TURTLE (TORTOISE)

[Terri Benning]

Spirit of the Turtle/Tortoise:  Mother Earth, Endurance, Grounding, Protection, Earth Wisdom

 

LINKS:

http://www.manizone.co.uk/turtle-tortoise-animal-totems-a-31.html

http://morningstar.netfirms.com/turtle.html

http://funkman.org/animal/reptile/turtlefamily.html

http://www.manataka.org/page236.html#TORTOISE/TURTLE

http://www.linsdomain.com/totems/pages/turtle.htm

http://www.animalspirits.com/index13.html

http://www.lilytherese.com/POWER1.HTM#Turtle

http://www.webcoves.com/circles/turtle.html

http://satiama.com/turtle-spirit-by-dr-steven-farmer/

http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/turtle-s...

Turtle/Tortoise's Wisdom Includes:

* Symbol of the earth
* Connection with the center
* Navigation skills
* Patience
* Self-boundaries
* Associated with the feminine
* Power to heal female diseases
* Respecting the boundaries of others
* Developing new ideas
* Psychically protecting oneself
* Self-reliance
* Tenacity
* Nonviolent defense

Turtle: nurturer, protector, mother energy

Many Natives refer to North America as Turtle Island, because their legends say that when the earth was covered with water, Turtle dove to the bottom of the oceans bringing up earth on its back so that the people could have a safe and dry home. Turtle is at home anywhere because it carries its home on its back. It does not become attached to places, for it is free to search for new opportunities wherever they may be found. When they sense danger, or are in uncomfortable and insecure settings, they withdraw into their shell, and are protected. If you have Turtle medicine, you value both the power of the earth, the waters of the earth, and the magic of the heavens, for Turtle symbolizes both the grounding quality of earth energy, and the magic of the mystical. Using Turtle energy can help you achieve real balance in your life and your spirit so that you don't get "stuck in the mud". Turtle's medicine includes a connection with the center, navigation skills, patience, self-boundaries, associated with the feminine, power to heal female diseases, respecting the boundaries of others, developing new ideas, psychically protecting oneself, self-reliance, tenacity, non-violent defense.

 

Thirteen Moons on a Turtle's Back

Many Native Americans share the knowledge of the thirteen moons on a turtle’s back. As children they are taught to examine the segments on the back of every turtle. There are thirteen large segments whichrepresent the thirteen moons which make up the lunar year. By counting the smaller segments around the lower edge of the shell, you will find there are 28, which represents the 28 days between new moons.

Every group of Native Americans has names for the thirteen moons and there are stories to go with each new moon. The names of the moons and the stories that accompany them vary from one group to another, but each is descriptive of the season in which the new moon appears.

Turtle Time: Creating and Using a 13 Moon Calendar

Get the interactive PDF Turtle Time Calendar Template Here:

http://rhythmofthehome.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Turtle-Time-C...

There is so much to learn and remember from animals about how to stay in rhythm with nature. And the humble turtle is a perfect example. Turtle symbolizes being connected to both earth and heaven. Turtle teaches us to have our heart to Mother Earth, to move slowly and with intention. Turtle medicine is about grace and perseverance. And she gives us the tool of measuring time on her shell.

Native Americans used turtle shells as their first calendars following the 13-Moon system. The number of segments on the outer shell of a turtle is 28, representing the number of days in a moon. There are 13 segments in the inner part of the shell of a turtle representing each one of the 13 moons in a lunar year cycle.

During the course of a year, there actually are 13 cycles of the moon each lasting approximately 28 days each. Our current system of measuring time (the Gregorian calendar) ignores this very obvious fact and arbitrarily uses a system with 12 months of varied lengths. Even the names used for the months of the Gregorian calendar are a hodgepodge of the names of gods and goddesses, ancient rulers (e.g. Julius Caesar, Augustus) and incongruent numbers. Consider that the tenth month in the Gregorian calendar, October, means 8. The phases of the moon fall at varied times of each month and vary from year to year when we use the Gregorian calendar. However in the 13-moon system, every moon is equal in length, the moon phases follow a pattern and the calendar is perpetual.

There are so many ways that we have moved away from doing what is natural in the effort to be efficient and competitive. Every opportunity we use to align ourselves with nature by making conscious decisions about how we live our lives takes us that much closer to inner harmony and world peace. The 13-moon calendar system is all about cooperation and honoring the natural order of the Universe.

I created an interactive calendar to teach children (and adults!) this simple way of tracking the time it takes our beautiful planet to travel around the sun. Because it honors both natural and universal rhythms, it allows us sync up while connecting us more closely with nature. When harmony in nature is recognized and honored we begin to see it reflected more and more in every aspect of our lives.

(Continue reading more about this project HERE:)

Turtle Time: Creating and Using a 13 Moon Calendar

 Turtle or Tortoise?

What is the difference between turtle and tortoise? Are they synonymous?

They are similar but not the same. Both are egg laying reptiles with hard shells and scaly skin. They are slow moving so rely on their shell as protection – they can retract their head and legs into their shell to various degrees. Both are cold blooded so require external sources to warm themselves and shade to cool themselves.

