4.3.1.5 Big Winds Moon: Cougar (Sun Bear MWEA 31-40)

• Plantain is plant kingdom totem
• Turquoise is mineral kingdom totem
• Color is the blue-green of turquoise
• Frog elemental clan
• 4.3.1.5.1 Mineral Kingdom: Turquoise
  • One of the oldest stones used for adornment and protection
  • Mined in Egypt at least 6,000 years before Christian era began
  • A hydrous aluminum phosphate, with copper or iron
  • Ranges from sky blue to bluish green to deep green
  • Waxy luster; one of the few jewels without a sheen that is so highly prized
  • Largely found in kidney-shaped masses in veins of other rocks
    • Almost any kind of rock, though most often found along with copper, iron, silver
  • Many stones have veins, or matrixes, of these other ores running through them
  • "Skystone" to Native people - legend says the sky is blue because a golden spirit eagle sits on top of a turquoise mountain
    • Reflects the mountain's color up to the sky
  • Many powers attributed to stone
    • Believed by that wearing it, one would never break their bones
      • The turquoise would fracture instead, thus protecting wearer
    • Used in horse's bridles, harnesses, tails to ensure even-footedness
    • Used in engagement rings in some countries
      • Believed stone would remain blue as long as couple were faithful to each other
      • Turned green if either were untrue
      • A fairly hard test for anyone with oily skin
        • Turquoise very porous, changes color with contact with oily skin
        • Also with just about any liquid
    • Many Native Americans believed it could keep owner from injury or danger
      • Used in shields to turn aside weapons
    • Used throughout Americas in religious ceremonies
      • And was carved into fetishes or inlaid into other objects
    • Used by Navajos as part of rain-making ceremonies
      • Thrown into rivers with special prayers
    • Apaches believed turquoise could be found at end of rainbow
    • A turquoise bead fastened to bow or arrow by other tribes
      • Belief that this would make the arrow always hit its target

• 4.3.1.5.2 Plant Kingdom: Plantain
  • A common herb and well-known healer
  • 200 species of this herb, grow all over the world
  • Leaves radiate from base, broader in some than others; dark green, very visible lengthwise ribs
  • Flower is dull white, grows 6-18" high
  • Whole plant used as healer
    • Internally and externally to cool and soothe as well as heal by Amerindians
    • It is a blood cleanser; it helps alleviate pain, reverse effects of poison
    • Does wonders for healing fresh or old sores, as tea or compress
    • Effective against stings and bites
    • Does same for inside of body as outside
      • Used to heal ulcers or stomach or intestine, inflammation of these areas
      • To heal kidneys and bladder trouble
    • As bath or a strong tea used in compresses
      • Aids in most conditions of aches or pains

• 4.3.1.5.3 Animal Kingdom: Cougar, the lion of this continent
  • Native lion not given same respect as African counterpart
    • Tends to be misunderstood, feared, often resulting in wanton slaughter
    • Also known as mountain lion, puma, panther, screamer, painter and ghost cat
    • Largest member of feline family on North American continent
      • Measures 7-9', weighs 150-300 pounds
    • An unspotted cat once beyond kit stage
      • Tawny tan to gray coat with lighter underparts
      • Tail and ear tufts tipped with brown or black fur, never seem to stay still
      • Handsome face, round head, prominent whiskers
    • Found in western states, Florida, Canada and Mexico
      • Used to exist across all of continent prior to spread of current civilization
      • Now largely inhabit steep canyon country, mountainous terrain
    • Dens in rocky caves, washout holes or thick brush
    • Of all cats, considered the best climbers
      • Pursued or hunting, can climb trees, prefer to stay on ground
    • Swift runners, though not good at lengthy long-distance runs
    • Large individual territories, social nature dictates no overlap; careful marking
    • Harsh high-pitched scream quite terrifying, but seldom heard
      • Tend to be silent unless cornered; then growl, snarl, spit
  • Hunters, deer the mainstay of their diet, but will eat small animals
    • Like chase of hunt, often join efforts of mate or relations for better results
      • One will chase while other waits in bush
    • Will not hunt for more food than they eat
      • Livestock only when natural supplies depleted, no choice
    • One of the most expert of wild hunters; speed, power, endurance
    • Moves in lithe graceful circles swiftly and silently through territory
      • Sometimes called "sneak cat"
    • Patient hunter, many approaches prior to finding desired position
      • Sometimes wait a day and a night on a ledge or limb for chance to make meat
    • Females better hunters than males
  • When mating, females often the aggressor
    • Will chase after the male of her choice, gives him a few swats to get attention
    • When he reciprocates, the two wrestle until relationship sealed
  • Males do not assist much in raising young; most litters of two kits in spring
  • Females will fight to protect kits, even to outfighting a dozen hounds

