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RED-TAILED HAWK
The Budding Trees Moon (March 21 to April 19) is the
first moon of Wabun, Spirit Keeper of the East and occurs
at the time of the spring equinox position on the Native American
Medicine Wheel. The mineral totem for
the Budding Trees Moon is the fire opal, the plant is the
dandelion, and the animal is the red-tailed hawk. The
color is yellow. The Thunderbird clan directly influences
this position.
The fire opal can teach people in this position about
the need for water - the emotions - in tempering their
fiery energy. The dandelion can show them the advantages
of taking root as well as flying. The red hawk can
demonstrate the joy of freedom and of a long, clear view.
The Budding Trees Moon will teach you about energy,
intensity, catalyzing change, fearlessness, and optimism.
Being in this position will show you your leadership
ability, the enormity of your own spirit, and the extent
of your clear-sightedness. People experiencing the
Budding Trees Moon need to learn to channel their
energies, contain their emotions, and be more patient
with others. |
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ANIMAL:
 Red-tailed Hawk is
the animal totem associated with the Budding Trees Moon.
The red-tailed hawk is the only hawk with a broad wing
span and fan-shaped red tail. It is a large hawk, which
has been called the chicken hawk by farmers who
incorrectly feared the birds were stealing their poultry.
Red-tailed hawks are sometimes attacked by crows,
magpies, owls, other hawks, and songbirds in territorial
disputes. These attacks rarely end in injury. Red-tailed
hawks can live to be fourteen years of age. They usually
nest in tall trees, cacti, yuccas, or on the faces of
cliffs. Both parents help raise the young. Ted-tailed
hawks often return year after year the same nest. Hawks
used to be found all over the United States. Now they
live mainly in the western states, Mexico, and Canada.
Red-tailed hawks are very adaptable and can survive
almost anywhere man leaves them alone. Their voice in
flight can sound like steam escaping from a kettle.
Red-tailed hawks are magnificent fliers, especially
during their mating dances.
Ted-tailed hawks are very special to Native people.
Pueblo peoples referred to them as "red eagles"
and felt that red-tailed hawks, like the eagle, had a
special connection with the sky and the sun. Because
hawks are high fliers who can see the earth clearly from
their heights, their feathers were often used
ceremonially to carry prayers to the sun and the Creator.
Hawk feathers, as well as eagle, were also used in
healing ceremonies. Southwestern people used them in
ceremonies to pray for rain. To the Ojibwa, the
Red-tailed Hawk clan was on of the leadership clans. Its
members have the gifts of deliberation and foresight.
Working with the red hawk can teach you about
adaptability, flying, survival, far-and
clear-sightedness, prayer, leadership, deliberation,
optimism, intensity, and openness. |
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PLANT:
 Dandelion
is the plant associated with the Budding Trees Moon. The
dandelion is an herb with many uses. The root is good as
a coffee substitute and herbal remedy as well as a
cooking herb. The young dandelion leaves can be used in
salads. Older leaves are a delicious cooked green. They
are high in vitamins A, B, C, and G; calcium; phosphorus;
iron; and natural sodium. Dandelion is soothing,
relaxing, and mildly sedating. It can be used to cleanse
all the eliminative organs of the body. Dandelion helps
to purify and alkalize the bloodstream. It also helps to
balance the blood sugar levels in the body. The
ubiquitous dandelion can remind you of the necessity of
exploration and experimentation in life. It can also show
you the beauty of various stages of growth. |
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MINERAL:
 Fire
Opal is the mineral associated with the Budding Trees
Moon. The stone can connect a person with the powers of
the sun, moon, and fire. It sparks energy and teaches
about harnessing and utilizing the fire of the fife
force.
Opal can be used to elicit intense mental, physical,
and emotional energy so it is useful for alleviating
sensations of lethargy and fatigue. It counteracts
stagnation on all levels of life.
Opal enhances any existing qualities - positive or
negative - within you and aids your ability to visualize
or to journey into other realms of existence. Opal can
assist you in understanding and healing problems having
to do with your sexuality and your power.
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