Spirit of the Salmon: Wisdom
Able to overcome obstacles. Determination. Focused energy. Perseverance.
http://funkman.org/animal/fish/salmonfamily.html
http://wolfs_moon.tripod.com/birthtotemsalmon.html
http://www.rainbowcrystal.com/power/poweranimals/salmon.html
http://www.shamanicjourney.com/article/6112/salmon-power-animal-sym...
Salmon's Wisdom Includes:
* Value of returning home to regenerate
* Swimming upstream through emotional waters to gain insight
* Understanding divination messages
* Rebirth of spiritual knowledge
Salmon Symbolism
Strength, determination, renewal Salmon people are often known for their dependability, wisdom, and strong sense of tradition. Salmon medicine teaches the value of being in tune with the cycles of the earth, skies, and our own bodies.
The Salmon
There are several different types of salmon located on both the Pacific coast and the Atlantic. Their acute sense of smell is one of their most amazing features. This ability helps them find their way back home to spawn. They have the uncanny ability to find the one stream that they were hatched in based solely on its odor.
Salmon usually return to their place of origin every 5 to 7 years. They have solid bonds with their history. For those with this totem life changes are prominent within this time span. At the end of a cycle a new beginning emerges. Swimming upstream and overcoming all obstacles is part of what the salmon teaches us. When this medicine is underdeveloped it could be asking us to stop battling the currents of life.
Because its origins are so important to it, the salmon reminds us to honor our true heritage. Those with this medicine have strong spiritual desires and work tirelessly to manifest them. They make excellent priests, nuns, spiritual counselors and teachers. The study of geneology is important..
Incredibly determined, a salmon will jump 10 foot waterfalls and struggle past eagles, bears and many other predators, including humans, to reach their home waters. Their drive to reach their place of origin is remarkable. They rarely eat on their journey home and have little interest in anything but getting to their destination. Once there they spawn then die.
When the salmon is seen laying eggs in the coarse sand and gravel beds of streams it suggests that the birth of a new idea is at hand. It cautions however to make sure that the new idea is not laid on a rough foundation.
The salmon shows us how to swim the sacred waters upstream, overcoming all obstacles to return to the source. Although struggle is part of its journey the salmon teaches us how to focus our energy and attention on an objective and maintain the discipline necessary to accomplish it. Sometimes it takes single minded determination to overcome obstacles and achieve a desired goal.
Salmon medicine people are hardy and can persevere when others cannot. They often choose a life full of challenges because they know that within each challenge lies the opportunity for growth.