This story is told by Jungian analyst Daryl Sharp, author of Jungian Psychology Unplugged: My Life as an Elephant, and is a good example of finding one’s power animal, following its trail, and calling on it for assistance when needed.
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On a dreary afternoon in the fall of 1974 I was walking in the hills of Zurich, feeling bleak and very sorry for myself, when I spied an object on the path. I stooped down and picked it up. It was a little black elephant made of ebony. It was numinous to me, a magical thing. On the spot, I fell in love.
I took it to be a case of what Jung calls synchronicity, where an outer event coincides with what is going on inside. I assumed it had something to do with my psychology and I spent the next few years exploring what that might be. [. . .] I painted pictures of elephants and my dreams were full of them.
Now I have a pretty good idea of what elephants have to do with me and why I found that first one. I was thirty-eight years old at the time. I had burned my bridges and I was on my knees. I had gone to Switzerland to begin training at the C. G. Jung Institute of Zurich. A lot has happened to me since, but much of it has to do, metaphorically, with elephants.
Thank you, I loved your explanation! Must get your book.
What an interesting story to read.
On my own, wear a cycle of crans, reminding me to live and fly by the air this life provides.
I saw that movie and don't remember that scene, either. One more to put in the Netflix line.
I agree…the Republicans should not have used the elephant as their mascot. It should actually be the Hyena, because they are vicious creatures who "laugh" at the misery of others and prey on weaker creatures.
Another elephant story. I recently watched all the James Bond movies (one or two per week from the first to the most recent). Some I had not seen in years. Well, in "Diamonds Are Forever", I got a kick out of a scene where an elephant used its trunk to pull the slot machine and when the machine indicated that it won, the elephant got excited and shook his head. It was such a cute scene! I laughed when I saw it because I never remembered it before.
Ganesha! So many elephant stories. I love it.
Not all snakes are poisonous. In the Animal Totems book I wrote with a psychic friend, Millie Gemondo, our entry on snakes reads: Your spiritual activities are heightened. Your dreams become more lucid. Snake also represents healing, strength, nocturnal activities, sexuality, transformation. It is the spirit of life and death.
– Trish
I have a Ganesha – the Hindu Elephant God – in my house, on my terrace, controlling all my comings and goings. He is playful and brings very good vibes into my life. I must order right away your book, I am very curious. In the Chinese year I was born in the year of the Snake. My granddaughter is also a Snake. I wrote a children's book and illustrated it called "Nicolas & Nyoka". Nyoka is the Swahili word for snake. I like snakes. But do I identify with them? Changing skin, yes, I have changed skins and re-invented myself several times in my life. But I carry no poison with me.
Sansego, great story & love the republican reference. It's actually too bad that's their logo. It doesn't do the elephants justice. You would probably enjoy When Elephants Weep.
I love elephants, but my sister laughs because I call them "Republicans." Growing up, my Thai mother would tell me about how when she lived in a Thai village as a girl, she noticed how intelligent elephants were. She even tested it out by talking to the elephant and asking it why it had such a big head and large ears, but tiny eyes. She claimed that the elephant got angry with her because of her childish teasing.
Erika – love the turtles of chelonia story! Left a note on your blog.
Aleksander – not sure what you're referring to. Was it in an email? If so, could you re-send it? Nancy, Erika, love those stories! & gypsy, thanks for the plug!
– Trish
I have an affinity for elephants, too. I just purchased a small wooden one to put next to me on my nightstand. Along with a large crystal. Which has a story attached. While browsing in a store in Portland, known for their large crystals, and other things. I found a very large pointed crystal. After looking at the prices of the ones that size, I figured this was one that I wouldn't buy. It is a rose crystal, my favorite color. Anyway, I asked the clerk, just for fun, how much it was, since it was the only one of it's kind. She took it down and we were all shocked to find it was only $25. All the rest of them that size, were between $200 and $300. It now sits next to the elephant on my nightstand!
yes, for anyone who has not yet read trish's animal totems, you need to stop now and run over to amazon and grab a copy – it is really really a great guide!
and, rob, thanks for mentioning when elephants weep – i need to grab a copy myself – my sister read it and told me about it – she loved it
Speaking of animals and wolves, I still don't know your opinion about my contribution.
I know just what you mean, Daryl. When I was in a very difficult period of my life, I had a pivotal dream about turtles. They were swimming at the bottom of a murky pond and at the edge of the pond was a book that on the top was made up of worn out pages and as I turned the pages, they got more and more beautiful and detailed until at the bottom were illuminated manuscript pages. The book was about the turtles, equally neglected as the book. I dove in and swam with the turtles.
Ever since then (1990) turtles have had a special meaning for me.
DId I already write to you (Trish and Rob) about my big synchronicity related to turtles? I started a children's book and called it "The Turtles of Chelonia." A couple years later I was at a natural history museum and I read that turtles are from the classification Chelonia, I had just thought it sounded like a good word.
Turtles for me are about wisdom. about internal process and about slow and steady. ( I have other power animals too though, including a lion. I think we all have different parts.)
Thanks for this.
Jarielyn- as soon as I read your comment, I remembered I had been dreaming this morning about blogs/blogging, but the specifics escape me. I don't have a clue what it means!
– Trish
I was left wanting more also. I want to know how the outer event coincided with what was going on inside of him. Maybe he meant that to get to where he is now he had to take it one elephant step at a time, slow and steady but with strength. I don't know. I'm curious though.
I've been waking up dreaming about my fellow bloggers and all the blogs I follow. Every day for about a week now. I wonder what that means.
Marlene, wolves as symbols are often misunderstood. People tend to think of the 'lone wolf' image, but that's an anomaly. Wolves are pack animals, and they relate to family and understanding proper social conduct.
Elephants also relate to family life. They augur well for increased good health and the loyalty of friends and family. Another good book: When Elephants Weep.
Speaking of books, I'm getting much of the above from Animal Totems, by Trish MacGregor and Millie Gemondo.
Rob
Interestingly, both elephants and wolves are endangered.
Yes, a teaser. You'll have to read his book, I guess, to find those answers.
Interesting…I have a strong affinity to wolves…ever since I was young collected wolf pictures , stores, ect…I also have also dreamed of wolves often..instead of scaring me I find them somehow familiar..somehow, but I have yet to understand the meaning behind this connection to my current life.
Oh noes! You tickle my curiosity and leave me wanting for more! What happened that had to do with elephants one way or another? And what do elephants have to do with you? Tell us more, tell us more!