turtles

i was in an art group many months ago, where the leader asked us to close our eyes and allow an animal to come into our minds eye, then draw it. i thought, "oh great. now i have to think up which animal i want." but thankfully, the animal came to me before i could use my mental capacities to invent it. it was a turtle. i thought that was pretty random since i never think about turtles, nor have i ever particularly liked them. but i went ahead and drew it. then colored it. then wrote all of the words and phrases that came to me about it. in those moments, the turtle became my life-symbol and my new friend.

so, a few thoughts about turtles:
no matter where they go, they are always at home; they are slow and steady; they have built-in protection around them; they camouflage into their environment; they are very determined; they have survived for over 200 million years; they have a very long life-span (often over 100 years); they're quite beautiful.
around the world and in different cultures, the turtle symbolizes such things as: wisdom, longevity, patience, female energy, divinity, Mother Earth, creation, stability, self-containment, protection, creative source and being grounded. just to name a few.
not only did this turtle come into my mind that night, but has continued to surface time and again since then. of course. that's how things work when they want to get your attention. some call these signs or wonders. i call them fantastic!
one of my dear ones just found her horse. what animal wants to come into your realm?