Elk
People born under the Long Snows Moon, the last moon of Mudjekeewis, have the elk as their animal totem, the black spruce as their plant and obsidian as their mineral. Their color is black — in the book a color of learning, not of negativity — and they are the least fiery, longest-burning members of the Thunderbird clan.
Source: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”
- Dates
- November 22 – December 21
- Moon
- Long Snows Moon
- Elemental clan
- Thunderbird Clan (Fire)
- Spirit Keeper
- Mudjekeewis (West)
- Plant
- Black spruce
- Mineral
- Obsidian
- Color
- Black
Source: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), Reference Chart
Personality
Like obsidian, Elk people walk a razor’s edge, for their nature is one of duality; they act as mirrors for others, and they are often clairvoyant and protective. Like the black spruce they have a majestic bearing and a warm, courteous, sometimes conventional character; they look like members of a royal family. They have an innate sense of justice and trumpet loudly any injustice they discover. They are independent, determined and fearless, and can be flamboyantly argumentative; they keep their deep feelings closed behind a warm surface, which can lead to sudden departures, but they also love dancing and singing.
From the text of: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”
Love & Relationships
Elk men, like the bull elk, compete with each other over the women in their lives, and they dislike ending a relationship completely, keeping their old lovers as good friends — “a harem of sorts”. Elk women do the same, and this can lead to unexpected fits of rage or jealousy. Elk women are good mothers; the men delight in teaching their older children.
From the text of: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”
Work & Career
They are often found as teachers of some kind.
From the text of: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”
Health & Wellbeing
Their knees and thighs are particularly vulnerable; teaching can strain the throat and voice, and argumentativeness or closedness can show as stiffness.
From the text of: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”
Mythology & Symbolism
Obsidian, the mineral of this moon, is volcanic glass, hard and razor-sharp along its edges; small rounded pieces that weather out of larger masses are called Apache tears, and the Maya made obsidian into mirrors and intricate jewelry. In the book it is a stone of mirrors and protection, and the black spruce gives the Elk its majestic bearing.
From the text of: Sun Bear & Wabun, The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology (Prentice-Hall 1980), “Long Snows Moon (Elk)”