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The Turtle Clan: Teacher and Protectors The Ojibwa, Saulteaux, Cree and Iroquois people viewed the Turtle as symbolic of Mother Earth and referred to the continent of North America as "Turtle Island." They viewed the hard outer shell, which protects a living being, as an analogy to our mother, the Earth, also a living entity. Land rose up out of the ocean in a fashion similar to the way a Turtle rises up out the water. Land has similar shapes and contours, when viewed from the ocean, as a Turtle's back. Turtle Clan people require a strong base where they can live, develop roots, and grow. They move slowly, and teach patience (either the need for, or presence of). Sometimes both within a short period of time. It often takes them a long time to learn a particular lesson, but once learned, they are not likely to forget it. As a turtle carries its shell around upon its back, people of this clan are often involved in helping other people move forward. They are persistent and have great tenacity, but also a tendency towards stubbornness, if not careful. They may appear slow and prodding, but their determination allows them to meet their goals. Turtle Clan people have their feet planted firmly in reality and are not prone to flights of fancy. They may have too little imagination. When turtle is frightened, it pulls back inside its shell until the danger passes. So, people of this Clan have a tendency to ignore or hide from their problems. They need to learn to meet them head on, if they wish to continue to learn and grow. Turtles will often leave a pool or pond before a drought arrives, a warning of a change in climate. So their Human Kind relatives may see changes or dangers around other people before they occur. The turtle is a creature of two elements, Earth and Water. So the people of this Clan share an affinity with both of these. They enjoy helping things grow, both plants and people, yet require the freedom to do their own thing, as the Turtle has its freedom in the water. |