AVIA VENEFICA: “Native American Animal Symbols Of The Zodiac”

OTTER:  Jan 20 — Feb 18

A little quirky, and unorthodox, the Otter is a hard one to figure sometimes.  Perceived as unconventional, the Otter methods aren’t the first ones chosen to get the job done.  This is a big mistake on the part of others — because although unconventional, the Otter’s methods are usually quite effective.  Yes, the Otter has unusual way of looking at things, but he/she is equipped with a brilliant imagination and intelligence, allowing him/her an edge over every one else.  Often very perceptive and intuitive, the Otter makes a very good friend, and can be very attentive.  In a nurturing environment the Otter is sensitive, sympathetic, courageous, and honest.  Left to his/her own devices, the Otter can be unscrupulous, lewd, rebellious, and isolated.

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WOLF:  Feb 19 — Mar 20

Deeply emotional, and wholly passionate, the Wolf is the lover of the zodiac in both the physical and philosophical sense of the word.  The Wolf understands that all we need is love, and is fully capable of providing it.  Juxtaposed with his/her fierce independence — this Native American animal symbol is a bit of a contradiction in terms.  Needing his/her freedom, yet still being quite gentle and compassionate — we get the picture of the “lone wolf” with this sign.  In a nurturing environment the Wolf is intensely passionate, generous, deeply affectionate, and gentle.  Left to his/her own devices the Wolf can become impractical, recalcitrant, obsessive, and vindictive.

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FALCON:  Mar 21 — Apr 19

A natural born leader, the Falcon can always be looked upon for clear judgment in sticky situations.  Furthermore, the characteristics for this Native American animal symbol never wastes time, rather he/she strikes while the iron is hot, and takes action in what must be done.  Ever persistent, and always taking the initiative, the Falcon is a gem of a personality to have for projects or team sports.  The Falcon can be a little on the conceited side — but he/she is usually right in his/her opinions — so a little arrogance is understood.  In a supportive environmental the Falcon “soars” in his/her ability to maintain passion and fire in relationships, and always remaining compassionate.  Left to his/her own devices, the Falcon can be vain, rude, intolerant, impatient, and over-sensitive.

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BEAVER:  Apr 20 — May 20

Take charge, adapt, overcome — this is the Beaver motto. Mostly business, the Beaver is gets the job at hand done with maximum efficiency and aplomb.  Strategic, and cunning the Beaver is a force to be reckoned with in matters of business and combat.  One might also think twice about engaging the Beaver in a match of wits — as his/her mental acuity is razor sharp.  The Beaver has everything going for him/her—however tendencies toward “my way or the highway” get them in trouble.  Yes, they are usually right, but the bearer of this Native American symbol may need to work on tact.  In a nurturing environment the Beaver can be compassionate, generous, helpful, and loyal.  Left to his/her own devices the Beaver can be nervous, cowardly, possessive, arrogant, and over-demanding.

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DEER:  May 21 — Jun 20

This Native American animal symbol is the muse of the zodiac.  The Deer is inspiring lively and quick-witted.  With a tailor-made humor, the Deer has a tendency to get a laugh out of anyone.  Excellent ability for vocalizing, the Deer is a consummate conversationalist.  This combined with his/her natural intelligence make the Deer a must-have guest at dinner parties.  Always aware of his/her surroundings, and even more aware of his/her appearance, the Deer can be a bit self-involved.  However, the Deer’s narcissism is overlooked because of his/her congeniality and affability.  In a supportive environment the Deer’s natural liveliness and sparkly personality radiate even more.  He/she is an inspiring force in any nurturing relationship.  Left to his/her own devices the Deer can be selfish, moody, impatient, lazy, and two-faced.

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WOODPECKER:  Jun 21 — Jul 21

Woodpeckers are usually the most nurturing of all the Native American animal symbols.  The consummate listener, totally empathic and understanding, the Woodpecker is the one to have on your side when you need support.  Of course, they make wonderful parents, and equally wonderful friends and partners.  Another proverbial feather in the Woodpeckers cap is the tendency to be naturally frugal, resourceful, and organized.  In a nurturing environment the Woodpecker is of course caring, devoted, and very romantic.  Left to his/her own devices the Woodpecker can be possessive, angry, jealous, and spiteful.

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SALMON:  Jul 22 — Aug 21

Electric, focused, intuitive, and wholly creative, the Salmon is a real live-wire.  His/her energy is palpable.  A natural motivator, the Salmon’s confidence and enthusiasm is easily infectious.  Soon, everybody is on board with the Salmon — even if the idea seems too hair-brained to work.  Generous, intelligent, and intuitive, it’s no wonder why the Salmon has no shortage of friends.  This Native American animal symbol expresses a need for purpose and goals, and has no trouble finding volunteers for his/her personal crusades.  In a supportive environment, the Salmon is stable, calm, sensual, and giving.  Left to his/her own devices, those that bear this Native American animal symbol can be egotistical, vulgar, and intolerant of others.

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BEAR:  Aug 22 — Sep 21

Pragmatic, and methodical the Bear is the one to call when a steady hand is needed.  The Bear’s practicality and level-headedness makes him/her an excellent business partner.  Usually the voice of reason in most scenarios, the Bear is a good balance for Owls.  The Bear is also gifted with an enormous heart, and a penchant for generosity.  However, one might not know it as the Bear tends to be very modest, and a bit shy.  In a loving environment this Native American animal symbol showers love and generosity in return.  Further, the Bear has a capacity for patience and temperance, which makes him/her excellent teachers and mentors.  Left to his/her own devices the bear can be skeptical, sloth, small-minded and reclusive.

