. 1      For many traditional people, Wolf is the Sage, the Grand Teacher.  In the 'Wolf Lodge Journal', Ghost Wolf reminds us that the Old Ones have told stories about the beggining time when it was Wolf who taught humans the ways of living in harmony:    "It was Wolf who taught us how to form community upon this Earth, for Wolves have an intuitive knowledge of order....and they posses the ability to survive change intact.  Wolf medicine is very ancient and born of living experience.  Wolf will look deep into your heart and share the geatest of knowledge, but will demand full participation and absolute sincerity.  Wolf....will rekindle old memories within your soul...Wolf medicine can make you whole."    Wolf Moondance, a shaman of the Osage people, says that the parenting instinct is very strong in wolves.  They are natural mothers and fathers.  "When you are in need, when you are in danger or feeling separated and abandoned, you can transmit psycic energy and pull to you the energy of the she-wolf.  You can allow the feeling of that desire to draw you to the principle of the mother embracing the child."   Wolves have  been known ..point of fact..to even take on human children and raise them as their own....there have been 'wild' children found who have been raised this way.  Incredible but true.    If the wolf has been designated as your totem animal through dreams or vision quest, be assured that you have a spirit helper that will always back you up, reguardless of the consequences.  This totem guide is known for it's extraordinary powers of endurance, and it will willingly grant those strengths to you.  Wolf is the Great Parent, the Great Teacher, the Great Friend, The Great Protector, and your spirit helper will expect you to carry on it's traditions and to fulfill your own responsibilities to your family, your community, your friends, and those less fortunate than you who need your help.  Wolf will tolerate no shirking of duty, so while you have a fierce guardian on twenty-four hour notice, you also  have an example of trust and nobility to respect and emulate.   This totem is very close to my own heart...and is my main totem.  Wolf is my Protector and my Guide this lifetime...and I'm ever so grateful for his strength and guidance.  A beautiful Elder and my dear friend Myrna..who is Dakota, Soux, and a full blown she wolf, herself...told me ..." Once you look into the "eyes of the Wolf" you are changed forever!"  She was right..but this Elder is never wrong....She has taught me so much about my Totem Wolf and consequently about myself, as well....Wolf is my first love!...AHO!

                 Wolf Medicine   part 2      Wolf...Teacher...Pathfinder....Moon-dog of my Soul. Howling... Singing... Teaching how to Know.      Wolf is the pathfinder, the forerunner of new ideas who returns to the clan to teach and share medicine.  Wolf takes one mate for life and is loyal like Dog.  If you were to keep company with Wolves, you would find an enormous sense of family within the pack, as well as a strong individualistic urge.  These qualities make Wolf very much like the human race.  As humans, we also have an ability to be part of society and yet still embody our individual dreams and ideas.    The senses of Wolf are very keen, and the moon is it's power ally.  The moon is the symbol for psychic energy, or the unconscious that holds the secrets of knowledge and wisdom.  Baying at the moon may be an indication of Wolf's desire to connect with new ideas which are just below the surface of consciousness.  Wolf medicine empowers the teacher within us all, to come forth and aid the children of Earth in understanding the Great Mystery and life.  Wolf has the power to see in the dark, seeing things that are hidden from most of us.      If you have found Wolf for your Totem, you may be able to share your personal medicine with others.  Your intuitive side may also have an answer or teaching for your personal use at this time.  As you feel Wolf coming alive within you, you may wish to share your knowledge by writing or lecturing on information that will help others better understand their uniqueness or path in life.  It is in the sharing of great truths that the consciousness of humanity will attain new heights.  Wolf could also be telling you to seek out lonely places that will allow you to see your teacher within.  In the aloneness of a power place, devoid of other humans, you may find the true you.  Look for teachings no matter where you are.  Wolf would not come to you unless you requested the appearance of the tribe's greatest teacher.  Aho!

