Dove
In ancient and classical worlds, the dove was associated with such goddesses as Aphrodite and Astarte and considered a symbol of sexual passion. In India, the dove was a symbol of lust, the paravata. It was the dove that bore the ambrosia form the goddesses that kept Father Zeus immortal.
The Pleiades, the Seven Sisters in the night sky, were also known in Greece as “a flock of doves,” the daughters of Aphrodite.
Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom, descended upon her chosen human vessels in the form of a dove. In various traditions, including Gnostic Christianity, Sophia represented the female soul of God, the source of his power.
Xochiquetzal, in the legends of old Mexico, is a combination of love goddess and madonna, who become the mother of all races after a great flood. Taking pity on her human progeny, who lack the gift of speech, her spirit in the form of a dove descends upon them and creates the languages of the world.
In the Hebrew tradition, the dove became a symbol of peace and innocence when it returned to Noah’s ark with the olive branch from the Mount of Olives in its beak. The dove is also used an image of the shekhinah, or Divine Presence.
The dove is a common symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christian and Muslim traditions. It was a dove the the Holy Spirit descended on Mary to proclaim her blessed among women and on Jesus at the time of his baptismal rite at the hands of John the Baptist. A dove fell from Mohammad’s ear, thus convincing his followers that he was receiving guidance directly from the Holy Spirit. In Christian folklore, the dove is considered so holy that even Satan, the most accomplished shape-shifter of all, cannot disguise himself in its image.
Four Christian saints are identified with the dove-St. Ambrose, St. David, St. Gregory, and St. Samson.
Among Native American tribes, the dove is thought to be the form that the dead may take immediately after their transition from flesh to spirit. The feathers of the dove were often used on prayer sticks.
If the dove is your totem spirit, you may have been a troubled and angry individual who needed an infusion of peace in your life. On the other hand, you may have been a person who has been devoted to bringing about peace, love, and harmony to the best of your mortal ability. In either case, your spirit helper will bring the infusion of sacred energy that you require to assist you in accomplishing your mission and purpose on the Earth Mother.
This totem spirit can also assist you in establishing a more secure love relationship with your lover or spouse. By focusing on its energy, you will find yourself becoming more at ease around members of the opposite sex and more responsive to their moods and emotions.
As a spirit teacher, the dove can move you back through the mists of time to absorb the ancient wisdoms and help you apply these essential truths to your contemporary problems. As a guide on your spirit journeys, your dove totem will always see to it that all goes smoothly and harmoniously.
Dreams
Continue to maintain your peaceful attitude and a spiritual revelation may soon bring you enlightenment.
Totems
The Transformative Power Of Your Personal Animal Totem
Brad Steiger
ISBN 0-06-251425-3
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The Dove
The dove is a member of the pigeon family and both hold the qualities of home, security and maternal instincts. Many with this totem will experience unsettling childhood’s and will be challenged continually to acquire a solid secure foundation in all areas of their lives.
The legends and lore surrounding the dove associates it with many goddesses and it is considered the embodiment of the maternal instinct. The brood of dove consists of two eggs. Two represents the creative and feminine energies. Home and family are important to those with this totem and life lessons will be most predominant in these areas.
Since the dove is a ground feeder and eats mostly seeds those with this totem would benefit from a diet rich in wholesome seeds, nuts and grains. They would also do well in any health profession relating to nutrition.
The dove’s song is its most distinctive feature. It can be heard throughout the day. The mourning coo of the Dove reflects hidden emotions stored within those who carry this medicine. How you perceive its sound often reflects the energies that are playing out in your life.
When dove appears it is asking us to go within and release our emotional discord, be it of the past or the present. It assists us in releasing trauma stored within our cellular memory. Humming can aid in this release.
Doves hold the energy of promise. When inner turmoil is cleared from our thoughts, words and feelings, the possibility of good fortune awaits us. In order to receive the gifts the doves bestows on us healing on all levels is paramount.
Author Unknown
Witches Of The Craft® 
i would like to connect real close with a crow i feed the crows and birds every morning that i can i am 53 years old and love my pets i have 3 kittens midnight precious and mr wiskers that was aabandon i took them in midnight is a blackcat with my sterling silver charm bracelet around his neck i love them all i have trtwo pitbulls blue nose Labron is the oldest Shaneele is about 6months with blue eyes and i have a minature poddle call jazz i love them all blessed be. angela
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Sounds like you have a houseful there, Angela. I believe there are no people on this planet that loves animals and respects them more than us. I live out in the sticks and also have crows that visit us. During the Winter, we always have some ravens that build their nest in our grill. We don’t use the grill anymore but keep it around for the birds. I got a surprise this Spring, I thought the ravens didn’t use the grill this past winter. To my amazement I opened up the grill and found three baby ravens in there. I gently closed the lid and hoped that momma or daddy wasn’t watching. I know they are very protective of their young and I was hoping their parents wasn’t around. Whether it is crows or ravens, I love them both. They are beautiful creatures. You mentioned you wanted to get close to the crows, did you check out our Animal Guide/Totem Animals section? There are several articles in there about getting close to your Spirit Animal. If you don’t find what you are looking for or need any other assistance, please let me know.
Got to run for now. It is great to see you today. I hope you have a very blessed Monday.
Lady A
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