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RAVEN:  Sep 22 — Oct 22

Highly enthusiastic, and a natural entrepreneur, the Crow is quite a charmer.  But he/she doesn’t have to work at being charming — it comes easily.  Everyone recognizes the Crow’s easy energy, and everyone turns to the Crow for his/her ideas and opinions.  This is because the Crow is both idealistic and diplomatic and is quite ingenious.  In nurturing environments this Native American animal symbol is easy-going, can be romantic, and soft-spoken.  Further, the crow can be quite patient, and intuitive in relationships.  Left to his/her own devices, the Crow can be demanding, inconsistent, vindictive, and abrasive.

SNAKE:  Oct 23 — Nov 22

Most shamans are born under this Native American animal symbol.  The Snake is a natural in all matters of spirit.  Easily attuned to the ethereal realm the Snake makes an excellent spiritual leader.  Also respected for his/her healing capacities, the Snake also excels in medical professions.  The Snake’s preoccupation with matters intangible often lead others to view them as mysterious, and sometimes frightening.  True, the Snake can be secretive, and a bit dark — he/she is also quite sensitive, and caring.  In a supportive relationship the cool Snake can be passionate, inspiring, humorous, and helpful.  Left to his/her own devices, the Snake can be despondent, violent, and prone to abnormal mood swings.

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OWL:  Nov 23 — Dec 21

Changeable and mutable as the wind, the Owl is a tough one to pin down.  Warm, natural, with an easy-going nature, the Owl is friend to the world.  The bearer of this Native American animal symbol is notorious for engaging in life at full speed, and whole-hearted loves adventure.  This can be to his/her detriment as the Owl can be reckless, careless, and thoughtless.  Owls make great artists, teachers, and conservationists.  However, due to his/her adaptability and versatility — the Owl would likely excel in any occupation.  In a supportive, nurturing environment the Owl is sensitive, enthusiastic, and an attentive listener.  Left to his/her own devices, the Owl can be excessive, overindulgent, bitter, and belligerent.

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GOOSE:  Dec 22 — Jan 19

If you want something done — give it to the Goose.  Persevering, dogged, and ambitious to a fault, the Goose sets goals for accomplishment, and always obtains them.  The goose is determined to succeed at all cost — not for the approval of other — but those with this Native American animal symbol competes with his/her own internal foe.  Driven is the watchword for the Goose’s dominating personality trait — which makes them excellent in business and competitive sports.  When tempered with supportive, nurturing family and friends, the Goose excels in all things he/she attempts.  In a loving environment the Goose can be very passionate, humorous, gregarious, and even sensual.  However, lead to his/her own devises, the Goose may fall into obsessive or addictive behaviors that will inevitably be his/her demise.

ROXANNE DUNBAR-ORTIZ: “Thanksgiving: It Has Never Been About Honoring Native Americans” (Transcript)

TRANSCRIPT:

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NERMEEN SHAIKH: As much of the United States prepares to mark Thanksgiving this weekend, many Native Americans will gather in Plymouth to commemorate the 47th National Day of Mourning.  This year is dedicated to water protectors at Standing Rock and to the struggle for recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.  To discuss this and more, we’re joined in San Francisco by indigenous historian and activist Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.  She’s the author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States and co-author of All the Real Indians Died Off:  And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans.

Welcome back to Democracy Now!, Roxanne.  Could you tell us, as the nation prepares to observe  Thanksgiving, a national holiday ostensibly meant to honor Native people, what are your thoughts?

ROXANNE DUNBAR–ORTIZ:  Well, thank you for having me on the show.

Actually, it’s never been about honoring Native Americans.  It’s been about the origin story of the United States, the beginning of genocide, dispossession and constant warfare from that time — actually, from 1607 in Jamestown — until the present. It’s a colonial system that was set up.

There’s a sort of annual calendar for this origin story, beginning with Columbus, October 12.  Why celebrate Columbus?  It was the onset of colonialism, the slave trade and dispossession of the Native people of the Americas.  So, that is celebrated with a federal holiday.  That’s followed then by Thanksgiving, which is a completely made-up story to say the Native people welcomed these people who were going to devastate their civilizations, which is simply a lie.  And then you go to Presidents’ Days, the Founding Fathers, in February, and celebrate these slaveowners, Indian killers.  George Washington headed the Virginia militia for the very purpose of killing Native people on the periphery of the colony, before, you know, when it was still a Virginia colony.  And then we have the big day, the fireworks, July 4th, independence, which is probably the most tragic event in world history, because it gave us — it gave the world a genocidal regime under the guise of democracy.  And that’s really the — I’m a historian, so that’s the historical context that I think we have to see Thanksgiving in, that it is a part of that mythology that attempts to cover up the real history of the United States.

It actually — when it was introduced as a holiday by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War, there was no mention of pilgrims and Native people or food or pumpkins or anything like that.  It was simply a day for families to be together and mourn their dead and be grateful for the living.  And I think that’s an appropriate holiday, that — how people should enjoy it.  But they should take Native Americans and Puritans out of the picture for it to be a legitimate holiday of feast and sharing with family and friends.

So, that’s — you know, the people at Plymouth, I send greetings to them.  They have, for many years — I think it’s almost 40 years now — stood up and testified to the lie of Plymouth Rock, the Mayflower, the pilgrims.  And this is very hard for people to give up.  This is the national — nationalism.  It’s actually — Americanism is white supremacy and represents negative things.  There’s almost no way to reconcile it. It simply has to be deconstructed and faced up to; and, otherwise, there will be no social change that’s meaningful for anyone.

NERMEEN SHAIKH: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, thank you so much for joining us, indigenous historian and activist.

 

 

 

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Author of An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States and co-author of All the Real Indians Died Off:  And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans.

~via DemocracyNow.org