<![CDATA[GREEN TENT - LA TENDA VERDE - Animal Wisdom Speaks Blog]]>Mon, 09 Mar 2026 01:28:34 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Jerboa Medicine]]>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:49:14 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/jerboa-medicine

Jerboa Medicine
by Kristin Raphaela Otti 


​The Jerboa is a mentor and companion who teaches us that we can survive and thrive in any environment or climate, no matter how harsh it may seem. It is creative in its ways and adapts swiftly to its surroundings, looking at any obstacle in its way as a playground to hone and master its skills, never approaching it with fear and dread but with creativity and joy.
​
Sometimes life seems like a journey through a desert without water, but know that the most beautiful flowers are born in the harshest of climates, nourished by courage and resilience.

​The Desert Jerboa says, “No matter, how difficult a moment seems or how harsh the challenge appears to be, there is always a way to be found, if we dare to find it and walk our path nourishing our hearts with hope. Every obstacle turns into playground, if we approach it with creativity and joy instead of fear and dread.”
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"White Desert Jerboa", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Cafe Eiles, Vienna)

​The Jerboa calls the deserts of Mother Earth home and has adapted to the vast sand oceans and the heat. The Jerboa says, “Sometimes life seems like a journey through a desert without water, but know that the most beautiful flowers are born in the harshest of climates, nourished by courage and resilience. Grown in a desert barren of comfort, the desert rose sings a song of hope eternal.”
]]><![CDATA[Peacock Medicine]]>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:35:46 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/peacock-medicine

Peacock Medince
​by Kristin Raphaela Otti 

Peacock is a great companion and teacher. It is not afraid of being itself and showing its true colors. It is standing tall and proud, its feathers glistening in the sunlight, showing its talents and gifts openly for everyone to see. Its inner light is emanating from its heart, nothing is hidden away.

Peacock teaches us to show our true colors, to shine and be ourselves, for standing in our power and shining our light has nothing to do with being arrogant but everything to do with daring to be the unique gift we are. 
​
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"White Peacock Thinking", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

​It sees true beauty in every being and everything. Like a swan it has grown into its precious colorful feathers after a long time of learning and experienced and seen the beauty and uniqueness of the beings around it before the sunlight has touched its own beautiful feathers for the first time.

​It has gotten to know its inner strength and power by taking one step after the other on its path and thus it knows, that whatever is needed to achieve its dream, is already inside its heart and growing and will see the light of day at the right moment in time. 
 
The peacock does not hide, it shows its true colors. It has never learned to sing, a songbird it is not. It has no heart for shallow and fake compliments and flattery does not stop it from speaking its truth. It knows, when it is time to speak up. It does not mask its words; it speaks with a loud and clear voice. ​
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"Gentle White Peacock", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024, Cafe Eiles, Vienna)
The peacock was asked to guard this realm and protect the peace. Nothing goes by its eyes; it finds the viper among a thousand snakes and calls it out. There is no place in his heart for lies and deceit, it is incorruptible and will keep those under its protection from harm. 

​It sees through a thousand eyes, what was, what is and all the paths that lead into tomorrow. The Peacock knows its past lives and can see through any falsehood and deception. It sees true and is able to mend the eyes of those, that have seen, what they should not have had to see, so they can see the beauty of the world around them once more. 
 
The peacock was asked to guard this realm and protect the peace. Nothing goes by its eyes; it finds the viper among a thousand snakes and calls it out. There is no place in his heart for lies and deceit, it is incorruptible and will keep those under its protection from harm. ​
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"White Peacock", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)
]]><![CDATA[Dove Wisdom]]>Sat, 28 Sep 2024 10:20:44 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/dove-wisdom

Dove Wisdom
by Kristin Raphaela Otti


​Dove is a mentor and teacher who comes into our lives, when we are going through difficult changes and transitions. She is a messenger of compassion and kindness, reminding us that no matter, what challenges we are facing, we can choose to be present in every moment and sow seeds of peace and balance instead of bringing strife and disharmony.
​
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"White Dove", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)
Dove is a mentor filled with love unconditional, gentle, pure and innocent. 
Mourning Dove, the Messenger of Hope and Peace, says, "Mourn and let go of what has passed, of what could have been and what was not. Let your tears mend your heart and gently carry you to new shores."

