WOLF LEGEND with credit to many At the very beginning of All That Ever Was, Creator Spirit called a great council together. All the animal spirits came and the nature spirits came- the Wind that Moves Through the Heavens, the Fire that Burns Without End, the Water That Brings Forth Life, and The Bones of the Universe. A great circle formed in the Heavens, and a great Joy was born- a Joy so great that it became a Song, and as the Song rang out the Earth was formed and all the Spirits at the council were a part of the Earth, and all seemed Well. Yet, from the heavens watched the Brightest Star That Ever Shown, and a sadness came to Be, for the star was not called to the great council. And that star was called the Wolf Star by the other spirits, and when the Earth was formed, Wolf Star became Morning Star. Then Star Daughter skinned the grey wolf and made the first sacred bundle from his pelt, and in it she put the memory of what had happened. And forever after the first people were called the Wolf People, and must carry this memory over the earth, so that the Earth and its creatures would remember where Death came from and why they had to die. Every wolf knows the song of Star Daughter, and each morning before the sun shines, all sing the words- that when the last wolf is gone, the spirit of Wolf Brother must return to Morning Star, and Star Daughter will go with him on the Path of Light. Then the People of the Earth will vanish Forever. Before the settlers came to this country, the Native Americans and the wolf lived together in peace and harmony. They revered the wolf and looked upon him as a brother and a teacher. Some Native Americans were honored with wolf names. WOLF ROBE (Acoma) WOLF FACE (Apache) WOLF LEG (Blackfoot) WOLF IN THE WATER (Blood) LITTLE WOLF (Cheyenne) WOLF GOES TO DRINK (Crow) WOLF EYES (Hidatsa) SLEEPING WOLF (Kiowa) HIGH WOLF (Lakota) YELLOW WOLF (Nez Perce) WOLF NECKLACE (Palouse) WOLF TAIL (Peigan) MAD WOLF (Seminole)

Wolf

Teaching, A Guide to the Sacred

Wolves are probably the most misunderstood of the wild animals. Tales of cold bloodedness abound, in spite of the their friendly, social and intelligent traits. They are truly free spirits even though their packs are highly organized. They seem to go out of their way to avoid a fight. One is rarely necessary when a shift in posture, a growl, or a glance gets the point across quite readily. Traditionally, someone with Wolf Medicine has a strong sense of self, and communicates well through subtle changes in voice inflection and body movements.They often find new solutions to problems while providing stability and support that one normally associates with a family structure.

IT IS SAID that Shamans thruought history have spoken of the great powers of the totem animal. Native Americans have vision quests, which are initiations for the your tribal memebers to receive the blessings of their totem spirit animal. The journeys into the inner world would ususally begin by going thru a "tunnel" which is represented in ancient art by a circule symbol. It is said that if,during the dream, an animal appeared to you four times, he would then become your spirit guide, your totem animal and forever be your ally and protector.

THE ABOVE PICTURE is an interpetation of the vision quest. The blue color represents truth and the burgandy is for impeccability.When you mean your wolf spirit on your quest, he would bring you the special gifts of the wolf. These are Leadership,loyalty,teaching,pathfinding and wisdom.Wolf Spirits are my guides and my friends and they help me find my way thru the maze of lift. (Photo and prose by Jody Bergsma.)