 

    Silent God ignores my prayer and leaves me in depths of dispair.     Once again medicine wheel spins... and so anew torment begins.     Oh fate , could you not have chosen, another for this task     but answer silence does ignore, and leaves me wanting of the past...     Medicine wheel turn again  hearts fate to love, begin to win,    Wearing passive face as though a mask. loves fire delves deep, leaving only ash.    And silent God still heeds me not, this silent suffering will not stop.    So continue does this hell go on, till finally soul goes way beyond.    Death takes me further into light my past before me in my sight.    Tunnel gives way to space and time and to my soul echos this rhyme.    Love could you not have found another place to be, instead of this frightened heart of me?    To face time, goes anon away and in this torment i must stay,    Till understanding dawns quite clear and to my God i draw near.    For without the broken heart of me The greater truth i would not see.    Upon this earth my feet abide,
as God walks with me at side.    Silent still though he may be, i know within the heart of me,    God is not gone though, i am blind, oh where is light i cannot find.    The reason for loves broken heart, how will i make a brand new start?    So i wait on Gods healing time, within my soul i hear this rhyme.    Oh love her bauble self, does shine, a wandering heart, till it does find.    I find myself within his eyes, i long for more, loves beauty plys.    To know more of myself, within his arms, so love it does begin.    Fleeting time speeds on it's way, i know hearts love like this can't stay.    A parting cruel as a knife, no meaning now is this poor life.    Still heart beats on, am i alive? and for this love still i do strive.    So how can this be, in the broken heart of me?    Within those breaks the light begins, depths of soul tragedy lends.    It's helping hand to wound so deep, upon the night there is no sleep.    So i wait for God's healing time, within my soul does beat this rhyme

     The Seventh Log   by: Willy Whitefeather and Wren  
    Seven men huddled around a camp fire on a cold and snowey night.  Each one held a wooden log, and each one stared at the dying fire. A wealthy man held on to his log, for he did not want to put it on the fire, to warm the poor man, across from him.   The poor man also clutched his log tight, for he did not want to warm the rich man.  The preacher held his log tight, for the man across from him was not of his church.  He did not wish for his log to warm him.   The The Priest kept his log, of wood, for why should he allow it to warm one of a different faith.  The black man sat and watched the campfire begin to smolder, yet he would not allow his log to warm the white man who sat opposite him.   The white man would not throw his log on the fire to warm the man across from hin,whose skin was so black.     The seventh man is you, my friend, as you sit and watch the other six men...that are slowly freezing to death.  Not so much from the cold night, but from the cold within their own hearts.  The campfire has almost gone out.  What is your decision?  To get the fire going, or let it go out.    One thing to remember, the Cherokees are the Keepers of the Sacred Flame, given by the Creator, and carried on the Trail of Tears, to Oklahoma.  And it has never gone out.  Let us all rekindle the fire of Love, for the only thing we take with us when we die, is the Love we did not give...   Willy Whitefeather and Wren