​She helps us find our soul purpose and will guide us back onto our path, no matter how far we went astray and how lost we feel. Dove asks us to trust in the unknown and be open to messages from the spiritual realms. 
]]><![CDATA[Deer Wisdom]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:18:29 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/deer-wisdom

Deer Wisdom
by Kristin Raphaela Otti 

Deer is a gentle mentor and companion who teaches us about leadership, gentleness and that the moment you have learned about your weaknesses they can be turned into your greatest strength. It takes Deer a long time to trust and feel safe, but once Deer does, they give those walking with them the energy and confidence to trust in themselves and their abilities. 
​
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"White Deer" white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

​The Fawn teaches us about the joy in new beginnings, curiosity and exploring the world with the purity and innocence of the inner child. 

​The Doe is deeply connected to the spiritual realms, serving as a mediator and teacher of wisdom. She teaches us to take care of those we are guiding with gentleness, for gentleness is not weakness but strength. 

​The Stag is a gentle leader whose power lies in his calmness and inner strength. Leading with a pure heart he is never aggressive, but he will protect himself and his herd. 
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"Heart of Hearts", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)
The Stag is a natural born leader who does not assume a crown, but leads by example and as a beacon of light guiding others home. 

He leads with determination and gentleness and does not control others out of fear and anxiety.  The Stag is a natural born leader who does not assume a crown, but leads by example and as a beacon of light guiding others home. 
​
The Does says, "​Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more.​"
]]><![CDATA[The Hunt for the White Deer]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:03:19 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/the-hunt-for-the-white-deer

The Hunt for the White Deer
by Kristin Raphaela Otti ​

A few years ago, when I was still teaching and living in Vienna, I was in the midst of a journey beyond the veils, when the energies around me completely changed. 
 
I had shapeshifted into my white deer aspect and was exploring a forest, conversing with the beings around me and enjoying the peace and quiet. All of a sudden, the shadows grew larger and the scents and smells of the forest changed. What had smelled of peace and healing before, suddenly reeked of danger and demise. I knew that a hunter was on the prowl and he had chosen me as his prey. 
 
Everything grew dark. I started to run. The chase led through the forest, up into one of the mountain regions. I knew where I was headed and I had chosen the path on purpose. I heard the impatient growling of my pursuer behind me and where I was taking a path that would not hurt any tree or bush, he was running right through them, breaking and splintering wood. I reached a cliff, that I knew well, as did I know the abyss it led to. I had been down there on a journey before. 

​I ran towards the edge of the cliff and at the last moment I made a sharp turn to the left. Since the one chasing me had been blinded by bloodthirst and chosen a form, that would allow him to simply demolish every obstacle, he was not as agile as I was and he went over the cliff. 

​I went to the edge of the cliff and looked down. There he was. A giant red lion made of fire. He was holding on to the edge of the cliff with one paw, his claws dug deeply into the stone. His glowing eyes were filled with pure hatred. I shapeshifted back into my human form, knelt down, grabbed his foot a bit under the paw and pulled him up onto the cliff and into safety. 
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"White Deer", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)
Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more. ​
​
​He lay there, breathing heavily, staring at me in complete and utter disbelief. He growled, “Why?” I replied, “I love you.” Then I shapeshifted back into my white deer aspect, looked him in the eye once more, turned around and walked slowly back into the forest. 
 
Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more. 
]]><![CDATA[Lion Wisdom]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:55:12 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/lion-wisdom

Lion Wisdom
​by Kristin Raphaela Otti 

The Lion and the Lioness are protectors and guardians that lead with grace and dignity, justice and honor, for they know that power comes with responsibility: A leader is not the one getting everything served on a silver platter eating first, a leader is the first servant of the people and the pride he or she has been entrusted with.  
​
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"Lionheart", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)
Lion leads with compassion and courage, yet knows, when to roar and stand his ground. He is a leader that makes others stronger and does not rule and control by inducing fear but he leads by nurturing the fires in the hearts of the members of his pride, so every single one of them is walking tall and powerful as they are meant to be. 
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"Wise White Lioness", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)
Lion is a leader that makes others stronger and does not rule and control by inducing fear but he leads by nurturing the fires in the hearts of the members of his pride.

​The heart of a lioness sings the song of working in circles and hunting together. Lionesses have no need for petty power struggles, but know of the strength each and every single one of them carries within and how to use their unique gifts to work together for the well-being of their pride. ​
]]><![CDATA[Gentleness - Sanftmut]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:47:05 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/gentleness-sanftmut

Gentleness - Sanftmut
by Sabine Rieser


​​Lion gently reminds you of your values. He says, “Be courageous and stand up for yourself. Be aware of your special aura and your impact on others. Walk with your head held high, tall and powerful. Show all of you, your unique beauty, openly and walk your path in a majestic and gentle way. This is, how you find calmness within and how you become able to get to the truth of a matter without fear.” 
Der Löwe fordert dich auf, mutig zu dir zu stehen. Sei dir deiner besonderen Ausstrahlung und deiner Wirkung auf andere bewusst.
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(c) 2024 Sabine Rieser, original manuscript page
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"Raindrop Lion", watercolours, Sabine Rieser (2024)
Show all of you, your unique beauty, openly and walk your path in a majestic and gentle way.

