Lady Athena wrote on 23 Jun 1998 :

So sit back and enjoy. Don't ask me what it means cause I don't have a clue. It cannot be a Sekhmet initiation cause AST the netjer with whom I had a connection....at the time that is why I cannot explain it. I originally wrote this piece in 1997...so it is a year old. Merilyn Tunneshende's webpage has disappeared...as have her articles...

Anyway,enjoy...

Back in 1990, I was on a local bus traveling southwest from Deerfield Beach Florida to Ft.Lauderdale, on route to the Job Service of Fl. Job Bank. It is located on Broward Avenue and Andrews. Near there is the Central Bus Terminal for the County run bus service. One particular day in early August,of that year,I had a sudden over powering need to go to the bathroom. So I got off the bus and went as quickly as I could to a nearby Gas Station. For some strange reason,I went pass to office door directly to the side of the building were the bathrooms are usually located.

As I was about to try the door,a little mexican woman opens the door from the inside,walks out,and looking at me straight in th eyes,asks me if I truly want to enter that bathroom. I screamed yes badly and almost pushed my way inside. As I entered,the door shut behind me and then everything went black. Nothing seemed to work. The lights,the fan,the door. And the door was not locked but I could not open it. I started screaming. It seemed as though no one heard me...Around that time,I became aware of a soft grrrrrrrrrrpurr going on in back of me. I turned and slid onto the floor. I felt paws play with my legs. I remember raising my body up along the wall to reach a standing position.

My head hits the light switch and this time it does turn on to reveal a beautiful black panther sitting between me and the 2 stalls in the bathroom. I looked at its eyes and they were the most gorgous golden yellow eyes I have ever seen. I remember looking at the cat,looking at me,looking at the cat. I thought I had lost it,gone by-by. Lost my marbles and became a permanent resident in Foofoo land. I needed to go so bad...I screamed and yelled and carried on still no one came. I approached the cat and all she did was look at me and did not move. I panicked and began backing away. The cat began to growl softly. I stopped. Came nearer.Nothing. Began backing away and it would start to growl at me again. So it went,this dance between the cat and myself...I even forgot I wanted to releave myself. Finally, I decided I need to wash my hands and face to clear my head and think. The door was not opening. No one was coming and I was stuck in the john with one very big black kitty cat....that really belonged in a zoo.

I opened the faucet and allowed the cool water to splash over my hands. I splashed handfull of the liquid over my face and neck...grabbed a hand full of paper towells to dry myself off and somehow collect my thoughts in the process. As I looked up,I decided to look at the cat through the mirror. Fully expecting to see one large cat,I peered at the images in the glass and almost fainted. Straight ahead of me where my own image should have been,but wasn't,was the image of another black panther. It was me. I saw the big cat behind me purring and I saw me as a cat staring at me.........I totally lost it and really freaked out. I think I most have past out because the next thing I remember is the sound of a bunch of people yelling and shouting. I was sprawled on the floor. I remember getting up and opening the door.

There stood the mexican woman, among the group of men and women gathered there. The owner was quite upset asking me if I had taken any loco weed in one breath and telling me to leave in the next one. I remember the mexican woman peering at me as though she were seeing through me. She said she should not have allowed me to enter to bathroom by myself.That had been a mistake.When I wanted to know why She said that one never knew what strange things one would encounter in unknown/strange bathrooms. She made sure I was ok,got me some coffee and took me back to my bus. I never saw her again. I also forgot to go you know where.

On my next trip to the job bank I passed this gas station again only to find that it was closed and shut down. I asked the people in the office about the station and was told it had been closed for months...3 months later it was torn down. When I drew an image of the owner,I was told that it was an accurate one...but that the business had closed down some time before. No one knew what happened to the owner.......

2 interesting comments on the panther in the mirror.
1) It had blue-aqua colored or turquoise colored eyes not golden yellow. I knew it was me.
2)It was identical to the image of a black panther on the web page of Merilynn Tunneshends/resonate...CC's first Nagual Woman. It was a shock to come upon that website,I have to admit. Prior to March of this year,I had no knowledge of Merilynn,or resonate. Seeing the panther on the monitor staring back at me was a shock. It was like seeing myself in the mirror being a panther...a wild cat...

Well that is the beginning of my experiences with panthers...but the end of this one innitiation.

Acantha-Tara wrote on 23 Jun 1998:

Do not be frightened; this is a perfectly natural occurrance for those on a shamanic path and you are truly blessed.

I also found out by research and experience that Jaguar people can also have a few negative traits. They CAN be short in the fuse, inclined to be curt, and crown their lack of patience (we don't suffer fools gladly) with some very sarcastic, cutting remarks. I've mellowed over the years, but...

