CLAN OF THE TURTLE ~ (Beaver, Bear, Goose)

[Terri Benning]

CLAN OF THE TURTLE ~ (Beaver, Bear, Goose)

Elemental Chief: EARTH

Elemental Totem: TURTLE

BIRTH TOTEMS within Turtle Clan:

BEAVER, BEAR, GOOSE

KEYWORDS:

* Cautious
* Industrious
* Dependable
* Stubborn

Turtle Clan individuals are the Clan which prepares the soil for planting. You will remember form the Hawk Clan that they are the trailblazers, the scouts of the clans that envision the land. Now the Turtle Clan follows and tills the earth to prepare it for the planting of all that is Good.

As such, these souls focus on the tasks at hand with the determination and perseverance of one with a true Mission. They have been instilled with a desire to connect to Earth Mother and to assist Her in the process of creating Life.

In Earth Medicine, the Earth Mother is represented by the Turtle, as the provider of all Life. Think of Sister Turtle as she walks along at a slow, yet steady pace. She has no worry of shelter, for she carriers her home upon her back. She has no concern of how fast she is traversing the Path, as she knows that she will arrive where she is going exactly when she is meant to. She doesn't fear attack from predators as she knows that the armor
like covering of her shell will protect her from all threats. This is the Blessing of being born of the Turtle.

The challenge for one who is a member of the Turtle Clan, is to come to understand the Wisdom to be had in going Within in order to absorb the lessons they are faced with. Yet, these lessons may instead be seen by a Turtle, as an irritating obstacle to be ploughed through, instead of as a lesson to be resolved. Yet every obstacle, in point of fact, is merely another step along the Soul's Path to be acknowledged and absorbed, rather than ignored in the stubborn resolution to complete the Journey. When Turtle Soul raise her head into the warm light of awareness and operates from quiet perseverance, tempered with reflection, then She/He has attained the true gift of having been born of the Turtle Clan.

[Yvonne]

And here I am, from the Beaver Birth Totem to a member of the Turtle Clan. I really enjoy the animal totem study because I find that this validates pretty much my whole life. Since I was a child there are certain animals I played with and seemed more in tune with. Now, with each unfolding of the layer of onion (so to speak) I see how everything is laid out like a perfect puzzle. My life seemed so disjointed, but with a little concentration, patience and study, it seems everything DOES fit together perfectly! I keep getting answers to questions I didn't even know to ask!

[Terri Benning]

Wow Vonney, how VERY COOL is that!? I couldn't ask for more touching, encouraging and inspiring feedback ... THANK YOU so much for your kind and thoughtful words of insight and validation. I am very happy that this study is reaching into your soul and answering those questions you didn't even know you had! What an awesome process of self-discovery and personal growth! :-) Loving all of the NEW information we're getting posted to the site as well. Can't wait to dig deeper into some of my own birth and clan totems as well! Woo hoo! :-)

[Yvonne]

Oh my - I have to say this material is *so* self-validating, it is like a snowball - the more I open myself to this, the more I find out. Today at work my co-worker (who has gone on quite a few treks to Native American reservations and studied the plight of the mustangs, wolves, etc) was describing a TURTLE that her husband just brought to her that he made while teaching at a Native American reservation. He went there to teach art to high school students. She then went on to describe her love of TURTLES and about how she has turtles that are very meaningful to her. I got tears in my eyes (yes at work) because I then realized A.K. was in my clan with me - the Turtle Clan. I told her how validating this all was for me and she has promised to come see this website - so A.K. if you see this, I LOVE YOU!!!!

[Yvonne]

And oh, just to solidify this validation - a few years back while A.K. was on one of her treks, she was moved to purchase a bear fetish, which she in turn, gave to me. She is of the Brown Bear Birth Clan.