"The panther is a very powerful and ancient totem. It is generally
associated with a particular species of leopard or jaguar although the
cougar is also referred to as panther. As with most of the large cats,
the panther is a symbol of
ferocity and valor. It embodies
aggressiveness and power, though without the solar significance. In the
case of the Black Panther, there is definitely a
lunar significance. The
panther has over
500 voluntary muscles that they are capable of using
at will. This reflects a great deal about an individual who has such
animals as a totem. It reflects an ability to do a variety of tasks as
he or she wills. It is simply a matter of deciding and putting to use
those particular “muscles,” be they physical, mental, psychic, or
spiritual. As a whole panthers are loners (solitary) although they do
associate with others, they are most comfortable by themselves or within
their own marked territory. They are drawn to those individuals who are
likewise often solitary.
Panther
is secretive, silent, and graceful in her every move. She is solitary
by choice, she tells little though listens much. She is careful not to
share too much information, only enough to ease curious minds.
Of all the panthers, probably the Black Panther has the greatest
mysticism associated with it. It is the
symbol of the feminine, the dark
mother, the dark of the moon. It is the symbol for the life and power
of the night. It is a symbol of the feminine energies manifest upon the
earth. It is often a symbol of
darkness, death, and rebirth from out of
it. There still exists in humanity a primitive fear of the dark and of
death. The Black Panther helps you to understand the dark and death and
the inherent powers of them; and thus by
acknowledging them, eliminate
your fears and learn to use the powers. In China there were five mythic
cats, sometimes painted like tigers or leopards. The black reigns in the
north with winter as its season of power, and water its most effective
element. This is the element of the feminine. This is the
totem of
greater assertion of feminine in all her aspects: child, virgin,
seductress, mother, warrioress, seeress, and the old wise woman.
When the Black Panther enters your life as a totem, it
awakens the
inner passions. This is capable of manifesting in unbridled expressions
of baser powers and instincts. It is also capable reflecting an
awakening of the kundalini, signaling a time of not just coming into
one’s own power. More so, the keynote of the Black Panther is
Reclaiming
One’s True Power. In mythology and scripture, the panther has been a
symbol of the “Argos of a Thousand Eyes,” who guarded the heifer IO who
was loved by Zeus. After his death,
the eyes were transferred to the
feathers of the peacock. The panther always brings guardian energy to
those to whom it comes.
The panther often signals a time of rebirth after a period of
suffering and death on some level. This implies that an old issue may
finally begin to be resolved, or even that old longstanding wounds will
finally begin to heal, and with the healing will come a reclaiming of
power that was lost at the time of wounding. Also, the Black Panther is
very mystical, she finds the most power in darkness.
Black Panther
understands death and teaches people not to fear it, for out of death
comes rebirth.
To the Native peoples of North and South America, the jaguar
especially in the form of the Black Panther, was endowed with great
magic and power. The jaguar panther climbs, runs, and swims, even superior to that of the tiger. For the reason that it is capable of
functioning so well in so many areas, it became the symbol of
mastery
over all dimensions. To the Tucano Indians of the Amazon, the roar of
the jaguar was the roar of thunder. Thus the Black Panther was the god
of darkness and was capable of causing eclipses by swallowing the sun.
This reflects the tremendous power inherent within the feminine forces.
To those with the panther as a totem, this power will increasingly be
experienced.
Nietzsche once said, “that which does not kill us makes us stronger.”
It is this same idea that is awakened in the lives of those who open to
the power of the panther totem.
The panther marks a new turn in the
heroic path of those to whom it comes. It truly reflects more than just
coming into one’s own power. Rather it reflects a reclaiming of that
which was lost and an intimate connection with the great archetypal
force behind it. It gives an ability to go beyond what has been
imagined, with opportunity to do so with discipline and control. It is
the spirit of imminent rebirth.”
Panther people have a broader vision. Panther medicine gives them a
deeper insight, both spiritually and psychically. Their enhanced
perspective lets them see things in close detail or from a distance.
Panthers enter the world enlightened whereas others have to work to
achieve that."