a piece i wrote on the sacredness of gathering herbs and botanicals...I hope you like it...many blessings...Wren
> > 
> >          Collecting herbs in the sacred way,  as taught to me, 
> > 34yrs. ago, by Rolling Thunder.....
> > 
> >  I wild craft and grow many herbs for the purpose of healing and
> > culinary, for aroma therapy, and smudging as well. This is how I
> was
> > taught to collect all that is given, by our Mother Earth. Even
when
> > collecting  the pine needles and fescues for my baskets, I use
this
> > method of respect ,for Mother Earth and the gifts she gives.
> >    As I collect the herbs I pray and give thanks for the herbs
> given,
> > by the spirits of that place. Wild Crafting, I have found some
> truely
> > sacred sites. Even when collecting at home I pray and only
collect
> > from the edges.   As Rolling Thunder says:  never collect from
the
> > Chiefs or their wives only the children. If I listen and pay
> > attention I can sense what is allowed to pick and collect, and
what
> I
> > should leave. 
> >   It makes sense for the propigation of the herbs, not to strip
an
> > area, but to pick to encourage growth instead...this is
collecting
> > with respect. Even at home I pick with respect and of course
> > encouragemant to the growth of the herbs, plants,  bushes,
trees. 
> I
> > use sissors or clippers to collect and do not ever break the
branch
> > or the herb off ! I clip to promote growth instead.  I WANT that
> herb
> > to come back to it's full glory!
> >    After I finish collecting I always leave an offering of
tobacco
> > and  a prayer of thanks for the gifts given. Sometimes I leave
an
> > offering of cornmeal as well. I am Tsalagi, and corn is sacred
to
> > us. 
> >    I hope this is helpful with your collecting and I will post
> again
> > on the different herbs to plant, and to grow in the diffrerent
> > climes. After all this is planting season!  Love and Blessings
to
> > all..happy Wild Crafting!  And happy Gardening!!  Wren/Alitama

the Medicine Woman said..the people will come and they will be asking to be taught..and to find their roots and the roots of their people....tell them the stories..and teach them if they ask to be taught..such is the way of the People....

  What is in a mans heart ..or a woman's, is what is the most important thing that counts...all is Spirit and as we choose to use (or misuse) this Spirit.... it goes out into the World and does the intention or purpose that is the intent of this choice....Spirit is all there is..and to choose Peace instead of war is the greater truth ....and is the way of Spirit....to choose love and honor instead of dishonor..to those around you or to yourself ..is the greater truth and coinsides with what Spirit intends for us...to choose Love instead of hate..or ridicule is the sign of true holiness...and all else is false and manmade and of the world ..not the true intent of Spirit....if we could but love and let each other be...if we could but love and give honor to those around us...we will be doing what Spirit Wills us to do....and giving honor to ourselves....and Spirit will smile on us and we will be happy and guided on our path...   When we do anything disharmonious ..this blocks us from seeing and doing the Will of Spirit...misuse of this Divine Gift is so very sad..and causes tears ....for those who choose to malighn each other...and causes there to be more disharmony in the world...there is so much of this now...my Brothers and Sisters...Let us instead choose to add to the harmony of this world and to the healing of our Mother Earth....and to love each other without judgement or dishonor..for when we dishonor someone..we dishonor ourselves....and even the Angels cry..... Wren Usti Alitama

   The autumn is in full glory here..the trees all in their finery..golds, reds, oranges and evergreen are so beautiful this time of year...Yes we've had first frost..but the tomatoes are holding up pretty well...it's clear and cold tonight..crisp..and the stars really sparkle with the cold nights...the sunset was glorious...and we are to get some clouds tomorrow ..I think...        we're winterizing our place now.... Getting in the wood..covering the faucets..and putting on the storm doors, for the winter to come...I've moved the delicate plants into the greenhouse for their winter home, now and want to start some lettece and greens both outdoors and in the greenhouse..as well...    Everything around us is going to sleep but the Elk..for it's mating season and the trumpting of the males is so appairent, here..Trumpting for love or a fight....and i think , hoping for the former!    We have the Canadain Geese wintering over here now..about 50 or so..they fly to the river during the day and back to our ponds at night..calling thier songs the whole time , in flight...announcing their prescense to the others already there..and they call back...Their flights have changed here...they just stay all year now..    I've been taking field notes of our wildlife here for about 7 years now..Especially the flight migrations..the winged ones know more than we...   The frost is on the pumpkins and the apples are sweetening with that same frost..the winter pears ready to pick...   The summer birds have flown south for the winter now..and the winter birds have arrived and the song of the Chicadee is heard all around us...the Junkos and Tohees are back and the Song Sparrows and Golden Crowns..the White Crowns..Black Tops...the Purple and Golden Finches ...are with us, now  and will stay the winter months..the feeders are emtying faster than I can fill them..and I will be making winter suet for them soon... with...unsalted butter..vitamins and wheat germ..birdseed..and nuts and dried fruits..the Starlings love that!    Autumn in Oregon is so very beautiful...and when I look out my window, as I write this,upon the Creators art work...my heart sings the song of Harvest and there is quiet joy..in the knowledge that there is a promise of Spring to come..as the leaves cover the seeds..and they lay, waiting for the call of life, once again..forever...