I don't know whether you've explored your past lives, but I'd take a guess (which may be in left field somewhere) that you had at least one, and probably several, as I have in Mexico, the Americal South West, and/or South America. The jaguar has been "me" for the past 3,000 years at least.

Some jag people also have an affinity (usually lesser than with the cat, but can be pretty powerful nonetheless) with reptiles and birds of prey and the crow family--ravens, jays, etc.

Hope I didn't bore you to tears but I was so happy to "meet" another with "cat experiences".

Eri wrote on 23 Jun 1998:

He seems to assist in awakening the kundalini fires, which he then directs into spiritual fires, and awakening memories of ancient cosmic mysteries.... His body of light changed at will, and seemed from my perception to be a mascualine form of the Goddess... Any fellow experiencers?....

Diane wrote on 24 Jun 1998:

Years later, when I was more centred and secure in myself, I started meditations into my own kundalini structure and I visualized it as a hierarchy of animal spirits: an "internal totem pole," as it were. I won't go into the others but Jaguar is in my second chakra and she's been there for many years now. Talk about _vagina dentata_! I keep thinking she's gonna castrate any man who who enters me but it hasn't happened yet...

Shana wrote on 24 Jun 1998:

1)this is a warning that most of you know already: never let your "animal" harm another innocent! I know black panther/jaguar people who send their animal to hurt former girlfriends/boyfriends, etc. No one has a right to spiritually "sheer" another's psyche or spirit!

2)Lady Athena, you may want to pray or mediate or something to determine what jaguar is to you: is it a huna/animality, totem, power animal, spirit guide/guardian. It may be telling you to begin the process to become a shaman but seeing the jaguar doesn't mean you are a shaman. Everyone has spirit animals or they would not survive childhood but do you use your jaguar to travel to middle/upper/ or lower earth(journey)? A shaman uses such guides to travel and heal others.....

3)if you are to become a shaman, you will need to start your training for the spirits are known to drive those you refuse the call mad or even bring death. Some say that becoming a shaman is a curse and do wish to have the work it takes. Others find relief once they start the path.....

4)perhaps this was meerily overlooked but jaguar has other traits that should be looked into besides the fact it has sharp claws and can bite through solid bone. Jaguar is a good swimmer, water being spiritual and emotions. They can climb and are associated with the sky. How they see well in the dark and can see past false truths and pride...

5) another thing over looked with jaguar, the Jaguar Priests became so blood-thirsty that thousands died on their altars to supposedly quench the gods' thirst. Where does the jaguar spirit end and man's own ego and bloodthirst begin? Granted we can not judge jaguar for we are not the same but where does man chose to step in and not allow all the animal in him to become a monster?

6)Eri-Ka'El, why would your jaguar castrate any man who enters? What purpose would it serve? Of course in rape but other then that I see no reason and therefore no reason for you to be concerned.

7)I believe it was Lady Sekhmet's webpage that talks about letting things get too strong when connected with Sekhmet. I know I am paraphrasing this a bit so if Darlene would like to comment I would appreciate. Any rate, one must be able to stand back from a strong experience or the intensity of it will burn you out. And in rare cases, cause people to inflict the "surge" of energy onto others. Perhaps its because its words and not all of us in a group, face to face but I get the feeling some are missing the forest for the trees.

Well there's my two tarnished cents on the latest posts. Do continue to enlighten us with your visions and dreams. And remember, I warned you I have coyote, ol trickster for a totem animal! So if he's not laughing at me and making a fool of me, I will be playing dogma devil's advocate!

Zehra wrote on 24 Jun 1998:

Acantha-Tara wrote on 25 Jun 1998:

Eri wrote on 25 Jun 1998:

I like all of your posting commentary on Jaguar, it's very helpful... but I think you have me confused with some other posting/postee. I NEVER ever said my jaguar teacher would castrate anyone. I was the one who had the nice, friendly, body-of-light higher-dimensional initiations with the Jaguar Shaman, remember?

I suscribe to the "and harm ye none" policy! Geeze, the last thing I need is Jaguar-Man Shaman threatening to castrate my consorts. (They are hard enough to come by already!) I have never experienced any initiation, ceremony, teacher or guide that was not totally honoring of the Universal Laws of Free Will, Right use of Action, and working within the Legions of Light... If I did experience that, I would no longer be working with that entity, as I would severe the connection. (Oops, No pun intended!)

