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COUGAR
The Big Winds Moon (February 19 to March 20) is the
last moon of Waboose, the Spirit Keeper of the North. The
mineral totem for the Big Winds Moon is Turquoise, the
plant is the plantain, the animal is the cougar, the
colors are blue and green, and the elemental clan
influence is that of the frog clan.
Turquoise can teach people in this position about the
real meaning of value and about protection, the plantain
can teach them about their healing abilities, and the
cougar can teach them about mystery and the need to
establish safe territory. The big Winds Moon can help you
discover your own natural medicine power and the depth of
your psychic abilities. In this position you will learn
about your deep sensitivity, your yearning for
spirituality, your hesitation to express your true
feelings and your need for grounding on the earth. People
experiencing the Big Winds Moon can be prone to moodiness
and to melancholy. They need to learn to temper their
sensitivity and to have a greater sense of reality. |
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ANIMAL:
 Cougar is the animal totem
associated with the Big Winds Moon. The cougar, the lion
of this continent, has not been given the same respect as
its African counterpart. The cougar has been
misunderstood and feared, often resulting in its wanton
slaughter. The cougar- also known as the mountain lion,
puma, panther, screamer, painter, and ghost cat - is the
largest member of the feline family on this continent.
Cougars measure between seven and nine feet, and weigh
150 to 300 pounds. Their black or brown tipped tails and
ear tufts never seem to stay still. Cougars were found
all across the United States before the spread of this
current civilization. Now they are found in the western
United States, Florida, Canada, and Mexico.
Cougars are the belt climbers of all felines. They are
swift runners who have large individual territories.
Their social structure does not allow these territories
to overlap.
Cougars are hunters. They like the chase and will
often join efforts with their mates or relations to
obtain better results. They do not hunt for more food
than they eat. They only hunt livestock when their
natural food supplies have been depleted. Females are
better hunters than the males.
When cougars mate, the female frequently is the
aggressor. Most litters are born in the spring and
consist of only two kits. Although the mother cougar is
very loving to her kits, male cougars do not have much to
do with them.
Cougars can teach you about speed, grace,
territoriality, sensitivity, mystery, communicating
without words, stalking and initiative. |
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PLANT:
 Plantain
is the plant associated with the Big Winds Moon. Plantain
is a master-healer plant. It can be used internally as a
tea or externally as a compress to cool, soothe, and
heal. Plantain is known to be an excellent blood cleanser
and helps to alleviate pain. In some cases, plantain is
said to reverse the effects of poisons. Used as a tea,
compress, or in a bath, it can help heal sores, strings
ulcers, and inflammation. It also helps heal kidney and
bladder troubles. Being a harbinger of spring, plantain
is a reminder of the eternal promise of new life. Its
deep roots demonstrate the importance of tenacity and
stability and help to ground you in the earth.
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MINERAL:
 Turquoise
is the mineral associated with the Big Winds Moon.
Turquoise provides excellent protection on all levels of
being. Many Native people believe that turquoise can keep
the wearer from injury and danger. In the past they used
it on shields to ward off weapons. It has been used
extensively in religious ceremonies, and has been carved
into fetishes and inlaid into other objects. Turquoise
has been used in rainmaking ceremonies.
The stone promotes healing, and strengthens already
inherent healing abilities. Turquoise is a good
preventive healing stone that creates natural medicine to
help you understand some of the mysteries of life and the
universe. Such understanding can help you avoid the
perils of disease. |
