Coyote

"A Zuni fetish, or wemawe, is a carved object of an animal or revered god. The spirit power of a fetish is given to it by its owner. Fetishes have been made for personal use for centuries. The Zunis believe that human beings are the most complete beings in creation, which also makes them the least equipped to survive in the natural world. Because animals, with their fangs, claws, sharp eyes, and other keen senses, are closer to nature, they can act as messengers to the gods. So the Zunis learned to invoke the spirits of animals through fetishes that looked like animals and gods. Fetishes were ceremonially fed and treated with respect because it was believed fetishes were alive as well as very powerful. They had to be cared for because if they weren't, they would bring ill fortune"

My Zuni Fetish animal is the Coyote. My first experience with Zuni Fetish carvings was in Santa Fe, New Mexico many years ago at Keshi. http://www.keshi.com/. It's a small shop right across from the St. Francis Hotel where we were staying. Out of curiosity one morning after breakfast I walked in. I started browsing all of the cabinets where the fetish carvings were displayed. The Native American shop keeper, a young girl, walked up to me and quietly said, "one of them will speak to you, listen carefully, you will know." I smiled and thanked her, not quite sure I actually believed her but it was fun to play along with the "spirituality thing". As if one of these carved rocks would actually speak to me, yeah right. Maybe after a couple of margaritas at the Coyote Cantina Rooftop bar, which by the way is my favorite place to hang out in Santa Fe, I might hear things from carved rocks, but not sober on a Thursday morning. There were only a couple other "touristas" in the shop as I slowly browsed. The carvings were actually really nice, each artist having their own style. The eagles were cool, as were the owls and snakes, but they weren't speaking to me. The old silent treatment, which by the way I've received many times from various wives and dates, but never from a carved rock. Anyway, it was fun to just wander around acting as if I was really into all of this animal spirit hocus pocus. As I rounded the corner at the end of the long display case in the middle of the store, I simply just stopped in front of a tall cabinet. Don't know why, just knew that I had to. I looked at the animal carvings that were now in front of me and they were all coyotes. I knew. This was it, this was to be my animal spirit. It was a feeling, a connection. Now I had to figure out why. In Zuni lore, each fetish animal means something, it's unique spirit symbolic of something. What was the coyote all about?:

Traditionally most interpretations say that the Coyote is called “the trickster” in numerous cultures. Life, however, is the real trickster and Coyote understands this. By accepting situations as they are and dealing with the unexpected willingly and eagerly, Coyote survives. Coyotes shows us that life is unpredictable and uncontrollable and that unexpected occurrences can be viewed as opportunities, not misfortunes. Coyote’s wisdom teaches us to live in the moment and wonder at it all.

But this wasn't me, old Wylie must be mistaken. If anything I was just the opposite. I was a worrier, always worrying about the future and regretting what I had done in the past. Me live in the moment? I don't think so. The young girl came over to me and said, "You have found your guide, your animal spirit. It is Coyote, you are lucky. He will teach you many things."

"But that's not me, everything I read about him is the opposite of who I am"

"And are you happy with who you are right now?"

I didn't answer her right away. I knew. Coyote knew.

"No I'm not happy. I would love to view life as the Coyote does"

"Then he is here to guide you, he chose you for a reason. Listen carefully."

She was right. I picked one particular coyote fetish that I knew I had to have. Funny, since it sometimes takes me a long time to make a decision, but I just knew. I bought a small leather pouch for his home and put some ground corn in it. For those not familiar with the size of one of these fetishes, they aren't very big, maybe an inch or two tall, if that. Here's a photo of a coyote carving. I initially wrote "typical carving" but then realized that there is nothing typical about any of the fetish animals. Each one has it's own spirit, although the one pictured below looks a lot like the one that I adopted. Possible that the same artist carved it.

Fast forward to today. It's been a long journey and I still have a lot to learn, although I'm getting much better at living in the moment. My Coyote fetish and also my wife Julie have been amazing teachers over the years. Live in the moment and wonder at it all - the Coyote way. The Coyote is a survivor and an optimist. Cool. I'm trying to be and getting much better at it.

One nice thing about living in Colorado is that there are a lot of coyotes around as reminders. When I lived in the mountains, at night I would hear them down by the lake howling and yipping to each other. A very magical sound that went straight to your core. You don't often see them out and about in the daylight, they are survivors and try and stay away from man, which is why what happened to me last weekend while I was hiking the back trails makes it all the more ominous.

There are miles and miles of mountain trails within a few minutes drive of where we live. It is possible to take any one of a number of trails and be in complete solitude, not another hiker in sight or any animals for that matter. Eagles and hawks circle overhead, a few mule deer now and then, but that's about it. The mountain lions, bears and coyotes (lions and coyotes and bears, oh my!) are there, you just never see them. Just you and nature and silence. I like that. Last weekend I was on one of my favorite remote trails and was starting up a gentle climb in a nice valley. I had hiked this trail many times before. As I hike, I tend to look down to check my footing and this particular stretch was narrow with lots of ankle twisting rocks so I wasn't looking up at the trail ahead of me. I reached a level spot where I usually stop for a drink and as I was drinking I happened to glance up the trail and saw a large adult male coyote, literally not more that 100 feet away from me in the middle of the trail. Totally silent, it was as if he just appeared and our paths crossed. He was older and his coat wasn't in great shape. He looked tired. Both of us stopped and made eye contact. Both of us just staring at each other in a very non threatening or fearful way.

