When you were young did you ever
feel that you didn't want to grow up because adults seemed to be so
serious? In your life now, do you think you are too serious? If so, Ancient
Otter Publishing® is ready to assist you in finding more play and joy.
Otters are recognized in
both Celtic and Native American cultures as masters of play. If you have
ever been to a zoo or out in nature and watched an
individual otter or an otter family, you begin to understand that it is
possible to see life as a game to be enjoyed, an adventure to be
experienced, rather than a burden to be
endured.
Part of the otter's
joyous energy is associated with its connection to water, where this
animal spends most of its time. Water symbolizes both change and receptivity, allowing life
to be rather than worrying about things which have
already happened or about things which may never come to pass.
For those of us who
wonder how we can surrender our seriousness and learn to be more playful,
the otter's behavior provides a clue. These animals not only love to play
but also are intensely curious.
They will often appear next to a person's kayak or canoe so that they can
investigate the occupants. If they find an unusual object on the sea floor
they will study it carefully and then use it in their play. We believe curiosity is not something that "killed the
cat" but is something sacred and holy. When we are curious we are interested in our
world and eager to explore it. And as we explore we become more
playful. This is the central goal of Ancient Otter Publishing®, i.e., to help
us playfully explore our world through special books.
We can also learn from
another aspect of the otter's behavior. Baby otters aren't born knowing how
to swim; their elders teach them. Our staff hopes that the books we issue here at Ancient Otter
Publishing® will provide wisdom,
guidance, and/or instruction from "elders" so that we may learn to swim
more playfully and joyously in the flow of life.
Special thanks to Connie and the
web site Beyond the Rainbow (http://www.rainbowcrystal.com)
for permission to adapt their "Power Animal" article on the
Otter.
