"La Tortue" cautious spiritual search or path

TURTLE/TORTOISE – Turtle: Shyness, nurturing, mother energy, mother earth, protection, healing, knowledge, grounded, earth magic. Tortoise: Feeling at home anywhere, grounding, patience, peaceful nature, ancient wisdom, feminine energy and healing, psychic protection. Many people confuse these two animals.

Turtle/tortoise is associated with navigation, patience, inspiration, psychic protection, grounding, self-reliance, tenacity, and non-violent defence. Symbol of the Earth, Connection with the Centre, Associated with the Feminine, Power to Heal Female Diseases, Respecting the Boundaries of Others and the Self, Developing New Ideas, Self-Reliance, Tenacity, Motherhood, Linking Heaven to Earth, Awakening to Opportunities, Creative Source, Informed Decisions, Planning, Adaptability, Slow Progress, Retreat, Grounding, Chastity, Conservation, Mother Earth, Longevity, nurturer, protector, mother energy.

Turtle reminds us that we are never alone, that no matter where we go, we are constantly being cradled in the protective arms of Mother Earth, and if we learn plod at a constant pace, we will be assured completion of all set tasks. The turtle is said to personify the female creative energy of an all-embracing earth mother, who holds the cycle of life and death in her hands. The negative aspect is a fear of facing responsibility or reality. Can represent long life because turtles live a long time. Quiet strength. In China it carries the world on its back. It is a symbol of fertility and unwavering vitality, and great patience.

Many Natives refer to North America as Turtle Island, because their legends say that when the earth was covered with water, Turtle dove to the bottom of the oceans bringing up earth on its back so that the people could have a safe and dry home. Turtle is at home anywhere because it carries its home on its back. It does not become attached to places, for it is free to search for new opportunities wherever they may be found. When they sense danger, or are in uncomfortable and insecure settings, they withdraw into their shell, and are protected. If you have Turtle medicine, you value both the power of the earth, the waters of the earth, and the magic of the heavens, for Turtle symbolizes both the grounding quality of earth energy, and the magic of the mystical. Using Turtle energy can help you achieve real balance in your life and your spirit so that you don’t get “stuck in the mud”. Turtle’s medicine includes a connection with the centre, navigation skills, patience, self-boundaries, associated with the feminine, power to heal female diseases, respecting the boundaries of others, developing new ideas, psychically protecting oneself, self-reliance, tenacity, non-violent defence. The medicine of Turtle is Mother Earth and Healing Knowledge. The large Green Turtle is the symbol of Earth Mother, because she carries her home on her back. We should be reminded to be more connected with the Mother Earth because the Earth is our home and Mother. This gentle creature is recognized for its acknowledgment of the delicate balance between ocean and earth, and reminds us of the importance of respecting both. Without the health of the ocean and earth Turtle would cease to exist, as would humanity. The medicine of Turtle is also a reminder for ourselves to be very grounded. The Earth is where we come from and to where we shall return. If Turtle has swum your way, you are being asked by “Spirit” to go outside, get amongst nature, feel your connection to your Earth Mother and embrace the oneness of it all. You are being encouraged to ground yourself fully and show respect for the Mother. She gives us all our healing knowledge and asks only that we heal ourselves, for as we are healed so she shall be healed. 

http://aussiewytch.wordpress.com/animal-symbolism/animals-l-z/