He then spoke to me, not audibly, of course, but I honestly felt a spiritual connection and communication. It was as clear as if we were speaking. Telepathic communication. What he told me was very unsettling. They are afraid, their earth mother is dying, they don't know what to do. It is very difficult for them to maintain their coyote optimism. They see no opportunity anymore. They are sad. They are feeling beaten down. They don't know what to do. Much sadness.

We stood and did this for probably 5 minutes, not a real long time but a long time for a wild animal to stop and make contact with a human. After he had spoken, he slowly moved across the trail and headed up the side of the mountain, still visible in the tall grass. As I was about to continue on my way, another coyote appeared and also crossed the trail again no more than 100 feet away. This one was smaller and probably the female companion of the first one. Her coat was also very bad and she walked with a noticeable limp. She did not stop to look at me but just continued on her way to catch up to her mate who was waiting on the side of the hill, just off to the right. She did not communicate with me, her mate had said enough. The two of them slowly and sadly made their way in the tall grass on the side of the mountain. I stood and watched them until they were out of sight. After they had gone, I simply stood there, closed my eyes and reflected on what I had just heard and what had just happened. It is something I'll never forget.

My hero has always been Pete Seeger. Over 46 years ago, I bought my first Pete Seeger album called "God Bless The Grass".  My favorite song on the album was one called "Coyote, My Little Brother." The chorus to the song is "He's warning the human race of his death". How ironic.

Please take the time and listen to this song recorded in the early 60's on Pete Seegers "Rainbow Quest" TV show. Please pray for the coyote - please pray for our earth.

That Was Amazing

Julie and I have the most intense, incredible, mindblowing and amazing sex. Everytime, every single time. Neither one of us has ever experienced anything like this before. Never even thought such great sex was possible. It simply transcends physical pleasure. And this is after almost 5 years of marriage, well past  the time when they usually lose some intensity.Words cannot describe what we experience. We've tried. The inside of my wedding band is engraved with the words "that was amazing". We've made love in every room in the house, on various pieces of furniture, chairs, kitchen table, in the garage on the Harley and in a small and pricate little garden in the backyard. And every time it just keeps getting better. Several times a week for at least an hour every time. No quickies for us. How do you explain that? I mean, we've all experienced how great sex is when it's new, but that usually tapers off after a few months, like a bottle rocket of carnal pleasure. Not us. Everytime is honestly as good as, if not better than the last time. And again, it goes way, way beyond just physical pleasure. Julie believes that through the sex we share, we are able to attain a spiritual connection both to each other and also with a higher source or energy. Sex opens the door to a greater consciousness where time and space seem to stand still. A connection to the Divine, if you will. At least that what she thinks having experienced what we have. I tend to agree.Here's a link to her blog, check it out. http://spirituallubricant.blogspot.com/

It has always been her desire to try and put into words what we experience when we're having sex, if such a thing were even possible, since we cannot seem find words in the English language that adequately begin to describe where we both go when we make love. Eastern cultures and religions all explore human sexuality as a path to the spiritual, but Christianity does not have a counterpart. Hmmmmmm. Maybe this is why there are no words to really describe the intensity and feelings of sexual and spiritual connected bliss in our language. She first thought of writing a book on the subject but then decided to put her thoughts into a blog that may one day be the basis of a book.

A couple of weeks ago while at the local pub, we were discusing her blog on this and what it might be called and we came up with the title, "Spiritual Lubricant". Catchy, eh? Again take a look at the link to her blog. In the meantime, I will generously continue to offer to help her with any research on subject! Seriously, she is very much into the spiritual world and it shows. As for me, I sometimes struggle to really grasp some of these concepts, although I certainly don't doubt that they exist. I have more than once experienced things that I simply cannot explain. I just need to try and understand it all in my terms. Not easy. Lying in bed this last weekend on a snowy morning, I think I got it. In a strange way, I think I "got my head around" how our sexual experiences reach the almost spiritual or energetic levels that they do.

Here goes.

The creation of a life force is the most powerful energy in our known universe. Period. It cannot be duplicated or even fully understood. You're dealing with something that is all encompassing and to which we were all connected at one time in our life. It's the warm and good energy that brings life. It is God, the life force, Mother Earth, call it what you will. But it definitely does exist. When we die, perhaps the white light and warm energy is this same energy calling us home. It is something we don't understand and obviously don't respect, judging by how we "value" life. But that's a story for another day.