• 4.3.1.5.4 Color: Blue-Green of the Turquoise
  • Blue represents the sky, as well as spiritual aspiration
    • Indicates a seeking, spiritual person
      • One prone to self-imposed struggle, melancholy
    • In its purer color, connotes idealistic, selfless, artistic & spiritual feelings
    • It is said that the color of a seeker on the proper path is blue
  • Green mixed with blue, helpful for Cougar people
    • Gives them a balance between spirit and personality, between sky and earth
    • Remembering to keep green as well as blue around them
      • Will help them be serene, restore and heal when out of balance
    • Cougar people spiritual by nature, prefer a pure blue
      • Benefits of adding green, or using a green-blue
      • Especially helpful to wear or have when doing healing work

• 4.3.1.5.5 Moon: Big Winds Moon, a moon of mystery when season is almost ready to turn
  • Winds blow freely from all directions; a time of rapidly changing energies
    • All earth's children prepare for the time of new growth
    • Being born under this moon intensifies mysteriousness & restless side of cougar
      • Increases ability to deal with energies coming through them
  • It is the third moon of Waboose, Spirit Keeper of the North
    • Her gift of purity helps Cougar people to retain spiritual purity despite any problem on material plane
    • Her gift of renewal helps cougar people to bounce back
      • Even from severe bouts of melancholia

• 4.3.2.5.6 Elemental Clan: Frog Clan
  • Frog clan people are sensitive to the shifting flow of human emotions
    • Adds sensitivity to Cougar people; more aware of potential relationship pitfalls
    • On positive side, increases ability to know and flow with creative and unifying energies of universe
  • Cougar people complement Brown Bear people
    • Find easiest compatibility with fellow Frog clan members, the Flicker and Snake
      • And with the others of the Turtle clan, those of the Beaver and Snow Goose
    • When in balance, find it easy to relate to most people, at least superficially
    • Need to watch how they relate to deer people
      • Sometimes unconsciously vicious to them, as cougar to mule deer
      • Difficulty when encountering this position in medicine wheel

Introduction: Page One ~ | ~ Page Two ~ | ~ Page Three ~ | ~ Page Four ~ | ~ Page Five ~ | ~
~ | ~ Sacred Altar ~ | ~ East ~ | ~ South ~ | ~ West ~ | ~ North ~ | ~
Inner Circle: Owl ~ | ~ Cougar ~ | ~ Hawk ~ | ~ Coyote ~ | ~ Wolf ~ | ~ Bear ~ | ~ Raven ~ | ~
Outer Circle: Snow Goose ~ | ~ Otter ~ | ~ Cougar ~ | ~ Hawk ~ | ~ Beaver ~ | ~ Deer ~ | ~
~ | ~ Flicker ~ | ~ Sturgeon ~ | ~ Bear ~ | ~ Raven ~ | ~ Snake ~ | ~ Elk ~ | ~ Blue ~ | ~

Medicine Wheels Native American Medicine Wheel Roy Wilson's Combined Wheel Grey Wolf's Earthweb Other Medicine Wheels The Four Directions and Paths The Twelve Earthly Moons Native American Links	© 1997-2009 Refiner of Gold Creations Created 1/20/2002 by EMC, Updated 11/11/2009.