The Power of Names

Lunedi (Monday) after lunch.

The food is too good. Everything we eat is beautiful to look at, aromatic and delicious. After lunch, we were all wanting to take a nap.

Passaro is our van driver. All Damanhurians take an animal name and a plant name that they have as a teacher. This means that they are expected to learn the traits of each and to emulate them. Passaro means 'sparrow'. Today our guide's name means 'dolphin'. This makes me think about the names that I have had over the years. The name that I have had for many years is Snowswan. It is the email name that I have had from the very beginning of my dance with technology. 

When we lived in Michigan, we were blessed to live on Buckhorn Lake which is a small lake connected to Lake Orion. There was a swan couple who lived there. I called them Papa and Mama swan. 

I remember when I was traveling with the Native Americans across Oklahoma through Native American territory, some of the group were asking about receiving a Native name. It was then that I realized that the swans had already named me. 

Years later I shared a Vision Quest with Grandfather Bear Heart and he gave me a new name, 'She Who Walks In Balance.'

Naming is important. I believe that we are to live into our names, to immerse ourselves into the vibration that they provide.

Snowswan refers to the large white mute swan with a yellow-orange beak. The male can be formidable. When Frank and I lived on Buckhorn Lake in Michigan, the neighbors would warn me about the dangers of getting too close to the wild swans. There were stories of swans attacking folks who came to close to their nest, especially to the signets.

I had witnessed Papa Swan's warrior courage when he defended his family's territory from the Canadian Geese. They fought ferociously. Papa Swan would arch his regal neck, puff out his wings forming a kind of arch around his back, draw back his head with the readiness of a cobra preparing for the strike, and speed after the perceived threat. He was stunningly formidable!

The naturalist at the wild life center told me their wings are so strong, they can break a human arm. There have also been attacks on swimmers that can be fatal. 

I spent a lot of time with Papa and Mama. Remembering the neighbors' warnings, I was cautious around the swans Daily, Papa and Mama would come flanking the boat, one on each side. They stayed with me as I peddled around the lake. I felt regally escorted. Now they began to talk to me. They made these soft sounds, more of a chirp than a quack, much like talking. I asked one of my Native friends how to understand them. She told me to stop listening with my head and start listening with my heart. We now communicate easily. 

One night Papa Swan arrived at the pier. He was very agitated and I knew he wanted me to get into my peddle boat and follow him. I called Frank to see what he thought about this. It was dusk. The sun would soon set and I never went out on the lake at night. There were no lights and it didn't feel quite safe, but I knew what Papa wanted and it felt urgent.

Frank said he would put the lights at the back of the house on so that I could find my way back and, of course, he would be there waiting for me.

I got into the boat taking my walking stick that always accompanied me, even on the water. Sometimes I used it to gather debris and sometimes to gather treasures like swan feathers. 

Out we went. I followed Papa into the lake. He moved with determination and purpose. Soon we came to a form laying in the water. I grasped my stick to reach out and gasped when I realized what it was. Papa had killed a very large Canadian Goose. I said to him, "Papa, what have you done? I used my stick to pull it close to the boat. Then I lifted it on to the flat front area of the peddle boat.

Papa seemed to calm, as if his mission was accomplished. He was so proud to have defended his territory and preserved it for his nesting and future family. I found it sad to see this beautiful goose dead, at the same time, understanding the way of the wild and Papa's instinct to protect and provide.

Then a new realization hit me, Papa was giving me a gift. He was proud and happy to offer me this gift.

The swan is a strong totem filled with grace and beauty. For years now I continue to grow into this strength and to aspire to grace and beauty, not just of body, but of soul and spirit. Papa and Mama have taught me much about being a protector and warrior spirit. They have also showed me grace and beauty. Most importantly they have helped me to understand that being a warrior and emanating beauty can be done simultaneously. 

I received my name from Papa Swan and I believe it is my true name.