Animal Symbolism - Porcupine

The porcupine is all about oneself, your innermost being, protection and dealing with self-loathing through defeating it with will alone.

Pride is eradicated when the porcupine is invoked. You can get claws or spines from porcupines if you need something concrete to help you focus on its powers. If you touch porcupine objects or see one in person, in can invoke memories you'd long forgotten. Not always good ones, but they will have a purpose, which is to teach you humility and the ability to believe you can live through anything. Strength in being inconspicuous until cornered (mostly by yourself) is the power of the porcupine.

Excerpt From Next Hand Guide

Chapter One: What’s Wrong with Me?

              Absolutely nothing. And everything. And some of this and some of that. But quit asking yourself that. Each time you go through your what’s-wrong-with-you list, begin a what’s-right-with-you list. Maybe you have nice feet. Or perhaps you’ve been told a lot by friends you’re a great listener.

              You won’t want to think about those things after you’ve mentally crushed yourself with all that stuff you hate about yourself. It’s hard to switch gears like that. The first time you may quit at simply thinking about doing it.

              But maybe, just maybe, you’ll try it a few more times. And say something nice and honest to yourself that you like about you. And you might even listen. And as crazy as it sounds, that one whisper from your own lips to your ears could change your day.

              It might not happen each time you do it, but it could become a mantra. More on that later, but this is a simple way to train your mind.

              What do you think is wrong with you? What’s so horrible? Name those things.

              Next, identify where those ideas came from. Did someone tell you that about yourself? Do you feel guilty about certain desires you have you think you shouldn’t? Have you been taught certain thoughts are bad? Have you been mean to people to make yourself feel stronger, only to later feel miserable you did those things?

              You are human, then! Welcome to humanity. We all do those things. And many of us hate ourselves for it. I suppose the ones who don’t wouldn’t bother picking up this read. You did. You’re trying to find a way to quit beating yourself up. 

Psychic First Steps - Free for Five Days

I'm putting Psychic First Steps as a free download on Amazon Kindle for 5 days starting tomorrow, February 5th. Happy Valentines Day!

Animal Symbolism - Coyote

For some of us, animals are a huge part of our lives. Pets, watching shows about them, learning about them. A good friend of mine's favorite animal is the coyote.

I think they are beautiful and intriguing, too! They have interesting symbolism. I keep a coyote claw in my reading space for these reasons. They are wonderful at changing your fortune, the way your life is going, into positive and playful directions. Coyotes teach us to be adaptable, enhance our natural sense of humor, and show us to be creatively manipulative to get through life.

They sound like screaming babies when a pack runs through, and it can be eerie and terrifying if you don't know what the sound is. If you do, you'll love it. 

Just be sure to keep your small pets inside if you have coyotes around. They are predators just as much as scavengers. Clever and social, coyotes are not the vermin of the wilds, but rather lurkers in the shadows, planning, fearful in solitude, and powerful in their packs. They can teach us a lot about depending on our loved ones.