Armadillo

Meaning:

"Ancient armored journeyer with thick protection moving with great agility. Trusting restraint through holding energy until right moment. Teaches that stopping to breathe present moment's weight, listening to Mother Earth's sweet whisperings, sitting in power's stillness center reveals restraint's dauntless power—soft zephyr arising shows universe's will at work."

Teaching:

Whatever projects considering, stop, pause, take deep breath in
Sometimes swept along current without properly breathing present moment
What effect is this having on you, on your chemistry, on others?
Stop what you're doing at least few days—let days be empty with peaceful things
Go to forest, mountaintop, open plain or desert—feel space around you
Spend time lying on her back hearing sweet whisperings
Sometimes one has to quit, say no—hidden yes when stopping hurts us

Contemplation:

"What does Mother Earth need of me? Can I trust my open-hearted no?"