In regards to Jag's intense energy/workings: Admittedly, Jaguar has it's darker side, but that side is simply the shadow of the light, and ultimately one and the same within the One, neither judging "good" or "bad" just "different" aspects of the One. We should respect each aspect equally, but that doesn't mean we have to CHOOSE ALL aspects...It is our CHOICE as to which aspects of Jaguar we tap into, (light or dark) and as in all magickal things, discernment, boundaries and clear intention is the key. If Jag guide is threatening to castrate any man who enters.... Whoah! Stop for a moment and consider which aspects of Jaguar are being worked with, and set a clearer intention as to just what your magickal boundaries are with your guides/teachers/guardians etc...

According to Laws of Free Will, and the Law of The Word, Jag will comply with clear-stated direction and intention of energy. A priest/Priestess who cannot direct the Word, have discernment, intention, or set clear boundaries in all levels of magickal works, is in a very dangerous spot, and can put others in danger as well... An important point to consider.

Diane wrote on 26 Jun 1998:

Yeah, the confusion was probably with me-myself-I! I'm not a horrible castrating bitch - I might actually take the "bitch" part as a compliment but not the castrating part - but yeah, let's keep things in perspective. Jaguars are predators and Jaguar is by her very nature wont to bite. Ever see a cat pounce on a guy pitching a tent in the morning?

>I suscribe to the "and harm ye none" policy! Geeze, the last thing I
>need is Jaguar-Man Shaman threatening to castrate my consorts. (They
>are hard enough to come by already!)

Second the motion! :)

>In regards to Jag's intense energy/workings: Admittedly, Jaguar has
>it's darker side, but that side is simply the shadow of the light, and
>ultimately one and the same within the One, neither judging "good" or
>If Jag guide is threatening to
>castrate any man who enters.... Whoah! Stop for a moment and consider
>which aspects of Jaguar are being worked with, and set a clearer
>intention as to just what your magickal boundaries are with your
>guides/teachers/guardians etc...

Actually I do. As close as she is to the third chakra, which governs instincts (there's a grain of truth to the "I gotta weird feeling in my gut" saying), the Jaguar lets me know when I'm about to open up to someone who may or may not be good for me. It sort of gives me a centering slap and lets me stand back and assess the situation with both eyes open.

Llyne wrote on 26 Jun 1998:

I have been reading the Jaguar threads with some interest, but something occurs to me to point out here.

I know the experience that Barbra described had something of a feel of Castaneda about it perhaps, but she said that she saw a--panther--NOT a jaguar.

To some, a black cat may be a black cat may be a black cat, but there are significant anatomical differences between jaguars and leopards (which, when in the melanin mutation are incorrectly called panthers), and I myself feel there are significant energy differences between them, as well. If Barbra felt prompted to believe and state that what she met was a panther, there may be a reason.

Instead of an Aztec diety, there is every possibility that an African, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan or Indonesian deity could be trying to reach her (or a deity from an area in which leopards once roamed, but are now extinct). The black mutation has a higher chance of survival in densely forested regions, so Asia might be somewhat more likely than the open savannahs of Africa.

It may also be worth remembering that many Egyptian priests wore leopard-skins in ritual and ceremonies, as demonstrated by much temple and tomb art, as well as artifacts in Tutankhamun's tomb. There is that statue of Tutankhamun riding through the night stading on the back of a black leopard. Pharaohs often kept leopards of both types of coloration in royal zoos, gifts or tribute from such places as Kush and Nubia.

I just wanted to point out that there are many diverse interpretations of the experience Barbra described, in addition to the one that has come under the strongest discussion. I know that for me the obvious is almost never the answer :).

On the behalf of Ebony, Seth and Gilthoniel (black panthers who chose to be my companions)...

Acantha-Tara wrote on 26 Jun 1998:

Interesting remarks about panthers. Actually, felines are divided roughly into two main "cat"egories: felids, the purring cats, including the cougar family, which purrs on both inhalation and exhalation, and panthers, or roaring cats, which do not even come close to saying "meow" and whose purrs are on exhalation only. There are differences between leopards and jags. but they both are panthers.

Llyne wrote on 27 Jun 1998:

I've been busy. . .and I've tended to read a thread here, go construct a web page with my opinions on my site -- tends to be a little more permanent show of work of my writing than an e-mail, and I can always refer people to it!

I've been reading and paying attention though :).

> Interesting remarks about panthers. Actually, felines are divided
> roughly into two main "cat"egories: felids, the purring cats, including
> the cougar family, which purrs on both inhalation and exhalation, and
> panthers, or roaring cats, which do not even come close to saying "meow"
> and whose purrs are on exhalation only. There are differences between
> leopards and jags. but they both are panthers.