​Der Löwe erinnert dich an deine Werte. Er fordert dich auf, mutig zu dir zu stehen. Sei dir deiner besonderen Ausstrahlung und deiner Wirkung auf andere bewusst. Schreite aufrecht und selbstbewusst in voller Pracht auf deinem Weg voran. Majestätisch, kraftvoll und sanftmütig kommst du in deine Gelassenheit. So gelingt es dir, Situationen auf dich zukommen zu lassen und ihren wahren Kern zu erkennen. 
]]><![CDATA[Ursus]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:41:28 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/ursus

Ursus 
by Rebecca Brugman

Bear has always spoken to me. From childhood piles of stuffed animals which grew into adulthood studies to deepen my understanding of the creature, a lifelong energy has tethered me to this medicine. 
 
A collector’s obsession to family and friends was really an internal seeking for teachers on my part. Each bear related object I gathered told me a different story in a larger narrative. Posters, books, and sculptures made my room into a den. I developed a bed time ritual to carry me to Dreamtime where I could sit with my relations and be filled with their wisdom. 
 
Of course, I had a pendant. I wore it for many years while raising young children. I was the embodiment of a Mama Bear, protecting their choices and encouraging their explorations. I walked the world with thick skin, sharp claws, and a ready growl. I shook off the barbs of the world and maintained my cave to my liking. 

But time flows onward and my bluster turned to determination, then lagged into exhaustion. My winter stores were empty. My fur became faded and patchy. I couldn’t keep organized the baskets of day to night, food or tools, anger or sorrow.  I needed to rest. 
 
So I returned to Bear teachings. I remembered the need for a season of rejuvenation. I reduced my world to vital systems. I reached for the voice deep inside that knew the way to equilibrium and reminded me of myself. I took on the slower lumber of a patient bear picking tiny berries. I yawned widely when in public and went home to sleep. 

Then came a season of recklessness and disconnect. I went beyond the veil of balanced bear and into the realm of near madness. The feral side left a trail of broken things and vague dreaminess. I raced into the woods seeking any burrow to contain my angst and hide it from myself. Somewhere in the forest must be a doorway to the underworld where I could disappear.  But that is a harsh futility to chase.
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"Grandmother Black Bear", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)
One winter day as the snow receded, I smelled Bear.  I hunkered against a tree and heard Bear. In the wild place of my soul, I knew a meeting was in store.  I felt the shift coming and I would either remain disheveled, falling deeper into the chasm of despair or I would smooth my pelt and return fully to my cubs. 
 
Several times in the coming weeks I chased up Bear in the woods. I wasn’t tracking necessarily, but I sat by the waterhole where he would visit. I followed the deer trails where his signs were displayed. Mostly, it was the lingering smell that coaxed me out of my stupor and into fresh awareness that healing had taken place despite my avoidance. 
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"White Brown Bear", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)
Bear invites us to the mystical spaces within a soul. These are the places where Dreams and Truths wait. Only in eating the divine honey will we accept our inner most knowing and be able to reclaim ourselves.
​
​Then there was a frightening episode involving one of my children. Sparing the details, I can say it worked out well enough but, during that strange night of discovery and crisis control, I spent time howling in the forest like the wounded animal I had become. My ache was finally shaken loose and released to the dark in sounds humans rarely make. 
 
But Bear heard me. 
 
I’m not certain anymore how many days between that night and his visit, but it wasn’t long before I woke in the predawn hours to the sound of digging in my garden. I heard the pallets of my compost pile moving around. The breath caught in my throat when he snuffed and sneezed less than ten feet from my window, which was open a crack to let in spring air. 
 
In an instant, all the years of teachings flew together in my heart. I watched his furry shoulders work at the stones around the garden as he searched for snacks. I smiled when he crunched the freshly thawed lobster shells from our discarded New Years feast. I snuck to the back door for a better view. As I pushed aside the curtain as silently as possible, he of course heard me anyway. Our eyes met and with a final swipe at the meager garden findings, he lumbered towards the woods, pausing to scratch an ear with his teenaged paw. 
 
I have lived most aspects of Bear now from a naive cub to a seasoned mother.  I watch my offspring fledge and look forward to the gentle years of crochet and music in my now quiet home. The sleepy groan of comfort is not far from me these days and I am grateful. But the hot breath of a dangerous bite lingers on my neck too. 
 
