear Totem and it's Symbolic Meaning

The Bear is a powerful and healing totem to work with. I have always had a great affection for Bear and the attributes is symbolizes on so many levels. I find it to be an endearing and wise totem for both men and women.
The Bear does not truly hibernate but does go into a state of sleep, quietness, shutting down. It survives from the reserves it has stored up, which is a pertinent lesson in finding a balance with your energy and not "tapping" reserves empty on a daily basis. It reminds us to be mindful of our energy levels each day and to not over extend ourselves.
In today's world it is easy to push ourselves beyond what is healthy for not only our bodies but also our spirit. Bear strongly represents Nurturing.
 The symbolism of this shutting down period is also representative of the winter time, a special introspective time for us humans, and reminds you to give yourself permission to go at a slower pace and reflect...to work through life lessons at a reasonable pace and prepare for renewal. This is an excellent time for writing in one's journal or doing some inspirational reading.

Burlap and Canvas Bear Totem Painting by Jeanne Fry

I think we have a love of Bear because of their similarities to us...they eat a similar diet, they can stand on two legs and walk, but I think the thing that we can truly relate to is their sense of love and protection especially over their young. They will protect them fiercely and love them dearly, just as we humans do. For such a large totem that represents strength, their hearts are just as big.

Bears carry great confidence with them, a surety in their step, and are a good totem to work with if you are learning to step into your own power and find confidence in your decisions. And this with all things requires a balance as well...not to be "too" cocky with your stance that you ignore situations, but that you carefully ponder your course, make your choice, and go forward with strength and fortitude.

Bear Totem Medicine Wheel Painting by Jeanne Fry

Both of the above paintings were sold.
Art Prints of the "Bear Totem Medicine Wheel" are available in our Fine Art America shop here
Bear Totem Medicine Wheel Art Print

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

The Bear Clan

The Bear Clan

The spirit of the Bear is similar to humans in many ways. They are creatures of habit, their diet is similar to our own, and they have the ability to walk on two legs. But what is it exactly that makes us love them?

To me, the Bear represents Power and Strength, and at the same time when you study them you can find a gentleness to them. I think this is what our big attraction is to them...a powerful being, strong and stoic, with the ability to be caring and loving. You see this profoundly when you watch a mother bear with her young, her sense of dedication and responsibility.

We as humans are always striving to strike that balance of strength and tenderness.

The Bear Clan ~ Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Bear Clan ~ Mother and Young ~ Original Painting by Jeanne Fry



The original of my Bear Clan painting is not available, but prints and greeting cards of it are available in our Fine Art America Studio

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/