Turtle

The turtle is considered to be one of the oldest symbols of the earth. The earth itself symbolizes divine femininity, which is capable of producing life and taking it back in the end. Give and take are in balance, and that’s what the turtle can teach us.

A turtle’s shield shows us how we can protect ourselves. In the realm of human beings we are threatened by aggression, violence, jealousy and many other things that are based on the emotion reactivity of our fellow human beings, as well as our own actions are often reactive and emotionally controlled and thereby cause consequences that we do not really want. Turtle medicine can teach us to be aware of what thoughts and feelings arise without submitting to them. In the protection of the shield, we can ground ourselves, and do not have to yield to the first impulses.

Turtle as a totem enables to an excellent orientation, turtle people always find their way. Slowness and mindfulness open us to insights and possibilities which we could miss without turtle energy. When a turtle appears in our lives, it means it’s time to calm down, to focus on the essentials and our friends and helpers. We are all creatures of the earth and that means here to support each other.