#czuciki

European Badger (with Knotwork) as Totem Meles meles

Original art. Pencil. Ink. Watercolour pencil. Metallic acrylic. Illustration board. Etsy.

‘Well! Which version of me do you want, anyway? The gruff, stubborn creature you met on TV once? The soft family creature that buries its dead that you read about in an article? I hope you’re strong enough to learn the truth. First things first, we’ll get comfortable in my home, do you have a den of your own? You should! What a terrible oversight, if you don’t. And do you know what it is to be steadfast? To value generational wisdom? Do you care for what you pass onto the world and into nature? Do you know what it means to be a warrior? Or how many kinds of warrior there are?

It seems like you have a lot to learn, and perhaps it seems overwhelming, but this is why we have our dens in the first place. To rest in the dark, amongst each other, warm and close. Strong and fierce if need be, but loyal and devoted too. I suppose, if you want to spend time with me, you’d best be ready for a long-term friend, I am no fair-weather fellow!’

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King Vulture as Totem:  Sarcoramphus papa

Original art. Pencil. Ink. Watercolour pencil. Metallic acrylic. Illustration board. Etsy.

Common Green Magpie as Totem Cissa chinensis

Etsy

Illustration board. Pencil. Watercolour pencil. Ink. Metallic paint.

‘Hello! Shall we go someplace shaded? A bit quieter? Oh, I love forests, and bamboo, and keeping myself clean. Everything a magpie like me should. I’m probably not like the magpies you’re used to, or maybe you see me all the time! I don’t love the spotlight, but sometimes I’m so curious I just can’t help but be drawn to it! But I don’t like to be caged or captive, no, my feathers turn blue to match the sadness in my heart and the lack of variety in my diet. We need a rich environment to thrive, don’t we? I’m sure you do! Or you wouldn’t be here. It’s time for you to celebrate all the wonderful, different things about the life you live. You can’t live a narrow life, you must live broadly!

I can teach you how to hunt for whatever you need in life! To speak from the heart and to speak vividly. Do you want to be a strong orator? I’ve got you, friend. Are you curious? Not curious enough? Let me hop ahead and promise that it will be okay, even when it’s not, it will still be okay! Are you taking care of yourself? Are you bright minded? Is your heart shining? Come sit by me. I have enough colour to share with you, enough brightness to lend. Let’s shine together.’

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Part one of the latest batch of totems (czuciki): 

Black Wallaroo (like a kangaroo but slightly smaller, or a wallaby but kind of bigger!) // Macropus bernardus. // Etsy link (includes czuciki meaning). 

Icelandic Sheep // Unavailable. 

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Parrots, anyone? 

The latest batch of totems (czuciki). 

Orange Bellied Parrot (Cr. Endangered) // Neophema chrysogaster // Etsy link includes czuciki meaning.  Pale Headed Rosella // Platycercus adscitus // Etsy link includes czuciki meaning.  Pesquet’s Parrot // Psittrichas fulgidus // Etsy link includes czuciki meaning.

Darwin’s Fox (Lycalopex fulvipes) as czuciki/Totem. // Etsy

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'How I love open spaces to roam in, to find all I need to survive. I like a direct line to the skies, to wander broadly and not be limited to forest paths. As for me, well I can find nourishment just about anywhere, in anything. If you have need of me, you may find that you also have a knack of finding nourishment in many things. We are survivors, you and I, and we have a great capacity to see beauty on a grand scale, in so many facets that others may wonder how we can find so much, so beautiful. Sometimes people may not notice you, or pass you over, but do not worry. There are those who see you for who you really are, one more manifestation of the universe's beauty, ranging in the open spaces.'

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Red Grouse (Lagopus lagopus scotica) as czuciki/Totem // Etsy

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'I hold the secret of the moors and heather in my red-brown feathers. I have a strong mind, a strong will, but if I wish it, you'll never see me. What a strange relationship with humans I have. Hunted and roasted, but medicated too, with humans offering a grit for me to eat to make me healthy once more. I teach of what it is to have widely varying relationships, even with the same people. Harm and health sometimes come in the same package. Beyond this, I teach what I have always taught: the secrets of the moors, the whisperings of the plants that don't grow as grandly as a beech or ash, but stay close to the silent wisdom of the earth. I am fierce and passionate, I fight for what I believe in and I don't always compromise, because I know what's best for me. If you need a stronger voice, but the ability to stay calm and grounded, look to me. If you seek the wisdom of the moors, I will share it with you, if you show me patience and respect.'

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Latest batch of czuciki (totems): 

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata) // Etsy. Mediterranean Gull (Ichthyaetus melanocephalus) // Etsy Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) // Etsy

You can also read the czuciki (animal teacher) meanings, or at least an initial introduction, over at the Etsy link. :) I often colour these via Livestreaming on Instagram, I forgot how much fun it was to art while livestreaming. 

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