A turtle lives in the water (oceans, lakes, rivers) primarily so has webbed front feet and streamlined legs for swimming. The only time a turtle comes on land is to lay eggs. Once hatched, baby turtles are on their own. A turtle has a flat shell. Turtles eat plants and bugs. They tend to migrate in the ocean and other waters.

Turtle’s Message and Medicine

 

Turtle is one of the oldest reptiles living. Turtles are distinguished from tortoises by their love of water.

Turtles live in or near the water. Tortoises are land-bound. The hard shell of the turtle is part of its body. The turtles shell is actually the backbone and ribs of the turtle. As turtle grows so does its shell. When danger approaches most turtles can pull their head and feet into their shells for protection. Turtles eat insects, fish, lizards, plants and small mammals when it can acquire them.  Turtle leaves the water to lay its eggs which are usually buried. This gives turtle a strong link between water and land.

Turtle has a slow metabolism.  When Turtle enters your life its message is to slow down and take it easy. Swiftness is not always the solution. Move slowly toward your goals and objectives. Take time to reconnect with Mother Earth. If you are feeling spaced out try meditation , or spend some quiet time outdoors. Allow the healing energy of Mother Earth to comfort , nurture and support you. Spend a little time basking in the sun. Be practical in all matters and don’t take risk. Now is not the time to keep up with the Jones or be too competitive. Trust in your intuition. Turtle also represents Goddess energy. What phase of life are you now in? Do you feel more like the Goddess or Crone ? Get in touch with your feelings but, remain grounded and strong. Like turtle, you too have a protective shield, called an aura.

The Turtle and Tortoise Totems

The Turtle and the Tortoise are very similar in nature and appearance. Some Turtles, however, have the added element of being considered a sea and land creature, while the Tortoise, due to its lack of webbed feet, is more grounded and connected to the Earth. There is one species of Turtle, the massive Sea Turtle, which never leaves the water except to lay eggs. Both are considered sacred by many cultures and tribes.

 

The Turtle comes in many sizes and some Box Turtles can be very small, about the size of a quarter. Box Turtles are one of those who live on the land. Some species of Turtle seldom leave the water and have webbed feet to aid in fast swimming. The female will leave the water to dig a deep hole in the sand in which to lay her eggs. These Turtles are very connected to the element of water and the flowing freedom it brings. Turtle shells are very beautiful and the markings often found at the bottom of their bodies can be quite intricate and artistic. 

 

According to some cultures, the top shell of a turtle is said to represent Heaven while the bottom of the shell or underbelly is thought to represent Mother Earth. The Turtle unites Heaven and Earth. There is a Chinese legend that tells of the Sacred Turtle; its shell contains a map of the Nine Regions of China and it holds up the sky, he is honored and respected by the people of that country. The Turtle is also one of the Four Guardians of the Compass of Celestial Emblems of the Chinese Emperor; it guards the North is associated with the winter season and its color symbol is black. The Lakota Indians of the Midwest United States see the Turtle as their creator, to them she is a feminine power and, as she grants life; she is sacred to them. The women of the Lakota tribe aspire to be as the Turtle, flexible and long-lived.

 

The Tortoise does not have webbed feet, but thick sturdy legs. They lack the necessary biological equipment to thrive in the water. They have large domed shells and they are terrestrial and thus have a deep connection with the Earth. They also carry their homes upon their backs. They move very slowly and determinedly to their destination. They live on a diet of leaves, shrubs and insects. They like to dig burrows when it is very hot outside which they will slip into to cool off from the heat of the daytime sun. They are shy, but amiable creatures. The old adage “slow and steady wins the race” comes from the characteristics of the Tortoise. Tortoise’s are also symbols of immortality in Buddhism, and are thought to be the impermanent dwelling place for souls making their way through a series of lives on the path to Nirvana.

 

The physical, spiritual and mystical similarities between the Turtle and the Tortoise are very similar. These creatures are methodical, determined and patient. Whether they live on land or in the sea they represent steady energy and long life. They also both represent independence, travel, and the ability to not be tied down or chained to one place as they both carry their home with them wherever they desire to be. They both posses strong self-protection in the form of their home shells, they can pull their extremities into their shell which offers them safety from outside threats.

 

Turtles and Tortoise’s may appear very similar, but one should not be fooled by this seeming resemblance.  No two are the same; the variations of their shells and markings vary greatly from each other marking them as unique and individual amongst their species.

 

The Indomitable Turtle Totem possesses the following virtues:

Independence, exploration, travel by sea, deeper consciousness, steady energy, joy with present circumstances, self-protection, inner wisdom, strength, steady and long lasting progress, longevity, patience, the secrets of life, Heaven and Earth.

 The Terrestrial Tortoise Totem possesses the following virtues:

Harmonious life, freedom of false attachments, travel by land, deeper connection to the Earth and sky, steady energy, power of observation, self-protection, inner wisdom, determination, steady and long lasting progress, longevity, patience, the secrets of life, Heaven and Earth.

Copyright © 2006: Zahir Karbani UK Registration Number 253932