 let me tell you of my beloved childern.....whom i love with all my heart......i am referred to, by the locals....here in my valley, as 'parenting' the Elk here....because i protect them with my life.....and monitor them..taking field notes of the new Calves and the head count for the Bulls and Cows....The herd here is a large one...and there is plenty of tall green grasses, of various kinds for them to graze upon...i do not feed them...as i don't wish them to be dependant on anything but Mother Nature, to provide....    I walk with them...sing to them...and when i play my harp at dusk..they come out of the trees to graze near my sacred fire circle.....There is one cow and her calf that partictuarly like the music..or maybe i'm just flattering myself..and they came for the apples..hehe...but stayed for the music...and came within a few feet of me...this was incredible.....as these are massive animals..and they leave a swath in the grasses as they pass....     I watch and study them...and they do the same ..they watch and study me.....in the fall I can hear their trumpting..the Bulls calling for love or a fight...and in their season..the new calves in spring..calling mournfully in the night, for their mothers and the call of the mothers back to them...this call that the Calves make is a cry like no other..the first time i heard this cry...i thought one of them had gotten caught or hurt and went to look for the poor thing...in the middle of the night..with just a flashlight and my robe on...i discovered..that the little one had strayed too far from it's mother and the mother was calling it back.....   as the Calves get older..the whole herd looks out for them....all the mothers watch and nurse all the babies..and they cluster together ...the babies always being kept in the center of the circle, for protection....Once in a while i catch a glimse of one or two of the Bulls..they are very shy..and keep to the edges of the woods....till very dark....and this is a very good thing....dusk finds only the Cows and their Calves out..mostly..and a few young bulls...but....sometimes when the moon is full..i catch sight of ....what i call...''the old man''..he is magnificent!  a huge full rack upon his head..and massive in appearance...much larger than the other bulls...he is Chief of the herd...and there are a few of his wives..the larger and older cows..are his...mostly..but he holds his own in any fight..and I have seen this also...a wonderful display..never getting too vicious..but just enough push to discourage the young ones...then there are the rogues..the young bulls that haven't come into their own, yet...and are on the very edge of the herd...they havent established their place yet....for all to know.....     I do not eat Elk meat..because these animals are sacred to me....and it would be like eating my children or my totem....and the Elk is one of my totems....   I just love and protect them from harm and the needless waste of a man, who would kill them, spotlighting the herd, in the night and leave them lay......for the sport of just killing.....and because he can...This too has happened in my valley....so....he can't, now..for i face 'em down, much to the dismay of my husband....lol...and i collect license plates of the poachers as well......also there are the poachers that kill out of season, too..as well as killing the babies and cows......i watch for this and other things......I have a wonderful relationship with the game warden here...this place is remote...so the game warden is on speed dial...and when i call  ..you better believe...he comes...Thank God!..   Then there is hunting season...i understand that the herd must be culled..but it still breaks my heart.....for these are sacred animals to me...these Elk are of the original blood, here...from before the time, when the white man came to this land.......and I feel as though the peoples that once were here ..are part of this herd, as well..as though the ansestors are watching over them..as am i......   i live on sacred ground here...as this place is an old villiage site....and i do feel some of this spirit, of the Villiage, still exists here....   It is truely a magical valley....of great beauty....i am so blessed to be here....and i hope i have shared some of this beauty with you all...Wren