Bear invites us to the mystical spaces within a soul. These are the places where Dreams and Truths wait. Only in eating the divine honey will we accept our inner most knowing and be able to reclaim ourselves. Whether I am roaring in defense or sadness, digging for food or shelter, settling in for contemplation or work, I know the strength of this beast is beside me. 
 
I enjoy the cozy heartbeat when I have lost my song.  I borrow the tough walking shoes to keep moving forward. I stand with generations of Bear knowledge ready to embrace the lessons I must learn. I walk with Bear to remain solid in my faith. I listen to know when I need a drink of dreaming from the Cave.
 
To everything there is a season and Bear guides me through them all. 
]]><![CDATA[Power Animal Experiences - Bear Energy]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:35:48 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/power-animal-experiences-bear-energy

Power Animal Experiences - Bear Energy 
​Written By Anja Mays

Sometimes being introduced to an animal’s energy field within the shamanic practice seems to be very easy. A lot of healers, teachers and artists are freely sharing their experiences, creating card sets and beautiful art work. You can choose a card in ceremony  and read the thoughts and teachings of somebody else. 

To experience an animal’s energy on its own in wilderness or on a shamanic journey or a clear dream for me is totally different - when one is totally aware of the moment given. Animals appear in special unforgettable moments, in dreams and visions. They appear in unusual shapes and are able to speak and to communicate on a level which is truly ‘the unseen world’. No-one beside yourself is seeing it and making the individual experience - very intimate and privately - and always precise - if you listen. 

Bear energy for me is one of the special experiences I had. At a given moment I needed advice on which path to walk on to come into my power. On a shamanic drum journey I asked my helping spirits for advice. Until that point I had known a little brown bear from my prior experiences, a bit like ‘Baloo the Bear’ in the ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling, a really funny bear, always looking for honey bees, playful and joyful. 
​
On this specific journey the bear spirit appeared and I was invited to ride on his back. He instantly started running. He ran through forests without looking right or left, just straight ahead, as if he had a specific route and path to follow. 

The landscape changed and woods became Tundra, so it seemed that our journey had turned North. Finally the Tundra ended as well and the ocean appeared right in front of us. In between the brown bear had changed his fur color and become white. At the ocean he stepped onto ice and like a boat this ice moved north. ​
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(c) 2024 Anja Mays
Animals appear in special unforgettable moments, in dreams and visions. They appear in unusual shapes and are able to speak and to communicate on a level which is truly ‘the unseen world’. 

​Here we met an old, old woman in a tent - made of bones.

Here I saw: 

​My prayer had been answered and bear was the guide between the ‘seen’ and the ‘unseen’ world, knowing where to go to ask for guidance from another spirit. Following the advice had been my task and I had done so, freely trusting that all would be well, because the answers came from deep within. No-one else to trust - just to trust myself and inner guidance. 

Bear spirit appeared again in the following years, being the mediator between the seen and the unseen world for me, young and playful, old and wise or exactly as the predator which he is in the ‘seen’ world. 
​
Thank you, Bear Spirit for your guidance. 
]]><![CDATA[Home - Geborgenheit]]>Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:24:12 GMThttps://www.greententcircle.com/animal-wisdom-speaks-blog/home-geborgenheit

Home - Geborgenheit 
by Sabine Rieser

Polar Bear wants to remind you of your inner strength and gentle fire.

Whenever life challenges you on your path, go within and sit down right at your heart’s fire. Breathe deep into your heart, feel your breath and then breathe out.
​
Trust, that you carry all you could ever need within. Know it with all your heart.

​Stand up, raise yourself to your full height and calmly look your challenge in the eyes. Feel the gentle warmth of your fire, your hearth, your sanctuary. Trust, that you carry all you could ever need within. Know it with all your heart.

Look! Can you feel, how your challenge is growing smaller and smaller by the heartbeat?

​Invite abundance into your life now, feel it in every breath you take. Feel the gentle fire, feel home inside yourself.
Der Eisbär möchte dich an deine eigenen Stärken erinnern. Wenn dich das Leben herausfordert, ruhe in dir.
Picture
"Raindrop Polar Bear", watercolours, Sabine Rieser (2024)
Blicke deiner Herausforderung in die Augen und zeige dich in deiner vollen Größe. Sei dir deiner Kraft bewusst. 
​
Vertraue darauf, dass du alles, was du brauchst in dir hast.
Atme bewusst ein und aus, spüre deine innere Wärme, deine innere Sicherheit. Vertraue darauf, dass du alles, was du brauchst in dir hast.

​Merkst du, wie die Herausforderung kleiner wird? Lade nun die Fülle in dein Leben ein! Spüre die Geborgenheit, die dich umhüllt. 
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