In our animal series A through Z. Today's animal is the largest aquatic mammal on Earth, the whale. The blue whale is the largest of the species weighing around 220 tons. These large whales have no natural predators, and are distributed throughout all of the oceans of the world. As previously mentioned, the whale is a mammal. So they breathe air, are warm blooded, give live birth and feed milk to their young and have hair… mainly whiskers in this case. Whales symbolize many things including intelligence, compassion, solitude, creativity, freedom, and mystery. Because we rarely see them in real life, they're of majestic size and beautiful grace and the water can take our breath away. Whales are all inspiring, not just because of their size, and grace, but also because of their intellect, intelligence, and movement. I saw this firsthand in a SeaWorld demonstration that I'll never forget. In general whales are compassionate beings. They often protect their sea companions from predators. There are examples of them protecting humans as well from danger. Whales have large brains with huge heads, making up 40% of their body. They are known to communicate with each other, using echolocation and music to attract their mates. The echolocation is a technique that travels great lengths underwater, and reflects the sound of objects. Whales are extremely alert animals and always aware of their surroundings.

Call in the whale to help you navigate life with wisdom and intelligence. Call on whale spirit. “Call IT in With Dar!”

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Photo credit: Rebecca Lange Photography

Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons)

Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC.

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In this A through Z animal podcast series, we begin the w's…with the amazing walrus found primarily in icy Arctic waters, they can withstand freezing temperatures as low as 95 degrees below zero. Wow. There are two main subspecies who live to be around 40 years old, and a male walrus can actually weigh more than a ton. Overall, walruses symbolize many things, including ancient knowledge, seeing the bigger picture, nourishing others strength and positive motherhood. Shamans believe that the walrus spirit is the keeper of ancient knowledge and wisdom. Both male and female walruses grow long tusks which helped them adapt better to their Arctic life. They often use them like ski poles to dig into sand, snow and ice to help them haul their enormous bodies out of the freezing ocean waters. Their Tusks are also used during swimming to cut holes in the ice so that they can come up for a breath. These massive animals need thick layers of blubber to stay insulated. All that fat protects them from the cold. A baby walrus can weigh as much as an average size human. Those chunky little critters are called calves and they stay with their mother, a cow, until they are about two years old. Walruses eat shellfish like clams that they grabbed from the ocean floor, along with mussels, sea cucumbers and some fish. They have very sensitive whiskers that help them detect food. Once they've spotted their prey, they're surprisingly speedy swimmers.

So called in the spirit of the walrus. Call it in for life well lived! “Call IT in With Dar!”

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Photo credit: Rebecca Lange Photography

Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons)

Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC.

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As many of you know, I have spent this past year engrossed in the study of animal symbolism. As one can see by this animal A through Z podcast series. Today's episode is about one of my favorites, the turtle. This morning, I was watching several painted turtles sunning themselves on a log in my pond. And then I began thinking about how interesting they are. There are about 300 different turtle species in the world, and most are aquatic. They can be categorized into three broad types: freshwater turtles, sea turtles, and land tortoises. Yes, scientifically speaking, tortoises are turtles too. Turtles have many symbolic meanings throughout the world, especially in Asia and North America. Often, they are associated with creation myths, and are said to have a map of the earth and a calendar of the moon in their shell design. Overall turtles represent longevity, protection, adaptability, stability, healing, wisdom, fertility, good luck, steadfastness, and tranquility.

So call in turtle medicine, Call the power of the turtle in your life. Join up with the turtle spirit! “Call IT in With Dar!”

Support the Show.

Photo credit: Rebecca Lange Photography

Music credit: Kevin MacLeod Incompetech.com (licensed under Creative Commons)

Production credit: Erin Schenke @ Emerald Support Services LLC.

Grab Dar's Flight Deck Oracle Card Deck