on one of the groups we were asked to speak of our visions ...to the group..and discuss it...this is what i said.....         i've pondered and read some of the posts...i know it's hard to speak of such personal experiences and i'm no different....also there's the chance of being thought of as nutty....if the vision discribed is too far out....right?...lol....   so...i will just say what's in my heart today...and what i woke up with this morning....after two dreams that were vistied me in the night..i awoke in tears....    most of my visions are too sacred to share...they are personal...and have meaning only for me..at least at this time...but for one...yes there is one i would like to share with you all....i have had a great vision..and still do...one that i carry in my heart and soul...everyday...it stays with me...and is never deminished...    It is the vision i have had, for many years... of a better world for us all...of a balanced and thriving Mother Earth....     one in which the strong do not victimize the weak...where there is good health care for everyone...where everyone has enough good food to eat....and education is had by all....where greed and corruption are no more....polluting the hearts of men and women....and love is the way of things....i visualise a world of loving kindness put first....instead of the lower mentality of blood sports and the wanting to get ahead by stepping on another to do boost yourself up higher....   I see a world where our Mother Earth is cared for and nurtured....where she is not polluted and harmed...where her animals are treated as they should be...as sentient beings as we are, ourselves....the damage to her is so bad now...and getting worse....the treatment of animals and even our fellow humans is horrible and outragious....and the sorrow of my heart for all of this is deep....so deep....unto dispair...but i have prayed, oh how i've prayed....for an answer....and in my many tears for this world, the answer has come....the answer is simple....so simple that it escapes most of us....for great truth is simple...not complicated....and is hidden in the hearts of us all....it is...''to just love''...to send love to our Earth Mother and pour out the balm of love upon her...within the holy breath....    it seems simple but is it?...How many of us..myself included, pour out love to our Earth...our very Mother who sustains us....how many of us take the time to even pray for Her?....'Love' is the answer...for at times i feel so helpless....so powerless to do anything about what is happening here..upon our Earth Mother....i of myself can do nothing..yes i am powerless ...but 'Love'...is the greatest power there is...as our own Saint Paul tells us..''it is the greatest thing in this world''....love CAN change things...this is the answer i have gotten from Spirit...this is the answer that keeps repeating itself to me....again and again..when i ask..imploring our Creator to help me to understand....for the price of awareness is to see that which is painful to see..if i wish to see the truth...and yes..i wish to see the truth...being a seeker of truth all my life....this is the answer that comes ...''to love with all our might and main''...to spead the word of love to all who will listen and learn....to raise the awareness of this great truth as we raise the awareness of what is happening here..to this beautiful Earth...to us all...That we stay 'people' and not sheeple, as the corrupt ones wish us to....ignorance is not bliss...it is distroying this world we love and revier so much....it is distroying the very Earth Mother we love and that nurtures us and sustains us...we the Native Americans have always had a special closeness to Nature and love of the Great Earth Mother....now is the time...to just simply love...and pour this love upon Her...our beloved Mother...to balance what is happening to her...and on a powerful Spiritual level, at that....a way inwhich to manifest it ...to see this vision of a better world come to pass...    yes i carry this vision...with all my heart...for our children and our children's children...for our beloved Mother...our beautiful Earth and it's inhabitants...including our brothers the four leggeds and the winged ones and the ones that crawl upon this place...Where my heart is...this our Mother Earth.....    Some of you will not like what i have said...some of you will call it drivel...but if i have reached just one person today..inspiring love...then it was worth it..to discribe my vision to you.....love with your heart..upon the holy breath that the Creator gave you...let the love flow into the center of the Earth..loving our Mother...who so loves us...inspite of it all....we give so much lip service to this and other things.....but do not do the actions required...such a simple thing ..a simple truth...but it is in the doing that it becomes hard...the taking the time to do it....this it the challenge to us all...this will make a difference...in ourselves ..and in this world....AHO!...    thank you for listening to my words...thank you for your patience......I send you all my deepest heartfelt love.....blessings..Wren