So how do we access this life force, energy, God, or whatever you want to call it and begin to feel it's warmth and well being in a conscious state? When are we the closest to it? When can we vaguely glimpse it's power, energy and spirit, even if just for the brief moment we are priveleged to experience it?

Answer: When you're engaged loving and respectful sexual intercourse. Think about it. When you're holding your partner close to you and you ejaculate deeply into her, you are allowing for the possibility of this life force to be present and for a brief moment in time, you can be connected to it. Life may or may not be created by this one act, but you are taking the first steps toward that possibility and that's all that matters here.You've scraped the spiritual surface and have been allowed to be in it's presence, no matter how fleeting. The experience is enhanced to a higher, almost "spiritual" level if when this happens you are with a partner you are deeply in love with and have taken the time to really be sexually attuned to each other and be fully ready for the experience. So in a sense, nice prolonged foreplay that is loving and respectful can also be considered Spiritual Lubricant since it greatly facilititates the spiritual life force to gently slide into your consciousness as part of making love. Take the time to fully embrace the experience, feel both the physical and spritital connection that is possible when you both get to that special place. It can be truly amazing.

Riding Out The Storm

Mid morning sun coming through the partially opened tent flap, shining in his eyes. Already he could hear the constant drone of bikes.Gotta get moving, he thought, but it sure was nice lying here together on top of the sleeping bag inside the now seductively warming tent. She was still asleep, pressed closely against him. Damn it seemed like they just had gone to sleep only a few hours ago. Probably had. It had been a late night at the Full Throttle. No idea what time it was when they finally caught the last shuttle back to the campgrounds. He remembers them both being still slightly drunk when they had some really nice and slow early morning sex, falling asleep intertwined, sexually spent and fully satisfied. Mmmm, he thought, I could go again, but it really was time to get their asses in gear. Time to roll. Gotta wake sleeping beauty, who was now on her back, totally naked to the world with the sun on her. Tempting. Leaning over he gradually stirred her to consciousness by gently kissing and licking each nipple feeling them harden and respond in his mouth. Much better than an alarm clock. Seemed to be working. Very tempting. But the road is calling. There will be time for more of this later. Reluctantly she got up and the day was underway.

Tent and gear packed and strapped to the bikes, water bottles filled, bikes checked. Ready to ride. She went first, and he was right behind her. He actually liked riding this way since he could look at her up there in front of him in her loose tank top cut low at the arms, tight levis and that red bandana with her legs stretched out and spread apart on the highway pegs. Remembering how those same legs feel when they're tightly wrapped around him. OK, gotta get off this train of thought and focus, although he was already getting very hard just thinking about her. She always had that effect on him.

After a quick breakfast burrito at a little vendor tent off Main St. they gassed up and were ready to ride out to Devil’s Tower. It was already late morning and some clouds were forming on the horizon as they headed out I-90 and over to Highway 110 and the Devils Tower Trading post. This was always one of their favorite rides. Lots of spiritual energy at Devils Tower, same feeling as when you walk into a great cathedral for the first time.

After a quick hamburger and beer in the garden behind the Trading Post and they decided to head back, since there were some pretty dark clouds starting to gather now. These summer rumblers on the Wyoming/South Dakota plains come up on you quickly and with extreme prejudice.One more thing Sturgis is famous for. Thirty minutes later their luck ran out. Lightning started followed by an almost simultaneous and deafening crack of thunder. Biker Code Rule #22, never ride in lightning and never, never in hail, which it was now starting to do. Big hail, tank denting hail.They had a couple of plastic tarps in their bags if they wanted to cover up just off the road and wait it out. However, just ahead was what looked like an old deserted barn which would be perfect to duck into and also get the bikes out of the hail. A quick ride across a grass field and they were in, just as the skies really opened up with lightning, hail and rain. Good timing.

It was very hot and humid in the old barn, the noise of the rain on the tin roof was deafening but at the same time romantic in an old classic movie sort of way. She was leaning over getting some water out of the saddlebag, her tank top now wet with rain, nipples pressing against wet fabric. He removed her wet shirt, reached around, caressed her breasts while kissing the back of her neck in that special place that he knew would drive her crazy. The thunder and rain on the roof seemed to be getting louder; the humidity and heat all combined to drive them to an urgent passion. Chaps and pants were quickly removed and tossed on the dirt floor of the barn. In a lover’s embrace he lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Still standing, they stumbled backwards and fell, as one onto a hay bale. He could feel the rough hay on his bare ass which somehow increased the excitement. She was now straddling him as he slipped inside her. Both moving as one. Sweating in the humidity of the old barn and their own sexual heat. She moved her hips faster and faster, her head thrown back, his hips reaching up to meet hers. He grabbed her ass and pulled her tight against him as deafening crack of thunder seemd to explode overhead. They orgasmed simultaneously for what seemed like minutes. Still fully engaged in a lovers embrace, they sat still and held each other, feeling the sexual aftershocks that always linger, sometimes for several minutes. He reached for a bottle of water, unscrewed the top and poured the warm liquid between their bodies, feeling it run down between their chests, hips. It felt good.