Well, yes, both are classified under the Latin tag "Panthera" as far as family, but there is no specific individual species that is correctly called a panther.

In case anyone wants to know a few of the differences, the pattern in which spots appear on the coats of each is markedly different, as is the body build. The leopard is among the smaller of the great cats, built on slender and delicate lines (not as much as the cheetah, but they're an exception anyhow). Jaguars are slightly smaller than leopards, and have a chunkier, more blocky build. Both are able to climb trees, something most great cats cannot do beyond cubhood.

The difference in attitude and energy beween them is something that has to be sensed more than anything else. In my own experience, jaguars are generally more intense, while leopards are more laid-back; however, leopards can have a very vicious nasty streak -- they are the only great cat known to kill men not because they are threatened or damaged so that they can no longer hunt their natural prey, but because they like the taste. Leopards are also notorious in circuses for being difficult to train and unpredictable. (I haven't heard of anyone trying to train jaguars). Jaguars may be harder to deal with at first, but you generally know where you stand with them, while leopards are more approachable, everything seems fine, but you never know when *WHAM* all of a sudden things aren't going to be okay anymore.

This is just my personal take on the subject.

Acantha-Tara wrote on 27 Jun 1998:

Interesting about leopards & jags. Actually, the heavyset jag is usually larger than the leopard, not the other way around. I've never heard of them being "tamed" or kept as pets, either, although I suppose it's possible, but in the Amazon (where the largest jags and the largest percentage of the black ones live) they have the reputation of being un-"tamable". Thankfully.

They really DO feel different, though, when you mention it. Even at a game farm near here, the leopards appear more or less content with their lot and extremely lazy, but the big jags, especially the huge black male, is continually restless and makes the coughing sound peculiar to the breed. If someone goes up to him and speaks in Spanish, they have his full attention. I lost contact with him one day when I was there and we were having a nice 'telepathic' conversation when all of a sudden avery assertive elderly Latin American man came up and started talking to the cat in Spanish. Jag 'listened' raptly. It's likely he spent a great deal of time in a Spanish speaking facility before being shipped here so it was familiar. There was no sign of hostility on the part of the cat; just a rapport between a jaguar person and "his" cat.

I've done better (!) with other jags; it was this particular one that left me standing with egg on my face and all I could say was "hats off to a powerful and magnificent cat."

Zehra wrote on 8 Jul 1998:

Acantha-Tara wrote on 8 Jul 1998:

I found that burning copal incense can bring out the jaguar side (perhaps because of its mesoamerican connotations), so you might want to try incorporating that in your rituals. Most of my feathers are gifts, too, usually crows, gulls and ravens.

Zehra wrote on 9 Jul 1998:

Acantha-Tara: Either this is synchronicity or we have a psychic connection! :) For the last few days, I've been drawn to meditate on the black jaguars, and I get an eerie, yet wonderful feeling that I'm attracting one from my Mayan pastlife. I feel a magnetic energy pulling at me, as if a reunion will take place very soon. :)

> I found that burning copal incense can bring out the jaguar side
> (perhaps because of its mesoamerican connotations), so you might want to
> try incorporating that in your rituals.

Only a half-hour ago, I was reading about the offering of copal incense, which I happened to order in a large amount six months ago and worried that I would never use it. Hmmm..... Coincidence or? :)

Llyne wrote on 16 Jul 1998:

Acantha-Tara wrote on 16 Jul 1998:

Thistle wrote on 17 Jul 1998:

Here, I must disagree. While Pumas and mountain lions (being the same critter) may have a great deal in common, neither have much in common with tigers, cheetahs, or esp. lions. Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a black jaguar often labeled a panther? So maybe there's a leopard connection as well.... Just rambling, ignore me.

Daalrie wrote on 17 Jul 1998:

Heralding that impression was a sense of being a panther. I read everything I could find and discovered that black panthers are mutant leopards. There was no indication in any of the literature then available that any big cat other than a leopard would qualify to be called a panther. I've since discovered that I entered this place in space via Sirius and that I have close bonds with Sirius, and Sirius is associated with cats. Also, an earth/sirian would be a mutant so the symbolic association would have been telling me something quite specific about myself which it took 30 years to confirm. I enjoyed reading what the rest of you had to say and hope to drop by more often. Having missed out on the early parts of the discussion on panthers etc, tell me, did any of the rest of you feel that you had a powerful panther association?

Acantha-Tara wrote on 17 Jul 1998:

Maybe I'm missing something here? ... Anyway .. (I love "feline" discussions at any time and who says everyone always has to agree? It would be a pretty dull world, no?)

Thistle wrote on 18 Jul 1998: