Totem: Dugong

Dugongs are aquatic mammals that have a threat of becoming extinct. This mammal is large and long living, with a habitat across many coastlines.

The dugong teaches to become free from mothering or even smothering regardless of where it is coming from. Independence is important, and being mothered is not going to be a help.

As a create whom eats no meat, the dugong teaches about the values of eating vegetables as they are in fact an important part of the diet. Food is important, especially the foods which allow for others to eat meat.

The power of gentleness is of the dugong, whom embraces it and encourages others to do the same. Being gentle is not a bad thing as this animal teaches, with gentleness being valued by many.

Alyssum

Lobularia maritime is commonly called, Sweet Alison, Sweet Alyssum or simply Alyssum and is an annual, short growing plant. Alyssum can be also grown as a perennial but often is simply grown as an annual. It has clusters of small flowers typically white or purple in colour. It can be used as a ground cover and is easy to grow.

Alyssum can be grown in full or partial sun, but takes preference to partial sun. It requires little care and has tolerance of drought and dry soils. Too much water will cause alyssum to rot. Soils need to be well-drained, loam or sand and can be acid, neutral or alkaline.

Gods And Goddesses: Tonacacihuatl

Tonacacihuatl is the goddess of creation and wife to Tonacatecuhtli, the name of the goddess means “Our Lady of Flesh”.  It is said that Tonacacihuatl is the mother to Camaxtli, Huitzilopochtli, Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.

Tonacacihuatl combined with her husband Tonacatecuhtli to create the life found on earth and resides in the highest of the Heavens.  She and her husband have the task of transferring the souls of infants from Heaven to the womb of the mother.

Totem: Snake

Snakes are well known and much feared creatures. They cause hide well and cause painful bite, with snakes often having a warning to tell to others before biting. Many people do not realize these warnings and end up bitten by the snake.

There is a saying, “Knowledge is power”, and this totem gives reminders that this saying is indeed true. There is no reason to hide from knowledge, it should be embraced.

The snake lets it be known that change occurs and that part of what we were shall be gone eventually. In a way, skin is shed like a snake and a part of what we were shall be left behind eventually.

Patience is considered a virtue, and this totem teaches to embrace patience, to develop it.  Patience is a virtue useful to develop as it tends to be useful in certain aspects in life.

Cockscomb

Cockscomb is an annual flowering plant known botanically as Celosia argentea. Their common name of cockscomb comes from the appearance of the flowers, alike to the comb of roosters.

This plant will grow 30cm to 1m in height and best grows in full sun, but it is possible to grow cockscomb in partial sun. They are easy to grow and enjoy moist soil, but grow well in slightly dry soil. Cockscomb can be grown in either sand, loam or clay soils and acid, neutral and alkaline soils.

Gods And Goddesses: Tonacatecuhtli

Tonacatecuhtli is the god of food, fertility, beginnings and is also a creator deity. His name means “Lord of Our Sustenance” and is husband to Tonacacihuatl. He lives in the uppermost heaven with his wife, Omeyocan (Place of Duality) and rules over a particular day known as Cipactli (which is part of a thirteen day period known as Tecena).

It was Tonacatecuhtli is thought to have warmed the earth, making it fruitful. He is also credited with dividing the land and sea at the beginning of time and brought it into order, leaving Ometeotl to deal with those who will live on earth. Tonacatecuhtli also turned Chantico into a dog as punishment for breaking a fast.

Totem: Salamander

Salamanders are a type of amphibian with many species. They are also known for their ability to regenerating missing body parts and for their physical appearance being alike of lizards.

The salamander teaches transformation and gives assistance in doing so. Although these transformations are taught, it is only temporary and cannot last forever, as good things cannot last.

Embracing change is another lesson of this totem. Change is bound to happen and shall continue once it begins, so trying to avoid it will bring nothing of benefit.

It is said by some that everyone has a place in the world in some shape or form. The salamander teaches how to find one’s personal placing within the world.

Gelsemium sempervirens

Gelsemium sempervirens is a vine with multiple common names including Carolina Jasmine, Yellow Jasmine, Evening Trumpetflower, Gelsemium, Poor Man’s Rope and Woodbine. It is a plant that will typically grow 3-6m high when given climbing support and is an evergreen plant. The flowers are yellow, grow in clusters and are scented. Flowering occurs in early spring and early autumn. This plant is also poisonous. Growth is fast and taking care of this species of plant is easy.

It can be grown ornamentally on walls and can make a screen over an area provided if given support. Full sun is best for this plant, but it can be grown in partial sun.  This plant is adaptable, proving to be a tough plant tolerant of the cold and heat. Moist, humus rich and acidic soils are preferred, yet can adapt to other pH levels. Soil can be sand, loam or clay.

Gods And Goddesses: Chantico

Chantico is the goddess of hearth fires and volcanoes whose name means “She who dwells in the house”. She is known of her protectiveness over her belongings and guards men who go to battle and pray to her. Xiuhecuhtli is the male counterpart of Chantico.

Chantico once ate paprika with roasted fish, breaking a fast. This caused Tonacatecuhtli to punish Chantico by turning her into a dog.

Totem: Sloth

Sloths are mammals that live in the trees, known for their slow movements but are able to camouflage themselves using the algae that are coated in their fur during the wet seasons.

Just as this animal has algae to help camouflage it, the sloth teaches the strengths of camouflage and how to use it. Camouflage helps the sloth to survive and is helpful for when trying to hide.

The sloth teaches to develop ones psychic abilities. It is one of those abilities best developed when young, yet the sloth knows this cannot always be the case, teaching how to develop psychic abilities regardless of age.

Laziness isn’t the most highly valued thing that people may have, but it can be a great motivator to create something easier and less time consuming. Sloth teaches laziness isn’t a bad thing, but it can be rather useful if used in the right manner.

Chinese Pistachio

Chinese Pistachio is the common name of Pistacia chinensis, a small-medium sized deciduous tree. It grows 4-5m wide and 8-15m high, with leaves that beautifully turns red, orange and yellow in autumn. There are male and female plants, with the female plants growing small blue to red fruit during the autumn up to 6mm.

It is a tree that can be slow to fast in growth and is a hardy plant that is drought tolerant. Chinese pistachio can be grown in full or partial sun and in most soils. Preference is to soils moist, fertile and well-drained yet doesn’t need much water. It has a low tolerance of waterlogging.

Gods And Goddesses: Piquete-Zina

Piquete-Zina is a Zapotec bat god known also as Batman. He has a drunken rabbit as someone who gives help and is often seen with Ometochtli, leader of Centzon Totochtin. There also appears to be little known about this deity.

Totem: Dolphin

Dolphins are aquatic creatures of intelligence and tend to be social. They can be quite playful and are able to have a darker side.

The dolphin teaches to go out and play, to have fun and to get fresh air. There is nothing wrong with having fun, and it can be a method of helping let go of whatever worries there may be.

As a mammal of the sea, the dolphin requires going up above water to breath air and as such asks to learn of deep breathing. While breathing is important, the dolphin sees importance in deep breathing and wishes for it to be useful for others.